Where do you go on summer holiday - booking etc.

Transportation, Travel and Trips
1
Last couple of years we've gone back to the UK, EuroCamp, local etc .. And we were not constrained by school holidays.

This year we fancy an all inclusive beach holiday in the canaries or balearics .. Just an old fashioned chill out, sit on the beach and eat loads.

I know of TUI and have seen some other high street agencies but any tips? Do you just book flight hotel independently? Do you use a high street shop?

2
We haven't been to the locations you're scouting, but we also like lazy beach holidays. We always book our own, and generally do flight and accommodation separately. It depends how flexible your travel plans are, and much you like to search (and search, and search). Once in a while you can snag an insane deal, especially if not constrained by school hols.

Last year we booked two nights at a 5-star resort on the big island of Hawaii for the silly price of $26 per night. Normal price about $400. We had wanted to book in groups of at least 3 nights as we traveled around, but for that price we changed our plans! We thought they might give is strange looks when we checked in and they saw what we'd paid, but this was such a fancy place they didn't bat an eye and treated us like royalty (i.e. like everyone who had paid 15x the price).

We are a bit nerdy though and are searching almost daily for deals anywhere on the planet with a beach.

3
Thing is we are now constrained by school.. And since we're taking a 3 yr old and a 6 yr old, it's got to be pretty easy, no connecting flights or huge long transfers. We're flexible on location as long as it's within say 3 - 4 hour flight and not any place that's been in the news recently -- So Egypt, North Africa, Turkey are out and probably much of Greece.. I don't want to be thinking about any political shyte while on holiday. So guessing that leaves Spain / South Italy / Portugal.

Spent a few hours searching all the usual sites tonight but nothing jumped out.. Kayak.com, bookers, hotels.com, easyjet + hotel.

I'd basically like to give somebody maybe 3k and let them give me a list to choose from .

4
I have used holidaycheck.de many times, some sort of German and Swiss trip advisor with a search engine for package deals with all major travel operators.

5
As your local airport seems to be Geneva, then search flights from there.

Easyjet to Tenefire South to know what the flights and luggage would cost you, varying popular dates of your choice. Maybe a day or two shorter might be cheaper.

I do not know the Swiss sites or market, but the above might help you with the TUI site, that I believe to be a good site. (depending on your school holiday dates, might be different to UK and high dates)

Check reviews of hotels, as you are taking your children, what they have on offer for your children, i.e. possible your free time.

We personally prefer accommodation with balcony and reasonable wifi.

The only time we booked fully inclusive, we went to buy some alcohol to drink on our balcony, as well as the odd time out and about.

6
You would be absolutely fine in the vast majority of Greece. I go regularly because my partner's family live on the outskirts of Athens, and was there during the referendum last year. I adore Crete and want to visit more islands as they each have their own character.

It sounds to me like Playa Blanca, Lanzarote would be right up your street. I stayed at the H10 Lanzarote Princess and loved it, but there are many other hotels that might appeal to you.

I only use 5 websites to book all my travel. Trivago and booking.com for the hotels. Skyscanner to find who flys which routes, then check further on Momondo and finally book directly on the airline's website.

I'll happily take your 3k but you really don't need to spend all that.

7
I'm liking the look of this area .. Any specific recommendations?

We're not super fussy.. Pool, food, drink.. Near sea is good.

We've been a couple of times to the italian lakes and big cities but had not considered or known about much else..

8
might be helpful to know approximate dates, as I was thinking about now, when first reading your original post?

I do note that the trip would involve 4 airline seats.

Are you OK all 4 sharing a room, or would you prefer somewhere with added room for children?

9
Have a look on Kayak - individual elements, and packages.

http://www.kayak.com/

There is a Swiss (FR/DE) site if you change domain to .ch, but I don't think it makes any difference.