Inspire me - first 'school' holiday

[lamandler]

I know I have probably left this all far too late, but I am new to holidaying in school summers and have no idea where we should go.

I think I can get two weeks off at the end of August, and DH and I would love to take DS (5) and DD (3) to a not-too-hot beach destination, probably self catering apartment or villa.

We loved Majorca when we went a few years ago (Pollensa and Soller) but money not so plentiful at the minute - and I am pretty shocked at the leap in prices in July and August. I have much to learn....!

Any tips, ideas, advice?

Europe? Tbh Normandy beaches? Exciting as foreign but close?

Try along by deauville. Not exactly deauville as bit pricey but that region.

you have left it very late with school hols only 5/6 weeks away so I would suggest you be very flexible and look on a lot of the late deals sites. yes the prices are hugely hiked so set a budget and stick to it. check out last minute sites and see what there is going. what is your budget OP? does it have to be abroad?

Monarch by far the cheapest for late deals...I've been searching for ages and booked with them for 5 wk time. Family of four can get Majorca all inclusive for £1500 at start of school hols! May not be the best hotel but a UK holiday could cost that when you inc spends.

Majorca is hot at the end of August, think about 35 degrees plus.

Brittany? You can drive if you are not too far north.

How about northern Italy, Lake Garda?

Budget, I would have hoped 1500, maybe 2000? That's pretty shocking for two week holiday. I can see I have to revise my expectations a lot...

I was thinking Brittany actually, any ideas on where to stay? Not averse to nice campsite but not under canvas.

I have just booked ryanair flights for 4 to spain at the end of aug, return 3 sep - back to school the next day. Flight costs £579 (they dropped suddenly, was looking at around £800!).

Accommodation, not actually sorted yet - but I couldn't not book the flights at that price - will probably be around £800 for 12 nights.

We have done this for the last 4 or 5 years, same last 10 ish days of the summer holiday. Typically cost around £1,400 for flights, transfers in spain and accommodation. Spends while there can be as much or as little as you like - self catering doesn't have to be any more expensive than staying at home, eating out every night obviously will be more.

We don't do much, pool, beach, relax :)

DS's are now 10 & 7. The first year when ds1 was 5 (just finished reception) ds2 was 2.5, I was a newly single parent and my mum came with us. It was hard work with ds2 because you have to watch them all the time at that age.

Easyjet holidays.. 11 nights from 22nd Aug to 1 bed apt in Majorca.. £1800 .. worth looking at this site.

Be careful booking self catering etc abroad, we spent £1000 in Majorca when we went half board for a week! It's so much cheaper to go all inclusive. i find its the easiest way to holiday with kids... if they dont like to eat one thing you can just get them something else!

brittany is good if weather a concerne but its not a cheap holiday when you factor spends, travel etc. we went last week of July 2 years ago and it rained 5 days out of 7! It was also our most ever expensive holiday. Ok, we got 2 weeks for £1500 but we spent over £1600!

Random suggestion, but what about long haul to somewhere like Canada? I just feel a bit ill at the thought if spending £££ on a rainy caravan holiday in Brittany!

the longer you procrastinate the less there will be out there OP. pick a place and then narrow your search down on this for flights and accommodation. you could do a touring holiday in a camper van in Canada and take your accom with you!

Some places are cheaper in August as it's their holiday/rainy season etc. Florida and Italy are places I've got good cheap deals at the last minute. As long as you book flights ASAP you can get good deals on places to rent.
Last minute cruises are a good AI option. August is pricey but Cruise Nation often has brilliant last minute fares. If you pick a western med cruise you can have a different beach everyday to sit on!