Self Catering Budget -

[QforCucumber]

Looking to book 4 nights self catering in Spain in May, 2 adults 2 kids (9 and 5) for a little break away (it's the same price as center parcs!) from our local airport which is only a 15 min drive away, however - it has been a VERY long time since we self catered (pre kids) and when I'm reading about budgets people are now saying around 200 a day for spends, does this sound about right? It's only £400 more in total for AI and £160 more for Half board so seems like we'd be better off with either of those. Flights arrive at lunchtime the Monday, leaving 8pm the Friday. It would very much be a chilled break after a few really difficult months at work for DH and I, not looking to do lots of activities etc.

Half board seems a no-brainier. If that’s for all 4 of you for 4 days, that’s £10 per person per day, and if that includes two meals then go for it!

What are people spending this 200 a day on ? It’s best to work out if you will be eating in or out and what activities you want to do before making a decision on this. Clearly if you are catering for all meals for just the four of you and the only activity is beach related then 200 a day seems excessive.

@ItsReallyOnlyMe well that was my thoughts too, but when I search on MN for Self catering spends so many people saying £200 per day or £1000 for a 7 night stay for a family of 4. It knocked me sideways as personally I'd find that to be a huge budget!

It depends how much you would spend on lunch and snacks, but I would be tempted to just go HB. If you have two big meals a day, you won’t spend much on lunch and unless you’re big drinkers it’s quite a lot more. You can always upgrade when you get there.

MN tends to spend a lot more than average.

However make sure you're comparing like with like and think about what sort of experience you want. Those prices for HB/AI will be buffet food, which I wouldn't want on holiday, I want to be served at a table outside on the seafront or in a nice square. Plus on HB you'll likely end up buying drinks with meals at hotel prices. Although AI might be attractive if your DC want lots of ice creams and drinks.

We tend to go SC or B&B in an apart hotel or similar and eat out at least once a day then stock up on drinks, snacks, easy food etc. Likely similar cost to buffet AI but a nicer experience IMHO.

Some people spend a lot on holiday but I do think there are people here and elsewhere on line who quote these huge budgets as they get some weird thrill out of scaring people. If you want the HB or AI go for it but no way would you need to spend £200 per day SC, especially with a 5 yo and presumably not much alcohol as you're with kids. The only way would be if you ate every meal in a restaurant, and why would you SC to do that? Would you all eat £200 worth of food a day at home? Costs in Spain are comparable now so not as cheap as it used to be but still very difficult to spend that on food.

Bring a few key things with you - handful dishwasher tablets, favourite seasonings or new bottle of any sauce DCs always use etc.

Find a decent sized shop when you get there rather than always using the corner shop, and get all the basics there. As part of that, get a fair bit of lovely fresh fruit, ice pops for the freezer, the makings of 1 family favourite and 1 other dinner based on local seasonal ingredients, but also treats for snacks, breakfast bits, tea/coffee, squash etc. Wine or beer for grownups. Maybe ham and cheese (insert your family favourite fillings here) for sandwiches or some salad bits for lunches. Maybe get some cans, multipack crisps, fruit, sandwich bags in the big shop - to be able to make picnics for the beach or day trips, so stops on the way are for ice cream or a cold drink rather than full meals.

You’ll probably find a local bakery for morning croissants or french sticks. Have some lovely jam from the shop to go with it.

Don’t be afraid to have some meals out - it’s about choosing how much to eat out, what meals, and making the meals you cater nice ones but easy for shared preparation. Get the DCs involved in some. DH definitely does some. It’s a holiday for everyone.

I like to bring a handful of ziploc bags and seasoning to marinade chicken to throw on the bbq to have with easy fresh salads and crusty bread. Or make things that can cook in the oven with minimal prep (like big chunks of vegetables roasted with baby potatoes and some steak or lamb or chicken or fish). While I relax with wine and olives or crisps on the terrace, maybe playing games with DD or just chatting with DH. It’s not about slaving in a different kitchen.

And you need some treats or you will resent it. We tend to eat out for 1 meal a day when away like that (and it is a mix of breakfast, lunch or dinner during the week).

Researxh the area beforehand, are there nice beaches for swimming or exploring, interesting walks, good museums (some have entry fees), historical sites, things that are free or cheap to do, as well as any paid activities. So you might go 1 day to the splash park but swimming at the beach 4/5 days and plan to get to a couple of nearby places by hire car or local bus another couple of days.

bring backpacks (school bags are fine) to bring picnics and swim gear, and allow you to pick up interesting bits while you are out. And bring your refillable water bottles to keep hydrated when out - but do make a stop for a cold beer/fizzy drink stop at the end of the walk as well.

I find the initial shop can be expensive (we often drop €200-300 on that), but then we don’t need all that much more in the week food wise except for daily bread, and some meals out/treats/couple of paid activities.

Actually, if you’re only going for 4 nights, the initial shop would be even less and I would bring a handful of sandwich bags, decent handful of favourite teabags, etc and have a much smaller initial shop. Still worth getting the fruit, snacks, 2 easy dinners, breakfast things, picnic things, drinks - but a lot less expensive than a full week.