TRAVEL CALENDAR - WHEN AND WHERE TO GO - MNHQ WANTS YOUR HELP

[AbbyMumsnet]

We want to put together a family travel calendar and would appreciate your help! We're looking to include the following:

When is the best time to go to a particular region/country - and why? We'd like to cover both weather and special events - for example, the Scilly Isles are gorgeous in early spring because the temperate climate means all the flowers are out/Crete's great at the end of October as weather still pretty good and there's an island-wide festival etc etc

Your favourite locations/resorts/hotels etc - and what age they're best for.

But feel free to include suggestons/info' on anything else you'd find useful on this sort of thing.

Thanks in advance - MNHQ

[filthymindedbolshevixen]

arse-licky teacher's-pet bump

[AbbyMumsnet]

For a moment there I thought you were being incredibly rude!

[MaureenMLove]

I want to start, but I'm so slow at typing and my pc is so slow, that I'm posting this first, just so you know I was first.

[MaureenMLove]

Right, my favouirte place in the whole world is The Highlands of Scotland. Particularly around the Glen Coe/Fort William area. Its probably more for older children (8 upwards) Beautiful mountains to look at and the West Highland Way is great for walks and climbing. The Ben Nevis Range is in Fort William and the chair lift takes you up the mountain next to Ben Nevis for fantastic views. You can also catch the Steam train made famous on Harry Potter from Fort William that takes you along the coast to Malaig. It also goes over the now famous Harry Potter viaduct too. It is open from June. Oban is also relatively local, which again has beautiful scenery and a Sea Life centre. You can catch the ferry to the Islands from there, including Mull, where Balamory was filmed and yes, you CAN see all the coloured houses!
We usually stay on a caravan site in Glen Coe (only 22 vans, no club house and completely silent and beautiful at night. Plenty of fishing opportunities on the loch.
The best time to go is May, as the dreaded midges start to breed in June and it doesn't make for a pleasant stay. The weather IS good, despite what people think about Scotland. We have often had temps over 25 degrees!

Oh, I feel like Judith Charmers! Hope thats what you wanted!

[MaureenMLove]

Ooop! Forgot my link!

[MaureenMLove]

Oh dear, were we all supposed to ignore our hosts requests? I feel like the new girl now, following orders, whilst everyone else sniggers and smokes fags in the bike sheds!

[filthymindedbolshevixen]

Abby, I'm never rude.

LOL at you thinking I meant you!

[AbbyMumsnet]

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[WendyWeber]

Costa del Sol is fab in May/Jun and Oct/Nov - lots of sun but not too hot and burny, not too busy, not too buggy.

(also if you go in Oct/Nov you can catch the first snow on the Sierra Nevada for snowball fights!)

We went at Easter once too, when it was in late April so not too chilly for the beach and saw the Semana Santa parades like this which are fascinating - the hoods are a bit spooky but tiny children take part.

[AbbyMumsnet]

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[dressedupnowheretogo]

eygpt in october anywhere along the red sea

i woldnt recommend the sonnesta beach group hotels ours was minging

but the hyatt regency next door was beautiful

its warm but not too warm

lots of resturaunts very child friendly

[Marina]

Something that gets to me a LOT when reading travel pages in the papers and flaming Junior's bloody recommendations is the idea that you have to go long-haul and spend ££££ to have a fantastic holiday
Lack of cash and also environmental considerations are factors for a lot of "ordinary families" and there is a lack of sensible press coverage of interesting, short-haul destinations IMO.
So I'd like to see MNHQ not just covering luxe and sunny destinations but also resourceful low-cost holidays. Dedicate a whole section to this, you know you want to!
My top tips are Youth Hostels in this country (Arundel and some others are brilliantly child-friendly), the NCT House Swap Register, and abroad...Normandy, the Nord and the Pas de Calais, all full of excellent things to do and accommodation in August is a lot cheaper than in the UK.

