No more touring abroad

[DJM]

Just back from El-Delfin Verde and unfortunately I cannot justify the cost of doing it again.

Ferry, tolls, diesel, food, site fees etc all increased substantially since last year.

Next year it is a package holiday for us - much cheaper.

A great shame, anybody else feeling the same?

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Grimbo - we were of the opinion that the site fees at Benodet and ferry crossing from Plymouth to Roscoff were quite reasonable. Diesel in Brittany was on average 20p. per litre cheaper than this country. However now I must agree with you that the food in Brittany in either the supermarkets or to eat out was very expensive compared to UK. We went there four years ago and the comparison in costs to this year was rediculous - it had risen consederably. The cost of whisk(e)y was either on a par or slightly dearer to this country. I could not compare the cost of wine as we do not drink wine at home. The cost of cigarettes were slightly cheaper. The main thing we did find rediculously cheap was medication - my wife forgot her tablets which could only be had on prescription here - in Benodet it was possible to purchase a month supply for 2.10 euros over the counter.

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

Having been caravanning near York at the weekend and also caravanning in North Yorks two weeks ago, I guess the post is a bit of a wind up.

With Calais Hypermarkets still pretty backed with Brits, and our last meal in France in August being cheaper and especially of far better quality than anything we've recently experienced in the UK.

We will still be heading off to Dover as fast as we can.

Ria

 

[cabapino]

Having been three times to our daughter's in Andulucia by air.The airport hassle terrible service at airport hours to checkin before hassle at the arrival airport.Last flight back the airline lost one of our cases.Never again!We traveled schedule not a budget airline.We will never fly again.

 

[cabapino]

ps

That is three trips this year the service and time wasting just not worth it

 

[Guest]

Depends on the length of thre trip. If only 2-3 weeks then I fully agree it isn't worth it, but if you can make it 12 weeks for instance then it is.

 

[Icemaker]

Thats exactely what we said after going to france last year, it was a very expensive experiance for a two week holiday but if we could have stayed for 4 weeks or more the cost would have evened out a bit.

We spent just short of a grand on the ferry and site through the club then

 

[DJM]

No wind up - I'm deadly serious. We used PO ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge,(450 pounds). Drove from Zeebrugge to Torrella de Montgri on the Costa Brava and stayed at El-Delfin Verde (my fourth visit to this site). We were away for a total of 23 nights. Including all tolls, diesel, food, night stops, site fees, and only occasional dining out, we spent 2400 pounds. I don't consider this value for money and for next year I have already booked 21 nights away in Lanzorote fully inclusive in a four star hotel at a total coat of 1200 pounds.At that price I don't mind a few hours delay and hassle at the airport. It will also save me clocking up at least 2000 miles on the car as well.

 

[BeemerMal]

Grimbo....I know what you mean regarding costs. Everyone seems to charge double (plus some) for high season travel and pitches. Also, it is such a long haul down to Spain for around a Three week stay. To be honest I would not do it for such a short trip, but I suppose needs must...

In comparison, we went to the Costa Blanca, south of Alicanti, in early March and stayed until the end of May (87 days). The Ferry, (Portsmouth/Bilbao), campsite fees and Diesel came in total to

 

[DJM]

Grimbo....I know what you mean regarding costs. Everyone seems to charge double (plus some) for high season travel and pitches. Also, it is such a long haul down to Spain for around a Three week stay. To be honest I would not do it for such a short trip, but I suppose needs must...

In comparison, we went to the Costa Blanca, south of Alicanti, in early March and stayed until the end of May (87 days). The Ferry, (Portsmouth/Bilbao), campsite fees and Diesel came in total to

 

[HomerS1]

Hi, just returned from 24 day stay in France. Stayed in Orleans, Carcassonne, Agde, Chartres and St. Omer. Average site fee

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

When on package holidays we've ended up hiring a car to escape x to find the hideaways that locals frequent, extra cost!

No doubt we could holiday or weekend at Haven or Butlins, if that is your scene fair enough, but having picked up my niece and her partner from Gatwick on Friday. I'll give the package tour a miss and willingly pay extra for a caravan trip if in fact it did cost more.

Niece went to the US on holiday, Ten hours of delays on Flights, plus sat in the plane on the tarmac for 105 minutes until storm cleared in North Carolina then a "half mile" queue as "visitors" to Britain could not understand Gatwick arrivals.

French, Italians and others we know cant understand how we can afford a life here in Britain, you just have to change the way you live when on holiday.

Ria

 

[DJM]

Hello Ria,

I don't think you have understood what I have said, and I have never set foot in or inend to stay at a Butlins or Haven holiday camp. We have toured in Europe for at least 90 nights per year for the past 5 years, so we know the score. I was just highlighting the fact that if you caravan down as far as Northern Spain or the South of France for a three to four week period it is now getting very expensive to do so.

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

Sorry Grimbo, but I fully understand what you have posted. I was just saying that there are other options for holidays or breaks, one can have cheap weekend break at Butlins I understand. I was not suggesting that is what you do, just that, that kind of holiday is not for us and nor is a package holiday.

I've been away three times to France this year and have been to Italy as my daughter lives there as did we for many years.

I don't find it expensive, fuel is cheaper and toll roads a matter of choice, ferry Norfolk Line at just over

 

[catherine_5040027]

Crikey Ria that was a bit strong the poor man we only telling us how he feels!!

Catherine

 

[catherine_5040027]

Oops that should have said was!