Cheap but brilliant holidays you have had…

[StopitSarah]

We love a UK holiday. Two primary age children. But renting a (nice) cottage or staying in a (nice) hotel in school holiday time is not cheap. We really love camping too though!

My dc would like to explore Europe a bit more. They’ve asked to go to Italy and France. We don’t like all- inclusive type holidays.

I’d love recommendations for places in Europe (not just France and Italy!) that are easy/cheap to fly/train/drive to and bonus points of gratitude if anyone can recommend hotels, airbnbs etc too!

I really care about accomodation being clean and quiet.

City/countryside holidays are both equally good!

Ideally is like to find somewhere to stay in Tuscany within an easy train ride in to Florence. That would be my absolute top choice at the moment (both children v keen on art, architecture and pizza 😂)

Budget is as small as possible!! Maybe going in October half term? Can’t cope with summer heat.

Thank you all!

We went to Croatia last summer and found it very expensive, London prices for food and drink. It may be much cheaper out of season. Agritiurismos are a good call but you may need a car. There's not much public transport in rural Italy, more from city to city. I remember staying in Siena and getting the train there from Florence. Also if you're going in October half term, check if the pool will still be open. They are often only in use June to September.

Me & a best friend when in our 20s didn't have much money so stayed in a 1* apartment in Ibiza with a hole in the wall!!
But we actually had an amazing time.. one of my best times.. love Ibiza!!

Use an appl like skyscanner to get cheapest flights.

Then something like booking.com to get cheaper accommodation. I usually check it then directly with the property as it's usually less their commission to those sites.

If you don't care too much where you are doing, some travel agents have really good eals because they've already chartered the plan so have to pay even if not full.

Ha! I'd love it if I could. We all had the very best time!

Flights into Milan Bergamo tend to be quite cheap as well . I love Lazise - it's well positioned for the theme parks and also for the station in Peschiera.