Recommended Family Holidays
About Recommended Family Holidays
Offering you a superb choice of holiday accommodation for families in the UK and Europe from self catering cottages to villas to family holiday parks.
Recommended Family Holidays Description
The idea for RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com was first conceived whilst sipping a cool beer or two around a beautiful swimming pool in the sunflower region of Poitou-Charentes in France whilst on holiday with my family in July 2009. There were probably a few reasons for this:
My existing job in the world of finance was becoming a nightmare around caring for two children under 5 and a husband who commutes to London every day - I was permanently exhausted! !
Sadly my health was failing with spinal problems, so I was finding it increasingly difficult to physically get out to work. I wanted to continue working to keep me sane and occupy my mind on those bad days rather than feeling sorry for myself; I needed an income; I needed something that would allow me to continue to work whilst laid up – sometimes I have to spend time in a wheelchair and can no longer sit at a desk, my office is now my sofa! !
I seemed to spend (waste?) so much time looking for a self-catering family holiday that would be suitable for the children and for us as parents - it just seemed like aimless trawling of the internet through multiple websites to still end up with just a small choice of destinations and then endless emails just to make sure that they had the facilities that we, as a family, needed and wanted.
I needed a new challenge and setting up my own business in a completely different field has certainly been that! ! I knew a little about building a website after teaching myself whilst on enforced maternity leave - I am not the best advert for pregnancy having had a pretty bad time. I hasten to say, I wouldn't change it for the world as my two boys are a complete joy, particularly when I am not very well and even at aged 4 and 6 as they are now, they are so understanding and helpful and I am so, so proud of them.
The aim of RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com is to provide a "one-stop" shop to find suitable accommodation that welcomed families and helped mums and dad to actually enjoy their holidays rather than worry about the kids, the packing, the facilities on holiday, the hassle etc. etc. It can be very daunting holidaying as a family and if you get the wrong place, it can be a disaster. My ideal holiday has something for the kids to do, somewhere for them to play, preferably a catering service so I am not always having to cook but also allowing the flexibility of self catering so the kids can have what they want when they want it, a dishwasher, washing machine, TV and DVD for obvious reasons, and either a kids club or babysitting so I can actually spend some time with my husband – a luxury that is always hard to have with a young family.
Through experience I found that the best holidays that we had been on as a family were those recommended by other mums and dads - similar people to us who recognised a good holiday. I believe a "tried and tested" holiday has greater chance of being a successful holiday and therefore I captured this idea in RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com. Users of the website provide direct feedback to me on the properties that are advertised on the site - the more recommendations a property has, the more prominent it appears on the site. I also have a "top 25" recommended properties page so users can see, at a glance, the most recommended family holiday destinations - these are by far the most popular properties on the website.
I am always more than happy to offer any free advice or support to other mums or dads who want to set up their own business
Reviews
Big Summer sale now on up to £200 off July & August breaks in the UK. Book before 29 Feb for a £30 low deposit, £200 off weeks and £100 off 3 or 4 night stays. Applies to holidays completing between 22nd July – 2nd September 2016 only. Holiday parks & lodges with great onsite activities all over the UK with a best price guarantee with Hoseasons. Call 0345 498 6602 or click http://www.awin1.com/cread.php…
If all inclusive holidays are your thing then First Choice have a bunch of offers on at the moment: Save up to £400 per person on summer holidays between 1 May and 31 October 2016, FREE child places - strictly limited so if you want these, hurry. Plus an extra £40 off all holidays May-Oct with the code SALE40 - only available for online bookings (not telephone bookings) so use the code on the payment page by clicking the link below: http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-6240550-1073 1914-1449670107000
Like the idea of up to 50% off worldwide hotel stays plus an extra 10% with the code "EML2016", or if you want to go to the Algarve then up to 30% off plus an extra 10% with the code "ALGARVE2016" when you book online? Then take a look at these great deals - coupons are valid until 31 Jan for travel between now and August 2016. https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=361 7&id=134365
An extra £50 off your family holiday abroad with the code LCH502016 if you book online by 10 January with LowCostHolidays - providing all inclusive holidays, specialist family holidays, 4 & 5* packages to Europe & worldwide. Plus they have a sale on for the whole of January with up to 50% off but HURRY if you want that extra £50 off! https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=134 2&id=134365
So, to try & put things all in one place, I have just created an article of the top holiday deals abroad that are currently available. It really is the time to get the best offers if you are going overseas, particularly if you have to travel during school holidays like so many of us. These deals happen in January every year and aren't repeated to this extent at any other time of year so it is certainly worth a look - even if its just something to dream about, a restful family holiday on the beach in the sun - lovely thought! http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/family-holiday-d…
Next one! Still from abroad but this is the best time of year to book those sorts of holidays. Madame Vacances offer villas with private pools, shared pools or apartments with shared pools all over France, Spain & ski holidays all with a lowest price guarantee. Latest offers up to 60% off last minute holidays, 10% off all 2016 holidays with code "JAN10" plus an EXCLUSIVE EXTRA 2% off on ALL holidays, if you quote: RFH2 when booking online or on the phone with BEST PRICE GUARANTEE. Super value for money summer & ski holidays in Europe. http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=4333 &id=134365
Day 3 offer: family friendly holiday parks across France & Europe in luxury mobile home accommodation from Eurocamp. Deals include thousands of holidays for under £350/week for the whole family, Easter under £245/wk, May under £145/wk, June under £280/week, save 20% for July holidays & 10% during school summer holidays. Please book online via this link if you can, thank you! http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=37 21&awinaffid=134365
Another one for you from the ever popular family friendly Thomson holidays who nowadays offers hotels, apartments & all inclusive holidays too. They have a bunch of offers on at the moment: Save up to £400 per person on summer holidays between 1 May and 31 October 2016, FREE child places - strictly limited so if you want these, hurry. Plus an extra £40 off all holidays May-Oct with the code SALE40 - only available for online bookings (not telephone bookings) so use the code on the payment page. Find out more by clicking this link & don't forget, you need to book online for the extra discount: http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-6240550-1047 4759…
OK, here's the first one of the mad sale season. FREE car hire, airport parking & welcome pack if you book one of their package holidays by 8 February (although all the best ones go before then sadly). They offer self catering villas, leisure resort holidays (my family's favourites) and apartments too with travel from all UK airports on scheduled flights. Call them FREE on 0800 074 0254 for help or visit their website if you prefer: https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=662 8&id=134365
I would just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Recommended Family Holidays.
