Hi,
As per subject, looking for something matching these rough criteria:
- Suitable for family of four (kids 15 and 13)
- Warm & sunny but not too hot (eg. Turkey too hot, western med okay)
- Clean accommodation with air conditioning ideally
- Mainly lazy holiday around pool but ideally nearby beach and maybe water park and other family attractions nearby
- Budget £700 each max for 1 week all inclusive or around £450-475 self catering.
- Safe environment with some evening entertainment but not too rowdy
- Ideally sports available in resort such as tennis courts etc.
- Within 4.5 hours flying time of airport between Glasgow and Manchester (inc Newcastle, Edinburgh, Leeds)
We've been looking at Kos, Sardinia, Portugal and a few others but are struggling to find the perfect fit. We've spent 4 years in Ibiza in
the same apts in Santa Eulalia and really liked it but are due a change. We've also enjoyed a eurocamp holiday in France (Lac de Chalain) and
another near Nantes.
Just looking mainly for destination ideas but specific resort and hotel recommendations welcome too. Looking at 30th June or thereabouts for one week
only.
Also, would appreciate advice on the relative merits of all inclusive packages. We've always done self catering before but our kids eat like
horses and like drinks and snacks etc which run up the costs. I'm worried that all inclusive is going to be too restrictive but it does have its
attractions too. Opinions welcome.
Thanks guys,
Craig.
Devon or Cornwall?! You could fly to Exeter or Newquay. Have a look at the Bedruthian Steps - very family friendly. Right on a safe beach. And with all the cash you would save, you could go wild in Newquay a few times!
We went here last July, very warm, but not too hot, me wife and two kids 14 and 17, 10 days all inclusive came in at £2400, free use of aqua park etc,
plenty of tennis courts, bowling and watersports on the beach, which you have to pay extra for, plenty of entertainment day and night, even has its
own night club, plenty of nice places to visit nearby, I booked it through Travel Republic.
http://www.hotels4u.com/hotels/paradise-costa-taurito-hotel-and-aquapark.aspx
Craig.
Have you thought about doing something a bit more adventurous and different?
How about spending a week in Chamonix? All of the chair-lifts will be running by the end of June so you can get lifts up into the mountains for a
nice walk.... Go and explore the ice-cave cut into the glacier.... Go right up onto the ice on the side of Mt blanc...can even take a cablecar down
the otherside into Italy. Hire bicycles and do one of the many cycle trails. (ranging from wee easy to bleeping deadly)[all the easy ones are
marked]
There is a swimming pool with slides etc, plus a lake down the valley for sunbathing etc.. Town has an amazing atmosphere in the evenings, loads of
restaurents open to the street, usually something going on.
Infinite other stuff you can do such as white water rafting, canyoning, paragliding, rock climbing....
Plus if you have a car you could do day-trips to some of the local castles/geneva etc etc.
Back in the day (when my parents were paying and I was much younger) crystal active had hotels in Cham with guides to organise stuff.. dont think they
do any more... I have been back loads since. My sister lives there if you needed any more info or a qualified
mountain/survival guide.
Edit to add, provided the weather behaves its usually nice and warm in Cham over the summer... nice to get up above into the mountains to cool off
sometimes :-)
[Edited on 1/5/12 by tegwin]
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
Devon or Cornwall?! You could fly to Exeter or Newquay. Have a look at the Bedruthian Steps - very family friendly. Right on a safe beach. And with all the cash you would save, you could go wild in Newquay a few times!
hotel balmes........
Morecambe. Not too far from Scotland either. Seriously though a couple of years ago we took a short trip to northern France and Belgium and
ended up lounging on the beaches of Dunkirk. Very nice but a bit spooky cos of the history. Weather was scorching and made a good change from my
normal habit of high tailing to the Med as soon as arriving at Calais. Just pack a tent then u can choose how far u want to drive etc. on a daily
basis and kids etc.
Portugal is superb for just cruising around camping and much cheaper than Spain. Also it's much cooler cos on Atlantic. Checkout Obidos,
Batalha and Belem. Lisbon is great and there's a campsite right in the city. Roads are a bit dodgy off the beaten track. Re. Tegwin's
suggestion of Chamonix it's a fabulous place (Check out Mer de Glace) and nice to drive to but I found it horrendously expensive cos it's a
ski resort area.
