Looking for your perfect TUI holiday? Ask our travel experts

[EllieSmumsnet]

Not sure which TUI holiday is right for you? Whether you're travelling with toddlers, teens, grandparents, planning a well-earned adults-only escape, or have questions around SEND support, our TUI travel experts are here to help match you to your ideal trip.

Tell us a bit about what you’re looking for and our TUI experts will reply with personalised recommendations, whether that’s a family-friendly TUI BLUE resort, a Marella cruise packed with activities or if you’re celebrating a special milestone or event.

Drop your questions in the comments by 16/04 for your chance to win a £200 VEX voucher – T&Cs here.

About the TUI experts:
Your questions will be answered by a range of TUI holiday experts who are here to help you plan the right trip. This includes our experienced holiday experts from TUI’s retail travel teams, who help customers find their perfect holiday every day, specialists from our concept hotel team who can answer questions about brands such as TUI BLUE, TUI MAGIC LIFE and SplashWorld, members of our childcare team who can offer advice on travelling with babies and young children, and colleagues from our customer experience team, including TUI’s Accessibility Manager, who can help with any questions around accessibility and SEND support while travelling.

I really, really want an affordable Santa visit to Lapland with my husband and two children. But I cannot find anything that comes in less than £4k for 3-4 nights from Cardiff/ Bristol. Even expanding to Birmingham it's coming in the same price.

Advice appreciated!

That sounds like a really tough start to a holiday. A few great TUI BLUE options that work well for this are:
TUI BLUE Orquídea – around a 4.5-hour flight with a short transfer (~20 mins), so you’re into resort quickly
TUI BLUE Aura – shorter flight (~2.5 hours) and an easy transfer, ideal with younger children
TUI BLUE Tropical – about a 4-hour flight but very close to the airport (~20–25 mins transfer)

Flying with a little one under 2 is usually much easier than people expect. Your baby will sit on your lap with an infant belt the crew provide, and you can take all their essentials through security — milk, food, formula, snacks and a changing bag without the usual liquid limits. Most airlines let families board early, but I actually prefer to board last so we spend less time sitting on the plane, and I always do a fresh nappy change just before boarding.

If you want more space, you can still book extra‑legroom seats even with an infant on your lap, which makes a big difference without paying for a full extra seat. Cabin crew are really helpful too they’ll warm bottles or baby food and are used to little ones getting restless.

I’ve flown with my twins at 8 months and 18 months, and the things that worked best were familiar snacks, a few sensory toys, and a couple of new surprise toys or books they’d never seen before. It keeps them busy and makes the flight much easier for both of you.

Outside and balcony cabins do tend to sell out first, as they’re the most in demand, so cabin availability really depends on the sailing, the ship and the time of year. Inside cabins are usually the last category to completely go, but they also don’t always drop much in price because they’re the lowest-priced option to begin with.

If you’re specifically looking for an inside cabin and want to keep costs down, you’ll usually get the best choice by booking earlier, especially if you need a cabin that can take a travel cot. Some inside cabins can accommodate one, but not all it depends on the cabin layout and maximum occupancy. There are also certain inside cabins that are designed for families and have a bit more space, often on lower or mid decks.

When you enquire or book, we check the exact cabin capacity and layout so you know for sure whether it’s suitable. So if a particular cabin type or layout matters, earlier booking is usually safer.

If you want help narrowing down ships or which inside cabins take a cot, feel free to ask.

We have a range of Accessible Holidays and hundreds of hotels with Detailed Access Guides by AccessAble, so you can choose the destination and resort that best meets your accessibility needs. TUI does not provide care packages. This would have to be arranged by the customer from the UK&I or once in destination.

TUI BLUE Manar is a strong all-round option for your needs, as it combines a large, family-friendly resort setup with easy access to real local culture. The hotel itself is spacious with multiple pools, a water park, kids’ clubs, and plenty of activities, making it ideal for mixed-age groups and larger parties It’s located close to Hammamet and Nabeul, where you can visit traditional medinas and markets for a genuine souq-style experience just a short taxi ride away. Overall, it strikes a great balance between resort comfort and accessible local culture, making it a great suitable choice if you want both relaxation and authentic exploration without needing long excursions.

