[Travel] Family Holiday Destinations

[Bozza]

February half-term we're off to Marrakesh and Easter we have planned a 2wk roadtrip round California (well, LA-San Diego-SF). Our 10yr old is very excited. We've never done "resorts" or package holidays, always much preferred doing it all ourselves - half the fun is in the planning, renting villas/cottages/cars and having the freedom to go where we want, when we want and not having to put up with anyone else.

Interested in your plans for the West Coast as I’m contemplating something similar for the Summer, although probably for a little longer.

I really fancy getting a motorhome and spending the whole school Summer holiday in that part of the world, also taking in Yosemite - won’t be one for this year though.

 

[maffew]

With the kids getting a bit older now - they'll be 16 and 13 in the summer - we're going a bit more adventurous and heading for the Moon Palace, in Cancun. Always, ALWAYS wanted to go to Mexico, so I'm bursting with excitement.

OK let me help you out there and the kids are the perfect age for it 2 things..........

Go on a day trip or over night if you can to Isla Mujeres. Amazing water park and a nice 45 min trip on a catamaran from Cancun. Amazing water park and gets you a change from Cancun

MUST go to Chichen Itza (sic) one of the delights and I think wonders of the world, the kids are the right age hopefully and you 100% have to go

https://www.viator.com/tours/Cancun/Chichen-Itza-Day-Trip-from-Cancun/d631-3206CHI_01

Both must do's from Cancun. The rest of the time sit around and enjoy (there's other doable stuff outside of Cancun if you are prepared to over night, let me know if you want suggestions) but those 2 tips will make your trip

Dont go to Cancun and not leave Cancun (theres nearer and cheaper for similar)

 

[dazzer6666]

OK let me help you out there and the kids are the perfect age for it 2 things..........

Go on a day trip or over night if you can to Isla Mujeres. Amazing water park and a nice 45 min trip on a catamaran from Cancun. Amazing water park and gets you a change from Cancun

MUST go to Chichen Itza (sic) one of the delights and I think wonders of the world, the kids are the right age hopefully and you 100% have to go

https://www.viator.com/tours/Cancun/Chichen-Itza-Day-Trip-from-Cancun/d631-3206CHI_01

Both must do's from Cancun. The rest of the time sit around and enjoy (there's other doable stuff outside of Cancun if you are prepared to over night, let me know if you want suggestions) but those 2 tips will make your trip

Dont go to Cancun and not leave Cancun (theres nearer and cheaper for similar)

Interesting and you're spot on - we actually stayed on Isla Mujeres for a holiday - it was fantastic. Nothing like Cancun at all..................quiet and peaceful and no drunk American college kids. You can hire a golf buggy to zip around on.
Completely agree re Chitzen Itza too - one of, if not the most interesting places I have ever been, made more so by the quite exceptional guide. It's incredible. It's also a bit of trek (think it was about 3 hours by bus from Cancun) but well worth it - we stopped at a couple of places en route too that were good.

 

[Igzilla]

We're making SF the highlight of the trip, but the flights direct were more expensive, hence flying into LA. Took a lot of searching to find a reasonably priced hire car. We go down to SD for 2 nights, then up to Death Valley for a night, round to Sequoia for 1 night, Yosemite 2 nights, on to SF for 3 nights, and pootle back down to LA over a few days (staying in Monterey, near Hurst Castle and also Santa Barbara) before 2 nights in LA. The first week will be lots of driving, with a more relaxed 2nd week. We set a budget of approx £100 a night, so we've had to hunt around and make a few compromises here and there (the motel for Death Valley could be an experience!). Looking forward to gold mines, ghost towns, wilderness, kookiness and glitz!

 

[dazzer6666]

We're making SF the highlight of the trip, but the flights direct were more expensive, hence flying into LA. Took a lot of searching to find a reasonably priced hire car. We go down to SD for 2 nights, then up to Death Valley for a night, round to Sequoia for 1 night, Yosemite 2 nights, on to SF for 3 nights, and pootle back down to LA over a few days (staying in Monterey, near Hurst Castle and also Santa Barbara) before 2 nights in LA. The first week will be lots of driving, with a more relaxed 2nd week. We set a budget of approx £100 a night, so we've had to hunt around and make a few compromises here and there (the motel for Death Valley could be an experience!). Looking forward to gold mines, ghost towns, wilderness, kookiness and glitz!

