When did holidays cease being value for money?
Discussion
hollydog said:
Amateurish said:
hollydog said:
Me and the wife went to Ibiza last year. Stay in a nice hotel. We were impressed so decided to return. Same hotel same time of year. But one big difference . A massive 30% increase. And it seams its the same in most of the main resorts in Europe . Europe's is just out pricing its self I am finding. Going further a field it cheaper.
Europe pricing itself out = the pound being devalued. We kept our holiday rental prices the same in Euros, but the cost to the UK customers is up around 30% compared to last year.When the bars are charging 25 euros for a bottle of beer and a spirt and mixer . And that's not in one of the nicer bars . They are pricing themselves out the market.
People where sitting in the bar with one drink all night.
hard rock bar 34 euros for 2 drinks.
As part of my travels last year I went to a festival in Croatia. Why I haven't visited the place before is beyond me - stunning scenery, beautiful weather, friendly people, great food and reasonable prices. I would recommend it.
Holidays stop being good value when you either take too many or spend too much or don't really want to go away in the first place. Each one has got to be really worth the time and money you throw at it or you'll end up getting pretty sick of the whole idea.
We counter this by limiting ourselves on how much we spend and how often we go away every year now as we've found from past experience if you take too many holidays you don't really appreciate them much and straightaway that leads on to regrets about all the money you've just spent. If you do end up booking too many the actual reality is when the 3am alarm goes off for the taxi ride to the airport for the next trip it's a real effort fighting off the temptation to just abandon the whole idea, switch the alarm off and go back to sleep.
We counter this by limiting ourselves on how much we spend and how often we go away every year now as we've found from past experience if you take too many holidays you don't really appreciate them much and straightaway that leads on to regrets about all the money you've just spent. If you do end up booking too many the actual reality is when the 3am alarm goes off for the taxi ride to the airport for the next trip it's a real effort fighting off the temptation to just abandon the whole idea, switch the alarm off and go back to sleep.
hollydog said:
Amateurish said:
hollydog said:
Me and the wife went to Ibiza last year. Stay in a nice hotel. We were impressed so decided to return. Same hotel same time of year. But one big difference . A massive 30% increase. And it seams its the same in most of the main resorts in Europe . Europe's is just out pricing its self I am finding. Going further a field it cheaper.
Europe pricing itself out = the pound being devalued. We kept our holiday rental prices the same in Euros, but the cost to the UK customers is up around 30% compared to last year.When the bars are charging 25 euros for a bottle of beer and a spirt and mixer . And that's not in one of the nicer bars . They are pricing themselves out the market.
People where sitting in the bar with one drink all night.
hard rock bar 34 euros for 2 drinks.
I was in Madeira over Christmas. A beer at the beachside bar was €1.40. A coffee was €0.60.
I read somewhere that Italy has experienced huge increases in numbers of tourists over the last few years, to the point that destinations are concerned they are getting too many people (Florence). Not small numbers either, as in going from 10 million a year to 15 million a year over a few years. People are avoiding Turkey, Egypt etc. Hordes of moneyed up Asians are now traveling, though they mainly stick with package tours and the postcard sites. So it's no surprise that Europe is more expensive.
SE Asia is so much better value, more expensive flights (sometimes this isn't even the case) and the standards of hotels and service generally several order of magnitudes better than high season in Europe.
Europe is fine for the history, but for sun and beach holidays it's just not worth it.
SE Asia is so much better value, more expensive flights (sometimes this isn't even the case) and the standards of hotels and service generally several order of magnitudes better than high season in Europe.
Europe is fine for the history, but for sun and beach holidays it's just not worth it.
Three years ago we took the plunge and bought a large 5 year old twin axle caravan for £7250.
This was mainly driven by my wife being a teacher and our children reaching school age. Summer holidays were just too much money.
Since then we have had the best holidays we've ever had! Mainly in France but also here in the U.K.
Last summer we went to the Loire (Saumur) and Le Mans for 18 days, end of July to middle of August.
We ate like kings, drank like fish, did loads of brilliant things and had fantastic weather. The camp sites are fantastic.
Cost for the 4 of us, including fuel, tolls, campsites, food, drink, eating out, days out and £300 of wine to bring home? £2650.
We've also had fantastic weekends away throughout the year - even Alton Towers for 3 nights cost less than £200 for accommodation and 2 day tickets.
