A mum looking to whisk her family away this October is desperately looking for alternatives after being told how much an all inclusive holiday will cost her.
Writing on Mumsnet, the parent explained how she had been looking at booking an October half term holiday for two adults and three kids, aged four, two and four months.
"We are looking at all inclusive, pool hotel type holiday, four star or so. Ideally somewhere with a kids club and splash pool," she wrote.
"Tenerife is the most likely option. Portugal is our preference but too expensive. Ideally no more than three-four hours flight.
"I have scoured the internet and most options (when independently booking flights and a hotel) are coming out at £4.5-5k.
"I spoke to a travel agent yesterday and she said that I would be really pushing it to find something for £5k.
"Is that right? A family holiday of 6-7 nights in an all inclusive is now £5,000!?! How do people do it!? Am I too tight?"
Not only is the mum battling with concerns she hasn't got enough cash, she has been guilt tripped for considering taking her kids away out of term time.
"The four-year-old starts reception in September," she wrote. "I had considered taking her out three to four days, but was been totally mum shamed on another thread at it disrupting her routine, she'll just have started etc, so I am guilt tripped!"
On the thread fellow mums flocked to give their advice and suggest alternatives, with some revealing that they too had since £5k costs for holidays.
"That sounds about right," one mum wrote. "Ours is a five star for £7k for four people booked 10 months ago with a 20% early booking discount."
Some suggested trying a different destination, highlighting Cyprus as a place which has "brilliant weather in October" that can be a little cheaper, as well as up-and-coming destinations such as Croatia and Slovenia.
One woman suggested that the price could be brought right down if the family ditch their all-inclusive requirement.
"With such young kids I wouldn't go all inclusive," she wrote. "I'd book a self catering package with a two-bedroom apartment. Try TUI or Jet2. Set breakfast and dinner times often aren't convenient with young children and you won't be able to take full advantage of the inclusive booze either."
Others advised ditching the idea altogether and enjoying a holiday closer to home.
"Stay in the UK, get two full time nannies for the week, and eat every meal out with your other half," one mum wrote. "Get massages each day, nails done, all the pampering you want. I reckon that would come to £2,500 and you’d have a better time!
"Or deal with flying hell, tiny hotel room, heat, possible food poisoning, and three tired kids all week."
The most common piece of advice offered to the mum was to simply ignore and rules, and the guilt-trippers, and jet away outside of term time.
"At their ages I wouldn't go in the school holidays," a peer pressuring parent suggested. "You will get a massive price difference for going before or after."
