When did holidays cease being value for money?

[worsy]

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.

[worsy]

4 R8Steve. Standard Thomas Cook/Thomson fare.

Pherlopulus. I'll take a look, good suggestion thanks.

[worsy]

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

[worsy]

Yup, done the Florida thing, stayed at Disney twice (Animal Kingdom) and had a villa. We'll go again and stay at Universal another year but now the kids are mid teens we are eyeing cars, university etc so have to be sensible.

[worsy]

joshcowin said:

If you are spending upwards of 5K I think there are loads of great options!

Friends of mine who spend a lot on holidays go through a private travel agent. Basically a tailored holiday but getting the best rates available.
If you want the information just say and I will PM you.

Thanks for the kind offer and I'll maybe ping you about that. My problem is spending 5k on a holiday that I don't enjoy. I've started looking at French gite's which can be had reasonably easily for 2k including ferry. As we had decided on staycation this year I don't think we could go wrong with that.

As we don't speak a word of French except for usual please and thankyous it may be a challenge

[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.

[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.

[worsy]

oyster said:

Imagination is the key here.

Imagine going on holiday