It's not for everyone, and once the kids have grown out of it we'll get rid. But at the moment we're loving the caravan!
This was mainly driven by my wife being a teacher and our children reaching school age. Summer holidays were just too much money.
Since then we have had the best holidays we've ever had! Mainly in France but also here in the U.K.
Last summer we went to the Loire (Saumur) and Le Mans for 18 days, end of July to middle of August.
We ate like kings, drank like fish, did loads of brilliant things and had fantastic weather. The camp sites are fantastic.
Cost for the 4 of us, including fuel, tolls, campsites, food, drink, eating out, days out and £300 of wine to bring home? £2650.
We've also had fantastic weekends away throughout the year - even Alton Towers for 3 nights cost less than £200 for accommodation and 2 day tickets.
It's not for everyone, and once the kids have grown out of it we'll get rid. But at the moment we're loving the caravan!
Edited by Rosscow on Friday 13th January 10:52
worsy said:
When did a week in the Med get so hopelessly crappy in terms of value for money?
It's the "school holidays" bit that is the killer. Before our kids hit school age, we were able to stay in some nice hotels in Greece (Sani), Algarve (Martinhal), Spain (Caserio del Mirador) etc for relatively reasonable money, by going during the school term.Nice hotels in nice parts of the Med during school holidays will always be expensive. A lot of families with small children won't consider anything more than a 2-3 hour flight, so that pushes demand even higher in the Med's favour.
As others have said, look at booking villas through Ownersdirect or HomeAway or wherever. In my experience, villa owners don't put such a large school holiday multiplier on their prices as hotels do, so you'll get better value for money.
Rosscow said:
Three years ago we took the plunge and bought a large 5 year old twin axle caravan for £7250.
This was mainly driven by my wife being a teacher and our children reaching school age. Summer holidays were just too much money.
Since then we have had the best holidays we've ever had! Mainly in France but also here in the U.K.
Last summer we went to the Loire (Saumur) and Le Mans for 18 days, end of July to middle of August.
We ate like kings, drank like fish, did loads of brilliant things and had fantastic weather. The camp sites are fantastic.
Cost for the 4 of us, including fuel, tolls, campsites, food, drink, eating out, days out and £300 of wine to bring home? £2650.
We've also had fantastic weekends away throughout the year - even Alton Towers for 3 nights cost less than £200 for accommodation and 2 day tickets.
It's not for everyone, and once the kids have grown out of it we'll get rid. But at the moment we're loving the caravan!
Yep. Motorhome here, we even went skiing in it last year. Accommodation and travel for 5 for less than £1000.This was mainly driven by my wife being a teacher and our children reaching school age. Summer holidays were just too much money.
Since then we have had the best holidays we've ever had! Mainly in France but also here in the U.K.
Last summer we went to the Loire (Saumur) and Le Mans for 18 days, end of July to middle of August.
We ate like kings, drank like fish, did loads of brilliant things and had fantastic weather. The camp sites are fantastic.
Cost for the 4 of us, including fuel, tolls, campsites, food, drink, eating out, days out and £300 of wine to bring home? £2650.
We've also had fantastic weekends away throughout the year - even Alton Towers for 3 nights cost less than £200 for accommodation and 2 day tickets.
It's not for everyone, and once the kids have grown out of it we'll get rid. But at the moment we're loving the caravan!
worsy said:
That Croatia villa looks fantastic.
Just been looking around Owners Direct and something in mid France looks very nice with a drive/hotel on route works out quite reasonable. I could even work from there for a day or two and thus make it even cheaper
Looks very like the place we stayed at in Malta last summer, which (with flights and a rental car) wasn't that much even.Just been looking around Owners Direct and something in mid France looks very nice with a drive/hotel on route works out quite reasonable. I could even work from there for a day or two and thus make it even cheaper
Look around, there are some great deals, but going in the school holidays does crucify you on price...
M
We were the same, felt like we wasted money on several average years in a row, then we found this place......
https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/tenerife/gra...
Absolutely stunning hotel up the coast of Tenerife, book it separately hotel/flights/car. Kids will be in their element in the pool, food is great or it is in a fishing village with several good restaurants.
https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/tenerife/gra...
