Small Families is the UK’s specialised operator offerering holidays to Single Parent Families. All hotels know that they are busiest in July & August and increase their prices accordingly. The big operators can get around this problem by contracting rooms for 12 months whereas our biggest problem is that we only offer departures in School Holidays. Because of this we cannot support our hotels year round and have to pay a premium in order to get rooms away from the big operators. It should also be remembered that Hotels still expect payment for two adults per room, so unfortunately with us, free child places are not an option.

It’s often a case of supply and demand, although I do agree that some hoteliers and tour operators are ‘greedy’. I am an agent dealing, predominantly, with the luxury market so my example won’t necessarily be of relevance to most people, but it shows how by looking at different options can save a small fortune.

In August a 7 night package holiday to the Sani Asterias Suites, staying in a deluxe beachfront suite on B&B, for 2 adults and 2 children would be over £11,000. This is a good price (honestly… and most weeks are already sold out) although it has jumped in price considerably since last year when you could get 14 nights for not much more (this year 14 nights would be over £18,000). However, if you were to travel in the October half term, when there are few direct flights available, an indirect flight via Rome with good connections would be less than £800 and exactly the same accommodation under £4,000 even with the transfers to be added and I would make a small charge so my clients would be covered by ATOL the price would be less than half the August price!

Whilst I’m not comapring ‘like with like’ as the flights are not direct, I would personally prefer to travel in October (yes, the locals are wearing coats, but it should still be in the low 70’s) as it’s much more bareable to me than August temperatures and it’s much quieter!

If you are not too bothered where you would like to go find a good travel agent, tell them what your maximum budget is and what you like/don’t like then let them offer you a few suggestions…

Everyone is famous for 15 seconds Darren!

The cost of travelling in school holidays has always been an issue. I personally would have no problems taking kids out of school for a week to reduce costs. Although schools do not encourange this the price difference is astounding. As an example we are looking for a few days away at Centre Parcs in Feb 2009 (half term). The cost for 4 adults and 2 children mid week is a staggering £1049 - the following week it is £355 (btw this is basic accommodation and not the luxury lodges). In percentage terms it is 300% more expensive. This is not fair and morally wrong. The sooner people start voting with their feet the better.