How the hoo do you afford a family holiday abroad?

kerri_gt

copperclock wrote: »

Thanks. I can't do camping. We've tried, but I just can't, and I am comfortable with that! lol

I can't taken them out of school as the older two are in years 11 and 9 so they'd miss important stuff.

If the eldest is year 11, exams will be done before the rest of the school breaks up. I'm not advocating taking the other children out of school but back in yester-year, year 9 work didn't count towards GCSE marks in terms of coursework and the like so it wouldn't be the end of the world missing some school in that respect.

copperclock

kerri_gt wrote: »

If the eldest is year 11, exams will be done before the rest of the school breaks up. I'm not advocating taking the other children out of school but back in yester-year, year 9 work didn't count towards GCSE marks in terms of coursework and the like so it wouldn't be the end of the world missing some school in that respect.

Yeah, you're right about the eldest being finished with school a couple of weeks early this year. Middle (in year 9) is already doing GCSE courses, though, so I couldn't take them out.

Totally agree about holidays being a luxury and not a right.

Charityworker

Have you thought about going on a coach holiday? Its so much cheaper.

I cant even afford a passport though nevermind a holiday.

ThumbRemote

The biggest cost of package holidays is the flights. Consider driving instead - I don't know where in the UK you are, but from Calais it's about 10 hours drive down to the Med, less time to the Atlantic coast of France. If you do that overnight it may not be too bad.

Alternatively, look at booking packages well in advance with a free child places, which may bring the cost down.

Tabbytabitha

AylesburyDuck wrote: »

In 34 years of marriage i've had 1, yes you read that right, one, holiday abroad.
Holidays are a luxury and not a right, yes i could probably have scrimped and saved, done without, but why? When i prioritised wants and needs i found that a holiday was merely a want and not a need, and after a few years it didnt even come up as a want.

I'm sorry but I think that's really sad...

happyandcontented

AylesburyDuck wrote: »

In 34 years of marriage i've had 1, yes you read that right, one, holiday abroad.
Holidays are a luxury and not a right, yes i could probably have scrimped and saved, done without, but why? When i prioritised wants and needs i found that a holiday was merely a want and not a need, and after a few years it didnt even come up as a want.

Of course a holiday is a want, but then so are lots of things, most of them transient. Holidays abroad are life experiences and broaden the depth of knowledge of people and places. Like Fbaby I would far rather forgo a Costa or a new handbag to travel the world and see different places and cultures.

On the other hand, if you are on a budget and it is a choice between saving for a holiday or paying the gas bill then that is a different matter, but for the average Joe who can save by cutting back on "fripperies" then I think it is sad not go for it.

sooty&sweep

Hi
Have you tried camping abroad ? French campsites are fab. The bigger ones have the swimming pools etc.
A lot cheaper than the package holidays but still gives the experience of a foreign holiday.
Jen

consumers_revenge

Gavin83 wrote: »

It’s a simple case of supply and demand. More people want to go on holiday during the school holidays and therefore the prices increase. There’s no conspiracy about it.

Who sets the demand? Local Education Auth ( gov )
Who will supply us with an overpriced holiday? ( travel agents )


You get my drift hopefully....

When_the_going_gets_tough

We each took one child away to the foreign trip that they had a say in. They all got quality one to one time with one of us and all remember those trips with fondness. They understood it was hard for us as a family of five to afford regular foreign holidays.

consumers_revenge

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Not a one off then!

disney £1100 all in, we pay that here by the time travel, entertainment and food come into play. could just as well of been staying onsite at alton towers. technically yes in reality not alot in it.


I class spain as a plane flight and a real abroad holiday. almost double the price!!!