July holiday with small baby

Hi guys,

Has anyone got any recommendations for a first family holiday for a couple with what will be a 9 month old baby?

We are open to going anywhere but we are restricted to the month of July. Neither of us is a fan of the sun or anywhere too hot.

We are both very well travelled, very sporty and usually are on the lookout for adventure so this will be a very different type of holiday for us.

Based in Cork.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated as we are a little stuck on ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Dardania

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Hi guys,

Has anyone got any recommendations for a first family holiday for a couple with what will be a 9 month old baby?

We are open to going anywhere but we are restricted to the month of July. Neither of us is a fan of the sun or anywhere too hot.

We are both very well travelled, very sporty and usually are on the lookout for adventure so this will be a very different type of holiday for us.

Based in Cork.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated as we are a little stuck on ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Things for you to consider from when my wife and I travelled with young children:

Somewhere to heat up and prep food. Some hotel rooms and places like that can have little kitchenettes etc in the corner which are dead handy

Transport to and from airport in destination. How are you sorting it / if via car how are you sorting car seats. Some services like hoppa can give you car seats, and also I’d recommend private transfers if you’re going to a far away hotel so as not to be stuck with a cranky little one in a mini bus for hours. And you don’t want the worry of your little one being unsafe.

Flight times. Back in the day getting up at 4am for a 7am flight was grand, but with a child in a routine just try to ensure that nap times are planned into the day (ideally on the plane!). And don’t forget the return flight times!

Food situation wherever you’re going. If you have an apart hotel it’s grand but if you’re staying in hotels, it may be a good idea to look at family type hotels or all inclusive jobbies as they tend to have baby high chairs and a not bothered clientele if the little one kicks up a fuss for whatever reason.
And if you’re into restaurants on the street hilly areas are bad if you push a buggy (although carriers / slings are great in those cases)

For specific place, our experience so far with our children had been Portugal (algarve), Spain (Majorca), Pula (Croatia) and south of Poland. And a few city breaks.

Maybe it was the town we were in in Portugal but they were so receptive to having children with you in any restaurant it put us at ease. And Pula too in Croatia.
That whole north of croatia could be great if you’re into hiking etc - some beautiful scenery there depending on where one stays, and while it’s mediteranean weather it’s not the worst in the shade at all.

Hope this helps...it’s a new world for sure but you can still get some R&R! And next year you’ll need to worry about hotels with playgrounds ;-)

Thanks so much for all the information. Really appreciated and will take all those factors into account. There's an awful lot to consider!

Somewhere like the Algarve would be ideal, but the weather can be very hot in July so I'll have to factor that in. Early June is when we always travelled in Europe in the past - season just getting going but still quiet - but it's not an option this time.

I have never been on a beach holiday in my life but from what my friends have told me going to a resort is probably the most sensible and least selfish option.

I will check out all of the above suggestions...

Pawwed Rig

Driving holiday in Wales/England? Benefits - no airports so bring everything you need. Some lovely spots too Cotswolds, Stratford, Warwick.

Grassey

I was in same situation as yourself last summer. Took the overnight ferry from ringaskiddy, little one slept the sailing, then a short 3-4 hour drive down west France Coast.

Worked out quite affordable staying in a keycamp campervan, they provided a cot as part of booking and by sticking a roof box on the car we could bring all the necessaries for 2 weeks.

Will be doing same again this year.

ImARebel

If you're not into heat stay away from all the usual resorts. Your baby is still young enough not to be wanting anything resort related... Enjoy it while it lasts

You essentially can go anywhere and just please yourselves for now. Take the chance while you can, lol

I know I probably sound a bit heartless but your baby couldn't give two hoots where they go as long as as the food keeps coming and they're not sweltering

If you're not into a typical sun holiday why start now?

I'm in the middle of it at the moment and while I refuse to stay at hotels that attract families or all inclusive, I love my kids, I hate other people's

I still need a pool and access to a beach and a resort type place to potter about at night time. Otherwise all you hear is "I'm bored"...

Roll on when we can start doing something a bit different with them. I'm thinking a kinder hotel in Germany and nice walks etc 4 year old would still be too small for that kind of of walking

Grassey

Grassey wrote: »

I was in same situation as yourself last summer. Took the overnight ferry from ringaskiddy, little one slept the sailing, then a short 3-4 hour drive down west France Coast.

