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Introduction
A family holiday in the “all inclusive” format is always a balance between the interests of children and parents. At the same time, tourists from Moldova and Romania often wonder whether to choose the familiar service of the Turkish coast, the European aesthetics of Greece and Spain, or simply take the little ones to neighboring Bulgaria. In this article, we compare countries for holidays with children, taking into account beaches, food, animation and holiday scenarios.
Top highlights
The essentials for choosing a family holiday
Turkey
A strong option if you need the most complete all inclusive, kids’ clubs and hotel comfort.
Bulgaria
A calm and affordable holiday, convenient for travel by car or bus.
Greece
Clean sea, gastronomy, islands and a good balance between beach time and excursions.
Spain
The choice for active families, schoolchildren, teenagers and amusement parks.
Main criterion
The children’s age, the road, the beach, food and the holiday format: only hotel or also excursions.
Practical advice
Choose not only the country, but also a specific hotel with a stable reputation.
How to choose a country for a family “all inclusive” holiday
Where is it better to go on holiday with a child if the budget is limited, or if it is fundamentally important for you to broaden your children’s horizons through excursions? To find the best “all inclusive” option for the family, it is worth defining your priorities in advance:
Budget
Influences the hotel level and the distance of the resort
Age of the children
A kids’ club at the hotel and animation are often important
Flight / road
The younger the child, the more critical the duration becomes
Beach
A sandy beach and a gentle entrance into the sea are more convenient for little ones
Food
Availability of a children’s menu and familiar dishes
Children’s infrastructure
Pools, slides and play areas
Season
Affects the sea temperature and how busy the resorts are
Holiday format
Only the hotel or a combination with excursions
Turkey: when it is the best choice for a family
A holiday with children in Turkey on an “all inclusive” basis is considered by many to be the “gold standard”. Many hotels in Alanya, Belek or Side of the “Family Hotel / Kids Concept” type will be the optimal solution if your goal is to fully delegate the care of the little ones’ leisure time to the staff and not worry about their food.
Strong points of Turkish hotels with “all inclusive”:
Family hotels by the sea in Turkey most often include large park areas with their own aqua parks and children’s pools.
Sandy beaches and a gentle entrance into the sea, safe for children
The main trump card of family hotels here is professional-level children’s animation.
While the kids’ club at the hotel is operating, parents can enjoy their holiday.
Children’s food is also provided here in the hotel: from milk formulas for babies to a diet menu.
Weak points of a holiday in Turkey with children:
At the peak of the season, in July, it may be too hot
Because of the popularity of the destination, beaches can be crowded
The holiday format is more often “hotel-based” than excursion-based.
Bulgaria: who a family all inclusive holiday is suitable for
A holiday with children in Bulgaria is an option for an affordable family vacation. Importantly, from Romania and Moldova it is easy to reach the Black Sea resorts by your own car or by bus. Neither children nor elderly relatives will have to go through difficult acclimatization here: Bulgaria’s summer climate is quite mild compared with the Spanish or Turkish one.
Advantages of Bulgaria for holidays with children:
wide sandy beaches
gentle entrance into the sea
compact resorts
more familiar food
Disadvantages:
all inclusive is less extensive than in Turkey
animation and kids’ clubs are not available in all hotels or are more modest than in Turkey.
the season is shorter than on the Mediterranean Sea
there is an excursion program, but it is less diverse than in Greece or Spainall inclusive is less extensive than in Turkey
animation and kids’ clubs are not available in all hotels or are more modest than in Turkey.
the season is shorter than on the Mediterranean Sea
there is an excursion program, but it is less diverse than in Greece or Spain
Greece: for which families this is a successful option
Holidays with children in Greece are chosen by families who want to combine swimming in a crystal-clear sea with cultural leisure. After all, in this country hundreds of beaches have been awarded the ecological “Blue Flag”, while ancient sights, volcanoes, caves and numerous islands offer incredible opportunities for excursions.
It is worth noting that family hotels in Greece with “all inclusive” meals focus on impeccable gastronomy and serve the freshest local fruit and vegetables.
Strong points:
variety of islands and resorts
many sandy beaches with a soft entrance
quality food with an emphasis on natural products
seawater is often used in children’s pools
a combination of beach holidays and excursions
calm rhythm
for families, a trip by car is also possible
Minuses:
not all family hotels in Greece will have a sandy beach — sometimes it is pebbles
children’s animation is often simpler than in Turkey
a long road journey is difficult for little ones, although a flight is also possible
it is very hot in mid-summer, and excursions become difficult
when comparing Greece and Turkey for holidays with children, prices in Greek hotels of the same class are noticeably higher.
Limited choice of hotels with full “All Inclusive”
Additionally: tourist tax at the hotel; sunbeds on the beach are often paid.
Spain: when this destination is worth choosing
A seaside holiday with children in Spain, especially on an all inclusive basis, is often the choice of the most active tourists from Moldova and Romania. The country attracts not only with beaches and excursions, but also with incredible amusement parks such as PortAventura. The Spanish version of “all inclusive” with children’s animation is fun, dynamic and very high-quality. But the flight duration, 3.5-6.5 hours from Chișinău or Bucharest, is difficult for the youngest passengers.