You’ve basically described the exact sweet spot of our TUI BLUE Adults Only hotels in Europe — and your budget (£5–8k for ~10–14 nights) is very workable if you pick the right destination and dates. A shortlist that fits your criteria (beach, spa, activities, good food, not remote, <1hr transfer, adult vibe) below:

TUI BLUE Palazzo del Mare
• 25 mins from Kos airport
• Beachfront (long sandy stretch)
• Strong food offering (buffet + à la carte)
• Cycling, fitness, yoga, spa & wellness offering
• Close to Kos Town for restaurants/bars
TUI BLUE Adriatic Beach
• ~1 hour from Split airport
• Dramatic mountains + sea views
• Pebble beach (crystal clear water)
• Fitness, yoga, kayaking, spa
•Good food
TUI BLUE Yaramar
Best for “not isolated” + easy trip
•~25 mins from Malaga
• Beachfront
• Multiple restaurants
• Yoga + fitness classes + live entertainment
• Walkable into town (huge plus)

For land-based holidays, the TUI BLUE range is often the best fit because it’s designed specifically for multi‑generational groups. These hotels offer baby and toddler facilities, kids’ clubs for different age groups, teen spaces, accessible rooms at selected properties, and a wide range of dining options including allergy‑friendly and children’s menus. Resorts like TUI BLUE Alcudia Pins in Majorca, TUI BLUE Tropical in Turkey, and TUI BLUE Manar in Tunisia are very popular choices for families who want everything in one place, with lots of activities suitable for all ages and needs. These hotels are well known for their child‑friendly food and specialist facilities like BabyClubs, kids’ clubs for each age bracket, and wellbeing or sensory-friendly support in selected hotels. [[mumsnet.com]](https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/tui-family-holidays-with-toddlers),(https://www.tui.co.uk/discover/best-all-inclusive-family-resorts)

If accessibility is important, TUI also has a dedicated Assisted Travel team and has partnered with AccessAble to provide verified accessibility guides for many hotels. Several TUI BLUE resorts now offer sensory rooms and neuro-inclusive facilities too, which can be helpful for guests with sensory sensitivities or additional needs. [[tui.co.uk]](https://www.tui.co.uk/holidays/accessible-holidays/),(https://www.tuigroup.com/newsroom/news/tui-blue-add-three-new-sensory-rooms-for-2026)

If you're considering a cruise instead, Marella Cruises (TUI’s cruise line) tends to work well for multi‑age groups because everything is in one place, the ships are compact and easy to get around, and inside cabins are a good budget option. Most ships have cabins that can take families or connecting cabins for larger groups, and cruise dining is naturally flexible with lots of choice for different dietary requirements.

It really depends on whether you want a resort with everything on site, or the variety that comes with cruising, but TUI definitely has strong options in both areas for groups spanning toddlers through to grandparents, with support for accessibility and special diets along the way.

For a long-awaited holiday without the children with us - what is the best European TUI hotel/resort to go to for a week?
We're looking for an adults only hotel near a beach, not a massively long flight/transfer, not Turkey, ideally near a local town/village for a bit of local colour, bike hire available nearby, probably All Inclusive but HB would be ok too
Thanks!

The best place to start is by checking the Detailed Access Guides by AccessAble, which will have plenty of information on the accessibility and suitability of our most popular resorts. Some TUI BLUE hotels have large family rooms with two separate sleeping spaces (in the same room) which may be suitable.

Here are some great hotels to consider, which are all Adults Only:

TUI BLUE Makarska
• Direct beachfront location – literally on the Adriatic with clear water and bay views
• Infinity pool + swim-up rooms – very “wow factor” for a group trip
• Some walkable options nearby – bars/restaurants around 300m away
• Scenery is a big plus – Makarska Riviera is known for beaches, mountains, and lively promenades
• TUI BLUE activities – fitness, spa, excursions, boat trips

TUI BLUE Palazzo del Mare
• Beach basically on your doorstep (just across a small road)
• Huge pool + swim-up options – one of the best pool setups in TUI BLUE
• Very warm in early June (Greek islands are a safe bet)
• Loads of activities + entertainment – yoga, water sports, shows
• Good mix of relaxing + excursions (Kos Town trips, island hopping)

