There is no doubt that once you have children the word ‘holiday’ taking on a whole new meaning. Let’s face it, while they’re little, it’s not really a holiday is it. More of a change of scene really (but without a washing machine or any of your own things). So the concept of the holiday takes on a whole new meaning. One great way of bringing back the true meaning of holiday is booking a big self catering property and sharing it with other friends who also have children. This way, both children and adults get playmates, and the more mundane duties can be split between everyone.
If that isn’t enough to tempt you, then can also be a fantastically economical way of having a holiday. A big property with lots of bedrooms, when split between two or three families, often works out as way less expensive than booking your own villa, especially if you are particular about location and facilities.
Casa Lola is a seven bedroom villa in Marche, Italy, in a rural setting with stunning views of rolling hills and mountains and a fully secure private fenced and terraced pool.
It is super family friendly and caters for all ages of children. There is a large games barn which contains a fenced trampoline, ping pong and snooker, as well as a section dedicated to the younger members of the party with soft play flooring, toys and a colouring in table. Pretty much any baby kit which you need, from cots and bedguards, to booster seats and sterilisers, can also be provided.
For the adults, beautiful terraces just ripe for long and lazy summer lunches, hiking in the nearby Sibillini National Park, or a trip (under an hour) to the Italian riviera are just some of the options available to you.
And the cost for all this beauty?
From £1495 – £2395 per week. Split between 12 people and you’re paying as little as £124 per person per week!
El Tornero de Abajo in Andalucia, Spain, is similarly wonderful. This beautiful house is modelled on an old Spanish farmhouse and is set in a national park with the most exquisite views. At just 1km from Aracena, it’s within easy walking distance of the town, perfect for when some of the adults (or teenagers) want to escape for a night out and enjoy some of the region’s traditional tipples. Despite being so close to town, it’s wonderfully secluded, tucked away around the hillside with breathtaking views of the peaks of the Badajoz province.
Inside, 5 bedrooms, which can be configured in a variety of ways. Downstairs, a large playroom with pool table, TV and DVD to keep the older kids happy or the younger ones out of the midday sun. Outside a wonderful grass lawn where the youngsters can run around and play football, or boules. There’s a large swimming pool with an open plan pool house which sleeps an additional four people if you are a larger group. Truly a wonderful place for a multi generational family or friends holiday. Once again, superb value if you’re splitting the cost between a couple of families.
Prices for a week long stay at El Tornero de Abajo start at £1450 per week, that’s just £145 per person per week when split between 10 people.
If you’ve got little ones and you’d rather not face crossing any borders or venturing into any airports, then you can do a similar thing, but within the UK. There is a whole host of UK properties on One Off Places which are suitable for sharing with other families. Cossington Park is one such property – nine bedrooms in rural Somerset made up of the six bedroom Park House and the three bedroom Park cottage. Once again, a great option if members of the party want a little separate from each other.
For families, there is a simply vast array of activities on offer in the surrounding area including Wookey Hole Caves, Cheddar Gorge, Longleat and Dunster Castle. The house is in one of the richest parts of Britain for tourist sites. There’s a large garden with all sorts of interesting corners to explore, and for the children a games field with a children’s play area, basketball, badminton and football. Sleeping 22 people, Cossington Park prices start from £21 per person per night.
If you’re not someone who fancies spending an entire week with another family on holiday, then many of these types of properties can also be booked for long weekends – a great way to catch up with old friends, and get together with extended family, without anyone having the pressure of being the host. It’s a no brainer!
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