Budget holiday abroad

[Khaleesi90s]

I have a budget of £2.5k to take my children (10 and 17) on their first holiday abroad as a single parent. I’m a bit nervous of booking something because I want it to be something they will enjoy and remember which is difficult on a budget. I haven’t been abroad for 18 years either so I don’t want to go somewhere like Benidorm. I am looking at Spain or Corfu but I am a bit overwhelmed by the options.
In an ideal world I would like a beachfront location because I just want to sit on a balcony and look at the sea 😩 with a pool that is all lit up looking beautiful. I think all inclusive would be the best option as my eldest (ds) likes to eat and youngest prefers snacking than meals. The youngest (dd) is also autistic. They are pretty good at venturing out with me, I like to walk and explore, would also like to take them on some boat trips.
I would appreciate recommendations of locations and hotels.
This holiday is so important for us, it’s been a difficult few years and I just want to give them something special, difficult on a budget when I’m also a bit fussy. Thank you

edit to say £3k at a push

When do you want to go? On that budget, I think it would be a struggle in summer. But there'd be options for shoulder season, perhaps May or October half term. And do you have to stick entirely to school holidays or could a day or two be nicked just before or after?

End of August and into the first week of September are normally a bit cheaper.

May and October are less weather secure, you would have to go to the Canaries or Cyprus but that again puts the price up.

Your 17 year old - are they in school? If yes then they may have exams in May or October/November so keep that in mind. Also, they may count as an adult in price.

AI resorts are often away from a town so it's not easy to go out without at least a bus or a taxi. Do check the location very carefully. We were a bit stuck in Rhodes for example.

Saying that, we found the east coast of Mallorca really nice, the stretch between Can Picafort and Alcudia is good to explore with a bus. More family friendly than party central. No hotel suggestions, we did self-cater.

Is there much available for that budget at the end of August/start of Sept then?

May half term is usually pretty warm. There's some risk of rain/clouds but I'd differentiate it from October, which is more risky- but nice if you like warm rather than really hot. Also OP if you did go in October and wanted Greece I wouldn't go for Corfu, the south eastern islands like Rhodes or Kos will be warmer and drier.

Perhaps consider a self catering apartment, which would probably be cheaper? You can look on booking.com in map format, which gives you price and location of all properties in an area. Go for the ones with plenty of recent reviews.

How are you all with heat?

Try one of the programmes in which you go to another familys house and they go to yours. You don't pay a hotel and save money.

End of August is best time to go for a budget holiday. Bulgaria Sunny Beach or Turkey are usually the cheapest All-Inclusive deals you can get. I've been to both on a budget and we had great beach/pool holidays with waterslides etc. Majorca also usually has good deals. 🏖️

Look at the Greek Islands?

Either mid September or October, it doesn’t have to be school holidays.

Mid September/October is my plan. 17 year old will be in his second year of college thankfully he’s only just turned 17.
thank you for the advice about AI, I wasn’t aware that it could be out of the way. I have been looking at Mallorca but I have been there 3 times myself before children.

That’s good to know thank you

i have looked at self catering but if I am honest I need a break from having to think about what people want to eat and breakfast etc

Not good 😌

Have a look at Turkey, you'll get more for your money....

Thanks for the suggestion but that would make me very uncomfortable, I don’t like visitors let alone anyone staying in my house lol

Did you enjoy Bulgaria? My sister hated it. Where did you stay in Turkey?

Is there an island you would recommend?

This place was recommended to me by a friend who I think said she paid under £3k in May for herself, husband and two children. She said it was a pleasantly lovely place as they usually spend about £4.5k and she preferred it. It’s also near the beach.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/majorca/cala-bona/apartments/tui-blue-grupotel-mallorca-mar.html?utm_medium=paidsearch&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23707039581&gbraid=0AAAAADw1NWFmOhbZSTvfOnh3gPKFjDGMH&gclid=CjwKCAjwuanRBhBSEiwAY5y6V6EICuEuZg5XNywyMCvye5qG70tF3aQ-v561RU7mFPIV3HJMFGghuRoCKoIQAvD_BwE

We're going to Solecito Apartments in Alcudia, Majorca. 2 bed & 2 bathroom accommodation. It's b&b but is very close to restaurants etc. We paid £3,300 for 3 adults, 10 nights in August

Ohh if you're not going in the holidays, you can get amazing deals! 🤩

We had an amazing time at Cyprotel in Rhodes. It had great AI food and 3 pools with swim-up bar and its own waterpark. It also had free transport (by little cute train 🚂) to the beach everyday. It was also walking-distance from the beach and shops/bars/restaurants. Beautiful clear water and perfect weather. I would generally recommend Rhodes as the perfect place to go for a beach holiday but also incredible culture

To be honest, I’d just go to whatever island you can get the best deal for……

Other than the Actopolis and the Palace of the GM, what culture did you find incredible? Genuinely interested?

I found the Old Town - the oldest still occupied medieval city absolutely amazing and Lindos is just spectacular.

Yes I did too, particularly Lindos, but travelled the length and breadth of the island (twice)and there wasn’t much else. The west side is by far the most beautiful and scenic. Incredible is debatable. Enjoyable definitely. Incomparable to eg Crete. .

If you go late Sept/early Oct and want warm rather than hot, lots of options.

As you've not travelled for a while I might be tempted to keep it simple and go with the closest flights, Spain and Portugal. The Balearics are all beautiful. Cala d'Or or the general south east area of Mallorca might suit. Beautiful, loads of seafront resorts, boat trips in abundance. What it doesn't have is an old town, but you don't mention that so may not be a problem? If you want more historic Mallorca then there's Alcudia and Soller way.

I also love the Algarve. Lots going on in the towns there.