Holiday Ideas.... ?
 

Desperate to get away this year, as its been a while and the October half term when the kids are off will be ideal.

Stuck for ideas a bit though.

Me + Missus + 4 kids, ages 2,4,6 & 8.

The youngest is just grasping potty training, but I'm a bit concerned flying anywhere will (a) be quite expensive but (b) but quite stressful trying to bundle in everything we'll need.

So, I'm thinking of driving - Stuffing everyone and everything into the Q7 for a week away.

Dont want to drive too much, at least not in one go. I think the older kids would love to see some foreign culture first hand, so chunnel + France is an option, but so too might be Scotland if theres somewhere good for the younger family ? (Thurso trip thread got me thinking)

Ireland could be an option, as is Amsterdam / Rotterdam - The overnight ferry from Hull is great and the Dutch are surprisingly excellent at catering for kids.

So, anyone for any more ideas ?

+++

The late deals you get on package holidays are just too good to ignore IMO. But, if you're wanting to drive, how about Disney? The south of France? I drove to Amsterdam last year, not sure what there is for kids but the drive isn't so bed especially if you get the Hull to Rotterdam. You can get a private villa quite cheap too, with a pool etc... I'd explore that option. I'll let you know if I come across anything.

Can't speak for your continental options, I've never driven there!

I think Scotland would be a stress free option, no Ferries to worry about and I would imagine continental roads will be pretty busy.

I'm sure some of my Scottish compatriots will pipe up, but in my opinion, the only way to see Scotland properly is up the west coast and perhaps a trip to the Isle of Skye. It's very nice indeed if you like scenery

Glasgow is 200 miles from you, which you could head to first, to really start the tour. I wouldn't personally head over and up via Stranraer or Ayr, as that is a busy route from the Irish Ferries. But an option to go across via Dumfries if you did decide to go to Ireland.

As mentioned in the other thread, a trip to Ullapool would take you through some stunning countryside also.

It depends what you want to do. If you don't mind driving (a bit) and stopping off in relatively remote Hotels, then Scotland is for you. If you're looking for activites to do with the kids, then perhaps not, mind you, they are all still quite young.

I also think the October break for the schools is different in Scotland, but watch out for price hikes in the Hotels around that time, I'm sure the prices probably increase for both the Scottish and English periods.

Hope you find something.+++

Amsterdam / Rotterdam is that where you get your stuff to sell from your 8? :ROFL:

Devon can be quite nice (quieter after the summer) then Ian. Plently for the kids to do:

http://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/

http://www.themilkyway.co.uk/

http://www.watermouthcastle.com/

http://www.crealy.co.uk/devon/

http://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/

http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/

http://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/

One for our Scottish boys, were you can visit the birth place of that very special thing you love so dearly, a wee bottla buckie.

http://www.buckfast.org.uk/page-home.html

And no i don't work for the tourist board.

Could try haven holidays park near Exmouth with 4 kids to entertain! Not tried it ourselves but friends recommend if you go for a villa as its self contained but gives you options for evenings etc. beach at Exmouth pretty good too :)

www.cottages4you.co.uk (or 4u).

We've used them loads of times, tons in UK. Scotland is good as plenty of beaches where you can let them run riot.. East coast has more stuff further north.

What will the weather be like 'up north though a month from now - Wont it be drawing in a bit... ?

Nights will be dark about teatime.. Weather is variable, but mid october is 'usually' dryish, just fairly cold. We're usually up North for the October week traipsing around hills and stuff.

We went here a lot when the kids were. ... kids.
It was always well run, with a brilliant beach with rock pools to explore and streams to dam. And the site has an indoor swimming pool.
With kids a pool seems to fulfill every need. And happy kids = phew!
http://www.swallowtree.co.uk.
South West France is brilliant with kids, but perhaps a bit far. We used to break the journey there and back with overnights, and make that part of the adventure. The food used to be very inexpensive with fixed price menu options. And the camp sites have great tents and even better mobile homes. On site you can get chips and chicken etc, plus, again, they have swimming pools.

