Left it late for August. Any tips?

[mrsminniemouse]

In addition to our May trip we just decided we wanted to squeeze another trip in before DD starts school on Sept 4th.

Obviously, pickings are slim and prices are high.

Best I can find is with ebookers, 18Aug-1 Sept, 2 kids, 2 adults:
Virgin £2954 (Prefer Virgin for online and DTD check in)
BA £2810


Anyone got any tips on where else to look? We will rent a villa so we could get a package if it worked out better than doing it separately. Would have used our Flying Club points to get Miles Plus Money but missed our dates.

Next year we will do it earlier. This is a last minute idea!

Anyone got better prices for August recently?

Thanks so much,
Mandy

 

[wayneg]

Does it have to be direct? United from Heathrow on Expedia £2,192.80 total £762 cheaper than Virgin, personally I would go indirect for that kind of saving, and thats without any effort first search I did.
Glad I used my FFP at £533, costs in August just get worse.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Another suggestion - a bit off the wall, but sometimes a little bit of lateral thinking works out well... - how about going during October half-term instead?

I know you initial thought is to go BEFORE your DD goes to school, but how about "something to look forward to" during half term instead? Since you are going in May anyway, going October instead of August will "stretch out the pleasure (and cost) a bit more". October is a good time to go anyway - things tend to be getting a bit dark, cold and miserable around here. AND you may find it is cheaper...

We werer originally looking to do a cruise and stay in Florida in end of July/August (our 10th wedding anniversary on 2nd August), but prices are SO MUCH higher than in September/October. September/October will also be quieter and not so ridiculously hot. I know that prices may go up a bit at October half-term, BUT may still be quite a bit cheaper than August....

Just a thought

Good luck,
Boo

 

[Chilly]

Fly Drive with TCD £2650

 

[wayneg]

Any chance of getting a flight(or drive) up to Glasgow Flyglobespan £1,974 or come back a day later on the 2nd brings it down to £1,732. Other dates bring prices down even more.

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Thanks! Some good ideas!

Our kids will be 12 months and 4 years at time of travel so I don't think we would consider indirect flights. It is just too much hassle and such a long day that i don't think i could face it with little ones- but a good way to save a lot of money. The same goes for commuting to other airports really.

I hadn't even thought of going in October. We have previously gone in September and loved it so it might be worth considering. I would need to take DD out of school for one week though. Not sure what the policy is on that yet....have filled in LEA school application forms and won't find out until 1st May which school she will be going to. Even if they allow it, not sure i would take her out so soon after starting in case it upsets her settling in process.

I think I will look into TCD, hadn't thought about that before.

Thanks everyone, nice to think about different options. We still may just book the Virgin flights but I want to explore other options first. I really appreciate the suggestions.

Mandy

 

[mrsminniemouse]

We werer originally looking to do a cruise and stay in Florida in end of July/August (our 10th wedding anniversary on 2nd August), but prices are SO MUCH higher than in September/October. September/October will also be quieter and not so ridiculously hot. I know that prices may go up a bit at October half-term, BUT may still be quite a bit cheaper than August....


Boo

Boo
I was bridesmaid to a friend on 2 Aug 1997!!!! It was a boiling hot day if I remember correctly. You share the same anniversary- to the day!
Congratulations! Hope you have a great anniversary trip. Thanks for you suggestions.

Mandy

 

[wayneg]

Didn't realise children were so young, We took DS out for 2 weeks every Oct at Junior school, always Oct half term and 2 weeks before. This is our favourite time of year to go. We are lucky we have a son that was top of everything at Junior school so did not affect his education, the school sent homework and he had to keep a diary while away.
You would have no problems with children so young.
Personally would still go indirect to save money but thats because I am from Yorkshire and dont like parting with my money

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Didn't realise children were so young, We took DS out for 2 weeks every Oct at Junior school, always Oct half term and 2 weeks before. This is our favourite time of year to go. We are lucky we have a son that was top of everything at Junior school so did not affect his education, the school sent homework and he had to keep a diary while away.
You would have no problems with children so young.
Personally would still go indirect to save money but thats because I am from Yorkshire and dont like parting with my money

Once DD is settled at school, we will consider taking her out for a week, probably in May along with half term. At preschool she is really switched on (the teachers tell me) so if she continues like that I wouldn't worry about her missing a week. I truly believe family travel time is very important too.

