Search for a holiday time again!!

[snowboarder]

So it's freezing and bleak...I need a summer hols to look forward to! Help help please!

I need somewhere lovely and warm in June for 2 weeks, with access to pool and beach and poss cafes etc, not too built up, self catered (at least 2 bedrooms), and not too expensive!! I'm quite keen on the med rather than the atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal as the sea is so much clamer and warmer for 4 and 2 yr olds. We had a lovely time in a villa in Pollensa, Mallorca last year but can't really afford that again.

Places that always get recommended like Martinhal and most of baby friendly boltholes ideas are way out of our budget!!

Any ideas? Or am I kidding myself?!?

[Mrs TP]

Who did you book your villa with in Pollensa?

[snowboarder]

Simpson travel - this one - http://www.simpsontravel.com/mallorca-holidays/pollenca-and-puerto-pollenca/villas/villa-rosa-vells - lovely because actually within walking distance of the old town, quick drive to beaches, and private pool. But we took the grandparents (ahem well they took us...) which made it more affordable...:-)

[Belle]

I've been looking at martinhal and thought not as dear as I'd imagined? But I was looking for earlier dates than you. April/May time.

[Salsie]

I have stayed at martinal twice (worked in travel until maternity) so any questions ask away but set recommend! Just be aware can be quite windy but pool areas quite sheltered!

[RenF]

We're considering Croatia this year. Went a few years ago (pre baby) and found it lovely and very affordable. The Dalmatian coast is beautiful.

[jollybaby]

That part of the Algarve is lovely - not too built up and fabulous beaches. A cheaper option than staying at the Martinhal resort might to book a villa through owners direct in one of the nearby golf complexes such as Parque Da Floresta.

[Gooders79]

Mousses in Lefkas comes highly recommended by my SIL as being good in terms of budget and child friendly...we haven't been but considering for a family get together late summer

http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/greece/lefkas/aghios-ioannis/villas/mousses-thalia.html

[snowboarder]

Ooh - lefkas looks good - def more on budget!! Thanks - anyone else been there?

[Mrs TP]

These villas do look great for up to 2 children but we have 3 and I see they put the third up on a camp bed in the lounge, which is not for us. You should check out the size of the bedrooms though - I note there are limited pix of the villa interior.

We were cramped in Thompson accommodation year before last in Menorca. Everything in the resort was great except the complete lack of space - tiny kitchen / lounge area with concrete sofas with cushions on the top in the style of caravan sofas. And we paid for 5 of us to go but on arrival had to pay an extra 25 euros to hire a cot for the fortnight - even though I had paid the same price for all 3 children already and this price included the beds for the oldest two, so why was I double charged for the cot?

Also with Thompson we did some of their trips as didn't hire a car that time. As we got familiar with the place I realised their trip prices were beyond ridiculous when compared with doing it yourself. Now I know that is how it goes and I was happy to pay a percentage extra but we went on one trip to a waterslide park, which when we got there I noticed was free entry for my youngest who was 2 but via Thompson they had charged us the full child admission price of about 10 euros. I complained and got my money back from them but it took a battle.

I checked out the villa you went to in Pollensa last year, beautiful and spacious but of course such luxury comes at a cost!

[Mrs TP]

And is it just me but I am not comfortable with taking little ones to Portugal?

I know bad things can happen anywhere but this destination doesn't enthuse me.

[susyp]

agree with you mrs tp about thomson - they charge for everything - so initial price looks low and then it soon costs a bomb!

and i am also with you on portugal although it is rididulous probably safest place in world now for kids, but i just can't bring myself to go there - it's beautiful on the algarve too

just booked west wales for 2 weeks in august! cold though! was thinking about maybe going to cyprus one of the half terms as that I believe is pretty warm outside the peak summer months?

susypx

[Fuschia]

Susyp, we always spend a few weeks in Wales each summer, and most years we get several days of baking sun on the beach

[nunheadmum]

Never really done the big destinations (Spain / Portugal / Med etc) in the height of summer but now I've got school kids, we're more restricted. (Unless we break the rules which I know is an option, but...). Are there any destinations where you're fairly guaranteed of decent weather but aren't scorching most of the time? I have a vague concept of a nice island or coastal place where breezes keep the worst of the heat away - but realise it may be totally unrealistic??

We've tried Brittany but the weather was too dodgy. May move further south in France but wondering if there are any options that we just haven't heard of.

