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So our first child starts reception in September, so it’s the first time we’re actually planning summer holidays. We’d rather spend more time away from home than go to Dubai for a week or 10 days and be back home for rest of the holidays.
We live close to a Budget airline London airport, so do book multiple tickets to multiple destinations across Europe or should we do a super long road trip?
Any suggestions / destination advice appreciated. Ideally places with water parks / theme parks.
Are you talking about summer 2023? I would go for a longer road trip, especially as school holiday flight prices are astronomical. Even if money’s no object they are a complete rip off!
So our first child starts reception in September, so it’s the first time we’re actually planning summer holidays. We’d rather spend more time away from home than go to Dubai for a week or 10 days and be back home for rest of the holidays.
We live close to a Budget airline London airport, so do book multiple tickets to multiple destinations across Europe or should we do a super long road trip?
Any suggestions / destination advice appreciated. Ideally places with water parks / theme parks.
Netherlands will serve you perfectly and will keep driving to very reasonable child-friendly distances while having lots to see.
Look at Duinrell, Hof Van Saksen, but most of all Efteling, which fits your requirements exactly and your child is the perfect age to enjoy for a few days. Bosrijk village there is extremely pleasant (do NOT think it will be like grotty UK themepark accommodation). Throw in a few days in Amsterdam too any you’ve got a cracking trip already.- This reply was modified 55 years, 4 months ago by .
+1 for the Netherlands. Center Parcs there is very reasonably priced there compared to the UK.
Actually planning for this summer as finishing nursery in July and starting Reception in September. I know she isn’t legally required to be in School until Summer 2023 but we want to get in a habit of working with school dates.
Thank you for the suggestion on Netherlands, I’ll take a look.
Has anyone been to PortAventura World in Spain?
You’ve left it quite late for this summer, especially given the enhanced demand now travel has opened up again with prices to match. Have you checked any availability yet?
You’re going to find problems with pricing and availability for this summer.
But anyway, Turkey.
I’ve checked a few hotels across Europe which seem to be okay either nearby attractions we can do. Eurotunnel isn’t too steep compared to flights for 4 people + luggage allowance etc.
How about something like Canvas Holidays / Eurocamp? Loads of really nice sites with fantastic facilities across France and elsewhere and usually in locations where there are plenty of activities / sights nearby. Also perfectly possible to move around between areas to make it into a longer holiday.
I’ve checked a few hotels across Europe which seem to be okay either nearby attractions we can do. Eurotunnel isn’t too steep compared to flights for 4 people + luggage allowance etc.
Don’t forget you can use MRs and Avios (via Nectar) to book Eurostar if you fancy leaving the car behind.
I definitely recommend canvas/euro camp children that age, we had great fun staying at several of those across France and Spain. You can choose beach locations or mountain/forest and they pretty much all have water parks. Apart from those we abandoned Europe in summer holidays because of the cost and went to Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore and East Coast Sri Lanka etc all good summer weather and you get a lot more for your money then Europe.
I’ve checked a few hotels across Europe which seem to be okay either nearby attractions we can do. Eurotunnel isn’t too steep compared to flights for 4 people + luggage allowance etc.
Europe would be best option this summer. No Chinese tourists this time as the govt is blocking all non-essential travel.
Actually planning for this summer as finishing nursery in July and starting Reception in September. I know she isn’t legally required to be in School until Summer 2023 but we want to get in a habit of working with school dates.
Thank you for the suggestion on Netherlands, I’ll take a look.
Has anyone been to PortAventura World in Spain?
Port Aventura would be VERY hot and sweaty for the little one (and for anyone!).
@Lottie, same here, we’ve been going to GCM for the past few years in the summer (pre-covid). With avios flights in CW and 2/3 weeks in a luxury condo on a Caribbean beach we pay roughly the same as we’d pay for flights and a villa in the Med!
I’m guessing also few Russians in Europe this summer. So there may be bargains to be had around Marbella/Puerto Banus!
Canaries are good value in the summer because they are mainly considered to be a winter destination. Yet they’re usually no hotter than the Med and have a fabulous dry climate with plenty of breeze. Loads to do, including waterparks.
I definitely recommend canvas/euro camp children that age, we had great fun staying at several of those across France and Spain. You can choose beach locations or mountain/forest and they pretty much all have water parks. Apart from those we abandoned Europe in summer holidays because of the cost and went to Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore and East Coast Sri Lanka etc all good summer weather and you get a lot more for your money then Europe.
Another +1 for this on both counts. Done multiple Eurocamps etc when I was younger, sometimes booked via Sun Holidays tokens!! I’ve bought a touring caravan now and plan to take this with my kids.
Don’t rule out the Spainish options, flights to Barcelona particularly can still be pretty reasonably priced or Ryanair/Jet2 to Girona/Reus. Though this year France may be a better option and taking your own car due to the crazy car hire pricing
Otherwise we will be off to Asia probably every other summer, already planning Singapore + Bali next summer whilst I can take the kids in biz as lap infants
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