[Marina]

Oh, and make sure you cover ideal destinations/holiday ideas for people with disabilities, and families with children with special needs

[thirtysomething]

Can't beat South Africa in winter (November-Feb/March) Wonderful beaches,plenty of wildlife spotting for kids, minimal time difference with UK and plenty of space.Plus don't need lots of jabs if you stick to Cape Town/Garden Route.

[heifer]

Greek Islands of Skopelos and Alonisos (and even Skiathos) late June early July before it gets too hot...

Any earlier than late June and you have to be careful as lots of places haven't opened for the summer yet

Mallorca May bank holiday... especially Porta Pollenca..

[StarryStarryNight]

Tromsoe in Norway is fantastic for a winter break. Go after Christmas, and you have the chance to see the Nothern Lights. Tromsoe is one of the best locations to see Aurora Borealis, it is so far north (nearly 70 degrees north). January and February are the best months as the skies are clear, yet you have SOME daylight too. Aside from sitting in a hot tub in the middle of nowhere looking at the sky, there are plenty of family activities, such as dog sledges into the mountains, sea rafting, rein deer sledge into the wildernes to dine with the local Sami people in their tents (similar to a tipi), modern coffee shops, a skiing range where you can get tuition for children, ice skating, seal spotting, fishing from a boat, there is a whole host of winter activities. In addition, you have good cafes, restaurant, and coffee shops.

Tromsoe is also nicknamed The Paris of the North, as in the old days trade routes ensured that the ladies got their clothing direct from Paris. Also, "Gateway to the Arctic" as in the old days this was the last place to fuel up and stock up on food before heading out to the artic ocean for exploring far off places such as the North Pole. Scott was here, Nobile was here, and the town was a favoured hang-out for Roald Amundsen and Fritjof Nansen, national polar explorers. Tromsoe has museums and exhibits which are showcasing this era.

Dresscode: sub zero temperatures.

If you go in summer, july is best as it can be nice and warm, around 22-25 degrees, and you get to experience 24 hour sunlight.

Low Cost airline Norwegian flies direct, 3 hour flight from London Stanstead. www.norwegian.no/sw7127.asp

Tourist Information:
www.destinasjontromso.no/english/index.html

[MrsTweedy]

I second Marina's suggestion of Youth Hostels, from Easter to October, can especially recommend those in Cornwall and Yorkshire Dales for walking & exploring (we did it from age 6 and up).

As you've already said, Scillies from Easter to October, best place in the world for shrimping when it's low tides (from age 3 to avoid pushchairs and best to travel by helicopter). Easter to October also for the Lake District (can recommend Brackenrigg Inn, Ullswater and Huddlestone Cottage, Cockermouth v good for children and dogs). Best if you like walking though.

Skiing faves are Vaujany (Ski Peak) and La Tania (Ski Beat) with travel by train to the latter to avoid half-term airport madness.

[dressedupnowheretogo]

would say also sharm is completely flat

[AbbyMumsnet]

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[MrsSpoon]

I will of course recommend the Northern end of La Manga Strip, Costa Calida, Spain (chez Spoon for the ultimate experience of course ). During July and August the weather is hot and the area is bustling, this part is very popular with Spaniards coming down from Madrid for the cooler sea air, definitely not a 'Brits abroard' experience and be prepared to do things Spanish style. Lots on offer for children during this busy season. Out of season it is lovely too but much quieter and a little cooler. Costa Calida means warm coast, the area has a more constant temperature than other parts of Spain.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Oxfordshire is pretty good to visit off season - much cheaper, most places are buggy friendly and if you are very lucky you get to see me having a tantrum because the farking tourists are taking photos of my house.

[AbbyMumsnet]

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[AbbyMumsnet]

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[AbbyMumsnet]

Anyone out there, or have you all switched off media requests on your preferences?

[XAliceInWonderlandX]

vienna
in december christmas markets
really cold days
and the sight of the horse and carriages
a feeling of cold yet of warmth
think that is the punch