Getting away from the Rain to europe on a budget suggestions..

Shaps

Thinking taking my family ( wife and son  8 year old ) to get away from the rain to the south of France / europe but on a budget .... I know alot of people in the same boat at the moment so thought to ask.  Got two weeks off from today . 

Any suggestions  the best way to do it or where to go  , was thinking driving from Birmingham but not too sure if this is the best option as I never done driving in Europe before .

Any help would be appreciated . 

tightauldgit

In your boat I'd go on flights.google.com and see where I can go the cheapest. 

From BHX in the next couple of days and returning a week later I can see flights to Verona (lovely place), Faro, Split (also amazing place) and Paris for less than £150. Bang on an Airbnb or find some cheap accommodation on booking.com and Bob's your uncle. 

daveyjp

Google flights, choose explore option, and see what flights are available from Birmingham.  

TadleyBaggie

Pretty sure they want to drive somewhere, not fly!

Shaps

TadleyBaggie said:

Pretty sure they want to drive somewhere, not fly!

Either flying or driving is fine , I thought by driving it would make it cheaper . Would it be possible to get away for 5 days to somewhere warm with a nice beach for less than 1k including flights and accommodation ?  I have left it a bit late I know ,  was hoping the weather in the UK would be good . 

tightauldgit

Shaps said:

TadleyBaggie said:

Pretty sure they want to drive somewhere, not fly!

Either flying or driving is fine , I thought by driving it would make it cheaper . Would it be possible to get away for 5 days to somewhere warm with a nice beach for less than 1k including flights and accommodation ?  I have left it a bit late I know ,  was hoping the weather in the UK would be good . 

I can see flights to Faro but cheapest accommodation is about £800-900 for 5 nights so probably above your budget all in. Verona is available flying Friday for 5 days and 5 nights accommodation for about 500-600 so kind of around your budget. You could fly to Krakow on Saturday for 5 nights and I can see accommodation for about 300. Not so much beach holidays but you'll get sunshine and a change of scenery. 

Otherwise it might be worth just contacting a local travel agent and seeing what last minute deals they can offer you. Obviously with it being school holidays now everything is going to be more expensive. 

Assuming you meant £1k all in and not £1k per person I think finding a beach holiday for 3 might be tricky. 

Doshwaster

Shaps said:

TadleyBaggie said:

Pretty sure they want to drive somewhere, not fly!

Either flying or driving is fine , I thought by driving it would make it cheaper . Would it be possible to get away for 5 days to somewhere warm with a nice beach for less than 1k including flights and accommodation ?  I have left it a bit late I know ,  was hoping the weather in the UK would be good . 

Driving isn't necessarily cheaper once you take into account fuel, ferry crossing, tolls and maybe a hotel stopover on the way. Plus it takes longer and can be more hassle. 

The best way to get deals during the school holidays is to head where people aren't going - northern Europe rather the the south and cities rather than beaches.

baser999

Does it have to be the South of France? If you’re happy driving there’s plenty of lovely places in France within say 3-4 hours of the shuttle or ferry which in itself would be enjoyable for your son.  At that sort of distance, you’re not going to need an overnight stop to get anywhere and he won’t get too restless. Get yourself a map, and see what comes up inside 200 miles; check out an online tourist guide and accommodation, gites, campsites or Airbnb in the area

eskbanker

Shaps said:

I know alot of people in the same boat at the moment

Have you asked them what they're doing?

Voyager2002

Shaps said:

TadleyBaggie said:

Pretty sure they want to drive somewhere, not fly!

Either flying or driving is fine , I thought by driving it would make it cheaper . Would it be possible to get away for 5 days to somewhere warm with a nice beach for less than 1k including flights and accommodation ?  I have left it a bit late I know ,  was hoping the weather in the UK would be good . 

Ferries tend to be pricey, unfortunately. And of course Birmingham is a long way from the sea!

Someone mentioned flights to Faro are affordable. From Faro airport there is a direct bus service into southern Spain (90 minutes to Huelva, which has some fantastic beaches; 3 hours to Seville) or you could hire a car and drive to somewhere with affordable accommodation. Hotel prices in Faro itself are just crazy.

Or look for flights to coastal areas of Poland, Lithuania Latvia and Estonia, where beaches are supposed to be pretty good and living costs are absurdly low.

If you are not dead-set on a beach Krakow is close to some wonderful mountains

jase42001

Shaps said:

Thinking taking my family ( wife and son  8 year old ) to get away from the rain to the south of France / europe but on a budget .... I know alot of people in the same boat at the moment so thought to ask.  Got two weeks off from today . 

Any suggestions  the best way to do it or where to go  , was thinking driving from Birmingham but not too sure if this is the best option as I never done driving in Europe before .

Any help would be appreciated . 

Hi, I drive to France/Europe most Summer Hols, originally had caravan but decided for my 12yr old a (decent) tent would be more fun.  Campsites in France are WAYYYYYYY.... cheaper than UK.

This Summer (last 2 weeks Aug) Im driving to Dorgdone (from NW), however Mrs has put her foot down and I had to book a Caravan via EuroCamp.

I joined the Caravan & Camping Club which gave me a discounted Ferry, and the Caravan for 9 nights was approx £900.

I just need to factor in the fuel/toll costs and obviously food etc. of which I'm taking a good supply of to cut down cost.

Driving in France a doddle and plenty of useful websites giving advice on mandatory laws/useful info for first timers etc.

Hope you get away and have a great time!