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Holiday

(41 Posts)
Jeanna Fri 07-Jun-24 10:36:04

Hi . My very first post on Gransnet. Can anyone recommend a good place for a 7/14 day package holiday that wont be full of kids in the school holidays. We have just taken our grandchildren on a weeks hol and would now like to go away July August. We are in Northwest UK. I havent got the energy to organise independent travel at the moment, so am really looking for advice from anyone who has done a European package in a relatively child free zone. Thanks.

Claremont Sat 11-Jan-25 16:38:45

vegansrock

Why don’t you go in September when the schools go back. Better deals available and fewer kids. If you want a bit of luxury I have travelled with inspired luxury escapes. They have adult only hotels section. www.inspiredluxuryescapes.com

This is what we thought- but no. So many parents take kids out of school during the holidays, this no longer applies.

J52 Sat 11-Jan-25 14:38:28

Jaxjacky

OP went last summer 2024!

😂 should have looked. Hope they had a nice time!

Jaxjacky Sat 11-Jan-25 14:35:34

OP went last summer 2024!

J52 Sat 11-Jan-25 13:49:37

We always arranged holidays ourselves, but now decide where we want to go, research the hotels website and then book under the ABTA umbrella of a holiday company for peace of mind. Jet2 have been particularly good.

We avoid anything that has ‘resort’ attached to the hotel name, as these will be aimed at families, with lots of onsite activities.
Some of the ‘boutique’ hotels will not attract 5 stars, because they do not have varied facilities, but are often excellent if you’re travelling as a couple. Also always read the Tripadvisor reviews, but cautiously.
Going in late June or early September does avoid large crowds.

Astitchintime Sat 11-Jan-25 12:59:47

Spanisheyes

My friend and I would like to go abroad on holiday but have separate rooms, does anyone know of hotels that have single rooms. We are both fit and healthy (late 70’s) would like somewhere interesting, where we could go for walks around towns/villages, no hill climbing. We are not sunbathing lovers. Would maybe like Portugal or Spain, not June, July, August as too hot. Any ideas.

Why not try a singles holiday?

Spanisheyes Sat 11-Jan-25 12:55:28

My friend and I would like to go abroad on holiday but have separate rooms, does anyone know of hotels that have single rooms. We are both fit and healthy (late 70’s) would like somewhere interesting, where we could go for walks around towns/villages, no hill climbing. We are not sunbathing lovers. Would maybe like Portugal or Spain, not June, July, August as too hot. Any ideas.

Maggiemaybe Tue 25-Jun-24 23:30:35

We’ve been on plenty of organised tours all over the world, including Europe, and have never once experienced dreadful food, “all families”, or needing a holiday afterwards - they’ve all been fabulous, we’ve seen so much more with excellent local guides than we have on any of our independent holidays, and we’ve been spared the planning and admin. You rarely get a child on an organised tour, and I speak as one who worked in a school, so always travelled in school holidays.

We’ve used Cosmos a lot over the years, and I’d recommend them highly. As it happens they have some hefty discounts on offer at the moment for last minute breaks.

Saying that, our last tour was with Saga, a fortnight in Croatia staying in three very different areas, and again we’d recommend them. We got a really good last minute discount for that tour as well, and a big advantage for us was that we were chauffeur driven down to Gatwick from Yorkshire and back on our return, which was a very civilised start and end to the holiday.

Whatever you decide, OP, I hope you have a lovely break.

Grammaretto Tue 25-Jun-24 22:15:07

I have never been on a package tour. Ever since my plumber returned from his in Lanzorotte and told me it was all families, the food was dreadful and he needed a holiday when he came back - this confirmed my prejudices.

I see you've had plenty of advice already. I would agree, go in early September to the South of France when it's still very warm but the French schools have returned.

Whiff Tue 25-Jun-24 22:05:46

Here they are

Whiff Tue 25-Jun-24 22:04:42

Here are a couple of pics from my friends cruise. My friend could find a wool shop on the moon. 🤣

Whiff Tue 25-Jun-24 22:03:14

My brother and sister in and friends are on the Norfolk broads on this for a week.

Whiff Tue 25-Jun-24 21:58:57

As you live in the north west some Fred Olsen cruises leave from Liverpool. Friends of mine went recently and had a lovely time . Plenty to see and do no children. Food was fabulous so were all the drinking. Another friend is on a Fred Olsen cruise which sailed from Newcastle. They do ones for the summer month going to different places look on their website. Will see if I can post a pic.

Sadgrandma Tue 25-Jun-24 19:14:12

Thank you NotAGran55

Tenko Tue 25-Jun-24 19:03:48

Try a company called Travel Counsellors. They have home based agents who are all very experienced and knowledgeable in the travel industry. Give them your dates , location , what sort of holiday you want and they come up with ideas and itineraries. You can tweak it if you’re not keen on the accommodation or price . We’ve done a lot of road trips through TC in the US and South Africa.

Macadia Tue 25-Jun-24 18:55:07

Madeleine45, I love your Being a Teenager vacation.grin

NotAGran55 Tue 25-Jun-24 18:47:44

www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/activities/example-activity-prices.html

www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/restaurants.html

There you go Sadgrandma

Sadgrandma Tue 25-Jun-24 18:37:53

I am looking to book Centre Parcs for my dh, dd, s-i-l and 7 year old the over Christmas. I have worked out the price for two lodges which is OK but I cannot seem to find the cost of meals and activities anywhere. Can anyone help please? Many thanks

Astitchintime Tue 11-Jun-24 16:41:02

Definitely look at Adults Only hotels but do remember that 18yrs+ is considered to be "Adult" so you might not completely eliminate the younger generation in your quest for a holiday.

Primrose53 Tue 11-Jun-24 16:36:30

We were away 1-8 June on Ibiza and it was perfect. Try and go before end of June. There are several Adults Only hotels (we have stayed in several Tui ones in different places). Our hotel this year did take kids but they were mainly pre schoolers. Didn’t see any teenagers and just a handful of 8-12 year olds.
The weather was fantastic, never wore a sleeve all week not even at 11 at night.

PurpleTango Tue 11-Jun-24 15:42:49

Have you considered an adults only cruise? After raising 5 children and providing day care for 8 grandchildren I live for my annual child free cruise. It’s bliss!

PinkCosmos Tue 11-Jun-24 15:24:20

I wouldn't consider going abroad in July and August. Firstly, because it will be very hot and secondly, it is the school holidays so there will be children everywhere.

We tend to go away outside the school holidays and stay in adults only hotels.

All of the UK holiday providers (Jet2, TUI etc.) seem to have adults only hotels.

GrannyIvy Tue 11-Jun-24 15:15:10

Look at Travelsphere they are great we have done several and some of our best holidays doing Sardinia this year

Norah Tue 11-Jun-24 14:47:38

Floradora9

River cruises, no children ,all meals cater for and on time and lovely scenery as you glide along. I love them .

Viking River Cruises are brilliant!

NanaTuesday Tue 11-Jun-24 14:41:42

madeleine45
Loved reading your reply 👌

Floradora9 Sat 08-Jun-24 21:50:27

River cruises, no children ,all meals cater for and on time and lovely scenery as you glide along. I love them .