First time abroad with child!

Nara

Hi All,

I'm desperate to go abroad for a hol next year. The thing is none of the three of us are experienced travellers, i have been abroad 2 times, my partner once and my daughter never!

I really need some help in finding child friendly places to go with a flight of no more then 4 hours appprox. My daughter is 4.

I think i will have to take her out of school as i could never afford to go in the holidays so i'm thinking about early next year maybe Jan/Feb time.

Also we hate the cold weather so nowhere cold please! lol.
I loved Cyprus when i went, but i have no idea where to start looking to get a good deal and a child friendly place that has lots to visit (hate laying on the beach and doing nothing like to be a proper tourist and visit the local sites :rotfl:)

Thanks all!

wallbash

Well under 4 hours flying will get you to most of Europe. But my first concern , 4/5 year old doing the sights. Most visits/sights/excursions call it what you want , will have little appeal to one so young .. and yes I have kids.
So work out what will keep the youngster happy ( therefore so will you be ) and plan around that.
And look forward to the day , when the kids refuse your offer of a holiday , bliss.

interstellaflyer

wallbash wrote: »

But my first concern , 4/5 year old doing the sights. Most visits/sights/excursions call it what you want , will have little appeal to one so young .. and yes I have kids.

I beg to differ here, we took my Daughter to Tunisia when she was 4, we did the 2 day dessert safari and the Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Siad and Bardot Museum trip and she really enjoyed it, I guess it depends on what your children like, if they are quite adventure minded and like going on trips out anyway then I wouldn't worry to much about taking them on trips whilst abroad, and there will be child friendly excusions available.

To the TS, if you are planing going to Cyprus in Jan/Feb I doubt very much you will be wanting to lay on a Beach or by a pool anyway, Cyprus gets quite cold in winter, we went to Aiya Napa a few years back in November and the temp most days barely made 16C on most days with night time temps not far of low enough to give a ground frost.

ttoli

interstellaflyer wrote: »

I beg to differ here, we took my Daughter to Tunisia when she was 4, we did the 2 day dessert safari and the Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Siad and Bardot Museum trip and she really enjoyed it, I guess it depends on what your children like, if they are quite adventure minded and like going on trips out anyway then I wouldn't worry to much about taking them on trips whilst abroad, and there will be child friendly excusions available.

To the TS, if you are planing going to Cyprus in Jan/Feb I doubt very much you will be wanting to lay on a Beach or by a pool anyway, Cyprus gets quite cold in winter, we went to Aiya Napa a few years back in November and the temp most days barely made 16C on most days with night time temps not far of low enough to give a ground frost.

Quite agree, Jan /Feb is when we get our rain, certainly warmer than the UK but not sunbathing weather, in the sun warm,in the shade /at night 5 - 10 degrees.

ailuro2

It will be quiet in most places in Jan/Feb so no kids clubs for your young one, which is what it sounds like you're after for her.

I'd wait and go in MAy, tbh, when things are a bit warmer and a bit busier and you can reach sunny places for less money.

Look at a package tour that includes transfers if you're not a seasoned traveller. Read up online about the hotel before you book, as changing your mind at a later date will cost you money to change hotels etc.

stephb34

Between the 2 bank holidays in may is normally very reasonably priced, pick some brochures up have a look through and see if theres a country you like the look of, then find a travel agents to give you some prices and check the reviews on the net or the gazateer before you book.

itsakidsworld

Our children are grown up now but still children to us!! We use to take them all over the place looking for the perfect holiday where children and parents found equal fun and everyone was happy.

I love camping but my wife never did so we compromised. We started staying in camp sites around Europe and stayed in static caravans to give the wife some luxuries. Sometimes we stayed outside in tents and we started to have the most amazing holidays. Camp sites vary so much in terms of size and facilities and obviously not open in the early months of the year.

However if as suggested you look at May or even June when the camps sites are starting to wake up for summer, you will get some great deals and as it will be quieter may be an ideal start for you for holidays abroad? Going direct to the camp site for prices always gets you a better deal.

It is fun planning and exciting as a first time traveller with family whilst your concerns are justified, so with careful planning you should be fine.

The very best of luck and happy holidays.