I know a good place you could hire a camper van for the week :rolleyes:
then a nice relaxing drive round scotland would be nice +++

Yup, I'd take it like a shot - But it only has 5 seatbelts, even though it sleeps 6.... <doh>

Agree with Amar on the Disney option, we have been October week when kids were younger, they do Haloween theme around then and the kids will love it, we flew and hired a car and stayed in a cottage near Disney, wouldnt worry about a villa with swimming pool as we had to scrape ice of the car most mornings it was even colder than up here:( days were bright and crisp though. Driving might be a better bet with 4 ankle biters. We usually use the Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry when we drive as its a slow crossing and the kids get a full nights sleep, but its a bit more expensive than some of the other options, then come back Caen to Portsmouth again a good overnight with the kids tucked up in bed. Disney is expensive, around 120 euros 9 years ago for a meal in Mickey's Cafe, with not even great food and very expensive beer but seeing the kids faces when the characters mingle in the place is an image you cant put a price on and you will treasure for life, makes the expense worth it IMHO. Ohh And they also charge for car parking as well.

Like...

Aberdeen, sheep, Peterhead, sheep, John O' Groats, sheep, Wick, sheep....

Don't do it, stick to the west coast +++

West coast is much, much nicer...More sheep per head of population right enough :)

email me if you decide on french riviera, brother can help you find a really nice well priced villa with pool in Antibes (we stayed there in May) and I can point you towards good overnight stays.

Weather should still be decent then, eating out not especially cheap, but villa is fully equipped for self catering

If you're only going for a week and driving, then I'd recommend either Ireland (south or west of Dublin, depending how far you want to drive), or Normandy. Both are very family and child friendly, food is better in the latter, tho' which is better for alcohol is a moot point, depending on what you prefer (Beer/Stout vs Cider/Calvados). Normandy campsites are brilliant, but it's probably too late in the season for that, as I think most of the well developed ones close at the end of September, but I'm sure there are cottage/gites as alternatives. If you do that trip, then I completely agree on the ferry to St Malo - a bit of an adventure for the kids (the ferry caters well for them - cinema, play area etc), you get a decent sleep, and St Malo is very nice in it's own right, and a good touring base/starting point.

Much as I love Scotland - natural bias notwithstanding - it'll be colder and the days shorter than the other two options at this time of year. Though if you do that, then I definitely agree about the west coast - we did a week's trip (sans kids..) driving up the West Coast to Skye, and then back via Plockton, and it was one of our best holidays (against a fairly high bar). You're also hostage to the weather, and I think you might struggle with kids if the weather is bad - our Skye travel guide had less than half a page to cover that eventuality!

I personally found Disney in France a bit weird - but probably only because our earlier experience of Disney in the US was so much better - more "authentically Disney", if that's not a contradiction - e.g. climate, customer service (it is near Paris, after all..), quality of accommodation etc..

Assuming that you are driving, there are a few other closer options, which you may already have tried already - we've had some good shorter breaks in places like Ludlow/Shropshire (friendly, nice countryside, great food), and also Northumberland, especially if you/the kids like castles and miles of empty (but cold) beaches.

Whichever driving option you choose, you'll be comfortable AND get great views in the Q7, so I'm sure you'll have fun.

So.... where did you end up in the end?

Decided a week in the south would be good. Family of 6 needed 2 hotel rooms most places though, and I was looking at £1500 for a week.

Ended up in a Haven holiday park at allhavens in Kent - £850 and close enough to explore London and the surrounding area.

Also a stones throw away from the Q7 we picked up whilst on holiday.

Its not like I could have a holiday from work AND cars now is it ? :D

Is that the 4.2 q7 in your sig? Making some nice purchases now the house is done then lol?!

Yup, thats the one :D

Still waiting to sort its V5/MOT/Tax and get it on the road properly, but from the brief drive I've had so far me like lots ;)

Building up an impressive driveway collection there Ian, does the two Q7s mean more kids on the way;)

Um. No. +++

The recent 4.2 Tdi Q7 is supposed to be replacing the existing 3.0 Tdi Q7, but somehow I'm struggling to let go lol