Holiday 2024 advice

[staringatthedoor]

So haven't been away in years. 2 dc nearly a year & 4 so they have never had a holiday. Dhs work & finances mean we just haven't been able to. Getting our house done was a priority but now I'm getting jealous of pretty much anyone who spends even a day away from home.
So next year I'm determined to go somewhere. Anywhere.
Dd will be in school & I don't agree with taking her out so would need to be summer holidays (or possibly end of may for a short break).

After some ideas of places to go at that time of year & what stage of the holidays. So July August or early September, especially from people who have done it with young children.
Open to all sorts. Beach, countryside whatever. But NOT camping. Or a cruise. Nope. Id love to go to Cyprus but I know it can be really pricy in the summer.

Kids don't have passports but could be sorted for a good deal. Happy with uk though.

No idea what a holiday costs these days either so think a reasonable budget for a family of 4. Maybe 1500-2000. Even less, great.

Thanks

We're looking to go somewhere next year. I've checked prices and found that it was cheaper to go to somewhere like Mexico than it was to go AI in Europe. I think we, the family, have decided to take the two 7 year olds and the 5 year old out of school in June and pay any fine as it will be a lot cheaper.

We're looking to go somewhere next year. I've checked prices and found that it was cheaper to go to somewhere like Mexico than it was to go AI in Europe. I think we, the family, have decided to take the two 7 year olds and the 5 year old out of school in June and pay any fine as it will be a lot cheaper.

Holidays have shot up in price. Are you expecting a hotel and flights for under £2000?
Have a browse on Jet2 website, put your dates in and see what you can get.
They are competitively priced so it will give you an idea.
You may be able to do cheaper if you travel at unsocial hours or from a larger airport.
UK holidays have also gone up. I've paid £1200 for a 3 night stay in a cottage, admittedly a nice 3 bedroom one but that's without meals or activities.

We do house swaps, usually through HomeExchange. It means we have a whole family home with enough bedrooms and a proper kitchen, usually toys too, and so all we’re spending on is the plane there and maybe car hire if it’s rural.

If you want to go abroad start looking now and look for free kids places. You don't get cheap last minute deals on package holidays now. We have already booked our holiday for August next year, not been on this one yet, we got a free kids place which saved us a bit and the price for the same holiday is already more than we paid. Just make sure you get travel insurance as soon as you book, just in case.

On that kind of budget I would suggest Eurocamp the last week of August/first week of September.

It is a great holiday with young children.

£1500-2000 is quite a small budget to go aboard with two DC in the school holidays, although your younger DC will only be 1 so they will fly for free (on your lap). Your best bet is probably a package with a free child place. Check the big providers like Tui, Jet2, Easyjet Holidays, Love Holidays, On the Beach, Last Minute, etc. Packages for next summer are already on sale, so you'll be able to get a good idea of prices for the places that interest you. Cyprus is a 4-hour flight and can be an expensive destination in the school holidays (plus it's bloody hot in July/Aug), but take a look.

If a UK holiday would suffice you'll definitely get a cottage or caravan for a week within budget, even in the school holidays. Without the cost of flights, insurance, passports, etc, and taking your own car, you'll be fine.

AL in term time your looking at a least 4k for a week, more for Cyprus. Also Cyprus in August will be ridiculously hot.

I would seriously consider looking a term time holidays.

Seriously, take your kid out of school, they won't fine in your child isn't 5 and even if they do it will be 120£.

The benefits are the resorts /airports are much quieter so it is much less stressful and honestly your Dc won't miss out.

I would do a shorter flight for first trip or even consider driving or train. We like france, Spain and Italy. We tried a hotel once with dc but hated having to go to bed at same time as kids so started self catering particularly eurocamp, Siblu yelloh type places with kid's entertainment and style pools so we could sit on terrace of cabin whilst dc sleeps with our wine 😂

For your budget, I’d recommend Eurocamp. Look towards the end of august/beginning of sept. We had a couple of holidays with ours in France and they’re great holidays 😄. The euro tunnel is super easy, as is driving in France.

I have found may half term tends to be cheaper and less hot in lots of European destinations but I’m not sure if it is worth it for the age of your children if finances are tight. I think whatever you do, you ideally want a separate bedroom where the little one can nap and you can still do stuff. For your budget, you might have a nicer time in a holiday cottage in the uk rather than worrying about carting all the stuff. You’re still in a phase where holidays are still work but in a different location. I found holidays genuinely enjoyable once my youngest was 3 and she really enjoyed the pool and could be a bit more flexible about bedtimes.

Have you thought about May half-term?

Otherwise, I personally won't touch Southern Europe again in July/August. Too hot to enjoy anything.
How about Germany? Rental flat, drive so you can take as much with you as possible outside fresh food. They have great public pools, indoor and outdoor and waterparks. Lots to do with children as well.