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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think its possible to go away 2 adults and 2 kids in the school hols for under £1500?

57 replies

NapQueen · 04/09/2017 18:19

Never done an abroad holiday with the kids, and the last one we did at all was mega cheap and not in school holidays.

We couldnt afford to spend more than 1500, even that will be a stretch (getting rid of Virgin Media, changing utility providers, reducing our meagre food budget).

However I really want my dcs to have a week in the sun, and experience an airoplane and tbh Im sick of self catering/self drive/uk only/cook and clean holidays.

Can it be done?!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSevillle · 04/09/2017 20:02

If you want to fly from Newcastle, look at jet2holidays they have free child places and good prices. Even though you are looking for next October, search the late deals section by entering your dates, departure airport and party size and see what comes up, hopefully within budget.

Not sure if you'll get AI in the school holidays for that price, and if you do, the quality might not be great, but its still a sunny holiday or I would look at hotel B&B or half board (we once got HB for £20 pp more than B&B).

I don't like a buffet for dinner so my interpretation of the best value/lowest effort/nicest experience is to do the following:

Stay in a hotel on a B&B basis and have a big breakfast as late as possible, eg 9.30 am. Pick a hotel that has a kitchenette, or a fridge at the very least.

Eat out once each day, in Spain lunchtime is good as you can get Menu del dia for less than evening meals and this is often served all day, or at least until 3/4 pm

For the other meal, have a snack such as an ice cream, chips, pizza slice or tapas. After a big breakfast and a big lunch, I'm happy with a small dinner.

Alternatively, have the small lunch and evening meal out, which ever works best for you. Go to the supermarket once or twice during the holiday to stock up on drinks, snacks, bread, ham, cheese etc, ice creams etc. Minimal effort - just make sure your DH also pulls his weight with food prep, it's not all down to you. And in a hotel there's no cleaning necessary, just a small amount of washing up.

In my experience doing it this way is cheaper than good quality AI and a nicer experience than mid range AI for about the same price.

BarbaraofSevillle · 04/09/2017 20:05

Or you could try late August from Edinburgh or Glasgow with jet2 if you are in northern England. I'm sure you'll get something.

We've been to Mallorca in very late August (I know you are a bit more restricted due to DH work) and as a childfree couple we do not pay school holiday prices.

igglu · 04/09/2017 20:22

We got Crete for 10 nights with Jet2holidays for £1600 went on 21 august from Edinburgh. It was sooo much cheaper to fly from there than our local airport because Scottish schools were back. We've also had a week in Majorca at the beginning of august for less than £1500 but that was a couple of years ago. We're a family of 2 adults 2 kids.

MrsPworkingmummy · 04/09/2017 20:31

I certainly think it's possible - it just depends on how far in advance you want to book vs the quality of accomodation you'd like to stay in. You might also have to compromise on the resort (e.g a little bit more touristy/less desirable than authentic/historical). Shop around too!
My friend works for Hays Travel and recently sent this offer out via Facebook:

m.facebook.com/HaysTravelSunderland1/?tsid=0.502379376348155&source=result#!/story.php?story_fbid=1328548380600603&id=585225931599522&tn=%2As%2As-R

That is less than £600 for a family for a week in Feb half term - half board too.

stargazer2030 · 04/09/2017 20:34

We had a week in corfu end of july. Flights were £135 (good times too) and a studio apartment was about £300. Cost about £300 each with hold baggage (not including spending money) so yes it's do able.
Accommodation in Turkey is mega cheap if you can get a reasonable flight.

Note3 · 04/09/2017 21:31

Nap queen - the Oct ibiza holiday I mentioned is sat to sat. It's definitely doable in your budget

Note3 · 04/09/2017 21:35

I notice you said your DHs school haven't published next yrs dates yet. It might be worth checking your local councils website? Ours has set main dates for all the schools and then it's only their inset days that vary and you have to wait for the school to publish them.

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