Decent Family Resort - Italy or Croatia

[AB]

Mrs. AB wants to go to either of these places in the summer. For this find of thing we've been to Sana in Halkidiki and a few of the Ikos resorts but that's Greece and Spain only and she isn't interested.

Criteria;

- Stuff for the kids i.e. waterslides
- Places to go outside of the resort to mix it up a bit, food and drink
- Beach
- Nice pools
- Good weather

I think the waterslides are the main thing, I found this place https://www.vivosaresort.com/en/ which has 3 of them and doesn't look too bad, not a million miles from the beach and looks like we could easily get off and find a restaurant if we wanted to.

All Inclusive doesn't bother me, if we have it great, we would use it when we were there but it wouldn't impact going out for meals.

She mentioned EuroCamp but I'm trying to steer away from anything with the word camp in it, some look OK but the mention of "3,000 pitches" terrifies me.

Budget for 10 nights no more than about £10k as I always feel robbed anyway when we get back and the majority of the time is spent putting suncream on kids or supervising them in the pool.

All I want is somewhere I don't have to be greeted by towels that have been there since 5am, nice weather and not too crowded - and a nice room with air conditioning. To satisfy my wife and kids (5&7) they need things to do when I'm asleep in the sun, all 3 of them can't sit still for longer than 2 mins but thankfully do appreciate that it's my holiday too.

Any ideas much appreciated.

[595Heaven]

This place is fantastic - on it's own island with a free passenger boat service across the harbour. Pool has two slides.

We did half board both times and the food was excellent. Pore? is a lovely little town and plenty of dining options if you want to try something different.

https://www.valamar.com/en/hotels-porec/valamar-is...

Also there is a boat that goes to Venice - it is a long day but a great way to see the sights.

Edited by 595Heaven on Monday 29th June 18:39

[AB]

Exactly the sort of thing I was after, we did Venice at Easter so we probably wouldn't bother but I think when we were there we were told about this place.

Thanks!

https://www.falkensteiner.com/en/family-hotel-diad...
https://www.amadriapark.com/sibenik/amadria-park-f...

There are 2 I found that I will float past the boss too, if anyone knows of them?

[AB]

Has anyone been to Albania? Someone has just recommended the beaches there being like The Maldives if you get the right resort. The recommendation was fly into Corfu and get the ferry across as it’s a long drive from the airport in Albania.

Any thoughts? I don’t know anyone who has been.

[Doesitdrive]

Red Sea Egypt, Rixos resorts for your budget.

Plenty for kids unless you book adult only , shallow water and many walk out piers great for tropical fish spotting without a snorkel or diving.

Get that snorkel on though, at least once off the end of the piers.

Go to a beach club restaurant for a change, again Plenty for kids, lots of families go at weekends, serve food and drink at your bed, towels supplied and changed on request, or go into the restaurant.

Water slides etc on site, probably access to sister resorts with different things, great food all inclusive and restaurants on site.

Very cheap mainly outside of resorts, plenty of trips available, diving schools everywhere but Dahab is great for a beginner, lots go thete for first lessons. Good day out too.

Zero traffic, great roads, plenty of taxis, feels friendly and safe everywhere tbh.

You do need a Visa, 25 quid online before you go, 30 quid at the airport on arrival, only if you want to travel to Cairo and the pyramids, or outside Sharm area, or plan to stay more than 15 days.

Going for the fourth time since Xmas on the 18th. About the same temps as the heatwaves here.

I ignored it for decades, last minute deal at Xmas took us there, no kids, but we both love the place.

Not come across pissed up brits yet lol

[AB]

You've set me off in a new direction here, thanks for that! The Rixos Premium Seagate looks to tick all the boxes for us all.

£7.5k for 9 nights flying from Liverpool which is a bonus over Manchester for us as it's a far better airport and easier to park etc. EasyJet flights for 5.5 hours is something I'll have to get my head around but I'm sure I'll cope.

Haven't been to Egypt for 20 years when I got offered a digital camera and a camel for my (now) wife. Made the right decision as she's aged better than the camera would have done and I couldn't see a use for the camel at the time.

[Doesitdrive]

AB said:

You've set me off in a new direction here, thanks for that! The Rixos Premium Seagate looks to tick all the boxes for us all.

£7.5k for 9 nights flying from Liverpool which is a bonus over Manchester for us as it's a far better airport and easier to park etc. EasyJet flights for 5.5 hours is something I'll have to get my head around but I'm sure I'll cope.

Haven't been to Egypt for 20 years when I got offered a digital camera and a camel for my (now) wife. Made the right decision as she's aged better than the camera would have done and I couldn't see a use for the camel at the time.

A different direction is never a problem to take a look at. Most don't though.

I think the one you mention is the one in Nabq, where we prefer, and the one I have had a decent look round, there probably isn't a reason to leave it tbh. Everything you need is there and you are right on top of the beach.