On the other hand although it doesn't fit any of your criteria I've got a 3 bedroom bungalow with big garden and a basketball court you
could rent from me near 100 Islands in the Philippines. 50 pounds a week or much less if you want to haggle. It's just about within your budget
cos it's dirt cheap when you get there. Plane flight 16-18 hours. The heat will knock the carp out you straight off the plane. (It's the
humidity combined with high temps really). Beer 10p pint, spirits rum/brandy 65p/l petrol 20p/l . Cost of food doesn't matter cos you'll
probably be so ill after a week you wont want to eat, but MacDonalds dirt cheap. Curiously enough they actually serve rice with the Big Breakfast
which they didn't when I lived in Japan and Hong Kong. Watch out for Malaria, dengue fever, king cobras and particularly the women. Some of
the best coral beaches snorkelling and fishing I've come across anywhere though.
I'm spoilt with living in Morecambe and house in Philippines but spose Portugal gets my vote. Greece nice if u were going now but starts to
get very hot. An interesting one if you could do it is a few days in Istanbul (superbly interesting and cheap cos not in EEC) then have your normal
beach holiday in Bodrum or similar.
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
My sister lives there if you needed any more info or a qualified mountain/survival guide.
we are going back to Le logis here for 2 weeks at the back end of Aug.
Parent company website http://www.yukadivillages.com/index.php?p_id=790
We book through vacansoleil though we do drive but make that part of the adventure
Beach 10 min walk away safe enough 15 and 13 year old to be given a bit of space more golden beached within a 15 min drive away
Pool tennis footie bar we go with Brother in lawsa family whio have a 14 and 11 and 5 year old
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
My sister lives there if you needed any more info or a qualified mountain/survival guide.
Tegwin - I want your sisters job! Does she do guided mountaineering I.e Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks?
Hi,
if you are after a holiday in the Western Mediterranean, have a look here: Paradise Bay Hotel
Ryanair fly out of Edinburgh and Prestwick up in Scotland. I believe they have twice weekly flights out of each of these airports.
I hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Albert
SALOU in spain nuff said
The Costa Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast) is relatively unspoilt and is where a lot of Spaniards come from Madrid for their summer breaks.
Early june, you'd miss the main rush.
Buildings can't be more then 4 storeys above ground-level, so you've no high-rise monstrosities like Benidorm and it's nowhere near as
'Anglicised,' though most hotels and retaurant employ English speakers.
Reus airport is an hour north, whilst Valencia is an hour south of Las Fuentes/Alcossebre (twinned). Car hire's simple and reasonably priced.
Winter population is around 5000, but summer at any one time may be 4 or 5 times that.
There's a superb water park at Benicassim, 25 mns drive away. Prices are around 20 euros a head for all day with all rides free. (food and booze
is reasonable once inside the complex too).
There are dozens of restaurants and bars in Las Fuentes/Alcossebre, ranging from tapas bars to good quality dining. (There's only one
'fine-dining' retaurant and it's very pricey: 'Can Roig.'
There are 5 beaches stretching over several km.
Sergio Garcia is 'resident pro' at Castellon golf course (40 mins drive away) which hosts the annual Castellon Masters.
Downsides of the area:
It's not 'exotic.'
There are several discos and nightclubs in town that open 'til 7am, (though they're not near residential properties/hotels).
July/august is swarming with tourists, as is Easter week, when they all descend en-masse.
If you're a 'culture-vulture', then pickings are a bit sparse.
14 years ago, we 'did' Bedruthan Steps. Superb facilities, (just as well, as it rained most of the time). Our kids were 3 and 7yrs.
Perfect.
'Done' Malta.
Cyprus is lovely. We considered moving there many years ago. (Too hot in summer, and it's an island and it's situated a little too close to
the Israeli/Arab 'melting pot.' Not a problem if you're visiting, but something to consider as we were looking at permanent
residency).
If you want any more info about the Las Fuentes/Alcossebre area, just u2u me. (We've lived here for 11 years this august).
Forgot! Plenty of tennis courts around too. Our neighbour has an underused one which my 16 yr old lad has use of and is always looking for someone
to play. (At 64 this year, I'm easy meat for him).
Regards, Bob.
I
[Edited on 2/5/12 by bobinspain]
Her are some areas to consider all with direct flights Glasgow and Manchester
The Greek Ionian Islands in the Adriatic Corfu or Zakinthos (aka Zante) June day time temp max average 28 (about 3/4 of a degree higher than
Malaga in June)
Malta average max day temp in June is 28c during a a very hot summer you will up to 31c but because it is in the middle of the med there is always a
gentle breeze.
Croatia
North of italy ie Lake Garda the resort of Bardolino might suit it is near a couple of theme/water parks.
Most hotels in this area operate aon a half board basis but always check.
For good buys on Croatia and Lake Garda see the Inghams Lakes & Mountains brorchure or website or check the ads in the dailly mail on
Saturdays Semple Travel often offer good prices for holidays in this area.
[Edited on 2/5/12 by britishtrident]