Worked out quite affordable staying in a keycamp campervan, they provided a cot as part of booking and by sticking a roof box on the car we could bring all the necessaries for 2 weeks.

Will be doing same again this year.

This would be great and was top of my list but a few people said to wait a year or two before attempting it. I spent all my childhood summers in Keycamp caravans on the west coast of France!

Pawwed Rig

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Driving holiday in Wales/England? Benefits - no airports so bring everything you need. Some lovely spots too Cotswolds, Stratford, Warwick.

Yes, this is definitely high on my list as England and Wales are two places I have spent very little time in. Thanks for the info.

ImARebel

ImARebel wrote: »

If you're not into heat stay away from all the usual resorts. Your baby is still young enough not to be wanting anything resort related... Enjoy it while it lasts

You essentially can go anywhere and just please yourselves for now. Take the chance while you can, lol

I know I probably sound a bit heartless but your baby couldn't give two hoots where they go as long as as the food keeps coming and they're not sweltering

If you're not into a typical sun holiday why start now?

I'm in the middle of it at the moment and while I refuse to stay at hotels that attract families or all inclusive, I love my kids, I hate other people's

I still need a pool and access to a beach and a resort type place to potter about at night time. Otherwise all you hear is "I'm bored"...

Roll on when we can start doing something a bit different with them. I'm thinking a kinder hotel in Germany and nice walks etc 4 year old would still be too small for that kind of of walking

Good to know, thank you.

Grassey

Deleted User wrote:

This would be great and was top of my list but a few people said to wait a year or two before attempting it. I spent all my childhood summers in Keycamp caravans on the west coast of France!

Same as myself. We picked a small quiet campsite over the large loud ones. Wasn't sure if the missus would like it as it was a first for her. Benefits for us were that you have your own space, no noisy apartments, we could go for a walk along the beach/prom/village with the buggy. Or pack up the car and travel to some sights, walk around again with buggy etc. Our site last year had an indoor heated pool too which was handy for going for a shaded float at quiet times with the little one.

fits

Northern Spain. They lovebchildren there so it’s very family friendly. And it doesn’t get sweltering. You don’t need to be doing resort holiday with young baby.

.red.

Have a look at "the old village" in Vilamoura in the Algarve.
It's a great complex for young families. Everything from small studios upto 4 bed houses. All with proper kitchens, ovens, microwaves, washing machines etc. Their all privately owned so some are better than others but the lower standard is still very good. Some have small enclosed gardens, others have patios or roof top terraces and the usually have their own sun loungers if they have an outside space.
It's got 3 pools, 2 with pool bars, one is very family orientated.
It also has 3 nice restaurants, 2 bars, a cafe and a booking desk for tours along with a decent shop/supermarket.
25mins, €30 in a taxi from the airport.
It's about a 15min stroll to the marina which is the main area of Villamoura. Costs about €4/5 in a taxi. We usually walk down and get a taxi back.
It's one of the few places I've stayed that's as nice when you get there as the photos suggest. It's full of bright flowers and gardens.
We've stayed 3 times with kids as young as 2 and it's spotless, safe and very family friendly.
You genuinely wouldn't have to leave the complex unless you wanted to.

The only negative I'd say are the sun loungers, the complex amenities are run by a private company who charge €1.50 per half day for the beds. There is more than enough of them to go around so never a shortage but it annoyed us to pay our first year. We knew the 2nd and 3rd visit and factored it into the price of the holidays and we still booked. Just something to be aware of.

It's booked privately from owners on sites like this
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/s?arrivalDate=2019-07-06&departureDate=2019-07-13&q=Old%20Village%20%28Quarteira%2C%20Algarve%2C%20Portugal%29

Or there's a few booking agents on site like this one
https://www.villagelettings.eu/en-us
Booking.com and alpharooms also have apartments from the owners.


I'd highly recommend it anyway. Most people we met there with young kids or babies were on return visits or were planning to come back again.

fits

fits wrote: »

Northern Spain. They lovebchildren there so it’s very family friendly. And it doesn’t get sweltering. You don’t need to be doing resort holiday with young baby.

Thanks. I've done a lot of travelling myself in that area over the years and it's high on my list especially as there is a ferry service from Cork to Santander.