As you mentioned your wife lol, one of the reasons we love it is because we are different and nobody takes a blind bit of notice, except other tourists occasionally, and my partner feels completely safe going places on her own, quite independent at times lol.

If you want to get out , go to Dahab, go to the beach clubs, want a driver, anything really.

Cross the road from the resort, beside the currently closed British pub, a chap named John has a papyrus shop, very helpful and can arrange just about anything.

In fact last time, and going again on the 18th, we didn't fancy a resort, or budget air, went with BA, not much better lol, and wanted to visit Cairo and Dahab, just gave him an itinerary and date/time of arrival, he did the rest, drivers on call, internal flights, hotel and apartment bookings, beach clubs, shopping for apartment, paid for everything, and took us to church as it was easter.

My bill for this service approx 600 quid. Oh, and the bill for us and his family at the beach club on Easter Sunday.

I thought this may sting a little lol, 5 adults and a child, being served drink, food and Ice Cream all day, camel rides for other half and his child.

When it came to settling up in the evening I asked him to get the bill, he said local prices when you are with me, certainly was, 80 quid including a nice tip.

Enjoy your trip, we are there for 2 weeks from the 18th

[Lotusgone]

I was looking into a beach resort from which Rome was not too far, and found a place called Fregene.

It looked quite good with some well-priced villas within walking distance of the beach. However looking closer, it seemed as though stretches of beach had been taken over by clubs, with sunbeds down to the sea. My understanding was that you could walk along the sea edge, not my idea of a relaxing walk and it wasn't clear how you access the beach. If I have this wrong, could PHers correct me?

Mrs L and I had a day trip to Sarande in Albania. The beach was a little scruffy but it had a pleasant promenade alongside, with bars charging just over half what we had paid for drinks in Greece (Sivota). Possibly best accessed from Corfu (by ferry) as it's quite the drive from Tirana.

[jamesb2]

Just a comment on the last post , beach clubs in Italy are everywhere, normally pretty cheap , especially in you get a weekly deal and normally have good inexpensive food and drink

Italy can be really good value wise and I generally find the food better than in many other tourist destinations

[ComStrike]

I would second Sharm, we are off to Coral Sea Sensatori next week for a fortnight, we went last year & loved it

[Doesitdrive]

ComStrike said:

I would second Sharm, we are off to Coral Sea Sensatori next week for a fortnight, we went last year & loved it

I stayed in Coral Sea holiday village at Xmas, to Escape Xmas lol, it was bigger and better in Sharm , less commerce based, than anything in London.

My first visit, went back, February, April, and again next week.

I had very low expectations at Xmas tbh, last minute booking on price and sun basis compared to others winter sun places, my expectations were blown out of the water.

I can highly recommend Coral sea holiday village, I paid a little extra for a family room and it was fabulous in a block of just 4. Sea view, right in the middle.

[AB]

ComStrike said:

I would second Sharm, we are off to Coral Sea Sensatori next week for a fortnight, we went last year & loved it

I've added that to the list, they have availability for just under £7k all inclusive in a good room. With TUI which I guess would be better than Easy Jet.

I'm bored looking now, just need my wife to look at all the links I've sent her and choose one.

[RicksAlfas]

Doesitdrive said:

Cross the road from the resort, beside the currently closed British pub, a chap named John has a papyrus shop, very helpful and can arrange just about anything.

Sounds like something from a John le Carré novel!

[Doesitdrive]

RicksAlfas said:

Doesitdrive said:

Cross the road from the resort, beside the currently closed British pub, a chap named John has a papyrus shop, very helpful and can arrange just about anything.

Sounds like something from a John le Carré novel!

Its very easy with this all inclusive resorts not to get out amongst the locals. They have all you need onside, especially the ones I have been to in Nabq, literally on top of the beach.

Not what holidays are about for me though. Much more fun getting out with locals, and usually cheaper too.

For my last trip, landing in Cairo, and the one this month, I just booked flights, gave him an itinerary and he sorted everything from start to finish.

Landed in Cairo, a newish SUV and driver was waiting, from then on it all went smoothly, this time we asked for a bigger apartment.

He has spent 10 days getting a new build finished and furnished for us, 2 bed, infinity pool on the roof, 3 pools minutes walk, 5 minute walk to the main beach road.

For 45 quid a night and not having to use my brain scouring the Internet, just book a flight and forget, I reckon getting out to meet the locals is a good call.

I am sure he makes a few quid, and his family will get a few days out paid for by us, but this is the guy who met us walking into his shop and gave us the spare key to his car, and said take it whenever he is at the shop. 10am to 10pm.

Makes great tea too lol.

[AB]

Well we were all for Egypt but apparently it'll be too hot for the kids.

So we have ended up in Belek, Turkey, got a decent deal - still going to be hot but not as hot says my wife.

https://www.gloria.com.tr/en/hotels/gloria-serenit... Apparently it's close to Land of Legends which fits my wife and kids' criteria.

