To ask more experienced holiday takers to help me find and book my first ever holiday abroad?

[Hollyboba]

I probably am. But it's not laziness. It's sheer confusion and inexperience!

If anyone can help me I would be super grateful.

So I want a sunshine holiday between 20th July and end of August.
2 adults. 4 kids. Twins 15. A 12 year old and 10 year old.

Any where sunny that has a nice pool.
Preferably a beach within walking distance or short bus ride.

All inclusive.

7 to 10 nights.

Budget is 5k.

I'll go anywhere in spain/greece/balerics etc but has to be family friendly NOT a stag do type place.

And I don't want to go to Turkey.

Would massively appreciate any help!

Put these requirements into FirstChoice, Tui, OnTheBeach, teletext holidays and see what comes up. Then look at the reviews of the hotel/resort on Trip Advisor. Go from there. That’s what most people do I’d say.

OP, why not just pop into a travel agent on your local high street, give them your requirements and see what they can suggest? Ours used to be hugely helpful when I was a widowed single parent, nervous about taking the DC abroad by myself.
Once you’ve done a couple of safe package holidays, you’ll probably want to branch out and book your own trips online.

I agree with Babdoc go to a high street travel agents & tell them what you’ve written here. The first week of the summer holidays is usually cheaper than the August weeks we tend to go away then as we’re a family of 7 so the difference can be quite considerable for us.

www.firstchoice.co.uk/holiday/bookaccommodation?productCode=017151&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=4&childrenAge=15,15,12,10&duration=7&flexibleDays=7&airports%5B%5D=MAN&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=20-07-2020&pkg=897707112/3/566/7&tra_o=1038676771/2076138&tra_i=1038676835/2076139&units%5B%5D=&packageId=017151BGBO000315952032000001595289600000TOM217415958944000001595894400000TOM2175TW01TW01897707112/3/566/7&index=18&multiSelect=true&brandType=F&bb=AI&room=&isVilla=false&searchType=search&durationCode=7115&rmpc=1|1|0|2|0|15,12-2|1|0|2|0|15,10&rmtp=TW01|TW01&rmbb=AI|AI&fc=y&greatDealDiscount=0&bb=AI&price=pp#page

I think that’s a big ask for the budget. You would definitely get that in October half term.

It's now saying no longer available but Riu hotels are great and you get more for your money in Bulgaria.
Think about room set up, can two cope with sleeping on a sofa /pull out or will everyone need a proper bed?

Had a quick look and for your budget you’re looking at self catering for 10 days. You’ll pay much more for a quality AI. The cheaper the AI I find the food to be terrible and the type of people. Read the reviews.

www.jet2holidays.com/search/results?airport=99&date=27-07-2020&duration=10&occupancy=r2c15_12_7_11&destination=38_159_156_160_157_161_1584_1719_1371_1548_1328&sortorder=1&page=1

EasyJet holidays. DD2 and I are off to Corfu in July for a fortnight for just over £1k in 4 star hotel. Not AI though as I didn’t want that.

I agree with going yo travel agents and getting an idea.

Louis Creta Princess in Crete
I bookedcwith Tui

I just assumed you would pay way more at a travel agents than finding your own?

Could I get it in May half term cheaper?

I thought that was a big budget :( Am totally out of touch

It's 1/4 of my yearly income 😂

Depending on the ages of the kids you will need 2 /3 rooms

This is in your budget its the only one I found going from Birmingham
it’s 2 1 bed apartments AI
www.tui.co.uk/destinations/bookaccommodation?productCode=973658&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=4&childrenAge=15,15,12,10&duration=10&flexibleDays=3&airports%5B%5D=BHX&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=16-07-2021&pkg=1128235144/3/927/10&tra_o=1120148363/2754963&tra_i=1120146284/2754964&units%5B%5D=L00041:REGION&packageId=973658ESMN011216263936000001626393600000TOM757816272576000001627257600000TOM71191BA031BA031128235144/3/927/10&index=5&multiSelect=true&brandType=T&bb=AI&room=&isVilla=false&searchType=search&durationCode=1015&rmpc=1%7C1%7C0%7C2%7C0%7C15,12-2%7C1%7C0%7C2%7C0%7C15,10&rmtp=1BA03%7C1BA03&rmbb=AI%7CAI&fc=y&greatDealDiscount=0&bb=AI&price=pp

I've found a few on the tui website, for the first week July, problem with May is weather a bit iffy.

Found this. 7 nights. All inclusive. Beach front

May holidays. 3.5k

Beggars can't be choosers. I'm guessing the May weather will be better than the UK!

Where are you flying from ideally ?

That looks nice ...check the transfer prices on Resort Hoppa and make sure baggage included, also check flight times are ok. Tbh ive always found the travel companies Tui etc better for school hols. But this year is a bit harder since Thomas cook gone.

Rhodes is the first Greek island to get warm weather. I’ve been to Crete at May half term and the weather has been good, pool a bit chilly though. The Balearics won’t be warm in May, Cyprus will but it’s a 4.5 hour flight. Only the Costs Del Sol will be warm in May.

I'm looking at mid July.

With the older kids missing the last 3 days of school.

Its much cheaper

They don't do anything anyways apart from watch videos...

It’s £5300 for May half term with no luggage, it’s £30 a bag. You just get 10kg hand luggage. That’s going out on a Friday, goes up £200 If you go the Saturday.
www.onthebeach.co.uk/helios_deals/17309731342/cf91ddb741f3470f47556cdecaf95c95?adults=2&child_ages%5B%5D=15&child_ages%5B%5D=9&child_ages%5B%5D=14&child_ages%5B%5D=15&children=4&deal_source=helios&destination_ids%5B%5D=71&dfdp=51941&dffp=3cd2e40cc0284756bec78b027bf7d3b21e63420f&duration=7&hotel_id=3061010&infants=0&number_of_bags=0&number_of_rooms=2&on=2020-05-22&redirected=false&refundable_boards=true&result_uid=2c915037-21cf-4959-98d9-0cc8a966d17b&search_id=2273058223&variant=AA&colossus_flight_id=&_=1582493062247

You've got a massive budget there are you sure you want to splurge on this holiday. Most people don't spend that on a holiday, I'm only saying this because you said your inexperienced.

You can book flights very easily through easy jet and find your own hotel.

That may seem overwhelming but you could glance.... At hotels.

Try canaries in May. Suite Hotel Atlantis in Fuerteventura or Dream Gran Castillo in Playa Blanca, or Aquero Suites in Los Pocillos Lanzarote may suit orbe a starter for 10? We also stayed one year in Cyprus May half term was baking!

I'd honestly half budget and have 2 holidays booked!!