How to afford a holiday? I feel a bit desperate.

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Apologies if this is long.

Holidays in our family are nearly always camping and we've spent a lot of time in Devon for example. We've also seen quite a bit of Scotland. However, because DH is a police officer and never, ever gets any time off in summer, it's usually me taking the children away while he carries on working and him joining us on rest days. He also uses a lot of his leave to take his army cadets away (we live in a socially deprived area and are very short of adult volunteers for anything and as he points out to me, if he didn't take them away, the detriment would be to already disadvantaged children). DH is a police officer of the best part of two decades and I teach part time so we can and do take the children to the things they enjoy like theatre, museums, galleries, local events, festivals etc and they have hobbies. They certainly don't miss out but we've never had big family holidays.

This year, my parents invited us to a long weekend at Center Parcs a few weeks ago and due to how DH's rest days fell, we booked 3 nights in an Airbnb in Northumberland over Easter. Those were our holidays this year. Sadly, DH had a nasty accident on day one of CP and ended up in quite unwell in hospital. He needed surgery once he'd recovered from the initial injuries, sod's law saw the surgery scheduled on day 2 of us going to Northumberland. So the DC went to grandparents for a few days and I took DH to a specialist hospital miles away for surgery. The Easter holidays were a wash out and we didn't even manage a day out as a family as DH's recovery and ongoing concussion meant he wasn't well at all.

DH's work have - for the first time in his entire career - found a way to give him time off in summer in recognition of things being a bit crap right now. He is on light duties for another 4 weeks and needs more x-rays to make sure he's put back together/holding together properly. He has his normal 4 rest days and 6 whole days after that. 10 days off together in summer! That never happens. We talked about it and thought maybe we could go abroad for a week. DD is mid GCSEs, DS is doing SATs and it seems like a landmark summer. It's been a tough year in myriad ways. I got a bit excited/carried away and ordered passports. We talked about it with the children, they both said Amsterdam was somewhere they wanted to see. Me too.

I've tried my hardest to make it work. I've tried looking at package deals, booking things separately, ferries rather than flights, trains rather than ferries. I can't find any way of affording it. I knew summer holiday breaks are expensive but I'm flabbergasted.

I'm trying to make it work in my head. I considered camping via Eurocamp or similar but we've camped. We always camp. We're campers. The children want to do something else and if I'm honest, me too. I take them away myself every summer and I usually don't mind the whole putting up tents in the rain, beans over a stove, making it fun stuff. I've done it for years. But part of me does wonder what it's like not to sweep the groundsheet each morning and to have to walk to the toilet block in wellies at 6am. And I do love all that stuff. When talking to DD's friends about their trips to Costa Rica or Spain or Disney or whatever, I've never felt a single pang of envy. But right now, I'm feeling so miserable.

DD is doing French GCSE and her answer to the oral q about holidays is a very honest "we camp and my Mum works really hard, it's always an adventure and I used to love it but it's become repetitive and I'd like to see the world when I'm older". I know it's an effort to use lots of tenses(!), but there is probably some truth in there. Definitely some truth in there. I know it.

So do we stay in the UK? I thought about staying somewhere really nice but tbh, we tend to only use accommodation as a base so what about some amazing days out. I asked DD this morning and she said "what about Ireland?" Probably a good suggestion actually. Or Wales maybe but I'm aware I want to go there because of the mining museum and I'm trying to make it special for the children. Trouble is, one likes art, history and galleries and the other likes anything naff, ride-based or celluloid.

Can anybody suggest anything? Location? Anywhere considered. Ways to cut costs? What works for you? Should I scrimp on accommodation and spend on days out?

I don't like hotels really as eating out is always so expensive and we like to cook/watch a film in an evening. Self catering preferred.

Is there a brilliant holiday for two 40 somethings, a 16yo girl and 11yo boy that we can actually afford? Has anybody ever put a holiday on a credit card?

If it's all just pie in the sky, I'll forget about it entirely but I'm ill in bed with Covid and feeling glum and wishing I could book just a week away with my family who've had a challenging year in so many ways.

Budget? I don't know. We usually book a £25 per night camping pitch. Everything in Amsterdam was coming in at 3k for just flights and accommodation. Under 2k, we could probably borrow from savings and cut right back to afford it but I don't think that buys a week abroad does it?

I feel a bit of a failure that at this point in my life, I can't afford a week's holiday for us but at the same time, feel like an ungrateful wazzock because holidays are a luxury and we could afford to camp for a week somewhere quite easily but we are wanting to do more and that feels ridiculous and silly and the sadness is pathetic isn't it? It's probably the Covid talking.

Yes I agree. And MNetty hugs to you OP. It sounds like you have had a really rough time.

Have you considered hiring a camper van? A bit more luxurious than a tent and you can easily move around to visit different places/attractions.
We use a site called Go Booney and there's loads that allow you to take the van abroad.

Lots of experience with the police force here, specialist armed units and all sorts. He can take leave in the summer, he'll just be choosing not to and allowing others strong arm their way into getting it because it's easier for him to hang around where he can do his cadets stuff and you'll just accept it. It's really not fair of him.

2K is your max? He's on top whack, you're a teacher and you live frugally? There should be more in the budget, I'd be looking closely at that!

In answer to your question though, flights from Manchester to billund early august for a week are less than £200 for the 4 of you with Ryanair. There's a choice of camping and cabin sites or b&bs in the area from £500 for the week in hotels. Com. Legoland, lalandia both local and plenty of museums and the sculpture park and nice villages to wander.

