The stunning Greek island of Rhodes is a haven of relaxation for families with young children
HAVING two kids in less than three years has changed our lives beyond all recognition.
You expect certain things to fall by the wayside, like lie-ins and box-set binges. But no one tells you how total the takeover of your life will be.
Even sitting on the toilet in peace becomes a thing of the past. As for holidays . . . well, forget about that.
When we rented a cottage in Norfolk last year, and it was great fun but hardly relaxing. There was still all the same cooking and cleaning up to do.
So this year, feeling in need of a rest, we decided to try a Mark Warner Holiday at the Levante resort on the Greek island of Rhodes.
The company’s big selling points are that it has excellent childcare and endless sporty activities, all set within a luxury beach resort offering full or half-board.
The purpose-built complex is on the island’s east coast, 15 miles south of Rhodes Town, near the small harbour town of Kolymbia. You can just see Turkey in the distance.
On the first day we were very nervous about leaving our boys (aged one and three) with people they had never met before. But a trip up to the resort’s purpose-built creche soon erased our fears.
The childcare centre was in a modern air-conditioned building with rooms for different age groups and enough new gear to fill Toys R Us. It was better than any nursery we had ever seen back home.
The brilliant team of British nannies provide free childcare for over-twos from 9.30am-12.30pm or 2.30pm-5pm. You pay extra for younger kids or for additional sessions.
We went for morning sessions in the first week and afternoons in the second.
Experienced MW veterans have it all planned to perfection, depending on what they want to do with their kid-free hours.
The range of activities to get stuck into is mind-blowing. No one can do it all.
A fitness team lay on early morning jogs and workout classes throughout the day.
There is a whole tennis area with loads of courts run by LTA-approved coaching staff. A cycle team maintain a fleet of road and mountain bikes and lay on a variety of group tours every day.
The waterfront squad down on the beach are there to get you out on the water. You can take formal coaching or group sessions or just do your own thing.
There is a non-powered area with a fleet of dinghies and cats, windsurfing boards, paddle boards and kayaks. That’s all free.
Or you can pay for powered sports including water-skiing and wake-boarding — or the all-out fun of the giant inflatable sofa tow.
A separate diving team oversees everything underwater from snorkelling to PADI courses.
It all sounds a bit intimidating if you are not a Sport Billy.
But every team seemed completely welcoming to everyone, from complete beginners through to competitive types.
For the more laid-back, there is a spa offering all kinds of exotic treatments. There are plenty of sun loungers next to the pools (three outdoor and one indoor) and on the beach.
Once they warmed to it, the kids loved their time at Toddler Club and Mini Club. They got to do things we would never have thought of.
Our youngest did “bubble play”, built a den and went to a toddler disco, while his older brother enjoyed foam fun, mini tennis and did sing-songs. Unbelievably, he also got to try sailing and windsurfing.
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From 5-6.15pm, staff lay on the kids’ tea in the main restaurant. It is utter mayhem but for adults, it is a chance to order a cheeky beer and sneak a few nibbles from the buffet, pretending it’s for the kids.
Who can resist a slice of pizza or some mini hot dogs with a cold pint?
From 7.30pm, there is an evening childcare service. This meant that my wife and I ate together and chatted every night for the first time in months — and yes, we are still together.
The food in the main Amalthia restaurant was excellent, with enough variety not to get boring.
And in the morning there were cereals, fruit and cold platters as well as toast, waffles, pancakes, eggs and a rotating selection of hot food.
Every whim was catered for, from the health freak — I saw one muscular chap eating eight boiled eggs and nothing else — to the trouser-expanding holiday glutton.
We were so well looked after, we hardly felt the need to leave the resort.
But one day we took a bus into Lindos. It is a lovely harbour town with a covered central area buzzing with shops and restaurants and an Acropolis to climb.
Other people took trips into Rhodes or did one of the boat trips from the beach.
For us, it was the perfect holiday. I can understand why so many people return to Mark Warner holidays.
We are already thinking about going back next year — it might be the next chance my wife and I get to catch up.
GO: Rhodes
ONE half-board week at the 5* Levante Beach Resort, Rhodes is from £705 for adults and £627 for children.
Includes full use of sports equipment and free tuition in sailing and windsurfing and guided cycling tours.
Free childcare from 2 - 17 years (from four months is chargeable) and evening drop in childcare service (with British qualified nannies).