20 best holidays with toddlers - lancelot digital · 2014. 8. 15. · quintadolago the family...

Source: The Times {Weekend}Edition:Country: UKDate: Saturday 9, August 2014Page: 23,24,25Area: 2250 sq. cmCirculation: ABC 398603 DailyAd data: page rate £16,645.00, scc rate £75.00Phone: 020 7782 5000

Keyword: Lanzarote

20 best holidays with toddlersFrom a hotel with swimming lessons forbabies to a resort with its own petting zoo,James Ellis picks Europe’s best breaks

1 Westin Resort CostaNavarino MessiniaThere’s a kids club with bells on at thissuperlative resort set in rolling olivegroves in the southwest Peloponnese. ItsNavarino Dunes recreational park has aplayground with climbing frames andropes, a water park, a sports hall and anAmerican diner-restaurant with acinema, games consoles and a bowling

alley for older children andadults. While the children areoccupied there’s a BernhardLanger-designed golf course, araft of watersports and 11restaurants to enjoy. Rooms atthe hotel have a contemporaryfeel with marble floors, a paleochre colour scheme andbalconies, and they can be stockedon request with baby paraphernalia,including bottle warmers, changingtables and pushchairs.

Details Seven nights’ B&B is from £1,925for a family of three in September,including flights to Kalamata(01204 821730, destinology.co.uk)

2 Sani ResortHalkidikiParents with water babiesneed look no further: thisluxury resort, consisting offour different hotels backedby a 1,000-acre ecologicalreserve on Halkidiki’sKassandra Peninsula, offersbaby and toddler swimmingl il h d f

lessons until the end ofSeptember. Children between six

months and four years can takepart in the 30-minute daily

programme, while there is also a free“babywatch” service on the beach that

allows mum and dad to escape while thekids are looked after by trained staff.Details Seven nights’ half-board is from£2,149 for a family of two adults and twochildren, including flights and transfers(01244 355527, itcluxurytravel.co.uk)

3 Mousses Villas LefkadaLefkada is one of the Ionian coast’slesser-known islands (to Brits at anyrate) — and when Greeks finish theirown holidays at the end of August itbecomes gloriously peaceful and perfectfor exploring. This hotel with just 12villas surrounded by olive groves and ashort walk from idyllic beaches is a greatplace to stay. Not only is theaccommodation spacious and well-equipped, there’s also a new kids’ clubrun by the UK holiday firm SimpsonTravel. With National Nursery W

Greece

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Sani Resort,Halkidiki (2)


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Examination Board-qualified nannies, ittakes children from six months old —and bookings in September and Octobercome with a week’s complimentary half-day childcare, including an eveningcrèche so parents can enjoy a night out.Details Seven nights’ room-only is from£531pp including flights from the UKand car hire (0845 322 8767,simpsontravel.com)

Cyprus4 Almyra PaphosSet in eight acres of landscaped gardenswith incredible views across Paphos Bay,this luxury hotel makes travelling withbabies a cinch. The Baby Go Lightlyprogramme provides everything fromcar seats at the airport to sterilisers,meaning parents can say goodbye toexcess baggage. For slightly olderchildren there are free swim nappies,wipes, purées and special meals, as wellas a Twilight Zone evening crèche andthe Globetrotters kids club. Mum anddad don’t miss out either thanks to anadult-only pool, three restaurantsand a water sports centre.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£2,320 for two adults and aninfant including flights from theUK and transfers (020-3582 4990,originaltravel.co.uk)

5 King EvelthonBeach Hotel & ResortPaphosKids will have a splashing time at thisnew hotel on Chlorakas beach. There’san on-site waterpark with slides andsplash pools that’s free for children under

three (adults pay €15), as well as aplayground, family pools and babysittingservices. Family rooms have acontemporary design, with ceramic orwooden floors. A number of “swim-up”rooms will amuse slightly older children.Details Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from£1,295 per adult and £499 per child,including flights on September 17(0844 576 2386, OlympicHolidays.com)

Spain

6 The Lodge RondaRonda, AndaluciaPick up the pals (and their parents) fromplaygroup and head to this lovely self-catering holiday home for a real houseparty. Sleeping up to 14, it’s a stylish,

rural retreat in a 28-acre estate withchickens to feed, woods to explore andan expansive lawn. Inside there areseven bedrooms, some with canopiedbeds, styled with touches of Africa andAsia, plus a state-of-the-art kitchen —not that you need to cook as rentalscome with a chef. The garden is home toa lovely infinity pool.Details Seven nights’ self-catering isfrom €7,581 (£6,038) for 14 people inSeptember (0034 95216 56 08,thelodgeronda.com). EasyJet.com hasreturn flights from Gatwick to Malagafrom about £130 departing onSeptember 1

