Want to get away for Xmas - any ideas?

kerrymay

Hi everyone,

For many reasons my husband and I really want to go away from it all for Xmas this year. We have 3 kids age 3,9,12. We really don't mind where we go at all and we're flexible on dates as long as we are away for Xmas day & Boxing day. We are on a tight budget though and don't want to spend more than £700 ish.

I have looked on alpharooms and easyjet and found that going to the Algarve is a possibility on this budget. I am wondering why it is so cheap at this time of year though - I am worried that literally nothing will be open!! We don't go out to bars in the evening so we're not bothered by nightlife - in fact we would prefer somewhere quiet. But we would like the option of a few restaurants being open and obviously supermarkets!

Can anyone suggest anywhere at all?! I don't want to ruin the children's Xmas by taking them somewhere that they won't enjoy which is why I am asking for advise.

Any help much appreciated - I just don't know where to start!

TIA xx

delwynshd

You need to look at the canary islands in order to get a bit of life and of course the weather at that time of year

Were you budgeting 700 total

kerrymay

Uh huh - 700 total unfortunately!! Maybe could squeeze abit more but not much. I did think the Canaries would be better weather wise as all the prices I have found for there are a fair bit more expensive than the Algarve.

I probably should have said that we are based in the South so can go from any London airport. Also would look into a break in this country if abroad is definitely a no-no.

Thanks again!

delwynshd

Yeah thats a little tight to be honest you wont get the canarys on 700

Del

bb69

Hello
Promise I dont have shares in icelolly lol
Have a look http://www.icelolly.com/view.php?sdate=1292889600&edate=1293235200&sdur=7&edur=7&htype=1&btype=0&dest=Tmed/europe/canaries&lstype=1&from0=&from1=LGW&from2=LHR&from3=STN&sdest=DGran+Canaria&sbtype=SC&flex=2&sap=LPA

I know you said budget £700 but have a look anyway. Check trip advisor for reviews etc

Hope you find something

kerrymay

Thanks - never heard of icelolly, looks like a good little site. I shall have a play around on there tomorrow!

Just wanted to add that we are open to any type of holiday too - doesn't have to be a beach type affair. Sightseeing on a city break, lodge in a forest - you bame it, we'll consider it. Just don't want to be at home this year.

TIA xx

7891368

Check the individual company as well, some are scams! Just a heads up.

Also the price you see is not always what you end up with, BUT still some good bargains to be had.

kunekune

What I'd do is do it back to front. Find out where you can get cheap flights to (probably not Canaries, though there might be some down south, up here the cheapest I could find at that time of year was £300 each), and then use a website like holidaylettings or holiday-rentals to find an apartment. There are plenty of cheap places still available.

Darkphaery

Me and my OH have just booked to go to Prague to see the Christmas markets. Going 12-16 Dec flights Easyjet £150 (although from Doncaster) and hotel £140 for bed and breakfast right at Charles Bridge! So less than £300 4 nights jollies for 2, i thought it was a bargain!

kerrymay

Thanks for all your replies so far.

I have found easy Jet flights to Cologne for just over £200 for all of us and then an apartment on Holiday-Rentals for £25 a night. I emailed the owners of the apartment and they said that everything shuts down on Xmas day & Boxing day as suspected. I am thinking maybe we will go for 4 nights and come home on Xmas eve - that willcost us £100 fo accomodation so around £350 for the break. We could see all the Xmas markets and get some festive spirit.

Ideally we wanted to be away for Xmas day & Boxing day but I am worried that, with everything shut, the kids will get bored and not have a nice Xmas. Would be OK if we were on a beach break or in a big hotel but this is a first floor apartment so we might go a bit stir crazy.

What does everyone think of that idea for a break? Anyone ever been? I'm a bit nervous about booking it as I've only ever booked pacckage deals before! Thanks!

ecleeconfused

I went to Brussels last xmas - was great - everything open, big xmas market, huge tree in the grand place. You can eat cheaply if you get stuff from supermarkets or the fritteries. And the beer is fab too!