[susyp]

fushcia we love west wales - amazing beaches - quite empty - last year was ok for a few days but mainly just so cold ! we were the only people without wetsuits and i am amazed my daughter didn't get hypothermia as was in sea so much - this year we are definitely investing in wetsuits as even if it is warm the sea is still pretty cold!! fingers crossed,

following this thread with interest as we haven't been abroad since having my daughter. I have always had a fear of flying but we used to go away a lot regardless and i would just tank up on wine at the airport and virtually pass out on takeoff! more difficult now. and also i worry more having my daughter with me. So need a nice short flight to a nice hot destination !!

pretty interested in mallorca, from various threads on this subject, but please everyone keep posting your links to anywhere nice and affordable!

susypx

[dulwichquine]

We had a really lovely holiday in one of those apartments/houses in Lefkas. More than four years ago now but it was extremely good value. Childrens' club was fantastic, staffed by very experienced Brits. You had the option of dropping them off in the morning or afternoon. Very small childrens' pool and bigger adult pool, all fenced off so children can't wander in by themselves. You have the option to cook your own meals or get cafe food delivered to your house, which has a little outside seating area. You could also dine at the small cafe. Kitchen/accommodation very basic but we didn't mind as it was so reasonable and we had such an ace time. Only downside was the heat. I wouldn't advise it for July/August unless they now have air conditioning. Hope this helps.

[DaveR]

"And is it just me but I am not comfortable with taking little ones to Portugal?

I know bad things can happen anywhere but this destination doesn't enthuse me"

Is that a reference to M McCann? Kind of harsh to write off a whole country!

Last summer we went here:

http://www.visit-sao-martinho-do-porto.com/html/ing-index.html

and had a fabulous holiday. Compared to recent visits to other European destinations it was properly cheap in terms of day-to-day expenses - in seafront cafes we were paying 60c for a coffee, 5 euros for the lunch time dish of the day, 1 euro for an ice cream. It was sunny every day but never too hot - peaked in the mid 80s and was cool at night. We flew to Lisbon and booked an apartment through owners direct or holiday lettings - I forget which - but that also worked out signficantly cheaper in total than either the Algarve or France/Spain/Italy.

[snowboarder]

I'm kind of not really into Portugal as I think the sea wouldn't be as calm/warm for little ones...but as I've never been I could (and would like to be told!) that I'm wrong!! I love the costa de la luz but again the sea is rougher and colder than the med (which in our younger kite surfing style days was fun, but seeing the great time our 3 yr old had bobbing about in the med in mallorca last year I'm more into that area I think).

This place looks amazing, and I love Spain, but too dear for us this year - http://www.caseriodelmirador.com/index.php

[pommie]

Pefki in Rhodes is a lovely place, we always stay at pefki island resort, it has two pools plus kids pool, lovely clean apartments within 5 minutes of restaurants (but not so close whereby its noisy!) You can also use the pool/facilities at the resort literally 1 minute down the road. The people that work there are lovely, there is also pool tables, internet etc.

[Mrs TP]

DaveR - yes, funny how things effect people in diff ways.

[alieh]

We went to the Pelopponese in Greece last year and it was amazing! Just a 2 hour drive from Athens, but there are lots of options if you don't mind a 3-4 hour transfer. We were in the Northern bit - there were more pebbly than sandy beaches (though some sand on certain beaches) but I gather other parts of the Pelopponese have very sandy beaches. We were way off the tourist track and barely anyone spoke any English but we had no trouble, people were incredibly friendly and welcoming of the children, and we were able to get a villa with a pool as it is a bit of a lesser known region so we found cheaper.

[ladywotlunches]

On the subject of cost, what does everyone consider 'reasonable' to pay for a 2 week holiday with 2 kids in the summer holidays? My youngest is two this year so will have to pay for her, and I can't seem to find anything with much change for 5 grand - gulp!

Now, I'm not saying I'm looking for the cheapest, but in my searches this figure was definitely in the lower ranges, with several other options considerably more. I've checked out Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, self catering and hotels.

I still dream of my hols in my 20's when a last minute trip to Greece could be had for ?199. So is it just me clinging to my student roots, or does everyone else think this is silly money for a couple of weeks away??

[Fuschia]

I wouldn't be thinking of spending more than about ?2.5k for a fortnight's holiday (all in) which is why since our all inclusive trip to Egypt when the twins were 7m, we have holidayed at their godfather's Cottage near Dolgellau every year since!

We do quite a few odd weekends away here and there too, though, and days out. We have the whole 6w summer holidays to fill, hence why a holiday abroad is off the cards at the moment

(There are 6 of us)

[mrs f]

We went to Portugal last summer & it was beautiful & glorious weather but yes Snowboarder you are right that the sea was a bit too cold :-( really put mr f off, which is a shame as it was one of our best holidays ever!

Love that you have to go to Wales for two weeks for a couple of hot days Fuchsia!

Sadly all holiday budget is off for us this year so will be making the most of my mums Cornish cottage & freezing Atlantic!

[DaveR]

"On the subject of cost, what does everyone consider 'reasonable' to pay for a 2 week holiday with 2 kids in the summer holidays?"

If you go self-catering in France/Spain/Portugal/Italy, and book the elements separately, I would say ?800 - ?1200 for flights, ?1200 - 2000 for accommodation and ?250 for a car, so I guess between ?2k and ?3k. In order of expense, cheapest first, I would say Portugal/Spain/France/Italy.