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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be sad we're not going abroad this year

207 replies

Paraparanoid · 26/04/2019 21:31

We go abroad on holiday most years. This year we just can't afford the 4k plus it will cost our family of 4. Instead we've booked week in a cottage in the UK plus a few nights either side in Premier Inns, so will be away 10 nights at a cost of around 1k for accomodation and allowing 1k for spends. DD (13) unimpressed and I admit I feel a bit worried about crap weather etc although have done loads of research on things to do to keep us entertained. I'm now worried I could've done better with our 2k budget and perhaps could've gone abroad afterall. It would be school summer hols.

AIBU?

OP posts:
CorbynsComrade · 27/04/2019 08:15

4K for a holiday abroad sounds excessive. I’ve been to Poland for a week and it was cheaper than a weekend trip to London...

Propertywoes · 27/04/2019 08:16

Poor diddums.

Skettles · 27/04/2019 08:18

Ignore the bitter posters OP

I’m in the same boat. DH and I go abroad every year - usually a european break in May and then to somewhere like Thailand or USA in October. This year we can’t do either as we had to buy s new car and so have no money. You get used to a certain way of life and it’s hard when it unexpectedly changes. I get it x

EmrysAtticus · 27/04/2019 08:18

Your 13yo will have to get used to not flying, I doubt it will be possible for much longer for anything other than emergencies.

lovelyupnorth · 27/04/2019 08:23

Sorry but you can easily do a holiday abroad for £2k. We did 10 days in Barbados for not much more than 2k. And this year we are having a “big” holiday 2.5 weeks in Canada and shouldn’t cost us much more than 4K. We did a cheap week in the Uk which was under £250 for a very nice Caravan in Northumberland. YABU

Original poster
Paraparanoid · 27/04/2019 08:24

Also, I'm not knocking the UK at all. It's a beautiful country with more history than most that tourists flock to from all over the world. We have done many short breaks all over the country in addition to our main holiday and really enjoyed them - usually caravans via Sun holidays or Premier Inn deals and lots of National Trust places. Therefore, this doesn't feel significantly different (as DD whingingly pointed out).

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 27/04/2019 08:25

How about a short city break in Europe earlier or later in the year? Could do a cheapy in Europe? Xx

CaravanHero · 27/04/2019 08:25

You could have gone abroad for £2k if you wanted IME.

I’ve just discovered that PI has newish hotels in Germany. I have no idea what’s in Hamburg to be honest but for 36 Euros a night in August we’ll be finding out this summer 😂

Bobbybobbins · 27/04/2019 08:26

Sorry don't know why I added kisses to that!!!! 😂

Mumberjack · 27/04/2019 08:27

Blame it on Brexit Grin

Seriously though I get why you’re sad yourself, even though it would be worth reminding DD not to be so ungrateful!

A £2k holiday in UK where weather isn’t guaranteed and everything in tourist places is horrendously expensive is a lot of money and there is the risk of feeling a waste of time, money and effort for something that might not be enjoyable.

For everyone saying they can get a holiday abroad for £1k by doing x, y and z that’s fair enough, but going by the number of discussions here where the holiday is just an extension of home in terms of the work required (by the DM primarily) its more than just going for the cheapest - you all want to feel like you’re having a restful time.

lovelyupnorth · 27/04/2019 08:28

For those saying you can’t do a 2k holiday abroad in the school holidays. Yes you can. Just need to think outside the box. We’ve done Spain, France, Sweden, Germany/the Netherlands all for under 2k for a fortnight for 4.

This summer going to Canada. Flights car hire and accommodation has come in at around £4K for two weeks for 4.

Original poster
Paraparanoid · 27/04/2019 08:29

People keep saying we could've gone abroad for 2k but where's the actual evidence (links etc)? Show me & I might believe you!!!

OP posts:
Whatafustercluck · 27/04/2019 08:32

Well it depends on the holiday. I've just booked the travel and accommodation for £1k total. But we have a touring caravan so will stay on a campsite. Mind you, if we didn't have the van we'd camp in a tent. So, yea doable - but you have to lower your expectations.

Gatehouse77 · 27/04/2019 08:34

I guess it depends what a holiday is to the individual and therefore the choices after that are relative.

We don't go on holiday about every year because we'd rather save up and have a holiday with the level of comfort that is different than at home. As the kids have got older and we're funding 'adult' prices there have been bigger gaps between holidays. All discussed with the kids, all agreed.