Hoping to do something slightly similar in April. Have only booked flights so far (in and out of San Fran) so need to get on with sorting it.........Yosemite, Vegas, Hoover, Grand Canyon on the wish list at the moment. Already been to San Diego (lovely), LA (absolute dump, horrendous traffic), and Santa Monica (love it, fantastic)

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Where are you going this summer?
Where have you been?
Where do you recommend?

Somewhere by the beach,with a nearby waterpark and theme pahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zcF-UL0zaU
rk?
Somewhere not popular with ISIS or northern Brits?

Ayia Napa
regards
DR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zcF-UL0zaU

 

[Igzilla]

Hoping to do something slightly similar in April. Have only booked flights so far (in and out of San Fran) so need to get on with sorting it.........Yosemite, Vegas, Hoover, Grand Canyon on the wish list at the moment. Already been to San Diego (lovely), LA (absolute dump, horrendous traffic), and Santa Monica (love it, fantastic)

Would love to go to the Grand Canyon, but we really aren't that interested in Vegas. A friend of mine lived in San Diego for a couple of years about 25 years ago and he used to write so really looking forward to that. Don't forget your ESTA too! Did ours at the weekend.

 

[zefarelly]

I'm great with family holidays, I've dragged. The family to Spa Francorchamp, LeMans, Goodwood and Brands Hatch in the pissing rain to watch me drive round in circles, sometimes for 5 days.

This year they're in for a proper treat, I'm allowed out on my own for 3 days on my Lambretta to Brittany.

CenterParcs has worked well for us over the years, particularly in France/Belgium, where they don't shaft you like they do in England.

 

[maffew]

Interesting and you're spot on - we actually stayed on Isla Mujeres for a holiday - it was fantastic. Nothing like Cancun at all..................quiet and peaceful and no drunk American college kids. You can hire a golf buggy to zip around on.
Completely agree re Chitzen Itza too - one of, if not the most interesting places I have ever been, made more so by the quite exceptional guide. It's incredible. It's also a bit of trek (think it was about 3 hours by bus from Cancun) but well worth it - we stopped at a couple of places en route too that were good.

I landed in Cancun, spent a night there before getting out as quick as I could, down to Merida after Chitzen Itza if my memory serves me right to buy hammocks and works through a good chuck of Central America fr 4 months landing back in Mexico and a week in the Island. Personally if it was a family hol I would use the cheap flight to Cancun and get o the Catamaran. Cancun is a bit Vegas like. But its cool if you wanna drink loadsa cocktails and lizards and stuff. Recommend it but please if you go all that way take in some other bits of Yucatan

 

[maffew]

Hoping to do something slightly similar in April. Have only booked flights so far (in and out of San Fran) so need to get on with sorting it.........Yosemite, Vegas, Hoover, Grand Canyon on the wish list at the moment. Already been to San Diego (lovely), LA (absolute dump, horrendous traffic), and Santa Monica (love it, fantastic)

Dazzer if you get to Nevada spend at least 4 days in Vegas. Wander around the casinos play a bit of black jack/poker the big casinos do learner lessons which s fun and only costs a few dollars If you wanna get pissed for free sit at a slot dont spin the reels till someone walks past and the ask for more free drinks. Eat the buffets a tickets gets you in pretty much everywhere all day From there you can IIRC get a great day out for C150$ where you get a great guide driving, see hoover dam, grab lunch at the top of the Grand Canyon, a helicopter down the canyon, and a boat at the bottom along the Colarado. The cement at the bottom of hoover dam is still settling I believe. And see Cirque de Soleil

 

[dazzer6666]

Dazzer if you get to Nevada spend at least 4 days in Vegas. Wander around the casinos play a bit of black jack/poker the big casinos do learner lessons which s fun and only costs a few dollars If you wanna get pissed for free sit at a slot dont spin the reels till someone walks past and the ask for more free drinks. Eat the buffets a tickets gets you in pretty much everywhere all day From there you can IIRC get a great day out for C150$ where you get a great guide driving, see hoover dam, grab lunch at the top of the Grand Canyon, a helicopter down the canyon, and a boat at the bottom along the Colarado. The cement at the bottom of hoover dam is still settling I believe. And see Cirque de Soleil

Thanks, helpful.....was already thinking of doing 5 days in Vegas[emoji106][emoji106]

 

[dazzer6666]

Would love to go to the Grand Canyon, but we really aren't that interested in Vegas. A friend of mine lived in San Diego for a couple of years about 25 years ago and he used to write so really looking forward to that. Don't forget your ESTA too! Did ours at the weekend.

