Help! Where/What/How to holiday abroad with a large family? (Ie 6 kids )

lallychops

Ok, it may not have been the smartest thing to do, but We have promised that next year will be the year that the whole family go abroad. That is, 2 adults, 6 kids (who will be 16, 12,10, 9,7,3). We have never actually managed to get it together and do this before, and would mean a lot to us. I have been looking at villas thinking this would be the cheapest option? Money is tight of course, so I am trying to find something that doesn't break the bank. I keep finding that my combination of people doesn't "fit" with holidays and so dont ever seem to be able to get past the idea of having a holiday?!
Can anyone offer advice about how to do this? Where to go? Or should I just wait till the kids grow up and forget it.......:eek:

Rachie_B

I would say definitely DIY it
flights with Ryanair,Easyjet etc then a private rented villa / apartment

or an 8 berth static caravan in Italy,Spain etc ? with Eurocamp,Keycamp type places ( or do a search for a private / direct booking)
Hope you find something

x

sloppychops

For flights check out
www.skyscanner.co.uk
and for private accom try
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
www.holidaylettings.co.uk
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk
http://www.thomson.co.uk/hotels.html

stephb34

Style villas have villas that sleep 8 and not all of them are in remote places that need cars as that would be added expense. May is a cheapish time to go if you steer clear of whit week. The best travel agent to book these with would be Thomas cook for the best discounts as style are part of this group.

sloppychops

stephb34 wrote: »

Style villas have villas that sleep 8 and not all of them are in remote places that need cars as that would be added expense. May is a cheapish time to go if you steer clear of whit week. The best travel agent to book these with would be Thomas cook for the best discounts as style are part of this group.

Here is their website as they usually have some decent offers
http://www.styleholidays.co.uk/Home.html

budgetflyer

I agree with Rachie B . As a family of 5 we found that your usual tour opps really didnt cater for our "odd size" family - any number outwith 2 ads + 2 children is "odd size" according to most tour opps:rolleyes:

Mobile homes parks in Spain. Italy or France make brilliant family holidays.
Combine with "low cost flights" from budget carriers and larger families can get away for a fraction of what you will pay in a travel agents.

My guide to European holiday parks is a good start to research where to go

Guide to European holiday parks

Then as Rachie B says, Skyscanner and MSE flight checker to pick the lowest cost flights.

Normally building your holiday around the cheapest flights is best IMO even if it means an odd duration like 13 nights, 11 nights etc. Theres nothing to stop you flying out with 1 airline + back with another either. You really can tailor make every aspect of your holiday to suit.

To get to your accom either research public transport, the internet makes this easy with the likes of this forum, trip advisor, yahoo answers etc, hire a car or book seperate transfers via a usefull airport transfer comparison site

Oldernotwiser

Depending on whereabouts you live in the UK and what type of vehicle you drive, I'd suggest looking at gites or other holiday rentals in France, going by car and ferry.

Personally I wouldn't recommend mobile homes for 8 people with this range of ages; you'll be overcrowded and get on each other's nerves, also renting a vehicle that will accommodate this number will cost you a fortune!
https://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk are good for independent holiday accommodation.

mrcow

There are five of us and we've booked our holiday next year with canvas http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/ . I found them cheap for the number of us going. They have lots of activities on site and you can obviously venture further afield if needed. Lots of their accododation will sleep 8 (plus the sites are better than then more pokier hovels that you often find in the UK).

They have some great sites in France if you didn't want to venture too far. Would you be taking two cars? If so, then you'd have to book the second ferry crossing separately.

mrcow

Just checked on Canvas and for 2 adults and 6 children travelling on 1st August 2010 staying at la Crois du Vieux Pont (great site - about 1 1/2 hours from Eurodisney - has three pools and some wicked waterslides etc) starts from £1044 for 7 nights including ferry (but that would be for one car I would think and you need to double check the ferry page as there are sometimes extras to pay depending on crossing you pick).

Oldernotwiser

mrcow wrote: »

Just checked on Canvas and for 2 adults and 6 children travelling on 1st August 2010 staying at la Crois du Vieux Pont (great site - about 1 1/2 hours from Eurodisney - has three pools and some wicked waterslides etc) starts from £1044 for 7 nights including ferry (but that would be for one car I would think and you need to double check the ferry page as there are sometimes extras to pay depending on crossing you pick).

Unfortunately the site you mention doesn't have accommodation for parties larger than 6.

I've been on holidays like this and they're great with small/medium size families. Unfortunately, even the largest mobile homes(those that sleep 8) involve 2 people sleeping in the living area which is a something most people would think best avoided, particularly with the range of ages involved.

budgetflyer

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Depending on whereabouts you live in the UK and what type of vehicle you drive, I'd suggest looking at gites or other holiday rentals in France, going by car and ferry.

Personally I wouldn't recommend mobile homes for 8 people with this range of ages; you'll be overcrowded and get on each other's nerves, also renting a vehicle that will accommodate this number will cost you a fortune!
www.holiday-rentals.co.uk are good for independent holiday accommodation.

Big families, unless you are Duncan Banantyne or Theo Pathitis, and loaded, tend to be used to living on top of each other and mucking in.

Years ago when we were skint, we got the "bus to Spain" with Siesta Holidays -from Scotland it took 30 hours EW ! but it got us a holiday in the sun for all 5 of us for just over £200 total. The caravans,then, were about the size of my shed, had a toilet but you had to use the shower blocks for washing.
These days they are massive + luxurious with aircon, etc etc.
Most of your living is outside anyway