Holiday abroad. opinions needed.

[GinSoakedMisery]

We are looking to go abroad next year for our holiday. Both DH and I have never been abroad so no idea whereto go and what to expect. This will be looked into a bit more our side, just wanting some opinions on accommodation really from those who have been abroad before.

We have three DC, middle one has autism and dyspraxia, very noise sensitive and gets over stimulated with flashing lights, loud music etc.

I think a villa would be better for us as we could do a lot during the day and have a swimming pool to ourselves. Plus on a night time we can have a bit of chill out time.

DH wants to stop in a hotel that has some night time entertainment and a much bigger pool where the other two DC can mix with other children.

Anyone have any input on this, any ideas where would be good for our first holiday abroad?

We did Haven last year and had to leave three days early as DS2 was so overstimulated by it all he wasnt sleeping.

For the best of both worlds book accommodation in a holiday park with bungalows. You can usually request a bungalow in a particular location in the park (i.e. close to the pool/bar/reception or in a quiet part of the park). They are usually self-catering with an option to upgrade to bed and breakfast, half board or all inclusive with everything including drinks.

This way you'll have your own space but the benefit of entertainment and children's clubs etc if you want it.

I like Parque Cristobal in Gran Canaria as it has two main pools in different parts of the park and they both have children's pools. The other guests were mainly Norwegian which meant that ds was the 'naturally rude English boy' instead of the 'autistic boy' which gave us a bit of respite from explaining and apologising. He even got to play with some of the children as they made no complicated language demands.

Having said that, there are issues with it not being on the beach so needing to use the free shuttle or have a car etc. I think generally, the bungalow type accommodation is further back from the beach as high rise hotels are usually built along the coastline.

We used Canvas in France and stayed in their caravan type (but much bigger) accommodation with decking. Our decking was great as there was a fence all round and a gate with a very stiff bolt on it. It stopped us having to panic with the door open. But nice and quiet, fantastic pool complex and the fact we set our own routine was good for DD.Loads to do for the children, but not hectic. Surrounded by spaces to play outside the decking too (with supervision).

I've travelled around the world with my son , we done independent trips , organised groups .
We went on one trip with the adventure company to India , up into the Himalayas , that had a little girl of ten who was quiet severally autistic , we had a wonderful group , there was two 14 , a 12 ,my 11 year old ,a 10 year old lastly 7 year old . They where all girls and my son , they all mixed and gelled .
Her parents where very aware of when she needed down time and would take her for quiet time , nobody minded , her mum and dad couldn't believe how well she was doing . Think they where worrying that it all be a disaster and where pleasantly surprised .
You could tell straight away that my child and this little girl had difficulties, but we where never made feel that was a problem from the other parents or kids .
I've never worried about taken him to places , we work around moods / foods / heat / noise when we there , iPods help with blocking out things they don't want to hear , you can have book , relaxation music, there favourite band .
You can find a vast aria of western foods , throughout the world so not a problem , we ridden on Donkeys in Egypt , camels in both Tunisia , India and Egypt , gone hot air ballooning over the tombs in Luxor , as well as film sights to lord of rings in New Zealand .
I just try things if it a disaster , we know not to do that again , last year we went caving though lava tubes in Iceland , canoeing . Etc I hate bits of it more than he did , but it's all good fun.
To you try things here , like pictures , ice skating , bowling , this helps with getting them to try new things .
But nobody can tell you what to do you know you child the best , and what there able to tolerate .
Whatever you decide to do have a wonderful time .

Thank you for your input.

Starlight, I've had a look at that resort, looks lovely. Did you stop in a deluxe bungalow? Does that mean it is detached?

No deluxe had things like playstations and bunk beds and fun children's room etc. but my kids are a bit young for all that and I didn't think it was good value.

The bungalows aren't detached but they are adjoined in an optimal way to avoid noise transferring, I think. Well we never had any issues and I took 3 under 6 about a year ago.

While it wasn't that cheap (nor is it crazy luxury category), and we went outside of school holidays, we found Neilsen Beach Club holidays brilliant. They have kids clubs, but when we booked and explained our son was ASD (we now know he's also dyspraxic), they simply said 'would you like a one to one nanny for him'. Didn't cost any extra, and the person assigned was amazing. They got in touch in advance to ask about any issues. We had a fantastic trip and have since returned to another one of their resorts. I'd happily go back year on year.

Of course the situation may be very different in school holidays when cost goes up, and crowds (particularly in kids clubs) do too.