Most of you will have already booked your summer holiday. For those who remain undecided and still need to book a summer holiday with the little ones, here are a few of my last-minute suggestions:
The French Country Chic
This place is a beautiful Boutique Family Retreat close to Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The owners are from the UK, wonderful hosts, and great cooks. Here, they include kids’ activities or you can book a babysitter. You can relax with gourmet meals for parents and the little ones taken care of. They have everything from toys to baby baths and all sorts of details for babies and toddlers. There is a fenced great heated pool and a big garden area with a playground and treehouse.
We stayed there when my daughter was a baby and my son was two years old and it was a really nice experience for all of us so I can recommend this place without hesitation.
Also several of France’s most beautiful towns (Conques, Najac, Rodel, Belcastel) are easily explored as day trips. The historic steam train that crosses the Dordogne Valley is nearby and a number of wildlife parks are all within easy reach.
For those preferring more sporty pursuits, there are several easy walks from the guesthouse. A little further afield the river has numerous pretty picnic spots and older children and adults can swim and kayak in the summer. There are 3 family suites and 1 family room available. Guests and kids usually get to know each other during their stay and can mingle as much as they like.
July and August dates are almost fully booked but there is still availability for their Family Double Room from July 14-20 and August 11-23. This room is ideal for 2 adults plus one baby or child.
The Umbrian Country Cottages
Situated in a stunning valley, the Umbrian Country Cottages are a magical option for families seeking tranquillity and relaxation in the heart of Italy. Three beautiful stone cottages, sleeping between two and six guests (with extra space for cots) looking out over miles of uninterrupted countryside.
The two-and-a-half-acre grounds include a fenced pool from which one can gaze down the endless valley and a playground equipped with plenty of toys and a playhouse. Guests can help themselves to the fruit, herbs and vegetables from the gardens. Pizza making in the old bread oven is a must or enjoy an alfresco barbecue.
There are also alpacas and a child-friendly dog on site which the kids love! Only 15 minutes away by car from Perugia, one of my favourite cities in Italy – we visited last year at Easter and all fell immediately in love with it!
Their smallest cottage, is suitable for 2 adults plus 1 baby or child and is still available for the following dates: 4th to 11th July & 28th July to 4th August.
The Sussex Escape
If you feel like escaping the heat in the south of Europe, this is a perfect choice. Only 1 hour drive south from London Gatwick. We did when our kids were very little for a summer holiday.
We visited this beautiful and fully equipped house together with good friends and their children. My son was only a baby and we had a wonderful time. There was nothing the lovely owner (a mum of 2) had not thought about. Located in a small village in East Sussex. This historic house was recently refurbished with real style. With a cheery, homely feel and is furnished with great taste. Totally child-proofed, from the available stair gates to the socket protectors. It is an ideal venue for extended families or friends to get together and enjoy the English countryside.
The house comfortably sleeps 7 to 8 adults and up to 4 children in four bedrooms. There are plenty of toys, books, board games and puzzles, plus entertainment in the form of TV, DVD player, Xbox and more in the living room. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking for the little ones as well as for large groups.
Outdoors you will find a fully enclosed garden and a summer house. Hours of fun for the kids. The perfect summer escape in Northern Europe!
In July there is still availability as follows: July 2-12.
Gran Melia Palacio de Isora
Tenerife has a great climate all year round so there is really no bad time to visit the island. Most people travel there during the winter months. Travelling to Tenerife in July and August is a great idea for a summer holiday. Why? Temperatures are perfect (also not too hot to sleep well at night) and rates tend to be much better than in winter-time.
The family-friendly Gran Melia Palacio de Isora is on the seafront, with the majestic El Teide volcano behind it. The hotel offers plenty of children’s play areas, pools, a Mini Club and a theatre with kid-friendly shows in the evening. Right next to the hotel, you can find a big playground with stunning sea views, so there is a lot to do with kids.
Of the five pools at the hotel, the most impressive is the 260-metre lake-like infinity pool, although little ones will love the pirate ship in the kids’ pool. With a choice of 8 restaurants, 7 bars, tennis and paddle courts, a gym, an archery range, and Clarins spa, parents can certainly indulge, while the kids will have a lot of fun too!
In July and August there are still few Deluxe Rooms and Family Suites available suitable for families.
The French Country Boutique Houses
This is truly a French paradise for families! The boutique accommodation is located about 3 1/2 hours from Barcelona. And 15 minutes from Carcassonne in the Aude region of southern France. The property consists of four stylishly refurbished houses. Sleeping 4 to 8, there is a fully fenced heated pool (with hard cover at night for extra security). Shady wood cabins for kids to play in and a great children’s play area with swings, slide and trampoline, a games room with table tennis, table football and other family games.
In July and August, they offer a Kids club two mornings a week and if requested, there is a trusted babysitting service available. There is also a 1000-square-foot barn with ride-on toys and a great chill-out area for adults. Guests can hire bikes, book massages, the owner can arrange wine tastings, horse riding, catering and much more.
The owners have really come up with a winning formula: guests enjoy the privacy and independence of their own house. But all have access to the extensive grounds and family-friendly amenities.
In August they still have availability in one of their three-bedroom guest houses which can accommodate up to 5 people. The available dates are 25th August – 1st September.
Please contact me if you are interested in one of the suggested properties for your summer holiday. If I can help with tips on how to travel with babies and toddlers, I am more than happy to share our travel experiences with you!
Happy travelling!
