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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

What do you do for a cheap holiday?

12 replies

chicaguapa · 01/04/2011 16:49

We don't have a lot of spare money at the moment so can't afford a 'proper' summer holiday but DH has the summer holidays off and it seems a shame to waste them and not make the most of us all being off. I was wondering what people do for an alternative cheap holiday? By this I don't mean a cheap flight to Spain + apartment, but if there are any other options to holiday on the cheap. I guess camping can be done cheaply and we do have a tent, but DH is reluctant to book up in advance as it would be weather dependent and we'd lose our money if we decided not to go because it was forecast rain. I have no idea what I'm looking for really, so open to suggestions. DC are 9&6 if that helps. Thanks.

OP posts:
cordyblue · 01/04/2011 18:54

Put the tent up and sleep in the garden when you get a sunny spell?

TBH, whenever we can't afford a holiday, we just don't do one at all. Instead, we'll potter around NT places, go out on other day trips and I sleep out in the tent in the garden with DD - as she loves it just as much as proper camping.

eatyourveg · 01/04/2011 19:28

Have you thought about joining the youth hostel association? Cheap accommodation for family groups, booking not always needed at some places and you can go anywhere in Britain. Its not roughing it at all these days, see here

doughnutty · 01/04/2011 19:53

Do you have friends/contacts in another part of the country/world who might be interested in a house swap or let you housesit while they're away? Means only paying for travel.

When DH and I first got together and were skint we used to go and stay at a friends place in the lake district when he went away on holiday elsewhere.

Original poster
chicaguapa · 01/04/2011 20:51

Replies hurrah!

Cordy It's a lovely idea but I can pretty much guarantee that if I put the tent up in the garden I'd wake up in the morning the only one in it! Grin I'd love to potter about, but getting the DC out in the morning is a mission in itself and easier when we're away and there's no telly. Though it could be a good opportunity to go to places that we usually say we have no time to go to.

eatyourveg We are YHA members and think it's great. Unfortunately it's not as cheap as I'd hope for a family of 4, we recently paid £77 a night near Alton Towers. Maybe it was an expensive one? I guess a couple of nights away would be a nice break and only cost £150. Can you recommend any? I'll have a look at the price.

doughnutty We'd love to houseswap but we're renting and I know the neighbours would be very Hmm and tell the landlords. Would you believe that DH's family live in the Lake District? But whenever we go, we spend it sitting in MIL's house as we can't go anywhere as apparently everywhere is too busy. Angry I'd love to go and have a proper holiday there.

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GnomeDePlume · 01/04/2011 22:08

Do you shop at Tesco? If so vouchers can be used to get a cheap channel crossing. Once abroad you can use that tent with a lot more confidence. When our DCs were younger we regularly camped in France. There are loads of campsites (www.campingfrance.com if memory serves). Once there you can eat as cheaply as you like by cooking and barbecuing. Eat lots of fresh knobbly tomatoes & peppers bought from the local market.

If this is going too far why not spend a week living like you are on holiday. Eat ice cream, barbecue, go to the local museums/sites. Do the shopping somewhere other than you normally go to - use the local butcher, baker etc. Spend time together.

Original poster
chicaguapa · 02/04/2011 07:49

Thanks. We have £8 in Tesco vouchers. Grin. Will look at camping in France though. I guess if we're flexible on dates we could get a reasonable crossing.

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eatyourveg · 02/04/2011 08:43

£132 for two nights at this place in the lake district staying in a family room (2 adults 2dc) during august. It says its one of the quieter areas look at this Looks beautiful

GnomeDePlume · 04/04/2011 21:36

Chicaguapa - have a look at the newspapers. I noticed this morning that the Daily Mail have got an offer on channel crossings.

Original poster
chicaguapa · 04/04/2011 22:54

Thanks. GNP. I will have a look at the DM, then burn it so no-one knows. Grin

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motherofluvlies · 06/04/2011 23:06

Hi if you are flexible about where you go last minute offers are what we do.a week before we go we check all options for a holiday rental as have triplets and lots of other DC.last year got a week inthe vendee from ebay for £350.Use tesco vouchers to cross the channel.

Original poster
chicaguapa · 07/04/2011 19:47

That sounds good. We are flexible so that could be a good option. Triplets eh? I can imagine the holidays being very expensive.

OP posts:
kerala · 07/04/2011 19:49

Houseswap. There are several websites. We will be having a week in France over easter total cost £217 (ferry only). Two weeks in southern Spain with pool close to beach £723 which is cost of flights only we are swapping cars so no car hire. We looked at Eurocamping for 2 weeks in August and it would have cost £2500 to stay in a tent Shock

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