To ask... are holidays abroad with kids worth it?

[ImALittlePea]

I'm currently fixated on going abroad in late September/early October with the family (myself, DH, 9yo and 2yo). I don't know why, really, but I'm desperate for the children to have the experiences that DH & I never had as kids of going to the A/I style resorts, planes etc. 9yo has been abroad once, before starting school and covid hit. 2yo has never left the country. We've done UK holidays - Airbnbs, holiday parks etc - all-in-all quite successful (and one only a couple of weeks ago - four nights in a holiday park along the south coast of England), but I can't shake the feeling of wanting to take them abroad.

But as I look at the packages and prices, I'm starting to second guess myself about whether it's really worth it. We have a modest budget with which I can find what seem to be packages that I'm happy with - a week of A/I in apartment style resorts with plenty/enough for kids to do, space for us to chill once they're in bed etc. But if we do spend the money and go away, we'll feel the pinch and have less freedom/leave from work over the long summer holidays.

Please help a holiday-hungry overthinker out!

YABU - holidays with kids are harder work than they're worth
YANBU - life is short and for living - holidays are always worth it

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jun/17/10-best-family-self-catering-holidays-france We've stayed at the first 2 - both were lovely but Le Banquet has a great games barn and there is LOADS to do nearby - farms, rivers, dinosaurs, cave paintings etc.

We’ve also done loads of uk cottage holidays but as the kids have got older gone aboard more often- frankly it’s often cheaper even if the travel is (a bit) more stressful

we went to France a couple of times when they were very small and they won’t remember so not entirely sure it was worth the stress and faff (second time Easyjet cancelled our flight home and we had an almighty journey to get home)

but did a “package holiday” (no AI) to algarve last year when they were 8 and 7 and it was most definitely worth it. They talk about it all the time. It’s a bit awkward with your age gap but your eldest is perfect age for having a super time.

If you have a big budget go with Scott Dunn. Best kids clubs.

Otherwise plenty of good places. Definitely an apartment works best though within a hotel complex. Minimum breakfast fuss. We did that a few times.

I'm a lone parent and I've been taking my DD away every year since she was little. She's always enjoyed the kids clubs, I've enjoyed the time and the evening stuff is always fun.

Ooh I made the mistake of falling into that rabbit hole 🤣 unfortunately way beyond our budget but wow - they look incredible!

Update - we booked a holiday this morning! A week all inclusive - SO EXCITED!

Brilliant! Enjoy!

I’ve got the same age gap. We enjoyed our last all inclusive and have been looking forward to our next one for months. I feel you though. It’s so expensive

Oh fab! So exciting…enjoy every minute!

Ah it's even better to hear of others with the same age gap who have had good experiences on holiday! Enjoy your next one, whenever that may be.

It is expensive but we can't take it with us can we 😂 I did so much shopping around though and I think we've got a relatively good deal tbh. £2k for everything for four of us.

I'm so looking forward to it now we've booked. At the very least, it'll be lovely to not have to cook and clean up for a week. The resort we picked has really good recent reviews and it appears to have a really wide variety of activities. I've just been showing the 9yo and he is beyond excited (as am I!). It's a lovely feeling.