Summer holiday insanity

[holidaywhinge]

Just need a holiday whinge.. how does a fairly average European holiday in August cost around £8k?! Is this what people are booking? Is there an alternative I'm missing? After a bit of a disastrous self catering holiday last year I was hoping for kids club and all inclusive this year but I don't think I can pay 8k for a holiday that drops to 2k in September 

I understand your pain. We’ve not been abroad as a family since 2017.

It’s self catering for us too for the foreseeable future.

How many kids do you have?

we went to Spain last summer, family of four, half board, nice hotel for less than half that.

Whinge away. Are you a particularly large family? 8k seems a lot for an average holiday /about right for a bit of luxury.

We are limited to school holidays through work too so left with little option. 6k for 2 weeks 5* all inclusive in Greece next July for us and 1DC. 🙄

If you say how many children and ages and how long and requirements people might be able to suggest something. I have never seen an AI drop to a quarter of price in September that doesn't sound typical.

Holidays are insane prices. I always thought Turkey was a bit of a cheaper destination but cost us 6k this summer and it wasn’t even that nice a hotel.

2 adults, 2 kids (4 and 6). To be fair I am being a bit particular as want to have separate bedroom for the kids rather than sofa bed in living room. But still, so much money. Not expecting anyone to find me a holiday, really just wanted to whinge!

Maybe rethink your definition of a holiday and try something different. How about an outdoorsy style holiday in Slovakia? Flights and accommodation cheap but of a good standard and the scenery is incredible.

That is ridiculous. I go on all inc holidays in summer for much less than that. Check out holiday pirates for some deals.

I’d feel really upset too if my holiday of choice was costing that, so I understand the whinge 👍
With kids of your age I would start looking at Eurocamp etc, at the high end accommodation. The big sites will have great facilities and places to eat, so you don’t feel tied to the kitchen. Sorry you’re having to change plans though 😩

Yes everything has gone up in price so much.
Travel industry seem to be trying to claw back their covid years losses. And that's everything costing more, flights hotel room, food, drinks, transfers entertainment, clubs so it all really adds up.

We stopped doing hotels and switched to apartments once we wanted separate room for kids.
Can get apartments on complexes with kids clubs.
We just do simple breakfast and lunch and then eat out in evening.

It really needn't cost that much OP I promise even with your wishlist. Don't write it off, do more research. It's taken me 60 seconds to find a two week holiday in august AI, kids sleep in separate room, £5k and you could probably improve on that

It is insanity. We managed to grab and early bird cruise special this year, 2K for all of us squished in one cabin, was a bargain as all food and kids club included.
Eurocamp is a favourite of ours for a bargain holiday

TUI have 2 week AI holidays departing London c 17 August for 2 weeks for 4 from £3,500, wouldn't especially recommend the very cheap AI but you can certainly get a lot cheaper than £8k.

I've just put the following into Jet2 website:

14n
14/08
AI
stansted
Spain
Kids clubs
2 adults 2 kids

Prices start at £4560.

So it can be done a lot cheaper than 8k but depends how fussy you are.

Yes crazy. Book a 2 bedroom rental somewhere instead. There’s loads of 2 bedroom night places for £1500 or less for a week. Many with outdoor space, lakes or beach on doorstep.

We usually book with Tui with an all inclusive option, however prices have skyrocketed and we were getting a bit fed up of the cattle market feel and overindulgence food wise. Have booked a nice hotel with b and b in Greece direct (can cancel up to a week before with no penalty) and booked flights separately. A lot cheaper and we're intending to stock up on food from the local supermarket and do more self-catering plus dine out at independent places. Compared to approx £5k for all inclusive it's £2.8k and we'll probably spend about £700 on food/meals/trips. We haven't got the protection of booking a package but have got holiday insurance, we're 2 adults and 1 teenager.

It's the combination of separate room and probably higher end AI that's bumping up the cost.

That's probably the cost unless you're prepared to compromise on quality or the extra room. Or don't go AI. What about self catering in a 2 bed apartment/villa or caravan or Eurocamp type set up, which is also likely to have a kids club?

Stock up on drinks, snacks, ice creams, easy food etc and eat out for at least one meal a day and the necessary work is minimal as long as you share the load with your partner and don't take it upon yourself to do a load of unnecessary things that people on here talking about 'having' to do.

We did a week in Turkey (Antalya) with 3 kids for £4k AI, hotel with waterpark. Looking to book again for next year and prices are higher by £5-600 but I think we'll still do it.

I think it’s going for the one/two bed rather than a bedroom that will be tipping you into a higher price bracket. August is expensive/ I’ve found may half-term to be better value. But, you’re also probably not getting anything particularly luxurious either. I’m sure Ikos and sani will be more and I was shocked pricing up some of the luxury turkey holidays for October half term to see the 5 stars at around 10k in October. I dread to think what they’d be in the summer.

You will be able to get it cheaper than 8k but probably not if you’re desperate for separate rooms. I’ve never understood why that wasn’t a more common hotel set/up though. I’m sure most people would prefer it.

You need to change your idea about the accommodation. Look for a holiday cottage or air bnb plus flights.

Have you looked at a travel agent? We have a great deal for our holiday next year.
What about a cruise? They can work out cheaper?

I feel your pain OP, don't understand why these companies can get away with putting the prices up so much over the summer holidays!!

Have a look at P&O cruises, we've booked a cruise in the summer holidays for a family of 4 for under £4K.

That would be a shared room though, I understand separate rooms are lovely but that does require a whole other level of budget during peak season in my experience for AI.

Tui often have rooms that are technically one room in terms of bookings, but are 2 bedroom suites if that makes sense, they come up under room options. But it's pricey, we paid £5k for May half term 2 years ago so can only imagine what August 2024 would be.

Either you need to go term time (with DC the ages if yours I'd have no problem with that or adjust your expectations.

Because idiots will pay it, same as rip off prices in very overrated and underwhelming Cornwall and the likes.
People l work with get stressed out before a holiday and come back even more miserable. Husband was grumpy, kids were playing up, hotel was a dump, long delays at airport etc etc every single year same old story.
I don't go away, l am happy and relaxed here at home.