How to book a holiday?

[TrippyLily]

I'm not well travelled as an adult. I went abroad to the same place every year before DS was born but only needed to book flights as I stayed with friends. Been to Poland but that was super cheap and easy to book. I'd like to take my son somewhere for a week in summer next year but have no idea when to book, which sites are best for good deals (there are so many it's overwhelming!), where is good to take a 4yo, etc etc. Does anyone have any advice? Are flights particularly pricey atm? Help!

Easyjet holidays are good. Jet2 also do holidays not just flights.

And book asap, in the past late deals were good but not so much now.

Decide what you want from a holiday - packages deal, beach, sight seeing etc

Look at your local airport. Who flies from there? What are the costs for the dates you want?

Look at the package deals OR Airbnb type places- choose which suits you and what is available from your flights and airport.

Work out if you need car hire, connections etc. does that change the cost? If so, reassess. If not, book.

I also don't know whether it actually ends up being more expensive going self catering as opposed to half board (I'm not sure there's such thing as a cheap all inclusive!)

Definitely after beach with lots of places to explore! Not arsed about theme parks and stuff like that. Haven't been in holiday for about 8 years and really want to take my son whilst he's still little and holidays are super magical as the way things are going I'm not sure I'll be able to afford it in future. Would likely spend very little time in hotel so just need somewhere to sleep really, but would be great if there were cooking facilities. I'm feeling really overwhelmed by it all.

All inclusive is great and you can get a nice three star one with lots of activities for kids. We stayed at a nice one last year in lanzarote at Easter. It's great as there is free ice cream and drinks all day so it feels like a really treat. It wasn't fancy but the rooms were nice and modern and had a separate bedroom and the food was really good. The alcohol was a bit rubbish.

In summer, the Balearics are lovely, menorca is good for kids, smaller and quieter with beautiful beaches. I'd book through TUI others have said jet 2 or easyJet. Ed canar in Ibiza is lovely and Alcudia in Majorca.

I don't really like the canaries but they are nice for winter sun. Fuertaventures is quite nice in summer.

Imho Definitely book a package in a hotel for your trip as this include transfers.

Sorry I've seen you update. It sound like you want more of a sightseeing out and exploring holiday.

Kids love the pool and beach though too and being at a hotel.

Thank you. I'll just be going me and my son so thankfully alcohol won't be needed! Just don't want to book the wrong thing or have holiday booking regret!

I think I'd struggle staying at the hotel lots. Would rather set up on a beach and take a packed lunch, or find nice parks or towns to explore.

Hi again, if its just you and your son a wee studio on a decent resort would be ideal, sometimes you can gat aparthotels where you have the best of both worlds, hotel like facilities with an apartment.
this type of place
Make sure you pick somewhere that isn't too small resort wise or out of the way if you want to do lots of exploring, visiting other places. Bus services in Spain and Portugal all pretty good so they are usually a good option (so you don't have to rely on overpriced "trips").
We like a resort near to the main places so in Majorca somewhere not too far from Palma and in Menorca near Mahon or Ciutadella.
Have fun!