short haul winter sun with toddler
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Nov 15, 2012 12:21 PM Last Post By: serishana777
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short haul winter sun with toddler
HiHope someone can help...
Our 2 year old's childminder is going on holiday for 3 weeks in March 2013 so we have to take time off too. Want to make the most of it by going somewhere warm/hot but we haven't flown with him before so not too far from UK (he is the world's biggest fidget!).
So far we are considering the Canary Islands (4 hrs is a long time with a bored toddler on a plane tho!) and Costa Del Sol. We need somewhere with access to swimming pool as he loves swimming. Also would ideally like a golden beach with 'safe' sea, playground and zoo or similar in reach. I don't really like high-rise resorts, fry-up joints and cheesy Brit bars but I guess I'm going to have to put that aside!
We will only fly from Bristol so that gives Malaga as an option as well as most of Canaries. Faro/Algarve not quite warm enough. Plus I speak Spanish but very little Portuguese.
Is there anywhere less that 45 mins drive from Malaga Airport that has a lovely family beach and areas of town that are not too noisy with nightlife but have a few Spanish and Italian restaurants in easy walking distance for toddler? Somewhere with pockets of character among the package tours? We dont need to be near evening bars as we won't have a babysitter. Probably self-catering. We won't be hiring a car but a bit of sightseeing by train/bus would be a nice-to-have option.
As soon as I think I've found somewhere suitable, I read a bad review or see a dreadful photo.
thanks in advance for your advice :-)
1
the Canaries are not all as you fear. Lanzarote has no high rise but you will have to put up with black sand, not a big deal with shoes on.The quieter parts of southern Tenerife will also hit the spot, and the island has a good bus service. The worst of Britain only goes in high summer and sticks to the centre of Las Americas, plenty of other options.
4
Hi,Whilst I can't help you with your actual destination I can offer you some tips for travelling with an energetic boy. (I have one myself).
First of all once you have decided on your destination go to a travel agent and get a brochure then check out all the hotels/resorts/apartments websites check out their facilities as well as the rooms and what age groups the kids clubs cater for. This is an indication of whether they can accommodate you.
Then start preparing your son. Tell him you are going on a plane and what will be expected of him. Advise him you will be sleeping somewhere else but you will all be there. The more he is prepared the easier he will settle. You may think he is only 2 but they understand alot!
For more tips on travel with kids visit my website. The link is in my profile.
Happy travels
5
Have you thought about Sardinia? Not sure how warm it is in March (but I was in southern spain with my baby last March we had sleet for two days!) Sardinia is classy, has nice beaches and hotels, culture etc etc. The flight is about 3 hours. Also not sure about the public transport but it was really easy to drive around with a hire car, great roads and safe drivers. I was there when pregnant and people couldn't have been more friendly or helpful, so I'm sure having a toddler should be good too!6
Sorry, Beigy4 - just looked at the Easyjet site and they don't start flying to Sardinia till May - so ignore all of the above!
