Holiday abroad with 3 children - can we afford it?

mikemoate

rede wrote:

try http://www.medhotels.com they have alot of options that include free kids

you will have to find separate flights but you will probably be able to hit your budget.

I cancelled a booking with medhotels this year as I subsequently found the same accommodation on travelrepublic and wintersunshineholidays at more than a £100 less for a 7 day stay and they wouldn't price match. I think medhotels have lost their edge although their cancellation charges are reasonable compared to some others.

Dumyat

DIY holidays... takes a bit of effort but it will be possible...To be honest I enjoy the challange. Something I have found useful is to check out the big name brochures and then look for the accomodation on line. It always works out cheaper to book direct but you get the peace of mind the place actually exists! We booked direct this year a holiday featured in a Hoseasons brochure (centre parks type holiday) which cost half the price direct.

the most important thing is getting cheap flights....get them first...accomodation is never a problem in my experience. we have usually booked apartments and villas, have to say once you have not had to share a pool with hundreds of others there is no going back to package deals!

Lozz

Hi,

We suffer from the three child syndrome as well and hadn't had a package holiday for years due to supplements! However this year we found a really good deal with First Choice staying in a 2 bed apartment in the Costa del Sol at Fuengirola Beach apartments. We wanted a package for once rather than DIY and this came in at just over £900 for 3 adults and 3 kids for a week in October. It was fantastic, they have a kids club which runs most days from 10-12 noon, 1-3pm and again 6-8pm, kids/adult entertainment in the evening and my lot had a ball. Their 2 bedroom apartment only sleeps 2 in each room but there's a spare bed in an alcolve in the hall which my 8 year old slept in fine.

You haven't said when you are looking at going but an example is going from Gatwick for one week 20th November comes in a £833.20 for your family, and 31st March 2006 at £1218.

HTH.

Lozz

budgetflyer

Spain or Italy mobile homes are good. Ryanair fly to Gerona,and Reus for Spain Costa Brava/Dorada and Treviso for Venetian Riviera, Forli for Adratic Riviera and Brescia for Lake Garda.
With the childrens ages I think this is definately the best type of family holiday, but it doesn't have to cost as much as Eurocamp.
I've compiled a list of tour opps that do these holidays at
http://www.budgetflyer.co.uk/holidayparks.html
Use THIS SITES flightchecker to get the best and cheapest RYANAIR flights
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/flightchecker
You will do this holiday for UNDER A GRAND in mid/Late June
check out the Castel Montgri prices with http://www.lifestyle-holidays.co.uk/Prices4_Mobile_Home_Lodge_Holidays.html from£440 for 2 Weeks
Ryanairs prices for summer arent out yet so subscribe to their email updates and by tweeking your travel dates shou should be able to fly for £50 return each

jap200

Wow - one day later and such a great number of fantastic ideas from all of you - I am going to work my way through all the suggestions carefully and press all the thank you buttons! What an interesting bunch you all are doing all these different sorts of holidays. I have been looking at brochures on and off through the day and fet thoroughly fed up until I read this lot.

In answer to questions above, we are happy to travel anytime as we are prepared to take the kids out of school (none of them has SATS or anything this year) - beginning of June seems relatively cheap - or maybe September. We can also fly from any of the London airports, but Gatwick is the most convenient.

Saint_Chris

Believe me doing a diy gives you a great buzz. There are loads of cheap flight companies out there. there are loads of accommodation web sites and also people who have appartments for rental. Just decided if you want a car for the week. If not then make sure that your transfer is not to far from the airport.

Another good site for imformation is https://www.holidaytruths.co.uk

You will find loads of holiday information here.

