Paging the holiday experts (BGN?)

Quick question. A friend has just come into some spare cash and is
looking to treat a group of us to a trip. Budget 3k to cover 6 adults
and 4 (6-10) children for a week in April (excluding spends etc).
They're looking at something like self-catering in Gran Canaria or
some such and have so far only looked at Thomas Cook.

For that kind of cash would you recommend any particular resort, any
other country or any other travel agent?

As an aside, my mate is into bikes too so we'd like to hire a couple
and check out the local roads. Somewhere good for a bimble or a blat
would be great.

 

well, I'm totally biased but I really don't think you can better VFM
than at manos.co.uk, but then I /love/ Greece. April is a bit
early-season there though. Comparing Thos Cook with them on a
like-for-like basis suggests that TC are taking the piss.

 

On that budget per person I guess you fall outside BGN's area of expertise.

My tip is to book each element separately. Pick somewhere warm that you can
get cheap flights to, rent a large apartment/villa and hire 2 family size
cars.

I haven't done a package holiday for about 4 years as I found them to be a
bit shit. Being in control of the airport connections, choice of food,
places I visit etc makes the trip so much more enjoyable.

Expedia, Ebookers, http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk, kayak.co.uk,
carrentals.co.uk, carjet, opodo etc are your friends.

£600 for car hire (at carjet, looks like 3 Astra estates are cheaper than 2
big cars)
£800-1200 for a villa with a pool
leaving £1200 for flights, which will only be a goer if you travel late
April after the schools go back

 

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some worthy offers there

http://uk.travelzoo.com

 

Well, you would say that, wouldn't you

 

Contact WavyDavy of this parish. Ok, it's in France, but very nice
surroundings and Dave is not *that* bad.

Google for lot valley enduro

 

Thnking about it, that's actually not a bad idea. I'm not sure how warm
it will be by then, but I doubt it will be cold.

One big gîte for all of you, a swimming pool, fabulous surrundings -
proper bikes and biking countryside.

Not sure how much there is for the kids to do, but IIRC there's some
largish towns close by and some cities that are day trip-able.

 

What a cracking idea. Unfortunately the peeps with the dosh were keen
to get booked quick and have done the deed already and, since I'm
getting a free holiday, I'm not complaining. They were set on the
Canaries as they wanted the heat. BGN's bike hire tips will still come
in very handy.

That said, all advice is gratefully accepted, noted and will be
dragged out for our next trip. Much appreciated all.