I used to be a primary school teacher and I cannot say I found it a problem when pupils went on holiday. If a child has special needs or will be missing exams then I think it can be a problem but generally i think it is ok. I haven't taught since 2003, I know that it is less acceptable at many schools now. When i was teaching, each child at our school could have 10 days authorised absence.

Mandy

 

[wayneg]

I think it is totally dependant on the abilty of the child and a personal decision. Only the parent/guardian knows their child and their circumstances.
We got a lot of earache when we took DS out, not from the school they were 100% behind us doing it but from people on here and friends.
Our DS is now 12 in his second year at High school, just about top in everything, plays Keyboard and been accepted for NAGTY(National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youths) www.nagty.ac.uk
Out of 7 years of school he's had 12 weeks holidays in school term but the knowledge he has gained from travel he would never have gained in the classroom, How many kids these days get taken to see the Van Gough museum, Anne Frank house, a drug user shouting at a tree (that memory will stick with him for life) all experiences not available in the classroom.
I also get a lot of earache for closing my business 8 weeks a year for family travel but you only live once and not for long.
His ambition, to run Disney.
Hope you find something.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Have you tried Expedia.co.uk? We got a good deal there last week. Direct Virgin flight and 2 weeks at a Disney Resort (we chose POR) in August, every 6th night at the resort is free.

 

[Claire L]

Does little one have their own seat or not, as VA direct for 3 seats and infant is just over £2400.

Claire

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Boo
I was bridesmaid to a friend on 2 Aug 1997!!!! It was a boiling hot day if I remember correctly. You share the same anniversary- to the day!
Congratulations! Hope you have a great anniversary trip. Thanks for you suggestions.

Mandy

Wow, small world

It wasn't too bad down here, in Bath, on the day we got married. I had quite a big dress with long sleeves and don't remember being hot. I do remember the car arriving at the reception venue (from the Church) at about 3pm JUST as a few spots of rain landed. Fortunately, that was it - a few spots: drinks were served on the lawn (not that I got many!) and photos were taken in the garden as planned . It was a fab day and I have been luck enough to have a wonderful marriage ever since - my husband is a star (but don't tell him I said that ). I am a very lucky girl.

I can understand why you would be uneasy to take your daughter out of term for an extra week during her first term at school. Good luck finding a very good deal - your children are very lucky: I think going out and seeing the world is a wonderful thing to do for children - they will be rich for life experience

Boo

 

[wayneg]

Boo, were you named after the lake or the lake named after you?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=28.43277,-81.475039&spn=0.007736,0.014462&t=h&om=1

 

[mrsminniemouse]

Does little one have their own seat or not, as VA direct for 3 seats and infant is just over £2400.

Claire

Hi Claire, yes we will buy the little wriggler his own seat. We flew to Orlando with DD at 11 months on our lap and vowed never to do it again! I reckon the price you quote is the one I saw just less the child seat. Think we might just book it..................

Thanks for your help.

Mandy

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Boo, were you named after the lake or the lake named after you?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=28.43277,-81.475039&spn=0.007736,0.014462&t=h&om=1

The lake is named after me, obviously...

Boo

 

[Chilly]

I was taken out of school for 2 weeks in June every year of my school life apart from GCSE year and I think I turned out ok!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We went last AUgust but didn't book until 2 weeks before we went and still got a cheap deal. When we first went 12 years ago, if you hadn't booked by January for AUgust you wouldn't get a flight!!!!

 

[Verity Chambers]

hello again mandy! Lucky you!

Have you tried TravelRepubic on the web, they got us a good deal last year. xx