spending money for 3 weeks ile de re

[frenchygirl]

Just one last favour to ask: how much money should we bring for 3 weeks on a canvas holidays in ile de re. will probably eat out once or twice a week, odd pizza, icecreams etc. We wont be able to go out in the evening so how much will we get away with spending. Hoping to spend very little.

Hi
Of course the simple answer is it depends. We now find eating out very expensive as the children all eat off the adult menu and have a limitless capacity for soft drinks.

Here are our money saving tips:

• Eat out at lunchtime rather than dinner, this way you can have a single course without upsetting the waiter.
• Plan to eat out rather than coming to it by accident when out and about. We found it was these unplanned meals which would blow the budget.
• When out and about try not to have too many cups of coffee or soft drinks sat in a cafe watching the world go by - this gets very expensive very quickly.
• Take bottles of water with you if you go out and find a nice park or square to sit in to get your refreshment.
• Use the takeaway to get chips to go with something you've cooked or reheated. This gives the best of both worlds.
• Take bottles of squash to dilute. We will be taking a few of these. This will save on buying soft drinks once on site.
• Plan meals, take some recipes with you. Another budget blower we found is wondering around the supermarket buying 'nice things' which then sit in the cupboards and get binned on departure. So it's a bit dull, make a shopping list.
• Beware of the pull of the site cafe/bar after kids clubs kick out. It's all too easy to be tempted by a snack which turns into a full blow out.
• Dont overload children with sweeties and ice creams from the bar.
• Resist the temptation to come home with a car full of wine & goodies from the local supermarket. It seldom tastes as good when not on holiday.

Total cost - look at what you spend normally - everything including those things bought at convenience stores. Add to this the cost of eating out (we are 5 near adults so I allow €125 a time for lunch) plus the cost of ice creams etc. Take that total and add 50% and that will hopefully be something like it.

Despite all the skinflint tips above you can have a great holiday on a budget so enjoy!

Thanks Suziehomemaker, this is exactly the kind of info I need. I know what you mean about all the little things like icecream and sweets adding up. And is it really 125 euros for a lunch out?? Definitley lots of chips from the takeaway will be had.

Hi,
As a suggestion to get some idea of eating out costs have a look at few bistros online. Here's a link to a list on the il de re tourist information:
www.iledere.com/tourisme/restaurants/,1,,,.php?idCategorie=10&modeAffichage=lis te

The cost breaks down (for us) something like this:
5 x €15 plats
1 x €15 bottle wine
3 x €5 dessert (big kids with matching appetites)
6 x €2 soft drinks

Not sure why it is but when there are free refills the kids arent thirsty and when we have to pay for drinks by the drop they are as parched as a desert, funny that!

Of course it is a lot less expensive when children are smaller but do watch out for those soft drinks!

I hope you have a lovely holiday.

You probably already know this, but the toll on the bridge is expensive so if you are planning on exploring the area you might want to bear this in mind and maximise "days out" if you're on a budget. I'm guessing you are driving, but if you are flying and hiring a car make sure the car has Charantes plates (61) as locals don't pay.

Not a budget tip but Pineau des Charantes is the yummiest aperatif around!