October half term holiday- £5k?! Am I too tight?

[mummyofthreeunder4]

We are looking at booking an October half term holiday- 2 adults, 3 DC being aged 4, 2 and 4 months.

We are looking at all inclusive, pool hotel type holiday, 4star or so. Ideally somewhere with a kids club and splash pool.

Tenerife most likely option, Portugal is our preference but too expensive. Ideally no more than 3-4 hours flight.

I have scoured the internet and most options (when independently booking flights and a hotel) are coming out at £4.5-5k.

I spoke to a travel agent yesterday and she said that I would be really pushing it to find something for 5k.

Is that right? A family holiday of 6-7nights in an all inclusive is now £5,000!?! How do people do it!?

Could you go a day or two before the holiday starts? (Miss school?)

Have you had a look on Tui? I've seen October half term for a lot cheaper than that.

That sounds about right. Ours is a five star for £7k for 4 people booked 10 months ago with a 20% early booking discount. Slightly longer flight but Cyprus has brilliant weather in October and there might be cheaper options?

Stay in the UK, get 2 full time nannies for the week, and eat every meal out with your other half. Get massages each day, nails done, all the pampering you want. I reckon that would come to £2500 and you’d have a better time!

or deal with flying hell, tiny hotel room, heat, possible food poisoning, and 3 tired kids all week…

The cost of holidays has definitely gone up. But in the current climate I’d want an ATOL protected holiday rather than a DIY. I think it sounds about right for AI and 4 star. Could always do half board (take lots of bread rolls from breakfast) and 3 star if you can’t afford it?

A few minutes of looking finds this for just over £3k

Keep looking

We paid 6 for two weeks 4* in Ibiza this summer (school holidays) so yes that seems a lot. I'd also book a package for the atol protection at the moment and you likely get a free child place deal.

As if in this country you could not get food poisoned

Sounds about right if you’re tied to school holidays. Where are you flying from?

Have you tried Jet2, they're brilliant.

@AceSpades54321 I’ve just looked at the ages of the OP’s children (that’s hard work travelling with three little ones) and I think you’re on to something there! Could also buy a David Lloyd membership for the family to get the swimming pool experience.

At their ages I wouldn't go in the school holidays. You will get a massive price difference for going before or after.

The 4 year old is not statutory school save yourself a couple of grand and go the week before ? (Unless parents are education professionals).

You are much better protected buying a package and as pp saying why school holidays?

A years energy bill on a holiday?

4 year old starts reception in September. I had considered taking her out 3-4 days but was been totally mum shamed on another thread at it disrupting her routine, she'll just have started etc, so I am guilt tripped!

Jet2.... just put in a search using your criteria and total price starts at £2883 in Tenerife. That's flying from Birmingham only cos it's pre-filled for me, on sat 21/10

It’s doable on a smaller budget but it depends what you want in terms of room size and facilities etc.

btw, check your half term dates. We were thinking of booking something but our half term is a week later than usual and a lot of resorts will have shut down.

Prices are insane this year
I looked for october half from bristol and was getting those prices too
Leaving it until may instead got a week half board in menorca for less than £2k

Why are you looking at booking flights and accommodation separately when what you’ve described that you want is exactly what you can get from a package holiday?

Your dc legally does not have to be in school until age 5. I have teacher friends who encouraged me to take my summer born kids out of school for hols in their reception year- you can’t get fined. I mean I’d not ideal but if it saves you £2-£3k!!!

she's 4 don't stick to official school year dates. 5k is too much for a week!! I paid £1500 for a greek island holiday in october half term (older DC so stuck with official school holidays)

Up to you, but I so would. We took ours out every year in primary school. DS is expecting 4A*s at A-level next week, so I think it's fair to say it didn't impact his education too much. FWIW I took him to centre parcs for a random 4 days in November in his reception year. Was a lovely week.

End of September will be fine.

Term after turning 5.