Good luck

I'm of to tenerife on fri on a diy..................just 2 more sleeps till i fly.

jaymac_2

Quuote
In answer to questions above, we are happy to travel anytime as we are prepared to take the kids out of school (none of them has SATS or anything this year) - beginning of June seems relatively cheap - or maybe September. We can also fly from any of the London airports, but Gatwick is the most convenient.[/QUOTE]

Don't take them out of school in September- new term, new teacher, new friends! Worst time to take children out. Taking them out in June or early July is better and it doesn't get dark as early as it does in September.

Dumyat

june is a nice time to go abroad we've found....weather hot but not the extreme heat of the summer. and resorts are not too busy.

Funkymum

Hi
We always find mid may a cheap time to go. I think we will be going back to Egypt then but as we have 2 adults & 3 kids we will have 2 rooms(2 of ours are teenagers).
Have a look at Portland Direct.I always find them the cheapest if your booking in advance. http://www.portland-holidays.co.uk/

Ive had a look to see what I can find that has just one apartment. The cheapest Ive found for the 5 of you is £645.

BASED ON 5 ADULTS AS THIS IS THE CHEAPEST OPTION
Siestamar 2 Apartments 2
Minorca, Cala'n Porter.
12 May 2006, London - Gatwick
5 adults.
7 nights, Self catering
BASIC COST £169.00 X5 £845.00
SAVING -£35.00 X5 -£175.00
FUEL SUPPLEMENT £20.00 X5 £100.00
ONLINE DISCOUNT -£125.00
Total Holiday Price £645.00

Price here does not include insurance.


Siestamar 2 Apartments 2
Minorca, Cala'n Porter.
13 May 2006, London - Gatwick
5 adults.
7 nights, Self catering
BASIC COST £189.00 X5 £945.00
SAVING -£35.00 X5 -£175.00
FUEL SUPPLEMENT £20.00 X5 £100.00
ONLINE DISCOUNT -£125.00
Total Holiday Price £745.00

Price here does not include insurance.


Christina Apartments
Halkidiki, Fourka.
15 May 2006, London - Gatwick
2 adults.
3 children.
7 nights, Self catering
BASIC COST £215.00 X3 £645.00
1ST CHILD PRICE £89.00 X1 £89.00
2ND CHILD PRICE £129.00 X1 £129.00
OCCUPANCY SUPPS £21.00 X3 £63.00
FUEL SUPPLEMENT £35.00 X5 £175.00
ONLINE DISCOUNT -£75.00
Total Holiday Price £1026.00

Price here does not include insurance.

Cay Beach Meloneras Bungalows
Gran Canaria, Meloneras.
15 May 2006, London - Gatwick
2 adults.
3 children.
7 nights, Self catering
BASIC COST £275.00 X3 £825.00
1ST CHILD PRICE FREE X1 FREE
2ND CHILD PRICE £189.00 X1 £189.00
OCCUPANCY SUPPS £14.00 X3 £42.00
FUEL SUPPLEMENT £35.00 X4 £140.00
ONLINE DISCOUNT -£75.00
Total Holiday Price £1121.00

Price here does not include insurance.
Fiesta Hotel Don Carlos
Ibiza, Santa Eulalia.
15 May 2006, London - Gatwick
2 adults.
3 children.
7 nights, Half board
BASIC COST £259.00 X3 £777.00
1ST CHILD PRICE £99.00 X1 £99.00
2ND CHILD PRICE £139.00 X1 £139.00
ROOM CHARGES £70.00 X5 £350.00
FUEL SUPPLEMENT £20.00 X5 £100.00
ONLINE DISCOUNT -£75.00
Total Holiday Price £1390.00

Price here does not include insurance.


Have a look for yourself.
Funkymum

mikemoate

I would definitely give http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk//Default.aspx a try. Choose taylor made holidays. After completing basic holiday details on the first page of this it will take you to a second page asking for children's ages and you can choose the board type. I tried your details for Majorca and it brought in 7 day holidays for much less than £1,000 and 14 days for around £1,000 in mid may in self catering apartments. You will need to add your travel insurance and airport transfers/car hire to the basic holiday costs. Hope this helps.