To think camping holidays abroad actually end up costing much more than hotels?

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I'm not sure if camping holidays through the likes of eurocamp ect, are as popular in the UK, as they are here in Ireland, but after going once I can honestly say never again.

We usually go half board in a theme park hotel, which initially costs more but in my opinion works out cheaper in the long run plus is a lot less hassle.

So many people seem to love camping holidays and reckon it's much better and cheaper than hotels/ apartments, for me it doesn't compare. Aibu, is there something I've missed?

Sorry I meant did that include them and are there no hidden extras?Are they direct?

I am probably clueless re booking filghts as everything we looked at seemed to have hidden costs.

Chickenfahitas, haven't been on a cruise but I really want to. If after next year we can ever afford to go again I will look into this, they sound amazing and a great way to see different places.
Ds will be off to college the year after next, he swears he won't go on a cruise but at 18/19 I doubt he'd come anywhere on hols with us. The two girls are easier pleased and will come but college is going to be expensive so next year maybe the last for a long time to come. It's likely it might be the last family holiday:-( so we really want to make it special and it's why we've agreed to do PA again. We said out last holiday there in 2011 was the last and it was time to explore further afield but we've given in, lol.

Hi Retro - they are direct flights. No hidden extras, just the baggage as I say, which takes them to about £150 x

We go on Eurocamp holidays although stay in a static caravan. I certainly wouldn't call it "camping" and I wouldn't expect it to be cheaper than a hotel.

We prefer that type of holiday to a hotel because you get more space than you would in a hotel (two or three bedrooms, living room, kitchen etc) and we prefer self catering to eating out all the time.

Catgirl, we went to Club Farret. I went there because my son is working on that site for the summer as a courier. It was quiet when we went, so the two pools were almost empty apart from us. The beach is lovely and was also quiet. We did a few bike rides with my son, which were good, but otherwise I'm not sure there's a lot to see in that area. However, for a week long break it was great and really recharged my batteries.
If you go in Sept, I imagine it will be quiet then too.

Our flights were advertised at £106, but actually cost £176 when we added baggage and reserved seats (I went with DS and some friends, so wanted to make sure I sat with him). The taxi fare to the site was €20.

Thanks Shockers - I will check that out

Would it be good for a nearly three year old? Looking for something quiet with a nice beach and maybe some little water slides in the pool so sounds good

It's quite a big site, but we didn't find it noisy even on the busy weekend. It's in 3 sections; 1 next to the beach (where we were), then 2 on opposite sides of the road ( no through traffic). There is a pool on either side of the road too. The Bali themed pool (honestly!) has a very shallow section with little slides.
There's quite a nice restaurant on site, but there's also a strip of shops locally with lots of restaurants, a good boulangerie and two small, but well stocked grocery stores.
I probably wouldn't have picked a site this large if DS1 hadn't been working there, and I would usually do a bit more sightseeing, as we drive for our main holiday. That said, we all had a fabulous week and the friends I took along want to do it again next year.
The Eurocamp bike hire also has trailers for small children and a cycle courier to take guided rides.

That sounds good. I love sight seeing though, but then again DS does not so maybe it would be perfect for him whilst he is so little and we can do something with more to see and do when he is a bit older. Thanks for all the tips x