AIBU to be thinking about spending so much on a holiday?!(

We took our late teen dds to France for a week this summer, cost us around £3000 inc food, wine, petrol etc. They both said it was one of the best holidays they’ve ever been on, and we’ve been to NZ, Canada and the Middle East in the past! Personally, I think holidays are what you make of them, and you don’t actually need to spend a fortune if you’re prepared to all get on and use your imagination a bit. We chose a cheap trip this year precisely because essential home improvements were more important to prioritise our money on and I’m so glad we did.

TUI are not the cheapest way to get to Thailand/Sri Lanka. Booking your own flights and accommodation. Intrepid or Audley travel have some itineraries for trips they sell, I look at these for inspiration then work out what I want to do.

It’s all relative. If you can save for it and already have other savings I’d do it. If it’s going to mean using up all your savings I’d say you were mad.

I wouldn't spend that much and I would DIY rather than all inclusive. We go to India to see family every couple of years, flights are expensive but you can shop around. Usually comes to about £600-700 per person return during peak time. Accommodation in places like Sri Lanka etc should fairly affordable. It may come up to £10k in the end for 2 weeks but that would be including day trips, activities, excursions, renting cars, restaurants etc.

Booked to go to Crete next year for 6 of us + 2 family friends. Flights are £500 per person return and accommodation is about £1000 for all. It's not really long haul, more in between, but definitely looking forward to it!! Funnily enough our flights are with TUI but not the accommodation as the deals through TUI were simply not worth it. Cheaper to find something through booking.com.

We are doing a long haul to Canada with 2 kids who now count as adults. One massive holiday as they have only been abroad once.
We're spending 20k inclusive of trips, to Canada.
It means putting off nice to have home improvements but we feel it's worth it as my eldest will be nearly 17 and won't want to holiday with us much longer.
I'd rather spend the money on the memories than a new bathroom.

I’d do it. Life is short. Apart from the holiday itself you will all have the anticipation, planning and excitement for over a year before you actually go, which is almost as nice as the holiday itself.

PS you could be wrong about them not wanting to come away with you in the future though - our 20 something dc always keen to come with us.

As other say, sounds about right for long haul. We do these type of holidays every 2-3 years and do staycations (actually staying at home doing day trips locally) in between.

What are the home improvements you'll be going without?

How hard do you have to save to get the 10k together? Less take aways and treats or beans on toast under a blanket for 18 months?

I'm all for prioritising holidays (and totally get wanting to make the most of it with the dc). We have spent that much and more, but I think you have to be sensible on how much of a sacrifice you're making to get there.

1. It is a large amount to spend on a single holiday.

1. The home improvements are more important.

1. Any destination can be memorable, if you have a nice time with people you love.

In your shoes - having to save for this, having this holiday instead of home improvements - I would rethink.

Do it DIY, you will definitely be able to do it cheaper and it will be more fun. Accommodation in places like Thailand and Vietnam are very reasonable and Booking.com makes life very easy.

You could go to somewhere like Morocco or Egypt where it is different but much cheaper or to Vietnam or Bali where you can get wonderful deals.....

Long haul flights will be a big chunk of that

you can DIY it a bit by staying in hostels with family rooms but I don’t know if you want to do that with teenage DCs. That would
bring your costs down.

10k sounds right for TUI long haul for 4 at peak times, I’m afraid

They'd have to be pretty amazing memories made to justify 10k. I think the problem with spending so much is the poor old holiday can never live up to expectations. If it's just about you spending time as a family and with kids that age, who probably just want a pool and a bit of sun, I'd probably just go to Spain.

Yes, this is very relevant. If it’s going to be an adventurous holiday where you’re immersing yourselves in the culture and sightseeing then yes, worth it 100%. If you’re going long haul for a beach/poolside holiday then definitely not worth it.

What do you want to do while there? Beach and lounge around? Or see the sights?

Long haul flights will be a big chunk of the cost. If wanting to stay mainly in hotel I'd be thinking I'd get more for my money flying a shorter distance and spend more on hotel and board.

Think that sounds about right for that kind of trip - fairly reasonable tbh as prices seem really steep atm even for non long haul hols.
Especially given it's a milestone type holiday if you're all up for it then book it and start planning/getting excited!
Have a brilliant time!