7 Princesa Yaiza SuiteHotel Resort, LanzaroteThis hotel set between Playa Blanca andthe stylish Marina Rubicon has a hugesoft playroom for toddlers and a separateoutdoor play area with three children’spools, as well as entry to Kikoland, thechildren’s entertainment programme,with visits to the resort aquariumand tapas-making workshops.Adults are well catered for too,thanks to six swimming pools, twohot tubs, eight restaurants and anexpansive sports centre.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£525pp in September includingreturn flights from Gatwick (020-7666 1234, westernoriental.com)

8 Villa Son MoreyGran Muro, Majorca

Children will love the mini petting zoowith ducks and goats that comes withthis super-spacious villa on Majorca’snorth shore, with views over the Bay of

Alcudia. There’s also a children’splayground with a baby-football pitchand a terrace with a pool and coveredbarbecue. Inside there are fourbedrooms, a living room and a kitchen,


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all with a chic-country feel.Details Seven nights’ self-catering costsfrom £1,741 for nine people in September(020 3384 7066, spain-holiday.com).Skyscanner (skyscanner.net) has returnflights to Majorca departing September16 from about £75

9 Hotel Barcelo LaBobadilla AndaluciaOne of Andalucia’s finest hotels, thiscountry estate in the Sierra de LojaBobadilla has more than 350 acres toexplore. Under-threes go free andtoddlers get a kids club with all mannerof activities, English-speaking babysittersand an extensive (and healthy) children’smenu including ravioli, chicken breastand swordfish. The hotel has soaringbrick arches, terracotta rooftops and achapel with a bell tower. Explore theestate on horseback, bike or quadbike.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from £1,793for a family of two adults and onetoddler in September (08 000 211 256,barcelo.com). EasyJet has return flightsfrom Gatwick to Malaga from about£130 departing on September 1

Portugal10 Conrad AlgarveQuinta do LagoA week-long holiday at this upscaleHilton-brand hotel on the Algarve couldsee the children picking up dozens ofnew skills, including mini yoga, mocktail

making and mini baking. There’s also abespoke kids’ club that sends them on“secret missions” and a new family clam-picking experience in the Ria FormosaNatural park that culminates in learninghow to cook them. The rest of the familygets to stay in a contemporary hotel withfive restaurants, a spa and swanky roomswith 42in TVs and Nespresso machines.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£2,449 for two adults and two children,including flights in September(01244 355527, itcluxurytravel.co.uk)

11 Monte da QuintaQuinta do LagoThe family travel website Tots to Travelsays more families are looking for hybrid

resorts with self-catering villas in ahotel-style environment than ever. Thepick of the bunch for September is thisfive-star hotel, which has two or three-bedroom suites with large open-plandining areas, kitchens and terraces orbalconies. Booked through Tots toTravel, each comes with a pack of babyamenities, including cots, high chairs,booster seats, baby monitors, changingmats, sterilisers, potties and black-outblinds. The resort also has bookablecrèche facilities and drop-in kids clubs.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from £865for a two-bed suite sleeping four people(0800 0142770, totstotravel.co.uk).Skyscanner has return flights to Farofrom about £100 on September 15

12 Martinhal BeachResort and Hotel SagresIf you’re looking to make baby’s firstholiday a super-memorable one for thewhole family, this luxury resort on thesouthernmost tip of Portugal could bethe place to go. The hotel, namedPortugal’s best family resort at last year’sWorld Travel Awards, has teamed upwith the famed teddy-bear makers Steiffto create a special first-holiday packagethat includes a four or seven-night stay, ababy welcome-pack with nappies andwipes, a Steiff teddy, two hours of

childcare a day, a baby swimmingexperience and a romantic dinner withbabysitting thrown in. Mums also get afree spa treatment.Details A seven-night Baby’s FirstHoliday package is from €2,445 for afamily of two adults and one baby inSeptember (00351 282 240200,martinhal.com). Skyscanner has returnflights to Faro from about £100 onSeptember 15

France13 Mas Neuf ProvenceMake light of on-arrival supermarketshopping with a stay at this stylish two-bedroom townhouse on the luxuriousPont Royal Golf & Country Club estate.A phone call seven days in advanceenables you to order nappies, formulaand special treats, while on-site baby


