To ask how to book a holiday?!

[OldLadyInPolyester]

I know I'm lucky to be able to have a holiday so this post is very much a privileged moan....

Where do I start? I have to co-ordinate annual leave with my DH and make sure it doesn't clash with any of our colleagues. Then I have to find somewhere we can go in those dates.

We want a sunny beach type holiday. We have young kids so the nearest airport to home is best so it has to be a destination we can fly to from there. Then the resort has to be family friendly, in our budget and not to far from the airport in whatever country we choose.

Do I go for a package holiday or book flights and accommodation separately? Villa, apartment, half board, all inclusive?

It's just so much planning and logistics I think I'd rather stay at home at this point!

How do other people go about it and where are you off to this year?

Use a travel agent even if it is just to get ideas as they will be able to show what you can get with your budget. We always go all inclusive as I don't want to have to cook on holiday. The company we like best is Jet2.

I like the jet2 site, I find it's easy to navigate and the prices shown include flights, baggage, accommodation and transfers. Some of the other sites (on the beach, icelolly) you have to add everything on separately.

When mine were little we always had package holidays with apartments in a resort.

Mine loved the kids clubs etc

I always use TUI the website is easy to navigate and you can filter to your own requirements quite easily.
I usually start with the airport I want then the country then what type of catering we want.
Eg. I like going from Cardiff or Bristol.

From there I'd probably choose Portugal it's a quick flight and a stunning place. Then due to the ages of our kids I'd go AI
Then I look at the accommodation available and trip advisor check any I fancy

@OldLadyInPolyester

We went to mMajorca about 4 years ago through a Tui package. I thought all inclusive would be the dream but I wasn't particularly impressed. Too many people around the pool and always worried I'd lose a child 😆. Although actually the eldest was particularly awful that holiday so it might not have been a bad thing....Hated that we were all cooped up in one room. Problem is I have champagne tastes on a lemonade budget 🙃 and we have to go in school holidays now which has doubled the price of everything.

I was anti package holidays pre children as always organised tailored to my whims! But we went to Mijas and Benalmadena and it really was the way to go. Meant that we had breakfast and dinner (didn't do AI as I find that too restrictive for the cost). Had transport to and from airport (less than 45 minutes so was manageable). There were pools which were always quite on arrival/departure days and there were multiple pools which also helped, but we were also a stone's throw from the beach which again was great for an hour or so, without having to plan to go the whole day. Was also close to a supermarket for buying cheaper drinks and snacks which was an absolute god send and I'd check out beforehand as children need snacks! Also check out if there's a tourist bus route near by as this was amazing for us - really made getting around so easy for 3 days!

Definitely have a look.

I’ve just booked using skyscanner for flights. I could clearly see the prices for the different times and was able to pick timings that fit in with naps. Booked a villa through air bnb with free cancellation. It was important to us to have a private pool and a good view as I don’t want to be cooped up in a hotel room once the kids are in bed. We get travel insurance through our bank account and as soon as I’d reserved the fights and villa I called them to check we were covered for various conditions.
If wanting someone to do the leg work for you I have heard good things about Hay’s travel