Advice needed on family package holiday...

jools27_2

Having had lots of holiday trials with my family, at the ages of your family I would recommend our favourite destination....Menorca! Never been in a MacDs, and I have the fussiest OH and son!!!!

mum2one

my DD is 9, her 1st hol was to Tunisia at 6yrs, Dom Rep at 8yrs, Tunisia at 9yrs, she is now in love with Tunisia.

thou the 1st time in Tunisia she lived on Spag Bol for the 2 weeks, after 3rd ngt as soon as we got into the restaurant the chef was cooking it for her and the waiter had it on the table as soon as she sat down, luckly her eating habits have changed.

But don't let her near s brochere - she wants to go Cuba, Las Vegas, maybe Benidorm, Prague (only because when I went brought her some jelly beans back), must be 4star all inclusive, and long haul if she has a choice!!

Travel agent wise there is not as much competation as 10 yrs ago.

Thomas Cook (also have) Going Places, co-op travel
, direct holidays, sunset

Thomson (also have first choice - which is now all inclusive only)

There really the main operators in the market, although different brocheres may have different prices, and you can get some discounts, with own brand holidays.

Cosmos

- where ever you book, take into account any extra luggage, meals, seat together, airport transfers (some are included) as these added extras can add up, xx

wallbash

If my kids are happy , that normally makes my holiday happy.
Therefore I would look at holidays that appeal to the eldest child .the youngest is less of a problem.
What does the kid want ?? days filled with action / excitement.
A pool with some slides , a beach with some one to interact with.


To get back to your list,
Strike Portugal , the waves on the beach can be frightening.
Malta , few nice beaches , touristy places more for the us oldies!

The two islands are good , we now just got to find some accommodation.

maf20

Thanks, all. This is really great stuff.

I do want a 'commercial' type holiday. And the points about the kids are very valid. I do want my eldest to have the memories I did if mingling with other kids. However, being at a resort where people are happy to get on the smash all day and wonder where their kids are after four of five hours, worries me. I know this could be a challenge on our budget.

I went all over, as a kid. Really enjoyed all of the places I went to with my parents and sister. Had some great times. I just want my kids to have the same experiences, as I said.

I'm now focussing mostly on Menorca and Majorca. I guess a resort which is quieter, yet just enough to keep the kids happy, might be cheaper??? A resort where there is a handful of bars and restaurants is more than enough. I'm also hoping that the quieter resorts may attract like minded families???

As I said, keep it coming!

Thanks

rustyboy21

Hi OP

Don't know whether this is going to help, but my partner and I had a great weeks holiday in Mallorca in a resort type setting, the link is below.
It was booked direct with the hotel, there wern't many english there, mostly scandinavians and dutch/german.

There was a great kids club everyday, lovely pool ( indoor pool too. What was great was that there was a spa area for adults only with lovely balinese loungers and quiet pool where you could chill out. The resort was quietish, about 5 minutes away from Alcudia by bus, for any nightlife. Greatest thing was that it was right on the beach and the beach was beautiful.

The kids club covered all ages and the kids seemed to love it. here was no sign at all of roudy lager louts and people said the food was excellent. We ate out each night in the 6(ish) bars in the resort, as only took self catering. Minin bus transfer from airport.

Details are as follows. We just booked easyjet flights to palma.

The hotel does have a good write up too on trip advisor, apart from a few obvious moaners.

http://www.hotelsviva.com/en/hotel/viva-bahia.html

BTW stayed 6 months later at viva hotel in palma nova, . Not very good, so keep away from that.

Hope above helps

miamoo

I do agree that last minute deals are getting alot rarer, but there are always deals about, even in the summer holidays. The problem you will have is Menorca is the top place for families with small children and the prices this summer reflected this, they were ridiculous. Majorca was considerably cheaper. So if you decide on Menorca book early, Majorca then you could book late.

Another option is book your flights and hotel seperately. Easyjet are about to release next summers flights any day now, if you can get them as soon as they are released then you can pick up a bargain.

Personally I would choose Majorca (considering your budget) book Easyjet flights and then sort out accomodation when you have done more research on resorts and hotels.

I think if you are concerned about other holiday makers you should look at a 4 or even 5 star S/C complex, the higher the price the more exclusive the property. The problem you have is you are on a pretty small budget for August, so unless you can increase your budget, you are going to have to compromise.

Incapuppy

maf20 wrote: »

That's exactly what I'm trying to a avoid!!! I'd be devastated if I stumbled upon a McDonald's craphole, or similar!

Then I suggest you stay at home and do not leave the house! Even what you may imagine to be the most idyllic, far flung and upmarket destination will very likely have a craphole lurking somewhere!

Bob_the_Saver

Incapuppy wrote: »

Then I suggest you stay at home and do not leave the house! Even what you may imagine to be the most idyllic, far flung and upmarket destination will very likely have a craphole lurking somewhere!

Other crapholes are available

needaholiday

I always thought the star ratings of hotels depended on the facilities available and not how 'posh' the clientele were or how much alcohol they liked to consume.
I have stayed at both 3 and 4 star properties and some of the 3 star ones have been much nicer than the 4 star ones!

maf20

Thanks, all

Is it a bit risky booking flights and then looking for accommodation later? Also, would we still be covered under ATOL/ABTA and be able to get insurance to cover it all?

Cheers