August Holiday...Thomson or not!

[c0vb1rd]

Hi, our family started looking for holidays (short flights) for august (mainly because our childminder is off at this time so makes sense to take the same time off) I was looking at all the major travel agents and the cost for 10 days seems like I'm selling my soul! the kids are 5 and 2 so im also concerned about the heat in august in most places. what would people recommend? and is it worth booking everything separate? keen on all inclusive as atleast thats one less thing to worry about...all advice much appreciated - thanks

Personally I would always book a package holiday like a thomson one when travelling with my family in case something happened...think ash cloud! They look after you, pay for your support etc. and you have more cover in any event.

Before kids I booked both types and was lucky to be the last flight landing from Thailand before the ash closed airspace.

Insurance can cover holidays built but a lot of small print to be read too.

Are you looking at short or longer haul?

I've just been looking and lots of free child places about! I've booked Balearics for a short flight and nice not too awfully hot weather.

If looking at Thomson they have the holiday villages which would be all inclusive and plenty to keep the little ones amused - Portugal has one?

defo short haul I'll check them out again and concentrate on the free child space ones - thanks for pointing out the details of travel insurance I had not thought of this

Covb1rd - pm me the details of want you want and the budget and I'll have a look for you in work today (work for a tour operator)

We never book package holiday, they are so much more expensive than booking independently, especially in the school holidays.

We look at skyscanner to get the best flight prices and then somewhere lke Owners Direct or Holiday Letttings for villas and apartments. If you want AI then look at travel republic or something similar.

We use Insure and Go for our insurance as they are very good.

We use thomsons or first choice for our summer holiday to make sure there are good kids club facilities available. Purely because it is so hot and it is good DS can have shade during the day while we get time to ourselves (we have no form of babysitting so need a break too). Our October holiday we book ourselves independently.

All useful info thanks alot

Having done both private rentals and package, i personally prefer package as I found I didn't get a break with rentals as I still cooked and cleaned etc - with a hotel that is all taken care off. We now go to the first choice holiday villages. Great kids clubs for over 3's and a creche (payable) for under 3's. Facilities and entertainment for the kids is brilliant - mine never want to leave.

After the way Thomson treated us 2 years ago, I would rather never go on holiday again than use them.

Last year we went with Jet2. We stayed in a hotel that Thomson also use, had daytime flights, no complaints and it was over £800 cheaper than Thomson.

Second First Choice holiday villages - the one in Menorca is lovely!

Thomson have hiked up their prices hugely this year, so we are going independent with villa and cheap flights.

If you're worried about ABTA cover then Thomas cook do a sort of independent flights and hotel deal which is covered.

I have booked holiday this year in same resort (villa not hotel) saving 2k not using Thomson. So even if flights are delayed and I need to pay for a hotel for a night (which insurance could cover) I'm still saving loads.

I worked as a travel agent for many years and would never book a package. They are a total rip off. As for insurance, decent cover will cover end supplier failure so there's no advantage there either.

For example, last year we went to Lake Garda. I found a hotel I wanted with great child facilities. Thomson and a few others did it, but only self catering or half board, only 7 or 14 nights and not the dates I wanted. I booked EasyJet flights, which you can pre book seats on now, car hire and the hotel direct bed and breakfast on the dates we wanted for 10 nights. It worked out about £1k less.

So my advice, use Thomson or whoever to find something you like and then contact the accommodation direct to see what they can offer.

We went to Lake Garda with Thomsons last year and it was brilliant.

I defo dont want to cooking and worrying about food - ill look into all the advice here saving 1k woulx be fantastic

We always book private rentals but I certainly don't spend my time cooking!