Help me book a getaway I'm overwhelmed!

[CynthiaRothrock]

Looking for the help of Mumsnet so Posting here for traffic and inspiration.... I've not been abroad in over 20 years, last time.i booked a holiday it was with the help of Ask Jeeves!
Me and DH have had a rough couple of month and we need a get away. Was looking at the UK and it's so bloody expensive. I've though fuck it let's do one of those cheap flight and hotel deals and I've been sucked down a rabbit hole! It's his birthday next month so looking at a last min midweek break. I don't care where we go but needs to be cheap. I've managed to cover child care from Tues to Friday night last week in September so 2 or 3 nights max.

But I need inspiration! I'm really not bothered where or what. The criteria is

1. Must be cheap this is a last minute though after a devastating month and needs serious budgeting.
2. Easy/cheap airport to hotel (I don't want to drive in a foreign country, I'm bad enough in the UK)
3. Must have something to do ie. Be all Inc so we don't have to leave resort for entertainment or cheap/free/not far places to explore and we can take a picnic etc.
4. Not be stressful 🤣
5. Flying from Manchester or at a push Liverpool.
6. Maximum 2-3hr flight (DH has never flown, and is a shit traveller not sure how he will cope)

We have never been abroad together so basically anything will be enjoyable. We enjoy a variety of things, shows, walking, museums, beaches, country side, city so very easy to please In That sense.

Where do you suggest? Good websites? Sites to avoid? (don't want to get scammed)
Best to book all together or do I do things separately? I've looked at so many things I've just confused and totally overwhelmed myself! Any and all positive suggestions welcome! My brain is at maximum capacity and a break is well over due, but I'm struggling to process and organise this!

And before anymore jumps in, yes we have kids that have never been abroad but we are looking at booking a family holiday next year, this break is well needed for the 2 of us.

Thanks for reading and any help/suggestions.

I've just had a look on tui, cheapest AI 3 nights in Ibiza in September £325 pp from Manchester.

@Sallysoup thanks that's the kind of suggestion I'm looking for. I know it's tight but I know it's do able. With some careful planning, I'm just really stressed and struggling to process and think for myself haha! I need a break to be able to plan a break!

Really obvious question, but just in case it hasn’t occurred as you’ve had a stressful time and you say your DH not a traveller … you have both got passports in date, with at least three months beyond return date? Sure you have, but better find out now if not.

I’d either keep things really easy and go somewhere relaxing in the UK, or I’d go somewhere like Seville. You are likely to find flights a bit restrictive by the end of September to a lot of destinations when you need specific days.

Hope you find something lovely.

Hmm, I was going to suggest going to a local independent travel agent if you have one but I’m not sure it’s doable for £250-300 per person.
I’m at the stage where we can splurge a bit on holidays and we have gone into our local travel agent when feeling overwhelmed and just asked what was available. We have had some amazing city breaks doing this- recently to Malaga and Dubrovnik but unfortunately not for your budget.

Okay, had a quick look. I suggest Bordeaux. £490 for both flight and apartment. Found on booking.com

I would narrow it down in terms of what you want out of this.

Do you just want an easy beach holiday to relax with no extra costs - then AI would probably fit the bill.

If you are up for a little more planning and uncertainty here is no reason why you can't DIY an affordable city break. However from the sound of it, navigating a foreign town on foot or by public transport sounds a little beyond your DH's skills set and comfort zone at the momemt and will just make stress for you.

Maybe an AI package deal is a gentle way to break him in to foreign travel?

Thank you all. DH got his passport last year so his is in date. I sent my application in just over a week ago.
I wish I could splurge this time but We've had a few financial set backs unfortunately and I have a million and one things I could spend the money on, but a break away actually seems more important for us ATM. We've had a shit time, we need a break and we need some time together,.

The UK is just as expensive, we have trips in the UK quite alot and do alot of camping which isn't as cheap as it used to be, that's why I though of abroad. Plus it would be an amazing surprise for his birthday if I can pull it off.

Budapest is pretty cheap, we once travelled there with Ryan air £20 pp each way.
Food and attractions are cheap too.

