The Great 'Holiday Inspiration' Hunt

bwiiian

If you are looking for a long-haul bargain then I really recommend the Philippines. Do all the booking yourself and it is very very cheap. Here is my breakdown of costs for 1 month in Philippines starting sept 1st:
I got a return from Manchester to Hong Kong £304 including all taxes etc.
Return flight to either Cebu or Manila for £60 (I am then going onto Bacolod and the return from Cebu is an extra £30, but most people will stay in Cebu or Manila if they are keeping costs down).
There are plenty of hotels for £6 per night for a double with bathroom and TV.
Travelling around an island will cost about £3 for a 5 or 6 hour journey. Travelling around town in a jeepney is 10p per journey.
A beer in a bar will cost from 30p a bottle of San Miguel. A meal will cost from 50p and upwards depending on where you eat.

Therefore my travel and accomodation costs for a full month is roughly £550. I will probably spend about an extra £5 a day on food and drink and sight seeing and general holiday spends. So £150 for the month. Therefore all in all I will be spending £700 for a month in the Philippines. Also remember how much you will spend just being at home in the UK for a month and if you take that away from the £700 you will see just how cheap it will all cost. Say £50 a week on food, £30 a week in the pub, £20 a week on travel etc. so thats about £100 per week, so £400 for the month. So the month in the Philippines only really cost you about £300.

Just a last note mentioning that you can only stay in the Philippines for 21 days without a visa, then after that you will have to get one, but they don't cost much, can't remember how much exactly, about £20 I think. But obviously I am only using my travel plans for money references, 3 or 2 weeks is gonna be just as cheap.

cautiouskate_2

I am a single mum with two children, I haven't a hope of taking them abroad. I recently took my children for a short break at Ribby Hall Village. I also took my friend and her two daughters. We booked a six birth bungalow, there was loads of space and we both got the holiday for half price as we split the cost down the middle. The activities there aren't too expensive. My children and I all put a little money away each week to pay for the activities and we stuck to our budget. We had a cheap, action packed holiday and returned home exhausted with money left in my purse, big smiles and happy memories!! If you've got good friends - share your holiday and the cost with them!!

millyd_2

I agree with making the most of the British summers especially spending it down on the south coast - Cornwall region. There are some amazing beaches down there and if this sun keeps up, you don't need to speand lots of money going abroad!

I had a fantastic holiday last year in a cottage near St Michaels Mount in Cornwall, through a company called Cornish Gems. They have lots of different holiday houses, some sleeping up to 10 people so great for groups of friends - and makes it lots cheaper!

www.cornishgems.com

Their normal prices aren't cheap, but we got a late special offer and saved about £200 for the week! Theres a special offers tab on the homepage which gives you almost a third off - so real bargains to be had there!

They have links with all the local surf schools, and pointed us in the direction of all the best footpaths, beaches and cycle routes - so really helpful bunch!

Good luck everyone!

bwiiian

I love Cornwall and I would holiday there more often but it really is just far too expensive. £200 per person per week for a cottage or hotel, ridiculous train fares plus the price of food and drink in this country just makes the whole thing far too expensive. It is far cheaper to holiday abroad, which is such a crazy phenomenon. The trains, bars, restaurants and hotels etc all need to reduce their costs dramatically if a British holiday is ever going to become affordable again. So if it is expensive for us Brits to holiday in our own country, imagine what it must be like for people from anywhere else in the world to holiday in the most expensive country in the world, which is what the UK is.

Jennie-1987

Hiya, i think this has to be one of the most fantastic places- Prado Villas, Vilamoura, Portugal- as although its a 20 minute walk to town you get your own large villa with sun terrace and theres a big pool. Having only 15 villas means that its quite nice and relaxed. Prado Villas not Prado do Golf are top rated on Tripadvisor and if you go by Expedia its only about 30 pounds a night for the whole villa so 7 pounds 25 pence pppn. Ignore the difference in 'size' this resort only has 2 bed villas so just book the '1 bed' because trust me i was in a party that book both kinds- taking 6 villas- and they are ALL 2 bed villas so book the cheaper. Its not far from Faro airport and Vilamoura is a large town with shops, restaurants, bars, ports, casino, huge beach, mini golf all sorts. And its near to Albufeira with a bigger night life, great town centre with live music, restaurants and shops; about 20 minutes by car. Quarteira, the other side of Vilamoura, has a market but its really best for fresh food. Brilliant sunshine, good prices on food etc whilst there and plenty to do. Flights may be expensive unless you plan ahead, we booked in March for September and managed to get excellent prices with XL Airways via Air Malta. Easyjet has the best rates now though.

Jaydee36

Me and my friends booked a holiday with

https://www.sunmaster.co.uk

and went to Lanzarote for a week £777 for 3 adults in May. Loved the apartments and resort. Would definitely book with them again.

diggergraves

14 days 4* AI via First Choice/Eclipse/Falcon to 2 As and 2 C (12 & 7) for less than GBP 2.4K

This place has around 10 pools, 15 waterslides, themed restaurants, 2 ampitheatres, tennis, etc, etc. Food is plentiful and everywhere. Place is new, v clean and there is SO MUCH for the kids to do with kids clubs etc

You literally do not have to leave the resort for the entire holiday as there is so much to do.

Trust me. Spot on this place

dmg24

Another spam magnet?

Topcat2007

We have been to Northern Cyprus several times & so have friends. It's very cheap & the currency is Turkish Lira not Euro. Cheapest way to get there is via Turkey to the main airport Ercan, you have to touch down in Turkey. Otherwise fly to Larnaca & ask your car hire company from Northern
Cyprus to collect you & take you back through the border - a mere formality. The historical sites are amazing & all free & open to everyone, not touristy at all. Crime is very low & many things are familiar as they are based on the British systems - driving on left hand side of road for example. In the summer sunshine is guaranteed & it's very hot. Mezze for lunch/dinner is cheap. Fish is a lot less expensive than UK or there are supermarkets for self-catering. Try the Pialla Bella Hotel or Jasmin Court, we've stayed at both or www.holidaylettings.co.uk for self catering. www.thebuzzbook.com gives lots of info. Kyrenia is the capital & where most of the restaurants are centered although there are many restaurants in more rural areas which are very reasonable. Northern Cyprus is an emerging nation tourist wise, apparently it's like Spain was 30 years ago. My advice - go there before it gets ruined!
If any one wants any more info contact me.

charis18uk

I have booked a lovely and rather quirky cheap holiday near York for only £260 for four for a week high season.

I'm staying in a converted train carriage!!

Check it out:

www.skipwithstation.com