Can anyone recommend places for next year – I don't mind Turkey but not Antalya

[Guest]

So we are ready to return home in the morning.

Currently at eftalia splash in turkey. Honestly with 3days sunshine being told constantly how nice it is at home 2k spending money down nothing to show I'm a little gutted

This was our first proper holiday abroad and I'm sad.

I've learnt I don't think all inclusive is right for us. I don't drink when it's just me and my girls. I have two good eaters yet they have lived off spaghetti rice and chips for ten days. Even myself have struggled with the food and we ate out 4 times

I'm on a tighter budget than most. But can anyone recommend places for next year. I don't mind turkey but not Antalya. My budget is around 500pp (1a2c)

We need somewhere to sleep that nice and comfy. Nice places to eat out (that's not through the roof) maybe option of excursions. Big pool (slides aren't a must my girls barely entertained them)

Pluses of our holiday was the legend pirate excursion (had sun this day) amazing restaurant to eat (found 2nd to last day) and maybe a beach.

I know budget probably makes it hard. But all inclusive timings and food options just been a killer for us. We literally need a place to lay out head and store our stuff.

I've never done half board or self catering before so worried but all inclusive doesn't seem worth it for us. I booked it for occasional cocktails ice-cream and slushes and none were included ( always read the blue print )

My geography is crap as never been on holidays before. So far Skegness was the best holibobs

Oh and maybe 26-30temp as I seem to allergic to the sun everywhere

[Lynne]

We have never stayed in a hotel with our girls, they are now 14 and 8. Eurocamp has always been our go to, the Italian sites are amazing. Beautiful local produce, fresh breads for breakfast, lunch in our van and dinner in a beautiful restaurant. Most sites are close to wonderful cities to explore and some are right on their own private beaches. We are heading to Zaton in Croatia this year.

[Katie]

Go self catering somewhere like Majorca but in July your more or less guaranteed hot weather then... lots of boat trips available in most resorts in Majorca too.

[Nicola]

Balearic islands are great for self catering, good weather, bit of culture, decent excursions and supermarkets. I have never done an all inclusive holiday because I know it wouldn't work for us. Places I think you will like: Playa de Muro, Alcudia and Cala Dor in Majorca; Cala Santandria, Cala'n Bosch and Son Bou in Menorca; Santa Eulalia in Ibiza.

Turkey - Fethiye area, Hisoronu and Oludeniz.

Greek Islands: Kos Town, Tingaki.

[Danielle]

i would a eurocamp would be good for your kids and its self catering. the best one we have been to is sanguli or cambrillis is salou. you have the added bonus of being a walking distance to restaurants and the beach and the sites ste fab for kids. after that el delfin verde in Spain great site but you need a car to get off site. after that zaton holiday park croatia again great site but need a car if u want to go off site... we loved eurocamps when kids where younger. there are lots more as well that was just a few

[Carolyn]

Look at Eurocamp. You'll get a LOT more for your money if you're self catering x

[Fi Handley]

Eftalia hotels have a reputation for poor food and having to pay for extras.

Don't let it put you off all inclusive. For example I'm going to Turkey today and staying at a hotel that's got really good reviews for food and they do plenty of cocktails and a couple of kids ones to. I'd also suggest you go for less time but best quality you can afford.

Better to have 7 nights and a really good holiday than 10 nights of a meh one x

[Zoe]

Have a look at Lanzarote. It's cheap enough to eat out and plenty of choice restaurant wise. We like playa blanca and los pocillios side of Puerto del Carmen x

[Suzanne]

Santa Ponsa in Majorca. We stayed AI but we only had breakfast and snacks there and ate out in the evenings. So definitely wouldn't recommend AI. SP is a beautiful bay. The beach is lovely and there's so many lovely places to eat around the bay. I just find AI best for getting fluids down my 2 and snacks throughout the day. We got the bus into Palma and had a gorgeous day.

[Amanda]

Jupiter albuferia Portugal my kids are great eaters same situation all inclusive turn into rice and pasta only eaters ( last holiday was Spain that’s all they would entertain , holiday before was this place and the food oh my it was great they ate like kings ) slushes Ice creams cocktails mock tails all included there is a small strip in walking distance that leads to beach or about 10 min in a taxi is marina with lovely restaurants but you won’t want to eat out , there is 2 al la carts a restaurant one I had steak and pepper sauce lovely cut was Devine the other al la carte is a grill place similar to the Argentinian places green side up bring me more meats , cooked pineapple etc red side up I’m full atm , there’s excursions locally hotel can arrange , we went on a boat to see caves and find dolphins it was breathtaking, I’ve been on many holidays and this is the only one I would recommend in that price bracket didn’t go through tui even tho it’s mainly a tui hotel I booked it via on the beach

[Julie]

May is normally a great time to go to Turkey, temps in high 20s to low 30s, this year weather seems to be very mixed everywhere. Italy which has had floods and Spain where places have had torrential rain. AL is ok if you have one which is not just buffet and has 24/7 options then it's more flexible and more pleasant.

Have you thought of a Villa? You have your own space, own pool and you do not need to cook, we tended to eat breakfast in but ate out lunch and dinner.

The Fethiye area of Turkey is fab there are lots of excursions which are reasonably priced we did ziplining, rafting, Jeep buggies, paragliding, visited waterfalls, had dinner up a mountain to see sunset, private boat trip (public ones are available too), horseriding on land and on beach. There are historical sites too such as Kayakoy which is a ghost town.

Food prices in Turkey although they have increased are still reasonable as is public transport and Taxis. Alcohol can be expensive now depending on which resort/area you choose some places are equivalent in price to here now.

[Sinéad]

Holidays are definitely always hyped up, particularly when they are a big holiday and you anticipate it so much waiting for it to come. Hopefully you don’t feel sad and put it down as an experience. I’m sure you have loads to show and memories made! Definitely variety is key and try different types of holidays until you find what suits your family. What one person recommends may not necessarily fit what another person wants.