Oh you are quite the loveliest person and that is such a kind offer. But you must rent it to somebody full price and get what it is worth. Or to somebody more deserving than a random MNer whose DH is foolhardy enough to crash face first into a post. In his defence, a toddler had broken free from his parents and DH was taking evasive action. The toddler would have bounced and been more forgiving than a post as well.

It's probably slightly above our purses anyway once everything is factored in.

You are so lovely. Have a wonderful summer holiday.

Ffestiniog is on my dream holiday list. I have a Ffestiniog clock in my snug (decorated like a first class waiting room). The train love is real.

I agree with this.

We have just done the same. Set up a monthly direct debit for the payments to come out and will be paid off in 5 months. If you can afford the monthly payments but don't want to wait months of saving up before you book, it's a good option

On a railway sleeper mantel of course...

If you burn easily and aren't beachy how about less obvious destinations like Poland/Baltic countries. Look at Ryanair flight from Stansted.

Take a look at direct holiday homes.co.uk. These are privately owned mobile homes on French campsites our 3 bed van is £600 a week. You get all the nice outdoor life parts of camping but with a kitchen fridge freezer indoor bathroom and proper beds - it's so much cheaper to go direct to the owner

Most of the big sites have pools, bars enteratainemnt and other teens for yours to make Friends.

You can use Tesco vouchers on eurotunnel and it works out reasonably priced

I was also going to say do this.

Came on here to recommend Billund, just had a lovely holiday here with cheap flights. Could hire a car and stay in the surrounding area, rather than in Billund which was good for short break but probably expensive in summer . Denmark is very nice , roads all do good so could stay in veije more culture than Billund , good and flat for your daughter to walk . Lego house is special, the Legoland there is good size too. Look on air bnb for house

She does have hEDS. Well recognised! It's making her GCSEs quite tough. Two day art exam last week and her wrists are so swollen still. I am dreading the long run of exams, particularly as all of her extra options (History, RS, French) involve so much writing on top of the core subjects. She has 27 exams to go. Thankfully, she has a laptop but her knuckles swell after about an hour and weirdly, she then comes out in hives. It's all so hard.

Honestly, we don’t do it for the money.
If it’s empty when you can go I would love you to use it.
My DC are a similar age to yours and love going but we tend to go in October, Easter etc.
If you get the flights right you might be able to do it for £2k or less, we find if you go for 8 or 9 nights rather than 7 or 10 flights are cheaper.
Anyway, it’s up to you but it’s a genuine offer and I can check with the agents when it’s empty if you want

Based on the different wants of the children, what about somewhere like Greece? Loads of neon lights and water parks but equally so much history and sightseeing. Street food and markets good and cheap, people are lovely and the prices might be lower depending on where you go.

I'm sorry you've had such an awful time of it, I would never normally suggest putting a holiday on credit but I think in this case just go for it. You're both working and it'll be paid off before long. The break will be worth it xx

@Hoppinggreen what a lovely offer

Have messaged you off here re uni to not veer off away from your holiday hunting. Good luck!

Air b&b in Cyprus is £150 a night (loads of room) so 5 days for £750

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/821073626502745684?checkin=2023-06-12&checkout=2023-06-17&guests=1&adults=1&s=67&uniqueshareid=d00cfd04-2d54-43d4-98a6-28add9075064

Oh and I totally get the issue with cadets. Scout leader in deprived area. However I tend to try to plan camps around my non working days rather than take annual leave. But yes I do understand what's he is coming from. It is so hard to try to give the kids opportunities without it being at the detriment of your own family.

Oh OP I cannot help as live in Southern Hemisphere but I do hope that you find something fantastic! You sound like an amazing family!

I know you said you wanted SC but could you consider AI? Your teens would love this, just a quick search with random details brought up £2 k all in in August.

www.loveholidays.com/holidays/l/?date=2023-08-30&boardBasis=AI&masterId=442808&departureAirports=&rooms=1-16%2C1-17&nights=7&source=srp

This is totally what credit cards are for. Its a one off chance. Great timing for the kids. 0% card and pay it back over the year. You both have decent careers.

I hadn't even thought about that but as he's fixed now and needs no further treatment, maybe that won't be an issue. Or because he's had such recent surgery, will it still be an issue? He had to have his cheek/jaw put back in place and the breaks re-broken and put in alignment. It's all done, touch wood and just needs to heal. They said 6 weeks and he will be healed up.

🤣🤣🤣 Ffestiniog is dinky but cute. If that's your dream just go to North Wales, do some mountains, railways, beaches, funfairs and all very cheap!

So what dates are you talking about? I was a single parent on a budget (now remarried and children ya) so got very good at searching for things on a budget. One example-me and 2 kids flew to Munich-fantastic city and has free galleries on certain Sundays. Stayed one night. Then we took the train to Austria. The beauty of it was that we all travelled on one ticket-about £50 return for 3 of us- but you can have up to 5. We stayed in a hotel who picked us up from the station for a small fee. We stayed in Niederau which gives you a tourist card so you can go on the lifts. Austrian hotels are extremely good value in the summer with family rooms, great facilities and very good food. We love the mountain scenery-in fact, we’re renting a chalet in the French alps this summer-again extremely good value as it’s not skiing and the weather is great. Resorts often have cards where for a couple of euros per day, you have free access to lifts and local buses. About 8 hours drive from Calais.
Or, fly to Cracow and rent an apartment. Lovely weather and food is really cheap to eat out. Tons to see in the city-Jewish quarter, the Wawel, and gorgeous Old Town.
In the UK, North Wales has castles, mountains and beaches. Easy access to Chester and Liverpool for rainy days. The problem is, a UK break becomes very expensive if you’re paying for eating out and activities.
Let me know possible dates and will look for you.