You’ll love it. The SD zoo is ace if you like that sort of thing. I’m ok with the ESTA as I have to go to the states 2-3 times a year for work.......

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Interested in your plans for the West Coast as I’m contemplating something similar for the Summer, although probably for a little longer.

I really fancy getting a motorhome and spending the whole school Summer holiday in that part of the world, also taking in Yosemite - won’t be one for this year though.

I'll catch up with you on that next home game - we've done 4 US road trips now, including most of the west coast, might have some ideas for you.

Surprisingly we've always found it works out cheaper having a decent car plus hotels rather than a motor home.

Also means pool/hot tub/decent bed at the end of each days driving.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Hoping to do something slightly similar in April. Have only booked flights so far (in and out of San Fran) so need to get on with sorting it.........Yosemite, Vegas, Hoover, Grand Canyon on the wish list at the moment. Already been to San Diego (lovely), LA (absolute dump, horrendous traffic), and Santa Monica (love it, fantastic)

The Road Trip forum of tripadvisor is your friend.

 

[Withdean and I]

Happy to help with any West Coast USA road trip questions or advice if needed. Been fortunate enough to do family road trips there three times since 2000 including San Fran, Monterey, LA, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, Yosemite. I love it there.


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[timbha]

Where are you going this summer?
Where have you been?
Where do you recommend?

Somewhere by the beach,with a nearby waterpark and theme park?
Somewhere not popular with ISIS or northern Brits?

apologies if already mentioned but I've not read the entire thread. The answer is the Algarve, but not Albufeira

 

[dazzer6666]

apologies if already mentioned but I've not read the entire thread. The answer is the Algarve, but not Albufeira

Where ? We have an annual golf trip, used to do Vilamoura or Albufeira but last few years have been to Alvor......we love it.

 

[timbha]

Where ? We have an annual golf trip, used to do Vilamoura or Albufeira but last few years have been to Alvor......we love it.

Armacao is my favourite but most of the resorts have benefitted from EU grants over the past 10 years resulting in good roads, parking, walks, smart beaches, etc. There are a couple of decent water parks within 20 minute drive of Armacao. I recommend car hire. Portuguese people are friendly, the rowdy Brits stay away and it doesn't seem to be a terrorist target. Faro airport is expanding rapidly but still has that provincial feel.

Carvoeiro, Portimao, Lagos are also nice. Vilamoura is ok for a visit or golfing base but not really "Portuguese"

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Yes, Algarve is one of my favourites for all the reasons above, even though Albufeira is the largest resort I still really like it.
Not been for a few years but there was an open air BBQ restaurant with tables on terraces looking down onto a stage with live Brazillian entertainment. Huge skewers of meat were brought to your table and carved off onto your plate.
Also a great restaurant/ bar/ nightclub in the beach at Praia De Oura.

 

[dazzer6666]

Armacao is my favourite but most of the resorts have benefitted from EU grants over the past 10 years resulting in good roads, parking, walks, smart beaches, etc. There are a couple of decent water parks within 20 minute drive of Armacao. I recommend car hire. Portuguese people are friendly, the rowdy Brits stay away and it doesn't seem to be a terrorist target. Faro airport is expanding rapidly but still has that provincial feel.

Carvoeiro, Portimao, Lagos are also nice. Vilamoura is ok for a visit or golfing base but not really "Portuguese"

Thanks.......it’s an annual golf trip for us (all oldies) so all we’re interested in is an easy life, nice weather and golf and decent restaurants close by. Even the ‘delights’ that can easily be found in Vilamoura are too much for our lot these days........Alvor ticks every box.