EUROPE
You can't get much cheaper than camping, though we're not talking about
pitching a two-man tent in a field. Unzip the fly sheet to a four-bedroom
tent at a variety of campsites in France with Venue Holidays. What's more,
the company has cut prices across the board, so that at Camping La Plage at
St Hilaire-de-Riez, on the Vendée coast, ten nights cost £566 including a
midweek Dover-Calais car ferry crossing. 01233 629950 www.venueholidays.co.uk
Can't afford a fortnight but still want to get away? You only need to stay for
two nights to benefit from a 30 per cent reduction for families with Hilton
Minibreaks. Under-18s can stay free in their parents' room and under-10s get
free meals. For example, rooms at the Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice are
from £159 a night based on a family of four sharing. There are plenty of
children's activities too, from Venetian mask painting to cookery classes. www.hilton.co.uk
Chartering a private yacht sounds lovely - and expensive. But Sunvil Sailing
has a seven-day holiday in the Greek Ionian sea for just £599pp. You get not
only live-aboard accommodation for families of three or more, but also
sailing instruction- a bargain. Flights from Gatwick or Manchester are also
included on the trip, which runs from July 27. 020-8758 4780 www.sunvil.co.uk
Self catering is an obvious way to cut your holiday cost. It doesn't, though,
mean you have to cut back on all thefacilities - Interhome runs a children's
programme with outdoor activities led by qualified staff at its apartments
in the small resort of See in the mountains of Austria. A week there in
August can still be had from just £273 for a three-room apartment. Flights
are not included. 020-8780 6629 www.interhome.co.uk
The strong Euro means that everything costs more in Europe, which is why
Turkey, with its lira, is proving such a hit this summer. A family of four
can stay for two weeks at the three-star Ekinci Palace Apartments in Icmeler
with flights from Gatwick for £1,672 in total. Book through Jewel in the
Crown Holidays for departures on August 8. 0870 0672352 www.jewelholidays.com
Still craving luxury and prepared to take a chance? Get a cut-price deal in
Sardinia staying in a five-star hotel from just £530 per adult, with car
hire. The catch? You won't know in which of six luxury resorts belonging to
the Delphina Hotel Group you'll be staying until three days before
departure. No charge for children under six; over six pay half price.
020-7963 6697 www.key2holidays.co.uk
UNITED STATES
If the draw of Mickey proves too much and you're headed for the States, you
can at least benefit from a Kids Eat Free Card. Under 12s get to eat at more
than 80 restaurants in Orlando, Florida. A week in August costs £999 per
adult, £699 per child, staying at the Travelodge at Universal, with car
hire, flights but not tickets to the parks. Book with Jetsave. 0870 1607323
The weak dollar leaves you quids in on a New England tour. Go whale watching
off the coast of Maine, or hit the theme parks. An eight-day self-drive
holiday with American Sky costs from £2,469 for a family of four in July and
August, including flights, accommodation and car rental. 0870 9040920 www.americansky.co.uk
MIDDLE EAST
It's hot - horribly hot - in Egypt in August. But if those soaring
temperatures aren't a problem, you can save £165 on the brochure price for a
week at the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel at Sharm El Sheikh. The Oasis
Kids' Club will keep children busy while their parents enjoy the watersports
centre. The holiday costs £729 per adult and £559 per child for B&B
and flights from Gatwick on August 10. Book with Citrus Travel. 01342
302555, www.citrustravel.co.uk.
Take the heat out of Oman in the summer by heading to the spa, while the kids
learn to dive in the warm sea. Save £150 per person on a five-night holiday
at Shangri-La's five-star Al Waha hotel. The trip departs on August 10 and
costs £599pp, with flights. 0871 6640246 www.hayesandjarvis.com
