Everything we like is so expensive!

[philstanbridge]

I’m reasonably well travelled. In the past I’ve spent big money on trips abroad. Lifetime experiences basically. We’re now a family of four, with 2 children aged 13 and 9 (as of July). It’s my big birthday in June and I want to celebrate. But what we’ve looked at and what we’ve done before costs so much more. So I’m looking for ideas.

Im thinking I would like a Greek island - from Glasgow (direct flight) for 10 nights, give or take. July 5th onwards. Needs to be at least 4 star equivalent. Plenty to do for 2 active boys. That’s probably the biggest deal. I don’t care much for sun bathing but I do like a nice pool.

I’ve spent £4k in the past, and the same holiday is now £7k, which I’m not prepared to pay, just give you some idea.

 

[jaybee]

I know the feeling. Are you taking them out of school to save money? The prices now are even more insane than ever.
For that age range, you could look at some of the Holiday Village resorts. They have more activities and leisure stuff for kids. They have them globally in places like (off the top of my head) Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal etc.

I can recommend Rhodes. I'm not sure if all is recovered now out there with the fires they had but it's a beautiful place. You can hire a car from a lot of the hotels easily, and then drive up the island to Old Town Rhodes and explore there for a day.
Another easy day trip the kids will love is the massive Water Park they have there just outside Faliraki.
You can also do various boat trips around the island and jet skis/banana ride type things off most of the private beaches with each hotel.

It tends to be a bit cheaper than the long haul stuff but still feels exotic.

 

[Lopéz]

My Greek island of choice would also be Rhodes, somewhere at the North tip of the island close to Rhodes town ideally, or Faliraki.

 

[mdixson]

Couldnt agree more - I work in finance and always struggle with the cost vs the return (I know not great when it comes to family!)

 

[philstanbridge]

I know the feeling. Are you taking them out of school to save money? The prices now are even more insane than ever.
For that age range, you could look at some of the Holiday Village resorts. They have more activities and leisure stuff for kids. They have them globally in places like (off the top of my head) Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal etc.

I can recommend Rhodes. I'm not sure if all is recovered now out there with the fires they had but it's a beautiful place. You can hire a car from a lot of the hotels easily, and then drive up the island to Old Town Rhodes and explore there for a day.
Another easy day trip the kids will love is the massive Water Park they have there just outside Faliraki.
You can also do various boat trips around the island and jet skis/banana ride type things off most of the private beaches with each hotel.

It tends to be a bit cheaper than the long haul stuff but still feels exotic.

The Scottish holidays are earlier than England which means I don’t need to take them out of school. If we fly from somewhere like Manchester too its also usually cheaper, but that’s a long drive so it’s swings and roundabouts.

Rhodes is lovely for sure. I’ve been twice before to different parts. I have been looking again as it is better value, but I am concerned by the damage from the fires. I know a few hotels were completely destroyed. It must have had a knock on effect somewhere down the line.

Out of interest do you have a preferential travel agency? I always used to book through Thomas cook as I could get a friends and family discount. Since then it’s been Tui and On the beach.

 

[Nitefly]

The Ikos resorts are nice and I think you’re kids will be happy with the pool and food etc.

Look up Ikos Andelusia. It’s pretty darn awesome.

 

[jaybee]

Out of interest do you have a preferential travel agency?

I do... the cheapest one.
We've used various over the years and never had an issue, as long as they are ATOL protected and what not. Even used ones that I'd not heard of via those comparison ones, a bit like buying car insurance. No issues.

 

[NickK]

So how was (is) Rhodes?

 

[booyaka]

I’m reasonably well travelled. In the past I’ve spent big money on trips abroad. Lifetime experiences basically. We’re now a family of four, with 2 children aged 13 and 9 (as of July). It’s my big birthday in June and I want to celebrate. But what we’ve looked at and what we’ve done before costs so much more. So I’m looking for ideas.

Im thinking I would like a Greek island - from Glasgow (direct flight) for 10 nights, give or take. July 5th onwards. Needs to be at least 4 star equivalent. Plenty to do for 2 active boys. That’s probably the biggest deal. I don’t care much for sun bathing but I do like a nice pool.

I’ve spent £4k in the past, and the same holiday is now £7k, which I’m not prepared to pay, just give you some idea.

indeed - always expensive - you can usually shave £1000 off by going from MAnchester as the English school holidays don't start till later on. We do that most years as it's around £1000-£1200 more from Glasgow.

We've got 2 weeks in Lanzarote for £6k this year - been to the hotel 5 years ago and it was nice. 4 star/dive centre/large swimming pool etc etc - Paid £3.6k 5 years ago!! Going from Manchester.

Everything we looked at in similar to you was £6-7k for greece/turkey/canaries etc for family of 4. Can't find anything much cheaper unless you come down a level.

It's all inclusive at least for the price so no need to worry about drinks/food etc unless we get bored.

 

[EvilRob]

It's rough. I wonder how the increased prices for holidays are afforded when the basics have gone up so much. But they seem to just keep going up and up.

 

[SpellowHouse]

Don't mow the lawn for six weeks, pitch a tent, tell the kids "we are going on a jungle safari". Oh, have the wife dress up as a tiger.

 

[Freefaller]

School holidays skew the cost so much unfortunately.

We're off to Malaysia this week and it would have cost us nearly 2k less had we been able to leave earlier.

 

[rare]

I haven’t been away since 2018, partly due to health but also the cost. It’s pretty insane if you have a family.