I take my family of four on holidays abroad for less than the cost of a UK staycation
As a mum of two and a lifelong bargain hunter, I've made it my mission to prove that you don't need to spend a fortune to make unforgettable family memories. In fact, with a little flexibility and some clever planning, it's often cheaper for my family of four to jet off abroad than to holiday right here in the UK.
While others are booking pricey cottages or UK resorts, I'm tracking flight deals, exploring European holiday parks, and uncovering little-known ways to stretch the family budget without compromising on fun. Because for us, holidays aren't about luxury, they're about connection, culture and quality time together.
Whether we're eating street food in Greece or camping on the French coast, I've learned one universal truth: kids don't care how much you've spent. They care that you're there. And with that mindset, here's how we make European getaways cheaper than a British break, and how you can too.
1. Rethink holiday parks abroad
Start by finding cheap flights from your nearest airport (you can use The Travel Mum website for this). Once you've landed a bargain flight, look for nearby holiday camps. Don't be put off by the word camp, most offer mobile homes with air conditioning, pools, kids' activities, arcades and more.
We've got a few lined up along the south of France this summer, and I'll be sharing the trip on Instagram stories. These sites offer so much more than a basic UK caravan park, often for a fraction of the price.
2. Use last-minute holiday finders
If you've got nerves of steel, tools like TUI's Last Minute Holiday Finder can land you incredible deals. Sure, planning in advance lets you spread the cost, but if you're flexible on destination, you could bag a full-package break for less than a long weekend in Cornwall.
3. Try house-sitting
Want to travel without paying for accommodation? Housesitting could be your answer. We've stayed across Europe for free by looking after people's homes and pets, from dogs and cats to house rabbits, lizards and even alpacas! It's not for everyone, but it can save you hundreds if you're happy to take on some light responsibilities while enjoying a local experience.
4. Travel before the school holidays start
If your kids can miss a day or two of school, departing just before the official break can save you hundreds. You won't be fined for the odd day off, and this small shift can make a big difference to your budget.
5. Use the right cards abroad
A lot of people overlook this, but it's a big one. Avoid transaction fees by using a travel debit or credit card. Many offer near-perfect exchange rates, which means more for your money. It's one of those small swaps that makes a big impact over the course of a trip.
6. Sign up for deal alerts
Get ahead of the game by joining mailing lists (like The Travel Mum!) to receive handpicked flight and holiday deals straight to your inbox. The best bargains often don't last long, so it pays to be ready to act fast.
7. Final thoughts
We've done luxury. We've done budget. And honestly? The best memories, the laughter, the adventures, the real moments, have almost always come from the simpler trips. So, if you're weighing up a £1,200 weekend in Devon versus a £900 week in Spain with pools, sunshine, and new experiences? You know what I'll be choosing. Travel smart, travel often, and don't let the idea of 'abroad' scare your wallet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Destination X viewers 'getting annoyed' with show as they all issue same complaint
Destination X was back on screens during its usual slot of 9pm on Wednesday night but several viewers all issued the same complaint as the BBC travel competition continued Destination X was back on screens during its usual slot of 9pm on Wednesday night. The BBC One series follows a group of strangers hoping to to win £100,000 by correctly guessing where in the world they have been taken to, but viewers began to get 'very frustrated' as things unfolded. The series, which is hosted by Rob Brydon, sees the hopefuls dealt with various clues as to where they might be, ranging from languages written down and other key hints. But as the competition heated up, viewers found themselves 'getting annoyed' by the sheer lack of knowledge that the contestants seemed to possess. One viewer took to X to say: "Getting annoyed with #DestinationX - the lack of knowledge is appalling!" Another said: "I assume it's deliberate in this show that they picked contestants who know absolutely nothing about European languages or Geography, but it's still very frustrating to watch." And a third joked: "We have some exceptionally clever people in this country. We win bucketloads of Nobel prizes, we invented nearly everything worthwhile, we have an elite of world class minds but most of our citizens are thick as pig s***." It comes after Gary Lineker 'signs a huge deal with ITV to host new show' after BBC exit. As part of the mission that was played out in episode three, contestants had to sort items often associated with various countries into the correct box. Host Rob Brydon looked on in a tense race to the finish but in the end, Ashvin was saved and e-commerce manager James had to go. Upon Ashvin's victory, he said: "My goal was to get on that bus, and it's gone. The goal was the Destination X bus," as James became candid about the challenge that saw him ousted from the programme. He said: "I'm quite said to be going really, I feel a bit blindsided by Josh, Josh chose Daren because he viewed the rest of us as a threat , then I can't say I wouldn't have done the same." Marketing executive Saskia was incredibly moved by James' sudden departure. Through tears, she said in a confessional: "This game is really hard. I know this is a game because it's really hard when you've made emotional connections with people here, it's really difficult. "I'm a little bit angry at Daren, I love having Daren here but I feel like it kind of could have been James." As the journey drew to a close, the remaining contestants had just minutes to figure out where in the world they were. They all gathered in the map room, and the one who placed their X on the map furthest away from their actual location was warned they would be immediately out of the competition. There was mass confusion, to begin with, although most of them seemed to assume they were in Munich. It was Ben who faced elimination after guessing that they were in Dortmund, and spoke of how he had taken the advice of Saskia, who in turn, voted for Munich after spotting a football ground. Prior to that, he had spotted a football team playing in black and yellow, which he believed could be Borussia Dortmund. Saskia said: "That was bad. But I need to start playing this game properly if I want to make it to the final." She added: "I don't even know what to say about it," as she hugged her former co-star and began to cry. After stepping off the bus for the final time, indeed in Munich, Ben laughed and said: "Well, I'm not where I am that's for sure! Wow! I'm in Munich. My gut was Munich. I saw Oktoberfest, but the clues got me. I got played a little bit. I put my trust in people."
