Booking holidays is stressful

[whereonearthdoistartnow]

So we have a few big celebrations coming up this year and are hoping to book a few trips away. We would love to book a family holiday with the 2 kids but it's such a headache knowing where to start. We would definitely love to do a USA drive round California/ Vegas but prices are working out at 9k which is just a bit too much before spending money etc.

I just feel so overwhelmed by it all

For me it's part of the fun. I guess you need to have a plan that is within budget though.

If USA is too expensive - why not do a road trip closer to home?

If you find it stressful why not use a travel agent? I personally prefer to book things myself (because I am a bit of a control freak) but ultimately that’s what travel agents are for.

Booking at planing is the best bit. Don’t get me wrong I love the holiday as well.

But I have a passionate hate of travel agents and tour operators. We do our son thing.

(I spent a few years working in res / ticket desk for a coupe of airlines).

How old are the DCs?

I would guess that the way the UK is now that the exchange rate is not good so might be affecting prices.

I think I've seen past threads on visiting Calif and recently there was a thread on waterparks in Europe.

Try Travel Counsellors. They do it all for you.

I know what you mean about the stress and the planning is not all part of the fun, probably due to the pressure to get it right for such a huge amount of money. Get it wrong, and you might wish you'd stayed at home and spent the money on something else, like a decent second hand car, or significant home improvement project.

Maybe talk to a travel agent, it might be helpful if you're unfamiliar with what a reasonable itinery is. California is large, so you'd barely scratch the surface in even a 2/3 week road trip.

Yes, I love planning holidays too.

I recommend deciding where to go and making it work with your budget. Very few places are completely out of reach for people who are contemplating an overseas holiday in the first place, if you see what I mean.
Look at cheaper accommodation (eg family/private rooms in hostels, or even camping for part of the trip, if that’s an option), fly at a different airport/at an anti-social hour/with layovers, use public transport instead of hiring a car or paying for private transfers. If it’s a long trip you could even shorten the trip by 1 or 2 nights to make it come under budget. And if absolutely necessary, take out an interest free credit card and put some of the costs on there and pay it off when you have the money.

Basically, where there’s a will there’s a way. Good luck! 😊

I would add that California is hugely expensive when you’re there, prob one of the most expensive US states. Don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news!
what are you looking for in a holiday and maybe we might be able to give you some different ideas?