# Holiday Options Summary

## Quick Comparison

| | **Northern Spain** | **Dordogne, France** | **Brittany, France** |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Budget Feasibility** | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,100) | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,130) | ✅ Achievable (£1,970-2,000) |
| **Mosquito Risk** | ✅ Low | ✅ Low | ✅ Very Low |
| **Travel Time** | Long (20h ferry + driving) | Medium (6h ferry + 10h driving) | Short (6h ferry + 6h driving) |
| **Child Appeal** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| **Uniqueness** | High (new region) | Very High (caves/castles) | Medium (coastal) |
| **Vegetarian-Friendly** | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Very Good (galettes) |
| **Self-Catering** | ✅ Apartments available | ✅✅ Gîte paradise | ✅✅ Gîte paradise |
| **July Weather** | 20-26°C, some rain | 25-32°C, mostly sunny | 18-24°C, mixed |

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## Budget Comparison (£2,000 target)

### Northern Spain
| Category | Amount |
|----------|--------|
| Ferry (Plymouth-Santander) | £450 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 |
| Food | £450 |
| Fuel | £200 |
| Activities | £100 |
| Contingency | £100 |
| **Total** | **£2,000** |

### Dordogne, France
| Category | Amount |
|----------|--------|
| Ferry (Portsmouth-Caen) | £350 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £750 |
| Food | £500 |
| Fuel | £200 |
| Activities | £150 |
| Tolls | £50 |
| **Total** | **£2,000** |

### Brittany, France
| Category | Amount |
|----------|--------|
| Ferry (Plymouth-Roscoff) | £350 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £750 |
| Food | £500 |
| Fuel | £180 |
| Activities | £150 |
| Contingency | £70 |
| **Total** | **£2,000** |

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## Key Decision Factors

### Choose **Northern Spain** if:
- You want somewhere completely new and different
- You don't mind a long ferry crossing
- You're excited about unspoiled Atlantic coast + mountains
- Your daughter loves caves and nature

### Choose **Dordogne** if:
- Your daughter is obsessed with castles, knights, or caves
- You want a truly unique family experience
- You don't mind a longer drive
- Self-catering in a proper French gîte appeals

### Choose **Brittany** if:
- **Budget is your #1 priority** - best chance of staying under £2,000
- You want shorter travel time
- You want guaranteed beach days
- Crêpes and galettes sound perfect
- You're okay with weather that might be mixed

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## My Recommendation

### For Budget (£2,000 strict): **Brittany** ✅
- Most realistic to achieve budget
- Shorter travel (less tiring for everyone)
- Great mix of beaches, castles, culture
- Easy to find affordable gîtes inland

### For "Wow" Factor: **Dordogne** 🏰
- Incredible experience for a 6-year-old
- Caves, castles, canoeing - magical
- Will create lasting memories
- Slightly tighter budget but achievable

### For Something Different: **Northern Spain** 🇪🇸
- Least touristy option
- Beautiful unspoiled region
- Mix of coast and mountains
- Longest travel but most "adventure" feel

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## Next Steps

1. **Discuss as a family** - which option excites you most?
2. **Start researching accommodation** - get a feel for what's available
3. **Set booking deadlines** - January/February for gîtes, March for ferries
4. **I can help with:**
   - Finding specific gîtes in your chosen area
   - Checking ferry prices and availability
   - Building detailed itineraries
   - Researching specific activities/attractions

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*Created: 15 March 2026*
