Cheap breaks in May

Too late to book a break for Easter? Well you're in luck - here are some of the top deals for an inexpensive family holiday in May.

Most of us have a dilemma this year. We love our holidays, but we have limited budgets. So while fancy trips abroad may have been on the cards a few years ago, things are likely to be a lot less salubrious this summer.

Families with school age kids will find things even harder as they are tied to booking breaks in the school holidays, which, as we all know is a time when travel companies love to bump the price up.

But don't panic - there are plenty of ways to get away without spending a fortune. You may be too late to go away this weekend but you can certainly book something for May.

So first up - what if you have your heart set on going abroad?

Europe

The cheapest way to holiday is often to book a package deal.

The downside, of course, is that you're shuttled to and from your destination in a big group and flights tend to be at unearthly hours. However, when you realise that travel, accommodation and transfers are all included, good old packages are usually hard to beat on price.

Lastminute has one week holidays during the May half term to Gran Canaria from 23 May, flying from Glasgow for just £278 per person.

If you have pre-schoolers (and can thus avoid school holidays), you can book a week (beginning 9 May) in a 3 star apartment in the Algarve from just £168 per person - children under 2 are charged a £35 infants fee. Expedia has one week breaks in Majorca from just £150 per person.  And Teletext has 7-night holidays to Turkey in an all-inclusive resort from just £259 per person.

Cheap flights

But if you really can't face a package holiday, cheap flights can be booked through Ryanair and Easyjet and inexpensive hotels from Lastminute or Laterooms.

If you fancy a cheap trip to France you can currently save up to 50% if you book a break with Eurocamp by the end of April. Booking a 7-night stay in a three-bedroom (6 berth) chalet over the May half term (23 May) in Brittany would cost £404 (saving £214). And a 6-person tent booked for the same period would cost £204 (saving £132).

Camping in the UK

If you fancy being closer to home, pack up your tent and you can stay at a vast number of campsites in the UK for just a few pounds per night. Check out the Camping and Caravanning Club and campsitesuk for details.

And if you're quick, you can book a break in May or June at the newly refurbished Bristol Youth Hostel for just £15 per person, per night, which includes breakfast.

Cottages

Hiring a cottage can be costly, but a great way to save is to book a large one with another family (or two!) as they don't usually cost that much more than a small one. Not only do you halve the costs, but your kids have instant playmates, plus you can sneak out for an evening or two by babysitting for each other. Check out Cottages Direct or Classic cottages for some good options.

Holiday Camps

Kids love holiday camps and there are some great deals available at the moment, so it may just be worth buying some earplugs and booking a break at one!

Butlins is offering 50% off per person for a number of breaks in May. A family of four (two adults, two children) can currently book four nights, self-catering at Minehead from 4 May for just £160 (normally £320). And you can currently save between 10% and 40% if you book for the May half term.

Haven also has offers for the school break. A three-night stay from Fri 22 May in a three-bedroom caravan (that sleeps eight) starts at £219 (saving £106). And a three-night break at Pontins starts at £130 per family.

Centerparcs is offering 4-night breaks in May at their Whinfell Forest site in the Lake District from £399. What's more, from Friday 24 April to Thursday 21 May, you can claim up to 2 free kids meals for every £10 spent on their adult menu.

Swap houses

And finally, if you like your home comforts but are short of cash, what could be cheaper than a home swap? Simply sign up your house with one of the many home-swap companies and you can search for a property in the location you fancy staying in. Sort out the dates, and swap!

Not only will you have all the comforts of a home, you can potentially save carting along toys, books and other bulky items by arranging to use your host's things. Some swappers even arrange to feed each others pets so you save on kennel fees, too. And this doesn't have to be limited to the UK - many list sites all over the world.

Happy holidaying!

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