Grassey

Grassey wrote: »

Same as myself. We picked a small quiet campsite over the large loud ones. Wasn't sure if the missus would like it as it was a first for her. Benefits for us were that you have your own space, no noisy apartments, we could go for a walk along the beach/prom/village with the buggy. Or pack up the car and travel to some sights, walk around again with buggy etc. Our site last year had an indoor heated pool too which was handy for going for a shaded float at quiet times with the little one.

Sounds ideal. What area did you go to out of interest?

.red.

.red. wrote: »

Have a look at "the old village" in Vilamoura in the Algarve.
It's a great complex for young families. Everything from small studios upto 4 bed houses. All with proper kitchens, ovens, microwaves, washing machines etc. Their all privately owned so some are better than others but the lower standard is still very good. Some have small enclosed gardens, others have patios or roof top terraces and the usually have their own sun loungers if they have an outside space.
It's got 3 pools, 2 with pool bars, one is very family orientated.
It also has 3 nice restaurants, 2 bars, a cafe and a booking desk for tours along with a decent shop/supermarket.
25mins, €30 in a taxi from the airport.
It's about a 15min stroll to the marina which is the main area of Villamoura. Costs about €4/5 in a taxi. We usually walk down and get a taxi back.
It's one of the few places I've stayed that's as nice when you get there as the photos suggest. It's full of bright flowers and gardens.
We've stayed 3 times with kids as young as 2 and it's spotless, safe and very family friendly.
You genuinely wouldn't have to leave the complex unless you wanted to.

The only negative I'd say are the sun loungers, the complex amenities are run by a private company who charge €1.50 per half day for the beds. There is more than enough of them to go around so never a shortage but it annoyed us to pay our first year. We knew the 2nd and 3rd visit and factored it into the price of the holidays and we still booked. Just something to be aware of.

It's booked privately from owners on sites like this
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/s?arrivalDate=2019-07-06&departureDate=2019-07-13&q=Old%20Village%20%28Quarteira%2C%20Algarve%2C%20Portugal%29

Or there's a few booking agents on site like this one
https://www.villagelettings.eu/en-us
Booking.com and alpharooms also have apartments from the owners.


I'd highly recommend it anyway. Most people we met there with young kids or babies were on return visits or were planning to come back again.

Sounds great. Will check it out. The sun loungers wouldn't put me off as I'd only last 10 minutes between sunburn and boredom!

Grassey

Deleted User wrote:

Sounds ideal. What are did you go to out of interest?

Carnac. Campsite was Des Menhirs.

nice_guy80

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi guys,

Has anyone got any recommendations for a first family holiday for a couple with what will be a 9 month old baby?

We are open to going anywhere but we are restricted to the month of July. Neither of us is a fan of the sun or anywhere too hot.

We are both very well travelled, very sporty and usually are on the lookout for adventure so this will be a very different type of holiday for us.

Based in Cork.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated as we are a little stuck on ideas.

Thanks in advance.

10 month old in late June, we're hoping for a 2 week holiday in the alps at a campsite with chalets.
We haven't decided on ferry or flying over
10 hours across France in a car might be a bit much for the wee lad

Grassey

Grassey wrote: »

Carnac. Campsite was Des Menhirs.

Great, thanks. I stayed in Carnac as a child and loved it.

nice_guy80

nice_guy80 wrote: »

10 month old in late June, we're hoping for a 2 week holiday in the alps at a campsite with chalets.
We haven't decided on ferry or flying over
10 hours across France in a car might be a bit much for the wee lad

Would love to but I'd be afraid of how our fella would be after 10 hours in the car.

Spent two weeks in a chalet in the Pyrenees last June when my wife was seven months pregnant and had a ball.

Just to update this, on the advice of some of the posters here we booked two weeks in France in July. Cork-Roscoff and then down to Trinite sur Mer for a week and then on to Benodet. As we had to go at peak time in July, we probably left it a bit late and had to go with Eurocamp as they were the most reasonable and had what we wanted. In future I'd book well before Christmas. Thanks for the help, we're really looking forward to our first holiday with the small guy.

Grassey

Deleted User wrote: »

down to Trinite sur Mer for a week and then on to Benodet.

Good choices. We'd spent 2 weeks in Carnac-Plage (about 4km from Trinite sur Mer last year - Real nice relaxed walk along the coast between the 2 villages with nipper in buggy. The almond croissant & coffee in the café along the boardwalk in TsM is top notch.

Deleted User wrote: »

In future I'd book well before Christmas.

Around Black Friday usually has good discounts.