Family holidays in May half term
By William and Sally Gray, Editors of 101 Family Holidays
We recommend the best family deals in May half term 2012
Looking for family holidays in May half term? We have compiled some exciting ideas for you and your family both at home and abroad, whatever your budget. We have recommendations for families with children of all ages through to teenagers.
May half term holidays in Europe
May is a fantastic time to travel to Europe, especially the Mediterranean. It’s near the start of the season so resorts are uncrowded, temperatures are manageable for children and you can be confident of enjoying long days of sunshine, even if the water may still feel a bit cool.
France has some great budget options. Siblu has a selection of villages in France with large swimming pools and free children’s clubs. See the latest offers. Also check out Le Mas de St Hilaire, a holiday village on the west coast of France with a great beach for young children.
You could treat the kids to a trip to Disneyland Paris (see the latest Disney offers) or head to the Vendee which offers good-value villas with private pools . Active families should consider family cycling holidays in France such as this Loire en Famille cycling holiday. And if you’re looking for a perfect family hotel, we recommend Deluxe Hotel l’Arena in Fréjus midway between Cannes and St Tropez.
It’s only a short Channel-hop to Camping Duinrell on the coast of Holland. This gorgeous site is close to a beach, has a water park next door and great facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, a climbing wall and scuba diving. Rent a family-sized tent or mobile home. See a selection of alternative camping holidays in Europe.
In Spain, we love these villas in Mallorca while Villa Select has some great holidays in Menorca – a great island for families. See the latest special offers. Many people ignore Northern Spain which is crazy, because this is a beautiful part of Europe with lots to do, beautiful places to stay and miles of unspoilt beaches. See our selection of self-catering cottages and traditional small hotels.
Too conventional? How about a walking holiday with donkeys in Spain. This is a great adventure for young children. See more family walking holiday ideas.
Portugal is a firm family favourite. We love this selection of boutique hotels, B&Bs and stylish villas from i-escape, including a fab countryside eco retreat and a beachside villa with creche, kids’ club and family pool. On the Algarve, the Sheraton Algarve is one of the best family resort hotels in Europe, while luxury villa Quinta do Esperanca even has a private tennis court.
Love Italy? So do we. One of the best family hotels we’ve found is the Borgo Scopeta Relais in Siena. We’re also big fans of Real Holidays which offers agriturismi (farm stays). It recommends La Casella, which has a riding school, hiking, tennis and mountain biking.
There are some great options in Greece. We recommend Sani Resort, a large resort set amid pine forests on beautiful Blue Flag beaches. It’s enclosed, safe and friendly with lots of facilities for children of all ages. The Sani Beach Club is the best hotel within the complex for families.
Other Greek options include sailing at Vounaki where you can learn the ropes and embark on flotilla sailing holiday, and the villas with pools on the quiet island of Meganissi (see the latest special offers).
Croatia is superb in May. Stay near Dubrovnik or Split or at the charming Villa Andrea near a gently shelving beach on the Makarska Riviera. If you’re on a budget go for Villa Ana which offers sea-view apartments and a shared pool.
Turkey’s Aegean coast sparkles in May. It’s an ideal time to rent a luxury villa with private pool or relax at a family-friendly hotel such as the Kalkan Regency or Bördübet. We thoroughly recommend a luxury gulet cruise along the coast, where you can explore secret coves, swim off the boat and gaze at stars after dark.
May half term holidays in the UK
May half term is only a few weeks away from Midsummer so you are guaranteed long days – hopefully filled with warm sunshine. In recent years, the end of May has brought good weather to the UK, better than August.
Enjoy the British countryside with holidays on a working farm (see the latest special offers). Or if you want more luxury, stay in a beautiful wooden-floored canvas tent at Feather Down Farms. It operates on farms across the country.
Devon is a great destination for May half term holidays. There is some excellent self-catering accommodation, whether you want to enjoy the magnificent countryside of Dartmoor or Exmoor – or relax on the beaches of the beautiful South Hams.
In Cornwall, we love Gwel an Mor which has comfortable Scandinavian-style wooden lodges and its own wildlife centre (see the special offers). The Sands Resort Hotel on the north coast of Cornwall has great facilities including surfing (see the latest special offers).
If you prefer self-catering, Classic Cottages has 350 family-friendly cottages in Cornwall. If you want to bring a pet, select from these dog-friendly cottages, or pick from the huge selection of good value properties at cottages4you.
What could be more traditional than the Isle of Wight? There’s a reason it has been attracting generations of families – it’s simply a great destination that children love. Wightlink which has some great accommodation ideas and a fleet of car and passenger ferries.
If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at camping with Haven. It has 35 family holiday parks close to beaches and beauty spots with caravan holiday homes, plus traditional yurts and chalets. Don’t fancy camping? Book a family room at the Youth Hostel Association which has hostels in many stunning locations across Britain. Another option is a family activity holiday with PGL.
Sporty families will love the Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel where you can all enjoy cycling, wake-boarding, windsurfing, water-skiing and horse riding.
Long haul holidays in May half term
This is not a great time for a long haul holiday, partly because most schools only get a week off and partly because Europe is just so good at this time of year.
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