AIBU to ask where the hell can I take seven people on holiday without bankrupting myself?!

[Whysomany]

Not really an AiBU but posting for traffic after weeks of research and coming up blank.

Promised the kids a holiday, specifically abroad, as they've never been. August 2024. Made the mistake of promising before fully researching and quite frankly I feel a bit fucked now.

I think they'd all like to travel by plane having never done so before and probably unlikely to again but blimey, flights for seven people. I severely under estimated. Looking at driving instead. This we can do but DH doesn't want to drive too far because his car is old and crap, basically.

Originally looking at South of France, Italy, Spain, etc. They all seem out now because of flights and hire car costs. And I don't think I could persuade DH to take his car that far. I have since looked at pretty much every destination in Europe...

All I've got at this point is a week in the Netherlands but honestly at this point, that feels a little disappointing after dreaming of a hot destination and somewhere a bit further away to the UK.

Am I doing something wrong or basically I'm right and it's just not doable? We were looking at Eurocamp and the equivalents.

No set budget. Originally looking at 2.5 - 3k plus food, days out, etc. Might be able to go a bit higher.

This is just a quick example, but if your children don't mind sharing a double somewhere like this would work. I'm guessing lots of similar apartments won't have listed next July yet so you might have to make a best guess and book in stages, or book somewhere you can cancel and see if something better comes along.

Cote d'azur has a great train line so you can visit some gorgeous places without hiring a car. Meals out will add up quickly for so many adults so self catering means you'll be able to cook some lovely fresh produce yourselves when you want to.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/48957736?adults=5&children=2&location=Nice&check_in=2024-07-24&check_out=2024-07-31&source_impression_id=p3_1691609894_EXsqfqdfFdgPU6p%2F&previous_page_section_name=1001

Def AirBNB and get flights as early as possible, look to Eastern European countries as a bit cheaper, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania. For a comparison, we looked at a package to Croatia in August for 4. The flights to the Croatian tiny airport were really expensive, so we have booked an Airbnb in croatia, flying into Venice where there are lots of flights so cheaper, driving down to croatia, hiring a car and 2 nights in Venice, away for 9 days and that still comes in cheaper than the original package holiday to Croatia.

What about cheap flights to Jersey and air b n b.

Absolutely no chance on that budget. At least double. Holidays are ludicrously priced right now and there’s no real bargains to be had. Not sure why you promised without looking first.

There are some companies that do very reasonable coach holidays, obviously you will have a long travelling time but may mean you get to a hotter location without having to use old car. I think a company called siesta holidays goes to Spain and there are loads of other companies

we always use loveholidays. I put a deposit down then x amount each month there after :)

Haven’t read the full thread so someone else might have mentioned it but Center Parcs in Europe is a lot different to the UK prices and they have different school holidays so end of August they may have gone back already. It has something for all ages and some are near the coast so best of both worlds. There’s Facebook groups to help you suss it all out

How about somewhere in Easter? You can sometimes get some reasonable prices for places like the Algarve, Greece and Turkey as it’s early in the season so prices aren’t at their peak. It’s always worth comparing self catering to all inclusive, and work out the difference per day as to whether it’s worth the extra cost, keeping in mind the ages of children and how much they eat / drink throughout the day, and that in most places abroad you’ll be buying bottled water, whereas on an all inclusive it would be covered.

I’ve just looked on TUI website and estimated ages (4 people over 18, 3 children age 5, 10 & 14) and the Costa del Sol from London is £2302 for a week self catering. Majorca all inclusive is £3,900 ish. Then you also have EasyJet Holidays and Jet2 Holidays who might have something.

Good luck and feel free to pop me a message if you’d like help finding something x

Does it have to be Europe? Why don't you try Morocco? We've been there in December and the weather was amazing. It felt like summer in December. And it was very affordable. I think much more affordable than Europe. This was the third time we went to Morocco. My advice is to book everything separate and not through travel agents. For flights search directly with the airline.

I just got back from Dijon with a bunch of friends, we travelled by train (cost about £180 each return during August - booked far in advance & not super social hours), then rented a house with a pool, and cooked most meals in (a lot of baguettes, cheese and wine… delish!). It was a bit cheaper because there were tons of us, but my husband, I and child together paid £1.4K. Could work…

Moany by name, moany by nature!

I agree. Even with free childmplaces. Your best bet is to pull them out of school

That was my first thought too.

Have a look at Halkidiki in Greece. Not far from Thessaloniki so you have a city to explore for days out. Do a package holiday to a decent location and you won't need a hire car.

Bellevue Club
Alcudia, Majorca, Balearic Islands
£25 pp deposit£100 pp below peak price15 Oct 2023 ∙ 5 nights
Self Catering
Flights included
£181 pp
this is on loveholidays.com

Find the flights first and then m aybe air b&b.

Firstly consider going during term time. You don't give the kids ages but obviously avoiding critical dates like exams etc.
Generally speaking package deals are cheaper particularly if you can go last minute. I'm not suggesting this agent for value or service but their website is easily navigated....look on Tui....use the search box to see what's about in September. There's some good deals in Greek Islands. Turkey is pretty good value and sun generally guaranteed. If you're prepared to be flexible I'd definitely get a late deal. What ever around now will he similar next year. If you look at the same holiday in 2024 it'll be way more expensive.
If you're just looking for sun, beach a pool and the experience of being abroad maybe consider all inclusive. What I wouldn't do is mention that to the kids....its not as good as it sounds but it could save you quite a bit. Dont even suggest a country. You won't get an authentic Greek/Turkish/Spanish experience but on a budget you're not going to get that.
Maybe ask grandparents if they could help with passports for Xmas?

Take a look on easyjet holidays. Some great deals on the site of you keep searching.

It's really not a big ask at all if they book 2 smaller caravans considering the ages of the kids. 2 bed are v cheap. Last night I planned 3 nights near carcassonne and then 3 in the loire for less than 700 in total mid August 2024. Op could book the same but it would be just under 860 for 4 lots of 2 bedrooms. Tents are even cheaper, about 180 for 3 nights and they have proper beds and electric, can cook etc. 7 nights could be done in one nice place 2 2bedroom caravans for 1200 to 1500 max if she booked right now. If the car won't go far do picardy, Normandy or near Paris. Or interrail the journey with an overnight stop or two then do 5 or 6 nights in one place.

I am obsessed at the mo so many I want to go to! In the Netherlands duinrell and de twee bruggen and bekes one with the safari.
South of France.

Fly to Italy or Croatia and the accommodation is even cheaper!

Forgot to mention, you get baggage and transfers included so don't need to factor that cost on top.

Look at hiring 9 seater minibus if hiring a car rather than people carrier. The minibus tend to be cheaper!

you could go first or second week in July all exams will be over by then x

Sorry just seen that you also work in schools

What ages are children? Holland and belgium or west of germany would be amazing, and warm. Efteling/beekse bergen in Holland are fab with kids (also do big rooms) but cabins available with eurocamp/landal and europarcs. Lovely beaches near the hague or friesland

Sorry, but this is why so many parents pull kids out school for a holiday. Tge fine is far less than you will save.