Where could I go 3 nights abroad - me and dd10 and ds13 in the summer hols?

[yoyou]

I live on the South coast, so prefer Bournemouth or Southampton airport, but could do Heathrow. Don't fancy driving abroad! Any ideas, we like exploring but equally like swimming pools! TIA budget approx. £350 pp

350 will get you to the local supermarket now....

prices are horrendous for anything. Sorry, doesn't help.

OP said PP...

Agreed with above. Maybe you can do a last min all inclusive to Spain and get a good deal closer to the time?

If the budget is fixed, I'd let flight prices dictate! Look up your cheapest options and then use booking.com to book a cheap hotel!

Valencia is great,lots of history and a beach. Do an Airbnb, the airport is very close, probably €20 for a taxi now(went in 2023). There is so much to do and see. Public transport is cheap and easily accessible.

agree that as your budget is fixed, search holiday deals on websites for dates you want and see what comes up.

Use Skyscanner or airline websites to see what cheap flights are available from those airports. Ryanair is usually cheapest but Jet2 and Easyjet often have some good prices. You might also be able to get a last minute package. If you do an 'everywhere' search for August it will tell you where the cheapest flights are.

For 3 days, you'll save a bit if you can manage with a small carry on bag each perhaps with a max of one large cabin bags between you.

Gdansk or Wroclaw in Poland might work. Quite cheap when you get there, Wroclaw is a nice medieval city and has a waterpark. You can get the train to the coast from Gdansk airport and the city itself is lovely with lots to offer.

Or you could try any of the Spanish cities like Málaga, Alicante, Girona, Reus etc and then look for an apartment on the coast in one of the nearby resort areas.

Look at Bournemouth airport - Ryanair flights are as cheap as you get. I'm taking my daughter to Sicily in July, this way. But definitely check accommodation prices too before booking flights.

It’s £120 pp to fly to Spain from Bournemouth, then I’ve found found a hotel with breakfast included for £571 for 3 nights, has a nice pool a free airport shuttle too, walking distance to sandy beach and main restaurant area. Just use easyJet’s website to find flights, Southampton has plenty of options.

I love using easyJet from Southampton. I don't go in school holidays though. Around 6 "sunny" destinations with at least 2 flights a week so can do a short break then use booking.com. Alicante airport is easy to navigate, upstairs to public bus. 8€ single fare to Benidorm plus all the towns up the Costa. Doing for one single adult though so more flexibility.

Thanks all, budget not fixed but trying not to spend too much. Thanks for all the ideas.

Alicante or Palma from Bournemouth. In Mallorca stay in Can Pastilla, (5 mins from airport)then Palma is a short taxi ride away for a great city to look round. If u go to Alicante its on the beach, but also a fab city.

Is just look for cheapest flights from your preferred airport and book a hotel with a nice pool.

Big fan of Malaga. Short flight and almost always cheap. Plenty to do for 3 nights, very walkable city and close to the airport as well so not wasting time transferring. Inexpensive city as well in terms of food etc. Beaches close by (maybe not the city beach, but quick to get to other nicer ones), lots of hotels with rooftop pools as well

If tight on cash I would foot passenger across get the ferry and go to Le Touquet - gorgeous little French town or Le Havre - if it’s a bit less tight I would go to Palma area or Malaga - use easyJet finder service to get you cheapest flights - use 1 hold bag between you all and book other 2 with small rucksack bags - even then flights likely to take up £400 to £500

this isa decent deal in santa ponsa - you can get bus from airport or a cab about 40 euros

https://www.booking.com/Share-ZTZof0l

Malaga is a good shout, lots of flights and there's also a waterpark and big skate park down the coast and a big outdoor shopping mall with a wide mix of brands including Zara and Mango, which are cheaper than in the UK.

I wouldnt discount Benidorm too - Alicante flight - tons to do for kids that age provided you all like plenty of ‘life’ and cheap - great beach, lovely water park, theme park etc

https://www.booking.com/Share-75VbWvv

I was going to say Valencia too. Cheap, loads to do, great blend of beach and city break.

Problem with Valencia is that there probably isn't a flight from Southampton or Bournemouth. So would depend on her appetite for getting to Heathrow vs going somewhere from a smaller airport where there will be flights, and they can have a similar experience eg Alicante, Malaga or Palma.

Look at a flight to Krakow from where you could take a bus to Zakopane in the mountains. Zakopane is very popular with families. Flixbus from Krakow to Zakopane costs around EUR 9.00 each.

Somewhere with multiple flights from your chosen airports
(usually Malaga / Alicante / Rome)

then cheap hotel or Airbnb

Great ideas, thank you all!

Also consider flying out with one airline and back with another to get full days (early flight out and evening flight back...and even out from one airport and back to another if you can get to airport by public transport/taxi cheap enough to get the cheapest flights. Also if you can travel light with just hand luggage or one suitcase. Also worth asking an independent travel agent to price up a cheap deal for you x hope you find something x

Have a look on the hotukdeals website - lots of great deals get posted, and then it helps you know where to do your own searching.

Would you get ferry to a channel island? If not then i think Barcelona would be great for all of you