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.

I think that's completely achievable, looking at last minute with Tui this August I found loads of self catering holidays in Greece, Turkey and Spain for around £250pp. They're are definitely deals around you just need to think about when you book. Best offers are normally 11 months before your holiday, Black Friday or January sales or last minute. Personally I think 3k for 7 people is plenty but I treat holiday shopping like a part time job!

We found the last week of August beginning of September just before they go back to school cheaper if that helps. ferry would be just as exciting for the children I've always loved ferry, but u might get reasonable budget flights, and am sure you will get air bnb or a camping place like euro camp, Belgium and Holland have some good ones or if you want warmer try West Coast of France or Northern Spain less busy might be cheaper, I'm sure you will get somewhere good luck

You could book a cruise MSC has a few school holiday offers starting at £999 for a family of 4 in an inside cabin. We booked a balcony room in the Christmas holidays for £1300 for 2 adults 2 children.
P&O also often have some good offers just keep an eye out. Can be an easy way to see lots of places and most food is included x

Take a look at 'Tropical Islands' just south of Berlin, and about 30-45 minutes from the airport. It is literally an indoor tropical island with forestry, a beach and a climate that you would expect of a tropical island! You can also book their accommodation or go camping with them. Or you could stay in a castle overlooking one of the many lakes surrounding the city where Berliners take their holidays.

Berlin would also be great for you and the older kids.

Why not? I've done loads of AI summer holidays for less than £500 per person. Just look at cheap websites like "on the beach" or similar. Bulgaria, Turkey, some Canary Islands, some Greek Islands and some parts of Spain have very cheap AI-type beach/pool holidays

Wow, I grew up in Germany and have never heard of this place. It looks brilliant!! I'm saving this thread for my future holiday endeavours 👍

Look at Jack's Flight club, they tell you about the cheap flights

@Whysomany if 2 of your children are adults could you look at booking 2 apartments because you might get offered 2 free child places? We’re a family of 7 (5 children under 13) and have managed to find a week in Ibiza next August for £4.6 k with 2 free child places. We booked with another family who gave us their child place. There were cheaper holidays but we wanted to be near a beach. Portugal seemed quite cheap. We booked with Jet2 who had a very good search page where you could see what week was cheapest with a particular holiday and have till next May to pay off. Good luck!

Have you looked at Nice on the South Coast of France? Airport is very central, quick bus (or you can walk) from the airport and most things are walkable once there. There is a great coast hopper bus to go along to Eze, Antibes, Cannes etc if you wanted a day out but this would mean you wouldn't need car hire which might save a bit?
Then maybe look at renting something self catering?

Another option is a short city break in Europe - that way the kids get to fly, you can stay in a nice hotel but just do say 4 days, and get nice weather

I don't know to be honest, I just know it's a mystery deal and you could end up anywhere they have mentioned so you would need to be willing to go to any of the places.

Package holidays (and also booking separately) abroad have increased massively in price. We paid best part of £3.5K for 7 nights in Spain for 2 adults and 2 children - I think it was 2 children anyway, lots of abroad places seem to think anyone over 12 is an adult! Admittedly, it was half board and a nice hotel so we saved lots on eating out costs because we ate mainly at the hotel. I can’t think of anywhere where you’d get 7 of you on holiday for the same cost!

I second the camping in France, they have great facilities, very reasonably priced. You could look at train? The trains in Europe are super fast, pretty cheap, reliable….good deals for booking in advance?

another option is use the Ryanair fare finder, you put in the month and let it tell you cheapest flight deals, will list locations? Get everyone to just do a carry on bag, can be reasonable!

This is good advice

I don't know if it has already been mentioned but maybe try house swaps. There are websites like home exchange with thousands of homes. If you can factor out the cost of the rent you'll be able to afford to fly or nice extras...

Book early and camp -canvas/eurocamp and fly. Stay somewhere you can travel about on public transport.
Im currently in the south of France-cheap flights & a mobile home. We’re travelling by bus and train. It’s absolutely doable.

Eurocamp? Canvas holidays or similar? The tents are all set up and lovely, even have fridges. You can drive down there - they have sites all over France and it’s fairly reasonable - and there are swimming pools and kids clubs, shops etc - my kids adored it. However I would be wary of heatwaves. We are in Valencia at the moment and the temperature yesterday hit 46 degrees.

• Night bus to Spain / France / etc
• Family rooms in Hostel
• Pick a place where you don’t need a car and walking or swimming is the main activity

😁

I live in the Netherlands, there is loads to do for kids and adults, we have some pretty islands, the Efteling, its near to Belgium and Germany for day trips

i love De Eftliing. Both DH and I are English but it's where we started talking to each other and he asked me out when we got back. Been married 32 years this week.
We used to go Centerparcs with the DC for our summer holidays and go to De Eftling for the day. Also Duinrell which for a week , very good value holiday with free entry to theme park

A friend of a friend recently went from London to Bilbao for just over £100 return. It's less than friend 1 paid for a return ticket to Plymouth earlier in the year.

Train travel + Airbnb or similar might well be worth exploring, and although I've only travelled by train in northern Europe, the trains seem far more civilised and reliable than British trains.

Friend 1 above travels to Charente fairly regularly, and she usually gets a return ticket for around £150. She uses the RailEurope website.

Sign up for Ryan air and easyjet for advance notice of flight sales.
Airbnb. You can self cater and have more freedom.
Research places where living costs are reasonable .

Flights over on Skyscanner are from £46 to Ireland, Barcelona around £65, Milan around £60.
Large Airbnbs still fit within your budget but you'll need to book early.

Look at on the beach. They’ll definitely be something in your budget. I found a nice hotel in Majorca for £2100 for 7 people b&b. Probably be around £2500 once transfers and luggage is added. Definitely within your budget.

there was somewhere all inclusive for less but the reviews are terrible so probably best avoided.