AIBU to be thinking about spending so much on a holiday?!(

[Mum2DD]

Looking at booking a holiday for me, DH, DSD and DD. Both kids are getting to the age when, in a few years, unlikely to want to go with us again. I'd like to do one last really memorable holiday somewhere special and a bit luxurious together. I'm looking at something around Oct 2025 half term or Easter 2026 time - I'd be happy to take them out of school for one day at either end of the hols to make it slightly cheaper, but not for a whole week or most of a week.

Been looking at TUI and finding some options for places like Mexico, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, etc. Can find some amazing places with lovely rooms - but nearly comes to about £10k!!

We could technically save and apply for that but wanting to get opinions on:

1. is that a stupid amount to pay for an experience together, even if we'd get amazing shared memories
2. whilst we could technically afford it, it would be at the expense of making improvements to our home (which are sort of needed, but not desperately so - e.g new windows, garden landscaping, etc)
3. does anyone know of a cheaper way of doing an amazing trip rather than TUI / first choice or similar all inclusive?

Xxxxx

Absolutely do it. We did a once-in-a-lifetime trip that cost a horrible amount a couple of years ago and it was the best money we ever spent. All kids still rave about it and it in no way negatively impacted anyone’s views of our normal holidays when we returned to these subsequently. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

DIY will be cheaper, if you go to Mexico look for a whale watching trip, we stayed in a not expensive fabulous small hotel right on a beach by a estuary it had a rooftop patio where you could sit and watch the sunset, and see dolphins in the water. The owner had kayaks and bikes and let you borrow them for free. We booked a snorkelling trip to see whale sharks and organised a trip with a guide to the grey whale breeding area, being surrounded by around 50 whales who came close enough to the boat to be patted if you were so inclined was an unforgettable experience. This was in the baja california sur region in la paz the hotel was Casa Kootenay waterfront.
the whales arrive in late December and early January and stay until early to late April. Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio Lagoon Are the places to see them.

Those prices don't horrify me. I mean, I'm not happy paying them but that seems to be the way it is. I was looking at taking my teens AI to Turkey next summer and it's roughly £1800 per person.

Consider booking directly with the hotel. We expect to pay £££ for naice accommodation and expect to pay western prices. Look for accommodation that would be booked by local people for lower prices.

I think you need to be a bit careful, and really do loads of research. October is peak hurricane season in Mexico and one of the wettest months in Sri Lanka. Indonesia will be a better choice then weather wise. Don't bother with an AI - most of the fun is eating out (just read reviews on tripadvisor first). Find somewhere to stay on Booking.com - or a couple places, do not spend all your time in Kuta, Bali!!! It's Benidorm for Australians. Bali itself is fantastic for a holiday though because there is so much to see and do all in one smallish island, the temples and scenery are beautiful. Better beaches on other islands though so maybe hop to the Gillies?

Mexico is amazing but if you go at Easter be aware of the sargassum situation, that really could ruin an amazing holiday. The buses there are brilliant to get around by and again check out Booking and Tripadvisor for info. Personally I'm really not a fan of Cancun or PDC. Akumal is gorgeous but pricey. Valladolid is inland and more genuine and very pretty with a ceynote. Holbox is very cool. Chichen Itza is unmissiable, but Coba and Tulum also have ruins.

I can't comment on Sri Lanka as haven't been. There are presidential elections in late September so again I would avoid visiting at that time. I think Bali or the Yucatan peninsula would be easier though.

£10k in itself isn't shocking, easy to spend that if doing something like Florida, California, Japan etc. I just wouldn't do it for an AI type holiday. Only matters what it's worth to you, we're happy to spend that much on a holiday, they are the highlights of our family life.

I'd do an Explore trip or something similar www.explore.co.uk/destinations/asia/vietnam/family-holidays-in-vietnam

Not a fancy hotel but more of an experience.

Fancy hotels are the same anywhere really....

I would echo another poster and say that it depends on what you plan to do.

We spent £10k for 4 of us (DC are adults) on a 2 week trip to Mexico in December. It was my 25th wedding anniversary celebration, so a 'big trip' for us.

We had one 10 years ago to NY and California when I inherited a little money from my Grandmother.

For Mexico flghts with TUI but we rented a car and traveled around. We saw lots of different sights and stayed in a couple of apartments and a couple of hotels.

Similar with the USA trip. We rented a car and visited lots of places including the coast, Yosemite and Grand Canyon.

IMO it's not worth paying to go a long way to spend most of your time in the hotel complex and on the beach. You can have lovely holidays in Europe for that.

Regards holiday vs home improvement I'd go for the holiday as long as the house is structurally sound, watertight and ok generally ie nice to do rather than essential.

I'm choosing a couple of big holidays next year rather than a new sofa and carpets.

Might as well go to Benidorm as Bali..

£10k for a week for a family of 4 sounds about right. The pound doesn't go very far these days.

You know your DD's but I would say that teenagers can make or break a holiday. My friend took her daughters away on a very expensive once in a lifetime holiday. They spent the whole time on their phones chatting to their friends in the UK.

We spent similar on a holiday to Disney in Florida when DD was 9 .. it was absolutely worth it, best holiday ever, and the memories still make me smile. We talk about it nearly 10 years later with such affection. We are going back when DD is 21. I don’t remember my new kitchen bringing me as much lasting joy.

Vietnam is fab really decent hotels for good prices, halong bay is superb get a boat overnight for a magical experience especially if you are into kayaking. National parks great for seeing birds and monkeys, get shoes made to measure for around 20 quid made in a day, this was in Hội An a beautiful place worth a visit for a night or two. Food is amazing and don't be scared of street food, so cheap and delicious also look for ‘ fresh beer’ a fraction of the price of the bottled stuff.

I really think holidays are worth splurging on and particularly at this age you’re doing something amazing with your teens together. Doing a flight and then independent travel would probably be cheaper and you’d get more experience of country. BIL took three teens around Vietnam which I think might be cheaper and all thought amazing. I’ve been to Sri Lanka highly recommend. Costa Rica would be my top pic, we went a few years ago pre kids and it’s my dream to take our kids back when they’re 10+ amazing scenery, wildlife, lovely people very easy . Egypt would also be cheaper could do pyramids, Nile and scuba diving.

I think it’s fine and have spent a lot more than that on a single holiday. We loved it so much we’re thinking of going again next year. We prioritise holidays over home improvements as long as nothing is falling down, and also over expensive cars. It’s really about whether you can afford it and where your priorities lie.

Errrm

holiday or boring windows?!

it’s a no brainer OP, go for the holiday!

life is short

I was also thinking of Vietnam when reading the OP this morning. We had a fabulous holiday there. It was about ten years ago now though so no idea how prices are these days.