Absolutely stunning hotel up the coast of Tenerife, book it separately hotel/flights/car. Kids will be in their element in the pool, food is great or it is in a fishing village with several good restaurants.
Having booked villas for the last 10 years, we looked to go to an hotel in Lanzarote for a week at Easter so that our teenage lad could hang out with other kids etc.
I was staggered when it came back at £3,900 for 3 of us for 7 nights half board!! There is just no way I would pay that sort of money for a week away, so we ended up booking a villa through Villa Plus, flights and rental car for the same week for £1,500 all in. Fine, it means our lad won't get to hang with other kids during the day, but it leaves us with a clear £2k extra to add to another holiday later in the year.
I was staggered when it came back at £3,900 for 3 of us for 7 nights half board!! There is just no way I would pay that sort of money for a week away, so we ended up booking a villa through Villa Plus, flights and rental car for the same week for £1,500 all in. Fine, it means our lad won't get to hang with other kids during the day, but it leaves us with a clear £2k extra to add to another holiday later in the year.
Don said:
I go to Yorkshire Dales for a fortnight most years. Self catering cottage for two for two weeks: £600. Next door is a cottage for a family...
Holidays can be awesome value for money.
Knock the flights out and it's a couple of grand cheaper for a start.
Go self catering and the food's better and cheaper: you can go out as much as you want then.
The outdoors is largely free (at the point of use
). Wear and tear on the boots costs about £30 a year at the moment. So entertainment can come in cheap.
Beer in Yorkshire costs less money than in the S.E.
What's not to like?
Well next year I'm going to Idaho to see the Eclipse and it's going to cost a fortune. £12K minimum (for two). I don't do that every year, though...
12K minimum for 2?????? Holy crap, why so expensive?Holidays can be awesome value for money.
Knock the flights out and it's a couple of grand cheaper for a start.
Go self catering and the food's better and cheaper: you can go out as much as you want then.
The outdoors is largely free (at the point of use
). Wear and tear on the boots costs about £30 a year at the moment. So entertainment can come in cheap.Beer in Yorkshire costs less money than in the S.E.
What's not to like?
Well next year I'm going to Idaho to see the Eclipse and it's going to cost a fortune. £12K minimum (for two). I don't do that every year, though...
irish boy said:
We were the same, felt like we wasted money on several average years in a row, then we found this place......
https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/tenerife/gra...
Absolutely stunning hotel up the coast of Tenerife, book it separately hotel/flights/car. Kids will be in their element in the pool, food is great or it is in a fishing village with several good restaurants.
Watched it being built over time. Biggest pool in europe (apparently) and shown on the holiday adverts (think its Thomas Cook). About doubles the size of Alcala which is a lovely fishing village, but the water is very deep off the harbour and absolutely freezing. There is a 100+ year old turtle (not that type) which swims around the harbour near the bottom - luckily the water is super clear and I've seen it a couple of time just floating around with a wetsuit and mask on. We like Bar Amistad which is just off the main road from Alcala to San Juan - always get treated really well and its great watching the old boys play dominos. Boy do those boys take it seriously. Usually get a free pincho with a drink.https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/tenerife/gra...
Absolutely stunning hotel up the coast of Tenerife, book it separately hotel/flights/car. Kids will be in their element in the pool, food is great or it is in a fishing village with several good restaurants.
FFG
I'm with the caravan and motorhome owners above. We bought a six berth touring caravan early in 2015. Yes there is an initial outlay but the residuals on these things are high and the monetary equivalent of two or three European AI hols will buy something sizable and presentable with many years use in it.
We've gone from one European and one UK holiday a year a couple of years ago, to struggling to fit our family trips out in to my 34 days annual leave entitlement!
Travel costs are limited to fuel and ferry/tunnel fees (Return on the tunnel is under £300). Site fees vary, we're in the school holidays trap but never paid more than £40ish per night, usually nearer £30 or less.
Three weeks in Dorset/Devon last summer was circa £1000 for us on fuel and site fees, dragging the van down from Edinburgh. If you are in Kent or Sussex you could be on the Med coast for a couple of weeks for not an awful lot more.
We've gone from one European and one UK holiday a year a couple of years ago, to struggling to fit our family trips out in to my 34 days annual leave entitlement!
Travel costs are limited to fuel and ferry/tunnel fees (Return on the tunnel is under £300). Site fees vary, we're in the school holidays trap but never paid more than £40ish per night, usually nearer £30 or less.