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Destination X viewers left distracted by 'naked people' as new clue exposed
BBC viewers were left distracted by a group of totally nude people during Wednesday night's instalment of new reality show Destination X Destination X returned to BBC One on Wednesday evening (August 6) with yet another gripping episode, though viewers were utterly perplexed by one particular moment. Host Rob Brydon is currently guiding a team of participants across various European destinations with a single mission - to work out their location using solely the hints collected from tasks in each programme. Throughout the reality series so far, contestants have already explored Paris in France, and Switzerland's iconic Matterhorn whilst travelling aboard the mysterious blacked-out coach. However, in the coming episodes, additional players face elimination from the journey if their guesses prove too inaccurate when pinpointing their position on the map. The final remaining contestant will claim an incredible £100,000 jackpot. In Wednesday's episode, participants journeyed by rail through stunning rural landscapes in an undisclosed nation, reports the Manchester Evening News. Their challenge involved sampling local cuisine and deciphering transport tickets written in foreign languages to unlock clues about their next stop. Yet as their train crossed a bridge, a small gathering of individuals could be spotted beside a camping structure, apparently without any clothing whatsoever. The group appeared to be observing the passing locomotive and gesturing enthusiastically as it sped by, leaving players amused. Destination X audiences were completely mystified by this bizarre sequence, with one viewer posting on X: "Dying at the naked people just casually waving #DestinationX." One fan couldn't contain their excitement, exclaiming: "Nude! #DestinationX", while another quipped about the contestants' reaction: "It was at this point that the contestants asked for the windows to be frosted over again.." Speculation ran rampant as one viewer pondered: "Could this weeks Destination X be Copenhagen? Red Shoes on the football magazine could refer to The Red Shoes by Hans Christian Anderson, and naked people Emperors New Clothes? #DestinationX". Meanwhile, another fan found humour in the unexpected, joking: "#DestinationX didn't expect to see a man waving his sausage". The third destination of the show was later revealed as Munich in Germany. Destination X currently airs every Wednesday on BBC One and is available to catch-up on iPlayer
The Herald Scotland
30 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Destination X locations for all episodes in series 1 so far
Gamemaster Rob Brydon is currently leading a group of contestants around a handful of European towns, cities and countries with one objective in mind – to figure out where the X they are, by using only clues gathered from challenges in each episode. Just some of the places the cast have already visited on board the blacked-out X-bus include the romantic French capital of Paris. But over the next few weeks, even more players will be dumped from the X-bus if they place their X too far away on the map when the time comes to guess. The person left at the very end will take home a staggering £100,000 – who do you think it will be? Where was the Destination X location in series 1 episodes? Full list If you're struggling to keep track of all the named destinations in the first series of Destination X, or just need a bit of a refresher, we can help you stay up to date. Warning: If you haven't seen the most recent episodes, which have already aired on BBC One, spoilers are ahead. So far, the Destination X locations that have been revealed are: Paris, France – episode one Matterhorn, Switzerland – episode two You can also find out who has left Destination X UK in this article. Recommended reading: How many episodes are there of Destination X UK? In total, there are 10 episodes of Destination X on BBC One. Two episodes air every week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All episodes will air at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer each week. Where do you think the X-bus will visit next? Share your predictions in the comments below.