And... I am just compiling a complete list of all the holiday offers that become live straight after the festive period so will make sure I get them to you in the next few days ... in the meantime, enjoy!!
Flash sale on ski holidays from one of the largest providers of ski holidays in France - PV (part of CenterParcs group) - my family & I went with them last year & so can recommend them. Save up to 40% on Xmas & New Year ski holidays plus other benefits including FREE lift passes for kids in La Plagne, Les Arcs & Valmorel plus 1 night FREE, snow guarantee & a Christmas tree in your apartment. What more could you ask for? Definitely worth a look... http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-6240550-1055 8641-1417096380000
Black Friday Madness has finally arrived in the travel industry. I can't tell you the number of amazing deals that have popped into my inbox today & no doubt yours too! So, I've put together a quick article that includes all those deals - short breaks in the UK, FREE flights on holiday packages, mystery discount coupons on hotels, massive discounts on overnight stays at popular theme parks in the UK, ski holidays.... you name it, you will find it if you are happy to join in the madness & book either TODAY only for some or THIS WEEKEND for others. http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/black-friday-tra…
I have a gem of a property for you in Northumberland near Alnwick, north east England. A gorgeous, 3 bed holiday cottage that sleeps up to 6 & is ideal for families, grandparents or just adults looking for a getaway. Not to mention its pet friendly & a delight to visit whatever the time of year. Its highly recommended by so many past guests, all of whom mention the lovely warm welcome from Laura. I also love the fact that there are only 2 rates all year round making it excellent value for money with little extras like bikes, toys, books & maps all included making for an extra special holiday in the UK. Definitely worth a look... http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/selfcateringcott…
Sorry everyone, I've been missing for a while - health & hospitals have got in the way! Anyway, I'm back & just updated the "Special Offers" page on the website. There's loads of great Autumn & half term offers in the UK, early bird offers for 2016 & now a separate section focusing on family ski holiday deals for this coming season. So why not take a look? PS It's nice to be back! Lucilla http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ specialoffers.html
Still looking for a large group family friendly holiday in France at the end of August? Then look no further. The luxury & superb complex with shared pool, tennis, bar, play areas etc. at Domaine de Peyrecaty in the Dordogne has £200/wk off in their large 5-bed house Le Manior for weeks 29th August and 5th Sept. Also Cadouin our 2-bed villa and L'Ecurie our 4-bed detached farmhouse available for a 7 or 9 day holiday from 5th Sept. Call 0871 711 5460 (local UK rate) or from in France (+33) 0553 291 683, please mention RFH. http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/familyfriendlyho…
Late August & Sept availability in France: 3 gorgeous gites near Cognac in SW France (but not too far!) with shared pool each sleeping up to 5 guests in 2 bedrooms at this historic farmhouse. 29 Aug in La Sorciere now £650/wk (was £900); Sept availability now £500/wk (was £650) in Le Figuier & La Sorciere. Call Heather on 0033 516 75 0472, please mention RFH or visit the website: http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/selfcateringcott…
September Special Offer: £100/wk off published website prices for RFH members only at either Fistral Court Newquay (2 beds, shared outdoor pool) or Mariners Belle St Ives (3 beds) in Cornwall. Call Caroline direct on 07808 062616, quote "RFH" More information on Fistral Court: http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/selfcateringholi… For more info on Mariners Belle: http://www.recommendedfamilyholidays.com/ …/selfcateringacco…
Park Resorts have up to 45% on last minute holiday breaks in the UK. 3 night weekend escapes from £199, 2 night short breaks from £109, last minute family holidays from £379/wk & August Bank Holiday breaks to the coast from £209. Certainly worth a look if you are still wanting to get away this summer - and yes the forecast is better than today as I look outside at the rain! 39 award winning holiday parks on the UK coast - https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=384 9&id=134365 Please book online using the above link if at all possible as I receive a small commission that allows me to keep running Recommended Family Holidays - as a "one woman band" every penny counts!! Thanks Lucilla