Three weeks in Dorset/Devon last summer was circa £1000 for us on fuel and site fees, dragging the van down from Edinburgh. If you are in Kent or Sussex you could be on the Med coast for a couple of weeks for not an awful lot more.
Fastchas said:
Don said:
I go to Yorkshire Dales for a fortnight most years. Self catering cottage for two for two weeks: £600. Next door is a cottage for a family...
Holidays can be awesome value for money.
Knock the flights out and it's a couple of grand cheaper for a start.
Go self catering and the food's better and cheaper: you can go out as much as you want then.
The outdoors is largely free (at the point of use). Wear and tear on the boots costs about £30 a year at the moment. So entertainment can come in cheap.
Beer in Yorkshire costs less money than in the S.E.
What's not to like?
Well next year I'm going to Idaho to see the Eclipse and it's going to cost a fortune. £12K minimum (for two). I don't do that every year, though...
That may be OK for you. But my 7yo thinks the most important things to go in the suitcase are his swimming trunks and snorkel.Holidays can be awesome value for money.
Knock the flights out and it's a couple of grand cheaper for a start.
Go self catering and the food's better and cheaper: you can go out as much as you want then.
The outdoors is largely free (at the point of use
). Wear and tear on the boots costs about £30 a year at the moment. So entertainment can come in cheap.Beer in Yorkshire costs less money than in the S.E.
What's not to like?
Well next year I'm going to Idaho to see the Eclipse and it's going to cost a fortune. £12K minimum (for two). I don't do that every year, though...
For a single dad and two boys, 12 & 7 yo's, I'm looking at £2500 for 7 nights and that's not even a decent 4/5 star!
It's up to £650 now for 2 weeks or £350 for a week.
It was a really nice apartment
http://holidayrent.moonfruit.com/availability/4565...
The Moose said:
hollydog said:
Me and the wife went to Ibiza last year. Stay in a nice hotel. We were impressed so decided to return. Same hotel same time of year. But one big difference . A massive 30% increase. And it seams its the same in most of the main resorts in Europe . Europe's is just out pricing its self I am finding. Going further a field it cheaper.
What do you expect? Thanks Brexit!
Last year the GBP/EUR rate was circa 1.4. It's now 1.14. If all the prices were exactly the same, it'd immediately be approx 20% dearer.
ks. The first half of last year it averaged, at best, 1.25. It only spiked to near 1.40 immediately before the referendum, for obvious reasons. The true increase is more like 8/9%. Of course that doesn't stop profiteering but there's an easy way around that.
REALIST123 said:
Utter bks. The first half of last year it averaged, at best, 1.25. It only spiked to near 1.40 immediately before the referendum, for obvious reasons.
The true increase is more like 8/9%. Of course that doesn't stop profiteering but there's an easy way around that.
It's not profiteering it's supply and demand. Tunisia, turkey and Egypt are all fks. The first half of last year it averaged, at best, 1.25. It only spiked to near 1.40 immediately before the referendum, for obvious reasons. The true increase is more like 8/9%. Of course that doesn't stop profiteering but there's an easy way around that.
ked up so everyone is going to Spain Portugal and Greece more demand no more supply. Look a bit further back with the exchange rate, the mere announcement that we were going to have a referendum screwed the rate, the referendum result itself didn't make an enormous difference as the fear was already reflected in market rates. The euro isn't actually that bad it's the $ that's hurting! ~$1.20, painful.
REALIST123 said:
Utter bks. The first half of last year it averaged, at best, 1.25. It only spiked to near 1.40 immediately before the referendum, for obvious reasons.
The true increase is more like 8/9%. Of course that doesn't stop profiteering but there's an easy way around that.
It was 1.43 in November 15 so not quite just before the Brexit vote. Average March 15 to the end of 2015 around 1.38.ks. The first half of last year it averaged, at best, 1.25. It only spiked to near 1.40 immediately before the referendum, for obvious reasons. The true increase is more like 8/9%. Of course that doesn't stop profiteering but there's an easy way around that.
Has been below 1:1 about 5 years back so 1.10-1.12 isn't great but could be worse. We're still paying a euro mortgage with other costs, so a drop from 1.40 ish to 1.10 is isn't good.
FFG
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