holidaying in the school hols - what does it cost you?

[givemeaclue]

dcs start school in september, until now we've been able to take advantage of cheaper hols during term time.

I would like to know:
-what do you spend on a holiday in school hols and what do you get for that?
-are some hols cheaper than others e.g is half term cheaper than easter/summer?

thanks!

Just been to Menorca, 3 bed apartment with all-inclusive option. Went for half term week and paid £3400 for 3 adults and 2 DCs.

Expensive but worth every penny. Already booking next year's!!

Just to add, not all schools refuse holiday, so ask the school or other parents who may have an inside view of how it works. DD's school has always allowed 10 days off a year- they are fab, so understanding and still get great results.

I agree with everyone else about booking early, we are going to Italy and France this summer - two separate trips as when I looked at the costs it was actually cheaper to do the two rather than stay for two weeks in one location.

I'm particularly pleased about our France trip. Flights are less than £500 for the three of us, and our cottage is shared with friends so again around £500 for the week.

Italy is a bit more expensive as we are sharing a villa with friends and the 6 bed ones seem to go for a premium.

We have also booked for October half term to Tenerife ( think I was a travel agent in a previous life) definitely more expensive than the main holidays as as soon as the flights came out they were £1000 for the three of us, however I did get a good deal on an appartment at a complex we have stayed at before.

It costs quite a bit.

I work in a school (admin) (term time) and my boys are at secondary school too so would not take them out even if I could so we have to go in the hols.

The flights to Mexico in August cost just over £3000.

DH and I went to New York at Whitsun and there was a huge difference in price for the week before.

IS there a interweb site that tells you when fares are coming out? So you can jump on that early booking? What I mean is, how do you know that the Easyjet/Ryanair fares have been published for next, say July? Esp as their (RA) site just tells you the flight is 'fully booked' when it actually means 'not yet released'?

Other people seem to know this sort of stuff! We have just made our first Med holiday booking for the summer hols ever, but, because we were so late, I know we've paid a premium. I want to be that smug mummy who's got it all booked and sealed by October for next summer!