I've just checked and flights are a lot more now unfortunately.

We spent hours on websites, gave up. Walked into the CO-OP travel agent.
Found us a better hotel than we had considered for same money (and had the points on our Co-op card) in Malta. Call in and she will do the on line check in for us as well.

Eurostar - trains and hotels together, choice of nice city breaks within 2-3 hours of London and no hanging around/navigating out of airports.

I’d use Jet2 Holidays or Easy Jet holidays - go to their websites directly - both operate out of manchester - as a starter for 10 you’ll be able to book a package so your flight, accommodation and transfers. So minimal booking fuss. For a short flights and transfer time your best options will be;

Mallorca; Palma itself (where airport is located), Calvia (inland) or resorts on south or south east or west coast; Andratx, Santa Ponca/Ponsa, Arenal, Cala D’or Sa Coma.

Porto, Portugal (pretty certain Jet2 do city breaks to Porto - you’ll fly into Porto) Portugal/Algarve; Vilamoura, Caveiro, Alvor, Quinta Lago, Lagos, Sagres at push - other resorts listed are closer to airport

You might find booking separate is cheaper but will be more faffy: I’d use booking.com, then fly Ryanair (you’ll need to use their website to book) although if there’s an issue they won’t help as much as Jet2 or Easy Jet. Would you need to weigh that with the cost.

This might open up other cities that a package won’t - valencia or seville would be nice but probs expensive once there.

Marseille or Aix en Provence in SoF would be cheaper and nice at that time of year, both have airports so you are essentially flying into your destination.

i booked cheap flights and hotel for Lyon (for annecy) and on the morning the outward flight was cancelled - they managed to rebook us on another flight but it was 7 hours later - it was all incredibly stressful just saying as it seems you really need a rest, going abroad can be very frustrating!

• would it not be better if you’re looking for a rest to book a really nice UK spa hotel (inc dinner so you don’t have to make any decisions!) and just rest and enjoy each others company

There is supposed to be quite a cool city in Lithuania and I can’t remember name - its supposed to be super gd value and Ryanair will fly from Manchester I bet.

We booked a package it saves time and stress if not been abroad lately.
Also much less faff if any part goes wrong.

Either Vilnius or Kaunas probably.

Mallorca is lovely- you can stay in Palma and so limit travel- cheap in a taxi or you can get a bus from the airport

The Melia hotels are all good- we stay in the Marina in a club room which is probably the most expensive but the others are cheaper. Check they have a pool. Eating out is easy and cheap as you are in the city

£60 return flight to Dublin including return transfers to city centre (aircoach). Trams are super easy to get all around the city as well.

Hotels in Dublin are very expensive and very hard to book at the moment though?

It's much harder to have a last minute holiday for next to nothing than it was a few years ago.

For cheap flights, look at skyscanner and choose the "Everywhere option". Then play about with different dates.
AirBnB is often cheaper than hotels.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. You've all given me plenty to thing about. I think if i do settle on abroad I will have to book separately to minimise cost, still browsing the UK too but kinda got my heart set on going away. Just need to pull my head out of my backside I suppose.

less than £500 for four nights in Oslo from Tuesday to Saturday.

But eating out etc could be expensive but doable?

Plenty of availability on booking.com. Hotel, flights and return transfers all for under £250 per head.

I book loads of holidays, I always nose separately first before booking but to be honest once you've added transfers it usually ends up the same as just using Jet2.

Somebody on her mentioned Lithuania - if you’re looking for a city break then I LOVE Vilnius. Clean, beautiful, minutes from the airport & fab value.

If you’re looking for a beach holiday, I’d recommend a package with Jet2. They’re great. I’ve just looked for your criteria and there’s availability for mid September from £376 each. If you download the app this would be £366 each. I’d also recommend joining the group on Facebook called Jet2 Discounts and Holiday Codes. If you ask nicely somebody will send you a code they have received but not able to use in time which often reduces prices up to £30/40 a head.
It will still be slightly over budget but for an all inclusive I don’t think you’ll find much less!