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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want to spend more than £2000 on a family holiday for 4?

135 replies

captainfarrell · 01/02/2016 16:53

To me and DH this is a lot of money. We earn about £50k pa so can pay more but we both feel that no week can be worth much more. We have been on holidays in cottages to Cornwall, Dorset and mobile home holidays in France mainly. A couple of years ago we went on an AI to Spain. We had a great time but spent £2500 and had our DC in the room with us so was not that relaxing as they are teens. We just don't feel we can bring ourselves to spend more and can't go out of school holidays. Any fab ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
captainfarrell · 02/02/2016 15:18

Must read upthread as I missed the comment about a quarter of income. I totally get spending a lot of money travelling out of Europe and seeing Thailand or USA(by that I mean USA not Disney) but 2.5/3k for med seems excessive.

OP posts:
AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 02/02/2016 16:21

op we have a tight budget and yet people seem to look at our hols and think wow Confused. Last year friend went on v expensive hol to ejpt and yet I couldnt for the life of me see where the money was going? White hotel, identikit to all others, white pool, room was OK....I don't get it Hmm

I never ever use packages, and yet seem to find stunning accommodation, but just not hotels. We use owners direct, b and b, and air b n b etc....

I am not at all adverse to staying in caravans etc, but do like to find as much bang for our buck as possible really...

so basically - can you look for your own flights and accommodation, look at b and b's, self catering, air b n b etc.....I am sure you can find somewhere amazing for that budget.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 02/02/2016 16:23

captain speaking of thailand In paper I saw 14 nights 600 something p person..bankcock and koh samui or somewhere.

Once you get there dirt cheap you could spend your 2 grand on flights and live cheaply there? I so agree with posters that soon they wont want to go with you - so think of all the years of savings you will have going alone with dh..

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 02/02/2016 16:25

For me nice accommodation is important so we spend quite a lot on a large static caravan (this year £1,700 for two weeks) in Europe

You see I could get amazing beautiful accmd for that in france...as in chateau etc

Marynary · 02/02/2016 17:35

For me nice accommodation is important so we spend quite a lot on a large static caravan (this year £1,700 for two weeks) in Europe

You see I could get amazing beautiful accmd for that in france...as in chateau etc

As I said, we don't stay in chateaux or villas because the children (teenagers) are sociable and like to be near other teenagers as in a campsite. Anyway, in August in France, there are no amazing beautiful chateaus by the beach in an area I would like to stay in for £1,700 for two weeks.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 02/02/2016 19:10

But Mary other families stay in other types of accomd too. Since having dc there has always been other dc around somewhere Confused.

I am sure there are Mary but I doubt you have looked. Thats fine....I was just pointing out there are options for the ££ I know because I do extensive exhaustive research when we go away because we are on such a tight budget.

jenpetronus · 02/02/2016 19:31

You will not get a chateau in August for £1700 for two weeks. Probably not for one week. In May. I have done a lot of research. Wink

Grapejuicerocks · 02/02/2016 19:56

We think along the same lines as you but I have recently said to DH that there are only a couple of years left until our older ds probably won't want to come away with us so it might be worth spending that little bit extra on a couple of really nice holidays before then.

hellswelshy · 02/02/2016 20:02

This year we (2 adults 2 kids) are going to the Algarve for 14nights AI hotel - was 2200. I'm in Wales so some flexibility for term time breaks so its 5 days before May half term and a few days after too. We do usually book way in advance so its affordable. I admit I prioritise holidays...

Marynary · 02/02/2016 20:06

But Mary other families stay in other types of accomd too. Since having dc there has always been other dc around somewhere

It is usually much easier to make friends on a campsite because there are many shared areas and often children/teenage clubs with activities etc. You don't get that if you stay in a separate villa or cottage etc.

I am sure there are Mary but I doubt you have looked. Thats fine....I was just pointing out there are options for the ££ I know because I do extensive exhaustive research when we go away because we are on such a tight budget.

Of course I have looked.Hmm I'm not on a particularly tight budget but I do do a fair amount of research to get the holiday that we want at a good price, particularly as we have to go in August. Do you really think your holidays are so cheap just because you are the only one who does any research? It is likely that you just have different priorities than many people and fortunately for you it means your holiday are cheaper.

riverboat1 · 02/02/2016 20:44

We are 3 rather than 4, but I feel your pain.

My philosophy is to do cheap holidays (as in French camping, though we save on travel as we live in France so just drive south) as standard, then splash out on something more special once every few years. Plus a weekend city break or two is nice inbetween the 'standard' holidays, though to be fair we don't take DSS on those so are less limited with dates and is cheaper.