Advantages:
sandy beaches are good for children - wide, clean and gently sloping.
many activities for schoolchildren and teenagers
developed infrastructure outside the hotel
the possibility to combine beach time and excursions
European level of service
“Kids Concept” hotels in Spain focus on safety and themed entertainment
Minuses:
all inclusive is less common than in Turkey. In Spain, the “full board” system (FB+) is popular, where drinks
are included only at breakfast.
beach equipment is most often paid
tour packages are more expensive than to Turkey
it is noisier than in Greece or Bulgaria.
Comparison of countries by key criteria
Holiday budget:
Bulgaria leads as the most affordable option. Turkey offers a wide price range for tours from Romania and Moldova, while package prices to Greece and Spain are usually above average.
Quality of all inclusive:
Turkey remains unrivaled in terms of the volume of services. Greece, as a rule, guarantees a moderate level. Spain and Bulgaria offer a limited or basic level of the “all inclusive” format.
Food for children:
Greece and Spain offer the highest quality products. Turkey offers a varied children’s menu, while Bulgaria offers cuisine that is familiar to us.
Beaches and entrance into the sea:
Bulgaria and Turkey offer sandy beaches and convenient entrance. Greece has a mixed format, more often sand. Spain usually has sandy urban beaches.
Animation and kids’ clubs:
Turkey offers the largest-scale children’s entertainment in hotels. In other countries, animation is usually more modest or calmer.
Excursions for families with children:
Greece and Spain have high potential, Turkey has moderate potential, and Bulgaria has limited potential.
What should a family choose: ready-made scenarios
Where to go with children in summer depends on the children’s age, the parents’ possibilities and the main interests of the family. We have prepared several ready-made scenarios for you:
If you need the most comfortable all inclusive:
→ Turkey. Here, “all inclusive” means everything from jarred baby food to a nanny.
If a more affordable budget is important:
→ Bulgaria. Here, a seaside holiday for a large family will be inexpensive, and the road by car or bus becomes a small adventure of its own.
If you are traveling with a small child:
→ Turkey or Bulgaria for a shorter road, or Greece and Bulgaria for a milder climate.
If you have active schoolchildren or teenagers:
→ Spain. The main trump card of this country is PortAventura World, one of the best amusement parks in the world, water sports and huge aqua parks.
If you need a balance of beach and excursions:
→ Greece or Spain. You can immerse yourself in a new culture or see natural wonders.
If you want a calm family format:
→ Bulgaria or some resorts in Greece: untouched nature, a measured rhythm of towns and relaxation by the shore.
Conclusion: which country fits which request
When booking a tour to an “all inclusive” hotel for your family in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece or Spain, remember that choosing a country for a family holiday means defining the character of the future trip.
Turkey
For those who need the “all inclusive” format in its fullest form, as well as rich children’s animation.
Bulgaria
A choice for a calm and budget-friendly family holiday by the sea.
Greece
For lovers of nature, clean sea and quality European cuisine.
Spain
For families who value drive, amusement parks and a high level of urban infrastructure.
In practice, our tourists more often choose countries they have not yet visited or hotels with a stable reputation. It is useful to study reviews on the internet and learn about attractions in advance.
Admiral Travel specialists will help you choose verified hotels for holidays with children, offering not only accommodation and “all inclusive” meals, but also bright emotions for the little ones, and for parents — the feeling of carefree relaxation!
Contact us: we will be happy to offer current packages to the best hotels in Bulgaria, Turkey, Spain or Greece!
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FAQ: family all inclusive with children
Which country is best for a first all inclusive holiday with a child?
Turkey is most often chosen: it has many family hotels, kids’ clubs, aqua parks and understandable food.
Where is it cheaper to holiday with children?
Bulgaria is usually considered the most affordable option, especially if you travel by car or bus.
What should you choose for a holiday with a small child?
For little ones, a short road, sandy beach, gentle entrance and children’s menu matter; Turkey or Bulgaria often fit best.
When is it better to go to Turkey with children?
For families, late spring, early summer or the velvet season are more comfortable, when the heat is milder.
Is all inclusive in Bulgaria good?
Yes, but it is usually simpler and less extensive than in Turkey, so the hotel should be chosen carefully.
Why do families choose Greece?
Greece suits those who want a clean sea, beautiful islands, natural products and excursions.
Is Spain suitable for small children?
It can be suitable, but the flight may be long, so Spain is more often chosen by families with schoolchildren and teenagers.
Where is children’s animation better?
The largest-scale animation is usually found in Turkish family hotels and Kids Concept hotels.
Where are beaches better for little ones?
For little ones, sandy beaches with a gentle entrance are convenient; such options are common in Turkey and Bulgaria.
Which country is better for excursions?
Greece and Spain offer more opportunities for cultural, natural and entertainment trips.
Do you need a Kids Concept hotel?
If the children are small or you need active leisure at the hotel, Kids Concept makes the holiday much easier for parents.
How can you avoid choosing the wrong hotel?
Check recent reviews, the beach, food, seasonality and children’s infrastructure before booking.
