Europe on a budget - to keep me and 3 teenagers happy!

[myheadsamess]

Had a bit of a crap year and would love to "reward" the kids with some sunshine & relaxation. Main problem is budget, really needs to be under £1k all in. I usually book flights and accommodation separately but no longer sure if this is still the most economical way? Ideally flights from Scotland but happy to go to East Midlands etc if much cheaper.

DD1 is 17 wants a beach and sunshine
DS1 is 14 and wants sunshine and culture
DD2 is 13 and wants to go skiing

Not sure I can keep them all happy!!! We've spent days looking at stuff - Barcelona, Italy, Copenhagen, Tenerife etc, even London (as warmer than Scotland lol). Am slowly losing the will to live!

We are doing eurocamp in south of France. 1st week of June. Flights with easy jet were £400 for 5 of us and eurocamp was £230. We are then hiring a car but while holiday will be about £1000 not including spending money

I'd go for Barcelona. Can you try and find somewhere on air bnb and price it up see what would be left for flights? I don't think £1000 will go that far unfortunately in school holidays.

What about going to Porto and then travelling by train to Northern Spain

I think camping is going to be the only realistic option on that budget.

I hadn't thought of air bnb- will have a look now. I do hate camping but my tastes don't reflect my pocket unfortunately!

If the weather is warm/dry and you get a big tent with proper-ish beds a la Eurocamp, it's not miserable camping though. Pick a site with pools and other activities and you can relax while the DCs are entertained.

Northern Spain (fly to Girona) somewhere like Cala Llevado, near Tossa de Mar, or Estatit would be good and you can get trips to Barcelona, or the Roman Ruins at Empuries, or there's a castle at Tossa if that's culturally interesting? Also beach obviously, but ski-ing would be difficult, Andorra is accessible, but not at the same time of year as a beach holiday!

Air bnb in Barcelona.

Can you try skiing in Scotland this winter as a compromise with the youngest?

Brie & Barbara - thank you have just booked eurocamp!! TBH I probably wouldn't have thought of it and presumed the kids wouldn't fancy it but they are so excited 😊

Flying from Edinburgh, 10 days £1150 so pretty close to budget. Am still slightly nervous and looks like I'll need to drive once there which I've never done before.

Your needs and budget are similar to mine. Can I ask what euro camp you booked?

Hi janine, it's this campsite www.la-croix-du-vieux-pont.com/en/onsite-services/organised-trips/ which as far as I can work out has eurocamp and canvas tents/mobile homes/lodges. I actually booked via canvas as cheaper and better reviews. Flying easyjet from Edinburgh to Charles de Gaulle. Good luck!

My head, we've been there, it was great. We went to Disney for a day and got the train into Paris too. Fab holiday. Enjoy!