Last minute beach holiday this August - is it doable or am I mad? Or camping in the UK instead?

[Bubblyb00b]

Hi, my work schedule threw me a curveball and I just found out I can take a week off at the end of August - was told before it was not possible. Which is great as it means I can do something with my DS before he starts school.

Ideally, I would really, really want to get some sea and sunshine, but I have no idea what to do. I don't have a huge budget, but I'm not really fussy - something decent with sea access would be great. The problem is, all the usual places I look at either too expensive/ too hot in August/ require a car to get there (I don't drive). I was recommended a place near Alicante (can book it but have to get a train to get there); Valencia - too hot; Greece, Sicily and Sardinia - too expensive, fires, too hot... I look at Lastminute/ Booking site - they seem to be the cheapest.

I normally prefer to stay in apartments (not Airbnb, don't use that) but this time would be happy to consider any options as really want DS to have a splash around and get some vitamin D. I would really like to find some small-ish place, where I can get to by train or bus from the airport and where I can go to a free beach.

Could anyone recommend anything, if its doable? Alternatively, I was looking at going camping in the UK, though it seems August is pretty much booked. Gosh, I'm so frustrated and angry at my boss... But really want to make it work for my kid. Thanks in advance for any help!!

Just as an example, we stayed at a brilliant Camping Municipale* in a town called Chinon, in the Loire Valley, last year- it was literally on the river Bank opposite the town. Chinon has a station, and I just looked up trains from Paris- 3 hours, "starting at" about 50 euros. Not by the sea, although the Loire Valley is a great place for a family holiday.

*technically intercommunale

I would absolutely love to go on the train but everyhting I can see is way over £600 for the two of us (London to Paris and then on to other destinations). Eurostar tickets from St Pancras to Paris are £490 min, and then its about £150 to go to Brittany, for example. I would love not to fly but I'm not going to use most of my budget on train tickets... Maybe its cheaper when booked in advance, but what i can see is way too expensive.

I repeat....Interrail Interrail Interrail!!! A 4 day pass for you will be in the region of £240, and under 12s get a free pass! There are Eurostar and possibly some other supplements to consider, but still much cheaper.

@crackofdoom Eurostar is £500 for the two of us! Plus £240, that's £750. My budget is £1500 max ))) Flights would be a fraction of that.

I obvs can't count, but you get the idea

I think if you buy interail you then pay 30 extra for the eurostar maybe 60 so about 300 all in for you both for all train travel uk and europe

With just 2 though flying and transfers would be easy. If you are happy to stay in a caravan look at eurocamp. Def in budget, self catering. Loads of locations in France or Holland.

You can book flights etc with them too

EUROSTAR IS INCLUDED WITH THE INTERRAIL PASS ON PAYMENT OF A £30 SUPPLEMENT!!!!!
So, assuming that there are passholder places left, that's how much it would cost you. £30 for each of you- each way.

I checked for you on www.b-europe.com .Just assuming a departure date of Tues 22nd August, there are plenty of passholder places still available.

@crackofdoom ahhh, sorry!! a bit braindead after work. Thank you! Will definitely look at this.

Lanzarote
There's a decent breeze and it's not humid
Resorts really near the airport so 20-30 minutes in a cab
Use sky scanner for flights and book your accommodation separately

Aldo what date does he start school?

We went to Cavtat in Croatia last summer, end of Aug. Was so lovely. Ten mins drive from the airport, little harbour, beach (no sand, it’s stone slabs, lots of restaurants. Was a nice temp too, 28 ish every day.

school starts on September 4th

You'll find if you are happy to flight back the day before the price really drops( everything ready before you go away, no time to think/worry about it)

*fly
🙈

I would suggest Malaga.

Skyscanner showing return flights from Luton for £400 in total.

Sercotel Tribuna is central, clean and walking distance to the beach too.
Train from the airport for under €15.

Are you looking for 1 adult 1 child?

I’d second looking for a package - that would increase where you could go as will usually include a transfer from airport to resort and then you could use local public transport

Pefkos on Rhodes, it's cheap, really friendly, lovely beaches.
It's just up the road from Lardos where the fires were though but on the pefkos fb sites they're saying it's all open and safe.
Try Palm Bay, apartments right on the beach.
Chrysathi apartments is on the main drag, also cheap apartments.
Summer memories is also reasonable.
It's a relatively quiet resort, lots of restaurants, bars, shops but all music goes off at 1am but if you're up for some nightlife there's a nightclub on the way to Lindos.

There’s a lot of quite cheap package holidays still available for August. DS1 has just booked Turkey for August 13th for less than £600pp bed & breakfast for a week for him and a friends with Jet2. When I was helping him look there was Greece, Spain, the Canaries all for similar prices or not much more. I was surprised because I thought people would be wanting to go away to the sun because of the weather we’re having but availability was good.

Look on Jet2, there is lots of choice especially in Greece for a week B&B minimum: Zante, Santorini etc for a week in late August. You can hunt through for beachside ones but all seem to have a pool and if coastal (which they will be) will at least be beach accessible by bus. We are going late August 2 adults and 2 children (1 free child place) for £1300 although obviously there will be expenses when there, but I think you can do it. Transfers being included and at least your breakfast sorted is going to make a big difference.

I hope you find something and enjoy!

I took a last minute holiday in Croatia by myself few years ago, was also car free. Took a flight to Split and then ferry to Brač. I had an apartment in Supetar (through booking.com I think), that’s the main place on the island, was handy for shops, restaurants and bakeries) and all buses departed from there so I could explore the island. It was fairly cheap, quick and easy.

I just booked a family holiday to Italy next week lmao... so I think it is doable short notice. I booked all the components myself.. got an apartment.. looked at airbnb but ended up getting one from booking.com. Looked at flights on skyscanner. Rented a car from nearest airport.
On public transport might be trickier...
Have you considered Venice Lido? It has a beach and is more chilled and cheaper than mainland Venice (there's even a supermarket) but very easy to nip across to main Venice for the day too.. dont need a car at all as public transport on the boat buses is great. Airport pretty near, again a boat bus journey.

Eurocamp. We just booked a week in Spain for £1200