TUI BLUE Medina Gardens
• Best location of all your options – right by the Medina (huge for exploring)
• Endless walkable souks, restaurants, cafés, culture
• Lovely pool + gardens for relaxing between exploring
• Strong activity offering – yoga, fitness, cooking classes, spa
• Hot in early June (guaranteed sun)
• Please note - more of a city break + resort hybrid as no beach

TUI BLUE Madeira Gardens
• Sea views + coastal setting (on hillside overlooking ocean)
• Good walkability – bars/restaurants ~50–100m away
• Close to Funchal town (≈1.8 km) for more options
• Multiple pools + rooftop whirlpool
• Activities + wellness + live music vibe

Some great suggestions below to consider:

TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Dreams Resort
• Built around the ruins of an Ancient Greek village
• Stroll into the fishing village of Gennadi in a few minutes – its narrow lanes are lined with traditional tavernas.
• Lively, premium all-inclusive resort
• Excellent kids’ clubs + lots of structured activities
• Separate adults-only areas (good for grandparents’ downtime)
• Many pools, restaurants, and evening entertainment

TUI BLUE Atlantica Aegean Park
• Close to Rhodes Old Town & Lindos → easy sightseeing
• On-site waterpark + kids’ clubs → great for grandchildren
• Beachfront + large pools → easy, relaxed days
• All-inclusive + entertainment → minimal planning
• Good balance of explore + relax for all ages

The best time to book is almost always early. Prices for peak periods like summer, Easter and October half-term tend to rise rather than fall because demand is high and availability reduces as you get closer. Booking early also gives you the best chance of securing Free Kids’ Places, which are limited and get snapped up quickly. If you know your dates, it’s definitely worth getting in early.

My top 3 recommendations for you, If I had to rank based on everything you said:

TUI BLUE Alcudia Pins (Majorca) – best all‑rounder
TUI BLUE Falesia (Algarve) – calm, quality, walkable
Estival Park Silmar (Costa Dorada) – value + teens + town, without dates its hard to check in on prices.

TUI BLUE fits the “luxury feel without full luxury price”, especially for teens. They’re designed to balance pool + beach + local culture, not just stuck-in-a-resort vibes.
Some suggestions below:

Turkey: TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park or TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye for a more luxury option:
• Huge pools + nice beaches
• Good teen programme in summer with lots of activities to keep everyone entertained
• Great for excursions (boat trips, markets, jeep safaris)

Greece: TUI BLUE Elounda Village or TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Dreams for a more luxury option:
• Beautiful beaches + clear water
• Easy to explore (old towns, boat trips, ruins)
• Great programme of daytime activities and evening entertainment in resort to keep everyone entertained

Spain: TUI BLUE Grupotel Mallorca Mar or TUI BLUE Sensatori Biomar for a more luxury option:
• Short flights (great with teens)
• Beaches + loads to do outside resort (towns, shopping, markets)

Select Your Room is TUI's accommodation booking feature that allows customers to choose their specific hotel room before arrival, rather than being assigned one at check-in. Please note - availability depends on the specific hotel and booking conditions. Not all properties or room types participate in SYR. Another option to consider is 2 bedroom accommodations or inter-connecting rooms, check out the below hotels which should all be able to accommodate this:

TUI BLUE Palm Garden
TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park
TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Sorgun
TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye
TUI BLUE Sensatori Coral Sea
TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Dreams

Greece and Tunisia are great destinations. The below hotels would be a great ft as they are all family friendly:
TUI BLUE Elounda Breeze
TUI BLUE Lagoon Princess
TUI BLUE Atlantica Aegean Park
TUI BLUE Manar

Not Malta, but some great Adults Only suggestions below:

TUI BLUE Atlantica Nissaki Beach
• Quiet, boutique feel (not mega-resort)
• Crystal-clear water for snorkelling
• Easy exploring (Corfu Town, villages, boat trips)
• Proper relax-by-the-pool-but-do-stuff-if-you-want balance

TUI BLUE Meltemi
• Boutique luxury + swim-up rooms
• Unreal scenery + history (Akrotiri ruins, caldera views)
• More romantic / premium feel

TUI BLUE Adriatic Beach
• Some of the clearest water in Europe (great snorkelling)
• Stunning mountains + coastline
• Close to Split & islands for exploring

TUI BLUE Seno
• Amazing views + hillside setting
• Great food + spa + activities
• Boat trips, ruins, snorkelling nearby

If you don’t want to travel too far, places like Majorca, Madeira, the Algarve, and Cyprus are great choices. The flights are fairly short, the resorts are relaxed, and many hotels have a very friendly feel without being overly lively. We also have TUI BLUE hotels designed for adults, which offer a calm environment, activities you can dip in and out of, and staff who are used to supporting solo guests so you never feel out of place. You can join things if you want to, or keep to yourself if that feels more comfortable.