Looks nice. Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

[Doesitdrive]

AB said:

Well we were all for Egypt but apparently it'll be too hot for the kids.

So we have ended up in Belek, Turkey, got a decent deal - still going to be hot but not as hot says my wife.

https://www.gloria.com.tr/en/hotels/gloria-serenit... Apparently it's close to Land of Legends which fits my wife and kids' criteria.

Looks nice. Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

I am in Sharm right now, its hot but a different heat from UK.

Surprisingly manageable, kids are not having issues, the water park in Rixos Seagate is right in front of our apartment complex, and busy.

Not met anyone complaining its too hot, except some local workers lol, the tourists are doing there thing regardless, as we are.

Its been 38, 39, crept up to 41 couple of days ago, but I hear its 45 in some parts of Europe.

I would say you should have gone for it, there is a constant sea breeze here, not intrusive, just there.

Having a proper teen holiday this time lol, flying about on this shed with the other half on the back.

[Sheepshanks]

AB said:

Well we were all for Egypt but apparently it'll be too hot for the kids.

So we have ended up in Belek, Turkey, got a decent deal - still going to be hot but not as hot says my wife.

https://www.gloria.com.tr/en/hotels/gloria-serenit... Apparently it's close to Land of Legends which fits my wife and kids' criteria.

Looks nice. Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

Does look nice. We alternate between Barut Collection Resorts in Antalya and Side - Belek is roughly in the middle. Took one of our daughters and all our grandchildren to Barut Lara over Easter and the temperature had a bit of a bump up to high 20's which was great for us - that was warm enough for the kids to swim outside and the little nutters were even happy in the unheated pools (the main one was heated). I went on the waterpark a bit with them and that was absolutely freezing but they happily swam around.

Average summer temp would be OK at mid 30's, but if you catch one of the bump ups it could be 40C+.

I've been told it's a Turkish thing not to heat any of the pools in summer so they feel even colder with the temp difference.

Airport worked great for us both ways but on leaving Antalya there's three security checks including one at the gate which can be very slow, they even searched the kids. They got everyone on though and still managed to push back a few mins early.

[Doesitdrive]

Sheepshanks said:

Does look nice. We alternate between Barut Collection Resorts in Antalya and Side - Belek is roughly in the middle. Took one of our daughters and all our grandchildren to Barut Lara over Easter and the temperature had a bit of a bump up to high 20's which was great for us - that was warm enough for the kids to swim outside and the little nutters were even happy in the unheated pools (the main one was heated). I went on the waterpark a bit with them and that was absolutely freezing but they happily swam around.

Average summer temp would be OK at mid 30's, but if you catch one of the bump ups it could be 40C+.

I've been told it's a Turkish thing not to heat any of the pools in summer so they feel even colder with the temp difference.

Airport worked great for us both ways but on leaving Antalya there's three security checks including one at the gate which can be very slow, they even searched the kids. They got everyone on though and still managed to push back a few mins early.

Few pools in Sharm are heated, getting into the Red Sea this afternoon was like entering a warm bath. The pools are the same.

What temperature would you like them heated to ?

[TheHeadhunter]

AB said:

Mrs. AB wants to go to either of these places in the summer. For this find of thing we've been to Sana in Halkidiki and a few of the Ikos resorts but that's Greece and Spain only and she isn't interested.

Criteria;

- Stuff for the kids i.e. waterslides
- Places to go outside of the resort to mix it up a bit, food and drink
- Beach
- Nice pools
- Good weather

I think the waterslides are the main thing, I found this place https://www.vivosaresort.com/en/ which has 3 of them and doesn't look too bad, not a million miles from the beach and looks like we could easily get off and find a restaurant if we wanted to.

All Inclusive doesn't bother me, if we have it great, we would use it when we were there but it wouldn't impact going out for meals.

She mentioned EuroCamp but I'm trying to steer away from anything with the word camp in it, some look OK but the mention of "3,000 pitches" terrifies me.

Budget for 10 nights no more than about £10k as I always feel robbed anyway when we get back and the majority of the time is spent putting suncream on kids or supervising them in the pool.

All I want is somewhere I don't have to be greeted by towels that have been there since 5am, nice weather and not too crowded - and a nice room with air conditioning. To satisfy my wife and kids (5&7) they need things to do when I'm asleep in the sun, all 3 of them can't sit still for longer than 2 mins but thankfully do appreciate that it's my holiday too.

Any ideas much appreciated.

We've just come back from Sani, been every year, sometimes more than once, for the last 14 years. We've been to loads of other places and there is nowhere even close for that style of holiday, IMO.

BUT, you do pay for it. And certainly if your budget is £1,000/night during summer, it won't get close nowadays. Off-season is a different matter. When we've been in early June, it's a third of the price.

Loads of good suggestion above though.