Idiot ex just let kids down big time- last minute holiday ideas please

[mynamechangemyrules]

My ex husband was supposed to be taking my children on holiday at half term. He just told them he’s already gone by himself 😳😆 so they’ve been prepared for a beach holiday which they won’t now have.

I would like to take them somewhere but it’s going to smash my budget.

I started searching for heat and fun any dates between 17-26 Oct (poss later as well), 4-7 nights, but I’m bewildered and not sure it can be done for the money I’m prepared to spend.

cyprus? Turkey? Morocco? Egypt?

Need it to come in under £2000. Would obv love it to be with breakfast or any food inclusive.

ideas and links if anyone believes it’s possible?!!

Would he help pay as he has let them down? Or is he totally useless and really needs to be out of the picture?

I always get the best options when I go into the travel agent in person. Give them your essentials and budget.

Also recommended canaries. Find somewhere near a water park so you can choose between hotel pool, water park and beach. Will be very very warm still now. 4 hour flight from London.

Cyprus - Tui has quite a few AI flying from London for under 2k it's definitely warm enough this time of year and it's coming in cheaper then usual.

We have liked Atlantica hotels.

Tenerife is great that time of year. Lots to do for kids and teens x

Lots on jet2

Check out this Holiday: Blue Bay Resort at Ialyssos, Rhodes

Came to say Tenerife, you’ll get great weather! Malta would be lovely and warm too!

If you're on a budget what about an extreme day trip? Can often get reasonably priced flights.

E.g. kids, were having pizza for lunch today...

Early flight first thing, day out in Rome, late flight back

I'm also wondering if he will contribute to it given that he's let them down and treated himself. Does he work op? Can you go through CMS, he should be paying towards his kids.

I think you’re getting lots of great suggestions on here. Just wanted to say what a dickhead, and you sound like a wonderful mum.

But it isn’t know for being cheap.

Look on easyjet holidays. You can get 4 or 5 nights all inclusive in tenerife for under £500pp

Switzerland is expensive! You're lucky - you're near decent airports so you have a lot of choice. Aim for the eastern Med such as Turkey, Malta or Crete as it'll be warmer, but check the weather before booking. Southern Spain has a big rain warning in place at the moment - the UK has all their dry weather :)

Essaouira, Morocco. Cheap, cheerful and a pretty short plane ride.

Totally possible!
You just have to build the holiday yourself rather than go fir packages.
You can get flights (with 1 connection) to Agadir in Morocco and stay here

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ma/dar-diafa-agadir-anza-beach.en-gb.html

for less than 2K. Breakfast included.

https://www.loveholidays.com/holidays/l/?date=2025-10-19&boardBasis=&masterId=4910239&departureAirports=LON&rooms=2&nights=7&source=srp
Villa D' Oro Luxury Villas and Suites
Paliouri, Halkidiki, Greece

This has great reviews on Tripadvisor and is £329pp including flights

Have you considered Essaouira in Morocco? I’ve never been however I’ve seen some great content from the travelynn family. Check out their blog focused on it https://exploreessaouira.com

Ryanair have Stansted flights Saturday to Wednesday for £650 and you can get an apartment on the beach for £250. £900 for all of you. Food is very cheap there

Amazing suggestions, thanks so much. @Cerialkillerwe have a lovely looking travel agent in town and always assumed they’re only for the big money people but might ask tomorrow.

@Pudmyboy totally useless

he earns x4 my salary. He avoids CMS as he cooks his own books. An actual wanker banker. Have given up on the system tbh.

As an alternative perspective, OP, I would suggest you don’t let your feckless ex’s actions dictate how you spend your£2k.

your kids are old enough to weather a little disappointment. It might be better, instead of trying to step in and fulfill your ex’s promises, that you just commiserate with them a bit. Tell them you’ll help them make the best of the week anyway and get them involved in planning next year’s holiday for the 4 of you.

I’m not saying a last minute holiday right now is a bad idea. (And I’m sure the idea of a week in the sun appeals on its own merits, not just as a way to make your kids less upset). Just pointing out you may get further in the medium to long term if you forge your own path.

All inclusive for £500 total: https://www.loveholidays.com/holidays/l/?date=2025-10-21&boardBasis=AI&masterId=1485&departureAirports=LON&rooms=1-15-12-10&nights=4&source=srp

I've been to Costa del sol and Barcelona that time of year. For Costa del Sol fly into Malaga and there are a few resorts like Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola where everything is open and the weather is low 20s. You could do a day trip to Gibralter.

Or fly to Barcelona and go to Port Aventura in Salou....less queues and less expensive than Disney. Personally dont like Salou and not much open in low season but grand for cheap break.

Seville is unreal too and so cheap for food.

I got my trip to Benalmadena for 800 for 3 people plus a baby for 5 days a few years ago. Look on love holidays and filter and search for lowest price for your preferred location....great deals on there. Totally doable.

Ps sorry your ex is a knob.

Multiple options on easyJet holidays coming in under £2000 for Greece and Turkey. This probably reflects the weather though. Tunisia looks a bit more money - £2500 for 7 nights but that’s 4* AI but I suspect you’re more likely to have sunbathing weather.
I was in Crete a month ago and it was ok, I wouldn’t want to go any later in the year for guaranteed sun.
Good luck!

What a crap way to treat his kids!

They are lucky that they've a decent mum.

IMHO, Malta is one of cheapest places I've ever been in terms of eating out etc. Flights are usually cheap & accommodation is very reasonable. Transport is cheap and it's very easy to get around.

A travel agent is a good shout too as they'll want to get cheaply to fill any voids they have this late in the day - worth seeing if you can get a last minute bargain.

Sunday 19 October for 4 nights Half Board from £259pp from London airports
Hotel Park Makarska, Split, Croatia
4.5 stars on TripAdvisor

https://superescapes.co.uk/offers/our-exclusive-offers/our-super-beach-escapes/hotel-park-makarska/27

Weds 22 October 4 nights Half Board from £159pp from London Gatwick
Pebbles Resort St Paul's Bay - 4 stars
Bugibba Malta
4.5 stars on TripAdvisor

https://superescapes.co.uk/offers/our-exclusive-offers/our-super-beach-escapes/pebbles-resort-st-pauls-bay/25

I 100% agree with this and I actually think YOU taking them on holiday this year is a bad idea

Your ex has fucked up. The children need to understand this and also understand that you aren't your ex-s enabler

Marrakech…. Fantastic value and you only need one room and it’s super hot. Flight is short and no jet lag