Hi Michelle

DIY is definitely the cheapest route to go down, although flights and accommodation do tend to be dearer in school holidays Dont know where you live but there are soon good offers flying from smaller regional airports.

My advice is to book really early with the flights - I booked my flights for this summer last July!! - we booked the day after the flights were released and have got flights to Mallorca for 2 weeks in school holidays for £77 each

Places like the Algarve specialise in large villas (to cope with all the golfers) My husband booked an 8 bedroom villa with private pool for a week last September for £800. Places like the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca are also worth a look.

For such a large party you really do need DIY as a tour operator would charge you a fortune. You need to decide where you fancy going and then spend some time on the net searching for flights and villas, it might take you some time but definitely worth it.

Carmel

Michelle, the problem you have is that for this year you have probably left it too late to book cheap flights. You do need to register with the airlines on their web sites so that you get notification of when the flights are going on sale. The further in advance that you book your flights, the cheaper it usually is. Having said that you could still get reasonably priced flights for September if you are lucky. It really depends on where you want to go and where you are travelling from.

What sort of holiday are you looking for and where are you travelling from? More information may illicit more detailed information and advice.

Sept is cheaper for flights,and as there are 8 of you some apartments know of more than one apartment available in same complex,so you can all be together,plus it is still hot abroad in Sept

Thanks for the replys, we ideally want to fly from doncaster, but could go to East Midlands, prefer donny though as just up the road, not bothered were we go, as long as its hottish and plenty for kids to do, i did mention villas to one of the kids and she poohooed the idea, she likes to mix, and likes a communual pool rather than one which was just for us.
We have checked out some hotels, but hubby is dead set against us being apart, we are a stepfamily, and we know which way the kids would pull LOL, lifes hard enough without making us feel like separate families, as we have always insisted we are one big family, and the kids are happy that way, so if anyone can help i would be grateful, i have looked but to be honest i get fedup of looking after a while when i cant find anything suitable, wrong i know as i wont ever find anything with that attitude, but i only get short spurts on the comp, then forget were i have looked and so the search goes on.
Michelle
PS ages of kids are or will be by sept 15, 13, 12, 10, 8, 4.

It should still be possible to book a reasonably priced holiday(well as reasonably priced as it can be with 6 kids ) but it will take some time on the internet.

First I'd try http://www.thomsonfly.com for flights from Doncaster. Try lots of different dates and destinations until you find a price you're happy with.

Then I'd look for accommodation, somewhere like http://www.holiday-rentals.com is a good place to start as they have availability calendars.

I would think that the second half of September will be better price wise but it should still be good weather.

I did see some 4 bedroomed (and 3 bedroomed but sleeping apartments in the Benalmadena area of the Costa del Sol.

Whatever you decide - Good Luck

hi michelle!
if you can fly from leeds/bradford,there are flights,
21/9 to malaga leaving at 08.35 returning
5/10 at 13.20
they are £87.96-total £703.68


on http://www.holiday-rentals.com
there are some properties in fuengirola,that could well be suitable,as they are private apartments,but in complexes,so there are communal pools,so the kids,can still mix.

property 12559,sounds ideal.this is £580 per week,so your total would only be £1863 for a fortnight.
other property numbers,i looked at briefly are 14210 & 12975.

the best thing about malaga airport is,you have fuengirola,belamadena & torremalinas,all next to each other,so in effect,you are not stuck,in one resort,you can walk from belamadena to fuengirola,along the promenade.so there should be plenty,to keep the kids amused,between the 3 resorts.

never looked at properties in belamadena or torremilinas,but there are plenty on the above web-site,it might be worth a look.the weather will still be hot,as well.we travelled 27/9 last year & had fantastic weather,for the full fortnight.
hope you get what you are looking for,tracy

Thanks for the info, i have infact found a couple of places on that site which look ok in belamadena, and flights on from the 18th sept to 2 oct for £937.52, and i think the house, well the cheapest one i found was around £800 for 2 weeks, then another for around £1200, so at least i know what i wma doing a little more now, so i guess the only other thing financially to consider is insurance and taxis to and from airport.
Will keep on now with search as i feel more optimistic, thanks again
Michelle

Have you thought about doing diy to Benidorm there`s loads of 3 bedroomed apartments there.There will be plenty to keep the kids amused and the costs in resort are very good.

Thomson fly have flights in September from Doncaster for £90 pp.

If you look on the Costa Blanca forum there`s loads of info on transfers etc, or you could put a post up for 3 bedroomed apartments.

I`ve looked at alpha rooms and Winter sunshine but they only do apartments for 6.

Insurance wise if you get quotes for a family policy and the extra children. I use direct-travel insurance, I find them ggod on price.

Good Luck

Christine W

you could also try the rental section on HT.

Hi meemo, Thomson have villa deals & some good flight deals flying from doncaster. also try these websites for your accommodation http://www.holidaylets.net http://www.selfcatering.co.uk http://www.selfrentals.com. Cheers jayjan