Package holiday virgin!

[mumyes]

I'm a single parent with a 9 yr old, and looking to go away in august for 7 nights.

I think I'd like a package holiday. I've never been on one.

The ideal of someone else being responsible for flight delays, transfers, everything, really appeals.

I fancy a pool, other families but not a maaaassssive place. A beach, sea swimming. Breakfast & dinner included probably.

I like 'nice' 😋 things & places...I dread tacky mass market vibes.

Help please!! There's too much choice!!

Bump!

Single parent here I've been travelling with DS since he was 2 solo. I book all my holiday with TUI as they offer the best single parent discount.

They offer Splashworlds for younger kids and Magic life which we will be trying this May in Turkey. Are you wanting long haul OP? Virgin is very expensive.

What's your budget?

Thanks both!

Budget ideally £1.5k but would stretch to 2k for us both if it was amazing.

Water park sounds fab - we love swimming.

i think the OP means virgin as in never booked a packaged holiday rather than virgin the company

What airport do you want to fly from?

I'd start with Jet2 Holidays, EasyJet Holidays and Tui.

Pick a country/countries, enter your dates, no. of people then use the filters to narrow down what you want. Eg 4/5 star, outdoor pool, food options.

If you don't yet have a passport, get your application in quick.

It's always best to base your holiday around the easiest airport. Nothing worse than flying home and facing a long trip. Even better if you can get a lift and pick up. Saving all the parking etc.

We've found Jet 2 to be the best package company. But I've used TUI too. Narrow down your destination. Try to avoid night flights home or long resort transfers. Then start researching the resort options. Mallorca and Minorca are great for family trips. Lots of flight choices and short transfers.

Thanks so much.

Yes, not virgin the company!

Flying from Birmingham

Loads of places in Greece would fit the bill. Nice day flights from birmingham to Rhodes usually.

Ahhh I see. I think you will struggle on that budget in August. Usually the last week in Aug comes up the cheapest. Prizes are crazy this year it's best to book inadvance... I'm booked for 2024 already!

Look at Masmavi Magic life Turkey. Also Stella Palace in Crete.

If Birmingham is your airport then I would suggest looking at jet 2 holidays.

I actually think that you might struggle slightly on that budget. Just put the dates into tui and see what you get

I agree

Just had a quick scope on the jet2 app and you can get quite a few holidays under £2k- i filtered by half board, kids club and Water park. Just to give you an idea of what you might get.
The cheapest was £1700 in Majorca.
Just depends what you want.
Definitely recommend jet2-
Though we only use them for flights they have always been good.s

Ps
I'm invested in this now- can you tell?

In jet2 you can switch dates on the search calendar ( once you have found a place you like ) and find the cheapest option in the whole month- as PP state it's cheaper later I Aug.

Do come back and let a know!!

Yes definitely jet2.
I'm a single parent and have used tui and jet2.
Tui once dropped me and 18month old dc with pushchair and bags 5 min from hotel and told me I needed to walk to hotel at 1am it was locked and it took 30min to get in, I felt vulnerable, they didn't seem ro understand, started using jet2 and never had a problem. They're good value and reps around/visible.

I recommend the magic life hotels, in your budget just (summer is pricey) and has multiple options each night to eat which we liked. Lots of sports and very international, friendly, not Brits abroad type place. It's ai even ice cream was included.

I’d steer clear of virgin overpriced and not that good.

@Clammyclam aww thank you for talking an interest!!

I looked online this week & found a lush hotel in Majorca - not a package deal but with flights would've come in under 2k total.

So Think I'm going to go Majorca...

Undecided on package deal or booking things separately - wanted a package deal but hotels seem mass market / shit /cheap & trashy.

Ahh glad you have got a plan

Aparthotel Playa Mar in Puerto Pollensa would tick your boxes if in budget. 2 mins from the Pine Walk and sea, quite a small hotel but kids club etc.

Thank you @Midlander01 we went there and have been trying to remember what it was called!!

OP - it’s one that’s worth looking at as in an area that isn’t all inclusive/package holiday central and the pine walk was great in mornings and evenings, somewhere I would be happy going if taking kids solo

Used to be on TUI/first choice too