holiday planning - £2000

[AJI]

Currently planning a possible driving type holiday for me and the other half around the alps and mediterrainian coast line....

The last one of these we did was in 2009 and I rememember the costs being fairly expensive when totalling everything up.
This year's trip abroad will involve driving from Rotterdam down through Germany to the alps. Then Through Switzerland down to the French south coast. Then along the coast towards Italy and then back up through the Alps back up through Germany.

As a rough cost the total will be approaching £2000 which will include fuel, ferry, food and hotels etc.


Now the question is.... am I paying over the odds for a holiday of this sort when I could be getting much better value for £2000 on a package deal?
I do like the freedom of driving holidays, but maybe I could be getting an extra week or two for the same price with a package deal?
Only problem is that I've never done package holidays before and have no idea what is value for money with them.

[The Char]

Depends when you're going and what you want to do.

I got a week all inclusive in the Dominican Republic April 2010 for 400 each. Not 5* but very nice hotel and food- was super relaxing. I recommend teletext holidays website they have some very good deals outside of school holidays especially.

[dave328]

As above, £2k will get you 2 weeks all inclusive in a "5-star" hotel in other Caribbean islands such as Cuba, for 2 people.

[nick s]

ME and the Gf are planning to do this around California in the summer and are looking at around 7000. I'm beginning to think i could do somehting a lot nicer for a lot less aswell!?

[AJI]

The Char said:

Depends when you're going and what you want to do.

We've done similar in the past but the basics are 'decent' B&Bs or hotels for a 2 night stay at each location we travel to - this usually equates to £50-60 per night in Germany/Italy or £70-80 per night in France/Switzerland.
3 weeks of travelling and this will be to numerous locations around the med and the alps.
Day trips from location to go sightseeing and activites.
I've calculated about £550 on fuel alone!
And the rest is hotel and food with a few £££ on activities.

The big advantage for us when on holiday is the freedom to do and go where we want with having our own transport. Also the fact that we are seeing the landscape on the way to a destination and not just flying over it at 35,000ft.
The numerous locations that make up the holiday and the varied activities that each location offers.

With a package holiday the usual format from what I've seen is go to airport in UK and fly to destination airport. Then go to hotel where you base your entire holiday from. And then being limited to only do whats in the immediate area.

But I was wondering if spending £2000 could allow us to change the typical 'package holiday' in to something comparable to what our travelling holiday would offer.

[CO2000]

Or if you haven't already, how about Vegas, LA & SF - Drive betwwen them & have 4/5 days at each (I'd sway to more in Vegas)

Wouldn't be far off 2k or even fly between them as this may be cheaper.

[The Char]

As a side note, I also did London to Mongolia in a mini van in 2009. Nearly 7 weeks but over your budget due to the visas and flight home. (donated the van to charity) Long story but travelling central Asia is VERY cheap once you're there and it is great fun.

In Summer 2010 I did Croatia and back with my friend in my Mk1 Golf Gti, that was about £600 I think over 10 days. 2500 miles.

And a group of 6 of us took 2 cars to Serbia and back Summer 2011 in 12 days, again about £600 each and 3700ish miles.

Each of the last 2 trips we did 1/2 nights in Germany, straight through Austria then various places staying and eating local (some camping, some hostels, some log cabins). Much cheaper than your budget but we found some nice places to stay cheap.

This summer we are hoping to fly to Riga or Tallinn then train it around Russia, might need a new (blank) passport to get a Russian visa though.

I love adventures but the Caribbean was very relaxing and the food and weather were good. No stress of getting lost/breaking down/renegade camels/nothing but mutton/crooked police/health hazard ferries/having to put up with pervy border guards.

[Ilikebeaver]

We were also thinking of doing another tour of Europe holiday this year. Budgeting between £2-3k for 2 weeks.

We did this before last April and loved it, but this time have booked 2 weeks 5* luxury instead as it just seems better value for money, and get to try something a bit further afield.