Okiedokiefanokie · 02/02/2016 20:51

Last year we went to Costa brava, 2 adults 2 kids, 7 days during the first week in august, in a 4 * all inclusive, 200 yards from the beach, for £1650 including 2 bags in the hold, 10kg each hand luggage, reserve seating on the flight, insurance, transfers and airport parking. It's absolutely possible, but you have to do a lot of shopping around.

Lightbulbon · 02/02/2016 20:57

Your DCs are teens.

In another couple of years they won't want to go on family holidays anymore.

You won't ever get that time back.

Make the most of your last family holidays together. You have the rest of your life to pay off your mortgage.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 02/02/2016 21:43

Your DCs are teens.

In another couple of years they won't want to go on family holidays anymore.

You won't ever get that time back.

Make the most of your last family holidays together. You have the rest of your life to pay off your mortgage.

^yy to this. We've never been abroad and unless we win the lottery it's very unlikely before the DCs are too old to come.

Make the most of amazing family holidays while you can.

gingerdad · 02/02/2016 21:48

Two weeks in Spain in August for 4 about £1200 quid, similar amount for Sweden last year.

This year 1 week cp one week self catering in Belguim for £1100 in August including ferries.

2 adults 2 teenagers.

As for anyone doing AI - you are killing the resorts.

wlv12 · 02/02/2016 21:57

We have rented an apartment in Spain for £650 (for 10 days/nights) and booked flights for £1.1k (budget flights) for four of us. Obviously we will be spending money on food/drinks while there but for us this is preferable to AI - children have their own rooms, we sit on the balcony in the evenings, we're always out and about. Eldest son has autism so suits us to be in a quiet area not a busy complex with sun bed dramas!

eddtheduck · 02/02/2016 21:58

Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is absolutely beautiful, with some of the best beaches in the world. Fabulous food, lovely people, barely any tourists. I can't comment on the weather though.... Grin

scotchfreeescapegoat · 02/02/2016 22:05

We do Spain with eurocamps for a little over that every year in July/August for 10 days. There are 6 of us. The accommodation costs us between 1500-2000. We drive out and petrol costs us about £150 each way. We mostly BBQ at the cabin and do a few trips out but otherwise hang out at the pool/beach etc while the kids do kids clubs.

Heaven.

I can't wait for summer.

Original poster
captainfarrell · 02/02/2016 22:24

Ok just to recap, our DC are 13 and 15. We have had at least 1 holiday a year since they were born and always had a great time, home or abroad so I really don't agree with the suggestion that we need to spend more to make the most of precious time! Spend more time, yes , not more money!!

Great suggestions from lots of you, I think if i was an early bargain hunter i could do better but as always it's last minute which isn't good for peak time.

OP posts:
pinkchampagne1 · 02/02/2016 22:33

Check out Venue holidays. Similar to Eurocamp (think they use all the same sites) but work out cheaper. You can stay in the south of France in their biggest mobile home for £68 per night between 27th August and 2nd September and you get 7 nights for the price of 5.
We have used them when we stayed at Berny Riviere and have always been impressed.

KERALA1 · 02/02/2016 23:02

Do you have a nice house in a tourist area? We home exchange so far been amazing done over 10 swaps. This year paid £2.5k for X 4 flights to California. We have a house (with pool and tennis court) plus car for free as the other family will have use of our house and car.

Other friends rent their houses and use the £ to pay for their holiday.

gingerdad · 03/02/2016 07:56

We booked both the Sweden and Spain trips about 6 weeks ahead.

It just takes some thinking out of the box. For Spain we flew from Glasgow late August cost us just over £400 for flights as the Scottish schools had gone back.

For Sweden we flew from Luton to Copenhagen -156.00 for 4 in August. Booked a house for two weeks £600 again as the Swedish schools had gone back and rented a car £200 for a fortnight. Other costs where hotels in Copenhagen and Luton.

For Rome a couple of years ago. We flew out from Manchester back to Edinburgh saved us 300 pounds and better flight times than Manchester back to Manchester. Just used the train to get to Manchester and from Edinburgh.

For America later in the year we've paid £1400 for flights starting in Sweden rather than £3200 for London. We will make it part of our holiday.

Or just walk into a travel agent and blow the two grand on a week somewhere

Original poster
captainfarrell · 11/02/2016 14:40

Update. Thanks for all your tips. Got a free child place at Easter so going to Portugal for 7 nights self catering(1 bed apartment so not in same room as we were last year in AI)for £950, including luggage and transfers and decent flight times. I did shop around and in the end due to the free child space it was cheaper to go with the package than book separately.We are not great sun worshippers and don't like it too hot so am happy to risk cooler temps.

OP posts:
grannytomine · 11/02/2016 14:43

I was talking to someone the other day who had just spent £8k on a family holiday, my first house cost £5k. I am so out of date.

grannytomine · 11/02/2016 14:43

captainfarrell, that sounds great. I hope you all have a fabulous time.