How do you put together a budget family holiday without compromising on the quality of your trip?
In 12 years of planning family holidays, one thing I've learned is not to expect a bargain - the most important thing is that you get value for money.
To get the most out of your cash, the timing of your booking is crucial. Try to book either well in advance or last minute and if possible travel outside of the school holidays.
There are the perennial good value family staples such campsites, mobile homes, and hostels. In fact, camping has never been so chic and hostels have come a long way. But take note, in high season a week in a mobile home on a decent park in the Vendée is likely to cost twice the price of a week in a gîte!
If you are planning to take your family on holiday in Europe then there are many ways to make your money go further. Broadening your horizons in relation to your holiday destination and steering away from the ‘traditional’ European countries means you are likely to get better value for money, both in terms of accommodation and expenses during your stay. This is particularly true for countries outside of the Eurozone. Value destinations to consider for 2014 are Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, Latvia, Portugal and Croatia. If you want to go further afield consider Vietnam, Bali, India, Cambodia and Honduras.
If you are prepared to do a home swap with like-minded holidaymakers, it will guarantee you a lot of savings. Use a reputable agency to ensure proper introductions and insurance arrangements. Consider sites like homeexchange.com, homebase-hols.com, homelink.org.uk or intervac.co.uk. This process is not as simple as booking a hotel so be prepared for the effort required. After you have chosen your agency you then need to photograph and advertise your property and find potential swappers. The key to a successful swap is communication – make sure to get to know your swap partners well through phone calls, emails and skype.
If sharing your own home isn’t appealing, then consider house sitting. In exchange for free accommodation, homeowners hand over their keys to people willing to take care of their house while they are away. It's a great way to sample life somewhere different and can be a chance to stay in some wonderful residential properties. Consider sites like trustedhousesitters.com, mindmyhouse.com, housecarers.com or caretaker.org.
There has been a huge shift in the hostelling scene in the last few years. They have diversified to cater for a broader range of clients and the trend of luxury hostels is growing. Many offer family/private rooms, central locations and shared kitchen/laundry facilities. For those travelling with 3 or more children in particular, hostels can offer real value for money. Take a look at the Jugendherberge hostel in Nuremberg, Germany, where you get to sleep in a newly refurbished medieval castle complete with dungeons! Perfect for a long weekend visit or for a chance to visit the magical Christmas markets.
Not to be missed is The Generator chain of contemporary hostels throughout Europe; in particular, the stunning Generator Hostel in Barcelona.
In Lisbon, the Independente hostel is situated in the former Swiss Ambassador’s residence no less. It boasts original architectural features, high ceilings and vintage design pieces throughout and is home to one of Lisbon’s most stylish and popular restaurants The Decadente, which serves modern Portuguese cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
They say travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer, so make your budget work and get rich now!