Original poster
Paraparanoid · 27/04/2019 08:35

How about a short city break in Europe earlier or later in the year? Could do a cheapy in Europe? X

Actually considering that for Feb half term to get over this tragedyGrin Any suggestions from some of you bargain hunters where might be good? Wondered about Paris/Amsterdam if we could get cheap Eurostar or would it be too cold? (although we regularly do days out in London in Winter so can't imagine much difference!)

OP posts:
Lifeover · 27/04/2019 08:37

Op I get you, tbh £1,000 pp seems fairly reasonable if you usually go to an all inclusive. I do understand yours and your family’s worries about the change is eg your kids love going to kids clubs and making new friends (prob even more important for them if heires a big age gap/they don’t get on), swimming etc.

It would probably be useful to breakdown what they love about the holidays and see if there’s anyway to recreate it over here.

Take lots of games etc. Get the kids to do a bit of research and put them in charge of a days activity with a budget so they feel in charge.

If you do get the weather I actually think the UK is one of the best places in the world (and I’ve travelled a lot).

Unfortunately people on here always seem to be anxious in a race to the bottom re holidays. Eg if someone says they’re a bit worried about a week camping as they usually have a flat, someone will be along saying, you have a tent you lucky bastard! We sleep in cardboard boxes on our holiday in our back garden!

You could prob have got a week self catering in May or Oct or a week in a hotel (but a basic one) With flights.

Lifeover · 27/04/2019 08:39

Re your short break what about Rome I’ve been twice at end of feb and it’s been really warm or Barcelona?

Qweenbee · 27/04/2019 08:40

The UK is fantastic, just the weather can't be guaranteed. That's the trouble.
It's a gamble as to whether you get a glorious fortnight in Cornwall or a rainy, cold, damp expertise in Cornwall that costs a fortune, due to having to entertain dc in the rain.

Perhaps February was too late to start looking, but bargains can be found. Last week in August tends to be cheaper in Europe, as that's when most of their kids are back at school.

Treacletoots · 27/04/2019 08:40

A few years ago we decided to holiday in the UK because we wanted to take our dogs and we left it too late to get their passports.

We ended up booking a week split over the cotswolds and Cornwall and had one of my favourite holidays I can remember, including Thailand and other lovely places.

Yes, we had lovely hotels but it definitely cost under the 2k mark and the doggies had the best time strutting up and down posh hotels being cooed at all day!

cricketyawnyawnyawn · 27/04/2019 08:41

Just done a search on firstchoice.co.uk for 30 July for a week and there are lots of AI options around £620 pp if you can stretch to that, but you would almost certainly get something cheaper as a late bargain nearer the time. Also that's the adult price, children might be cheaper.

idontlike789 · 27/04/2019 08:42

All these posts to say you can get a holiday for a family of 4 in the holidays abroad for 2k it's doable but tight . You can easily do self catering but then you need spending money so will easily be more than 2k .
If you look on first choice they are all inclusive and you may be able to get a free child place that will save you money . But tbh you will have a nice holiday here .
I'm also holidaying in the uk this year but I'm looking to book abroad for next summer soon . It will be something to look forward too .

Fridakahlofan · 27/04/2019 08:42

UK holidays are lovely and so much better for the environment - chin up OP!

howmanyleftfeet · 27/04/2019 08:42

I can't afford to do your UK holiday. £2k for a holiday sounds like an enormous luxury to me.

My kid have been abroad only once, to visit friends abroad.

When I was small, we had holidays abroad and in the UK. Some of the UK ones were brilliant.

You need to embrace this. One of my most memorable holidays was in Scotland and it rained pretty much every day! We had a great time though. Find out what you can do locally if it's raining so you're not at a loose end if it does rain.

Celebrate that you're not fucking up the planet just to go on holiday.

And, stop moaning, seriously. Do you know how spoilt you sound to those of us who couldn't possibly afford £2k for a holiday?

3in4years · 27/04/2019 08:44

I went to It a Italy by train as a family of 4. Stayed in a Eurocamp tent. May half term. Under £1k.

howmanyleftfeet · 27/04/2019 08:45

People keep saying we could've gone abroad for 2k but where's the actual evidence

Don't book a villa with a pool. Book a modest place in a cultural area and get out and about. Totally doable. Or go camping. Proper camping, not one of those places where they give you a tent that's basically a 3 bed bungalow!

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