Please help, never been abroad, need somewhere nice but not ££££££££

[Meredith99]

Never had a family holiday abroad as we can't afford it. But looking at UK holiday prices this year, we would be paying between £1000 and £1500 for a week.

I know a week would cost more abroad but we are looking for somewhere for 2 adults 2 children, with a pool and near the sea. Would have to be in August. Need somewhere nice, don't want to rough it and not camping.

Is it do able?

Thank you

I'd say no not for that budget during school holidays.

Would you consider a caravan in France?

You can get a nice site if you book directly with the owner rather than through euro camp etc.

You might but you'd have to lower your expectations I think. Euro camp or caravan might come in on budget but a nice hotel near the sea, with a pool in august? Youve got no chance.

Heymac, some friends of ours own a caravan/holiday home type thing on a site in France, it's wonderful, pool etc, cycle ride to the beach but it's 1500-2000k per week in august so adding on flights/car hire etc would easily tip into the 3k bracket!

Yes - some of the sites can be very pricy especially in the south, but if you look inland in the less touristy parts you can get nice site for a good price.

We have a gite in Brittany. It's £750.00 a week in August, so if you allowed about the same for ferry travel it would be within your budget. We have no pool (thought there's a great one with slides & rapids 5 minutes away) and we're already booked for this August, but it was to show you it is quite doable with a bit of searching.

Yes of course you can - it's a question of shopping around! No idea of where you live or where you'd want to go but two examples below for you:

Thomson - 1 week in Majorca - end of August for 4 people - £414 each (ok a little over budget)

www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/bookaccommodation?productCode=007652&tab=overview&noOfAdults=2&noOfChildren=2&childrenAge=7,5&duration=7&flexibleDays=3&airports[]=LGW&flexibility=true&noOfSeniors=0&when=29-08-2017&pkg=21632559/2&tra_o=122786831/744492&tra_i=122786885/744493&units[]=000122:DESTINATION&packageId=007652ESMJ005715039648000001504051200000D8948215046560000001504656000000D894831BA0221632559/2&index=1&multiSelect=true&brandType=T&finPos=1&greatDealDiscount=0

Or if you don't mind a lodge at a campsite near the sea with a pool, you could go to Barcelona at the end of August for less than £1000 for the 4 of you flying from Gatwick.

www.expedia.co.uk/Gava-Hotels-Camping-3-Estrellas.h11459228.Hotel-Information?chkin=28%2F08%2F2017&chkout=04%2F09%2F2017&rm1=a2:c7:c5&hwrqCacheKey=274a3c03-d38f-464c-b2b0-17aaf57ce195HWRQ1483980054139&c=56d764e3-779d-4ac8-837b-dc5567d11593&&exp_dp=300.12&exp_ts=1483980050467&exp_curr=GBP&exp_pg=HSR

www.easyjet.com/EN/Booking.mvc/Step2#SeatsPanel:

Go for it!

as with all things you have to either do quite a lot of searching to get what you want or to have deep pockets and pay big bucks.

we always get a deal on our hols but it is my personal mission and I really enjoy the spreadsheets, maps and notes. not everyone does though.

Oh God, I don't know where to start! Would need to go 5th August only week in the year he gets off and we live by Stansted airport.

I'm thinking now we will really save and go next year as need to pay for passports too. Where to go and where to book?

This is all my fault for choosing to be a SAHM

Save and go next year, book this year as soon as the free child places come out (think it's in May). Then you'll not have to save so much.

How old are the dc's?
Do you prefer active stuff every day or happy to laze by the pool and do a bit of sightseeing on the odd day?

Look at former communist block countries around the Black Sea.

They will be 15 and 11 next year. Bit of both really x

Holidaypirates.com do some good, cheap holiday deals. Some of them don't include transfers, but it's not too difficult to sort them yourselves.

I've just done a quick search for August leaving from Stansted and several holidays came up. Maybe worth a look?

Thomas Cook have a week in Fuengirola (Aug 2nd) for £382 pp

We stay at really basic but clean and very friendly apartments in Roda Corfu. Studios or 2 bed apartments. Last year I was €540 for a 2 bedroom apartment with air con in both bedrooms for 2 weeks in main summer hols. They have a pool and sunbeds and a po bar which sells snacks.,good family fun and no organised activities! 2 mins walk from
A couple of lovely quiet bars, supermarket and traditional Greek (for Greeks) restaurant - delicious meal for €5! 5 mi nswalk to main Sandy beach and other family bars and restaurants. We love it. Apartments are called Valentinos and are in Roda

What about Croatia?

Generally good weather in the summer (hot and sunny) and absolutely beautiful.
Quite a lot to do - beaches, sailing, historical sites etc.

I believe 15 and 11 year olds are classed as adults in the eyes of holiday companies

Think about your expenses when away, Euros or other currency costs, transfers to hotel, spending money.
A cheap All Inclusive holiday might be a good idea if you've never travelled before. Absolutely everything is included. AI suited my DC at 11 and 15 though it's not to everyone's taste ( especially on MN) you know very clearly what your budget is.

I was in Croatia last year and while very beautiful I found it very expensive and got ripped off everywhere when there.