When did holidays cease being value for money?

[Condi]

Doesnt have to be expensive, but you're going AI which means paying a lot for someone to do things you can easily do yourself. Also depends how you want to travel and what you want to do when you're there. You seem to be doing it the expensive way, in which case, its expensive!

[Robertj21a]

No idea why you are paying so much. Just book some flights to wherever you want and get the accommodation on-line.

[NewNameNeeded]

Two weeks in Vegas over Labor Day Weekend for the past six years in a row. Could never tire of the place.

[jamoor]

Depending on the age of your kids, why not go to Malaysia or Thailand, everything will cost a fraction apart from the flight

[Fastchas]

kiethton said:

Got to be a bit picky on where you go I Asia over our summer to avoid rain, at least that wasn't experience...

Come again!

[kiethton]

Fastchas said:

kiethton said:

Got to be a bit picky on where you go I Asia over our summer to avoid rain, at least that wasn't experience...

Come again!

Was in Thailand (Phuket/Krabi) in summer 2014 - had rain most days!

[arfur]

worsy said:

Or when did they become so expensive?

I travel for work a lot so the thought of going away for a summer holiday has never really been my favourite choice but it is nice to get some guaranteed sun and relax a bit away from it all. Year before last we had a nice 10 days in Mexico which cost around £8k (school holidays ) on an AI basis. When I say nice it was just that, nice. Not sure it was 8k nice and certainly wasn't rushing to book it again.

Last year we went to southern spain, AI again as that was good. This time a week at nearly 5k!! and hated it. The crap food quality and sunbed wars have put me off hotels for good.

So looking at this year, we started talking about holidays over the last few years and neither the wife or I have really thought any were that good. The last ones we did enjoy were villa holidays through James Villas, but having looked at the same villa this year the charge for a week's self catering is 5.5k. I seem to recall it being around the 3300 mark only 4/5 years ago.

I know inflation happens, and the currency rates are crap, and those people who used to go to Tunisia/Egypt/Turkey (maybe) are now also going to be competing for space, but in contrast I could book 4 nights in NY staying close to Times Square in summer school holidays for under 3500 flying with Virgin. When did a week in the Med get so hopelessly crappy in terms of value for money?

Any suggestions very welcome, but at this time we are considering a few days in London seeing the sites and blowing 2k down Oxford Street. Far more fun.

Edited to say should be in Holidays.

Last year we did 2 weeks with RV aounnd Califonia, Nevada and Arizona ... Was utterly awesome, cost about 10k including premium flights to/from LDN/SFO

I'd do something similar again in a heartbeat

[worsy]

swerni said:

pherlopolus said:

Have you tried owners direct and booking travel separately?

This is what we do
Last year spent a week in massive penthouses on Como and a few days in Venice.
Wife and daughter flew down and son and I drove.
Often drive down to the South of France as welll.

OP like you, I spend my life traveling, I try and avoid flying when It comes to the summer holiday (if possible).

Sat in a hotel as I type again!

This is looking like the favourite option for me. Leisurely drive down to P'moth, ferry to St Malo and somewhere down the west coast of France.

[Shnozz]

Shocking to read the villa rental prices for Spain given I keep half an eye on property there with a view to buying somewhere eventually and property prices seem to still be well and truly on their arris following the crash. Unless these are mansions you are looking at then the yields must be staggering.

[Dromedary66]

R8Steve said:

How many are in your family?

I'd suggest getting a better travel agent if it's not at least 5 as i went to Mexico last year, all inclusive, 5 star resort for about £900pp

That is very impressive for 10 days in a 5 diamond AAA hotel assuming you weren't 5 to a room or something. Care to share who it was through?

[jamoor]

worsy said:

Sat in a hotel as I type again!

This is looking like the favourite option for me. Leisurely drive down to P'moth, ferry to St Malo and somewhere down the west coast of France.

I'm surprised you haven't considered my suggestion.

[bearman68]

Just booked a villa in Crete, end of July, just inside the school holidays. Including flights, £2000 for a fortnight.
Villa through Owners Direct, as ever. Great Value

[briang9]

Robertj21a said:

No idea why you are paying so much. Just book some flights to wherever you want and get the accommodation on-line.

This is the answer

[worsy]

jamoor said:

worsy said:

Sat in a hotel as I type again!

This is looking like the favourite option for me. Leisurely drive down to P'moth, ferry to St Malo and somewhere down the west coast of France.

I'm surprised you haven't considered my suggestion.

Bit too far Jamoor. I only like a week, 10 days at a max. If I take two weeks off I want some time at home too.

[Soir]

We've done same as OP last few years, usual thomson AI, Med, school summer hols, 2 weeks. 4* around £4K. It's more like £5.5k this summer. Would much rather a villa but it's around £1300 more (flights alone can be £2k per family

Wife & I priced up we could go to the Maldives (without kids) for same price as taking kids to Portugal, Spain, Greece AI

[The Moose]

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.

[bearman68]

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.

Yeah, but we've taken back control 'aint we. Innit bruv it's them immigrants that dun it. Yeah Whaever

[hollydog]

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.

[Podie]

Shnozz said:

Shocking to read the villa rental prices for Spain given I keep half an eye on property there with a view to buying somewhere eventually and property prices seem to still be well and truly on their arris following the crash. Unless these are mansions you are looking at then the yields must be staggering.

Agreed.

One colleague was saying what he was paying this year for a villa, whilst another was saying his old man just sold up for a pittance (and it was a nice looking gaff too)

[FlipFlopGriff]

Glad I own an apartment in Tenerife. Flight out on a few weeks less than £100 return each!
Gone OTT and booked a car for 8 days which was less than 100 euros (full to full fuel pricing too). Food and drink is inexpensive too - can get a 3 course meal for 8-10 euros and a beer for around a pound.
FFG