Cheap December family sun holiday advice please

[ForeverProcrastinating]

My DH and I haven't been abroad since having our two DC's, now nearly 11 and nearly 10. We can finally afford a weeks sunshine but due to work commitments can only go away somewhere between 17th Dec and 6th Jan. Can anyone give us some recommendations, please? Budget £2k for flights and accommodation, must have usable swimming pool. Do I book now or wait for a last minute/late availibility and any good websites ? Thank you in advance.

I think you might struggle at that time of year with that budget to get anywhere warm. We were quoted way over that for new year last year for 3 of us in Tenerife.

Start looking at the holiday websites such as thomson and then if nothing there, icelolly, last minute etc. depends of you want all inclusive or self catering or a villa.

Thank you Crutchblow35 (great tag!) I had a feeling that may be the case so you are confirming my fears. I need to get this holiday right as we all really need it but, as you say, probably need to spend more to deliver the promise. Open to ideas, places, just the best value for money and weather, not fussy! Can I leave this to the last minute for a late booking/cancellation?

I think it depends. If you can get a package deal now then us, book something. If you do a build your own with a budget airline then you may need to wait for the flights to be released. Where are you flying from?

I'd say probably you are best with one of the Canary Islands.

Us, yes! Bumming iPad.

We went to Lanzarote last December for a week. I think we went on 17th and got home very early on 24th. It was much cheaper than going over Christmas or New Year. I think we paid about £1800 AI. To stay over Christmas was double that I think.

Yes, my thoughts too re Canaries but weather will be a gamble? Which one for quiet resort, we are not clubbers (both 50 this year)! We are in the South West.

You would be fine in the likes of costa adeje in Tenerife. It is a resort away from playa, nice walks, nice restaurants and some really good hotels.

For weather I would say it is the safer option without going long haul or shark el shek but I have never fancied going there.

Thanks AtAmber, I have seen the prices vary considerably so your comment is both accurate and encouraging. Where did you go, who with and would you recommend it ?

I am really obliged for the help this morning, it is like a minefield to me as it is so long since I travelled and under rather different circumstances. I would have considered Egypt as well but probably not now in view of the troubles.

Any hotel recommendations, quiet, good food/service, warm pools and beach (fussy, moi!) ?

We stayed at the Rubicon Palace with a 5 and 13 year old. They both loved it. There were lots of activities for them to do. The hotel is in a quiet area, we don't do clubbing any more either!

I think it was with Thomas Cook. I'd go back there. The hotel is by the sea. There are a couple of small beaches and you can walk along to Playa Blanca which is about 30 minutes away.

i have just surfed Thomson's website, lovely blue skies/pools! Hope I'm not being too fussy but we would rather a smaller hotel than the ones I've just seen. Cape Verde got my interest, any resort/hotel recommendations?

Pool warmth very relevant, thanks Coconutty, kids would be devasted if they couldn't jump straight in.

Do any late/cheap deals come up for Dubai or am I being completely unrealistic?

Egypt will be hot then

All inclusive - well, husband is fussy but simple eater - no spices, peppery stuff, meat, carbs his thing, kids same but bit better (i have tried, honest). Wanted to avoid paying twice for meals if possible :-)

If you go out on the 17th and come back on the 24th you may well get a good deal as this is a cheaper time than over the Christmas and New year period. With your budget it seems you will be looking at Canary islands and taking a punt on the weather. In respect of heated pools and the kids do bear in mind that what an adult thinks is too cold to jump in the kids generally seem fine with.

Thank you everyone, very much obliged. Will surf later and see. Back to work now.

Lanzarote - Playa Blanca for peace and quiet - get a villa with heated pool. We been lots of times in Dec/Jan it's always warm and even if it rains it doesn't usually last that long. We are off again first week in Dec.