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gear includes cots, high chairs and stairgates, plus bath toys, books and child-friendly DVDs. Guests also get use of thefacilities at the neighbouring Pierre &Vacances holiday village, a ten-minutewalk away, which has a crèche and anaction-packed waterpark.Details Seven nights’ self-catering isfrom £990 for four people (020 36031160, babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk). BA(ba.com) has return flights fromHeathrow to Marseille fromabout £120 per adult

14 Mas de ThauMontagnacFans of Barney & Friendswill love a stay at thiscluster of cottages insouthern France:archaeologists founddinosaur eggs here andthere are huge fields of wildflowers surrounding theproperty in which to hunt formore. The former winery, built inthe Middle Ages, has been convertedinto four gîtes (sleeping four to sixpeople) and the owners, Maryse and

Yvan, have poured in everything to makethem as family-friendly as possible. Stayscome with a welcoming dinner,continental breakfast, a table d’hôtedinner at the owners’ home, fivemornings in the onsite kids club andaccess to the resort’s petting zoo.Details Seven nights’ B&B costs from£2,300 for four people (020 8816 8140,masdethau.com). Ryanair (ryanair.com)has return flights from Luton to Beziersfrom about £45 departing September 1

15 Country Kids BrenasStays at this complex of sevenapartments in a rural setting outsideBrenas come with two free nights’babysitting. Kids are spoilt for choicewith art classes, animal feeding andtreasure hunts, as well as a crèche, babyyoga and mini golf. Apartments (sleepingfour to 12) are well designed.Details Seven nights’ self-cateringis from £3,437 for four people(i-escape.com) with most activities

included. Ryanair (ryanair.com) hasreturns from Luton to Beziers fromabout £45 departing September 1

16 Borgo Santo PietroTuscanySaddle up to explore thepretty Tuscan countrysidewith a stay at this boutiqueRelais & Châteaux hotel.Guests can borrow bikeswith baby and toddlerseats for days out, whilethere’s also a playground,a babysitting service andspecial kids meals thatinclude vegetables from thegardens and organic cow’s

milk. Adults will also love thestylish converted 13th-century

mansion with exposed beamsand copper baths.

Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£3,700 for a family of four including

17 Borgo Egnazia PugliaThis resort in the heel of Italy haslimestone interiors, Conran-esque designand a slick spa. Children will love thekids club with its soft-play area, pool andcraft and drawing sessions. Staff in theclub — under the watchful eye ofresident Scot Charmaine — havebeen highly praised by guests for theirenthusiasm. No task seems toochallenging for them, from toppingup sun-cream levels to arranginglunches and naps.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£2,051 for two adults and a toddler(i-escape.com). Ryanair has returnflights from Stansted to Bari fromabout £90 on September 23

18 Masseria TorreCoccaro PugliaThere’s an eco-bent to September staysat this former farmhouse. Toddlersstaying with parents and attending theParadise Club for kids get to learn aboutthe local area and help with the oliveharvest in the surrounding groves. Ifthey prefer to stay on resort, there are

Italy


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pizza-making classes and a playground.The hotel itself is a dreamy mix of roomswith whitewashed stone walls.Details Seven nights’ B&B is from£3,310 for a family of four includingflights from the UK (020 3740 4746,blacktomato.com)

Turkey19 Gloria Golf ResortBelekThe Very Important Minis programmeoffers a range of services from bespokemeals for babies to a 24-hour shoppingservice for any extra supplies. Toddlersget to play in the Gogi Kids Club, whichhas a jungle gym and a petting zoo withgoats and ponies, while mum and dadcan enjoy the golf courses and spa.Details Seven nights’ half-board is from£2,466 for two adults and a child undersix, including flights in September(01425 480400, prestigeholidays.co.uk)

20 Hillside Beach ClubFethiyeWith three beaches and two spas, there’splenty for adults, but kids are well lookedafter, too. There’s free use of cots, bottlewarmers, wireless intercoms andsterilisers. For those aged four to seven,the KidSide part of the resort has twopools, four waterslides, sandpits, gamingareas and activity sessions.Details Seven nights’ full-board is from£4,700 for a family of four, includingreturn flights from Gatwick inSeptember (020 7722 2288,elixirholidays.com)

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flights from the UK and transfers(020 3740 4746, blacktomato.com)

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20 best holidays with toddlers - lancelot digital · 2014. 8. 15. · quintadolago the family...

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