Another option is a Marella cruise, especially the smaller ships. Solo travellers often find cruising much easier because everything is in one place, there’s no pressure to mingle, and you can choose when to join activities or just relax. The environment tends to feel safe and familiar very quickly.

Please check out the below hotels which should all be able to accomodate your request:

TUI BLUE Palm Garden
TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park
TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Sorgun
TUI BLUE Sensatori Akra Fethiye
TUI BLUE Sensatori Coral Sea
TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Dreams

Portugal is a great choice for a sunny European surfing holiday, particularly the Algarve, which offers excellent beginner‑friendly surf beaches, reliable sunshine, and short transfers. Areas such as Lagos and Albufeira are ideal for families, combining easy access to surf schools with walkable towns and restaurants. Recommended family‑friendly hotels with proper beds for children (no sofa beds) include TUI BLUE Falesia, Vila Galé Lagos and Eden Resort near Albufeira, all well located for both surfing and relaxed evenings.

I work for TUI, and for a mixed‑age family group like yours, there are a few destinations and resorts that work brilliantly especially if you want great kids' activities, relaxing spaces for grandparents, an all‑inclusive option, and a short/easy flight from the UK.

A really reliable choice is the TUI BLUE For Families range. These hotels are designed to work for toddlers, older kids, teens and adults all at once. They offer kids’ clubs split by age, BabyClubs for the very young, teen hangout areas, lots of daytime and evening entertainment, and plenty of quieter areas too so grandparents can relax while the kids stay busy. They also offer family‑friendly food with healthy choices and allergy‑aware options

TUI BLUE hotels are well known for their excellent catering provision of dietary requirements. You can contact the Food and Beverage manager ahead of your travel to pass on your requirements, the email addresses are published on our website.

If you’re looking for a couples‑only weekend away outside Europe, with plenty of history and fun things to do, but without a long or expensive flight, a few destinations stand out.

Morocco is one of the best options for a short‑haul escape outside Europe. Marrakech and Agadir are both around a 3.5–4‑hour flight from the UK, and Marrakech in particular is excellent if you’re after rich history, souks, gardens and palaces, plus activities like hammams, cooking classes and desert tours. It’s also generally good value for a weekend trip.

If you want somewhere a little further but still manageable for a long weekend, Turkey is another strong option. Although partly in Europe, many of its key cultural sites are in Asia, and cities like Istanbul offer huge historical depth alongside modern food, nightlife and cultural experiences. Istanbul also features repeatedly in lists of the world’s top destinations for 2026 thanks to its iconic mix of history, architecture and culture.

If you don’t mind slightly longer travel, Tunisia is a good choice too, with ancient ruins, medinas, and North African culture, and it tends to be excellent value for couples. The TUI BLUE range also includes adults‑only properties in several destinations, including North Africa and the Middle East, where you can enjoy quieter pools, spa areas and more relaxed dining.

For something further afield but still offering history plus fun activities, Japan is highly recommended for 2026 by global travel guides — it blends ancient temples and traditions with modern attractions like neon districts, themed cafés and world‑class food. However, it would be more than a weekend trip due to flight time.
Out of the above, for a true weekend break, Morocco and Turkey are usually the best fit short travel time, lots of history, couples‑friendly options, and plenty to see and do without having to go far from your hotel.

TUI SUNEO gives you great-value holidays in handpicked three and four-star hotels, keeping up the top-notch standards we’re proud of without breaking the bank. There’s something for everyone, from family-friendly features to areas just for adults. Our family-focused hotels keep everyone entertained, with activities like giant Jenga and pool games, plus dedicated splashing spots and fun sessions just for kids.