# FLY-DRIVE HOLIDAY OPTIONS - Summer 2026

## ⚠️ BUDGET REALITY CHECK (Updated 16 March 2026)

After verifying actual prices, **NONE of the fly-drive options are achievable under £2,000 for 10 nights in July 2026.** Peak season accommodation and flights are 2-3x more expensive than estimates.

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## Requirements Recap
- **Dates:** 10-12 nights (flexible) in July/August 2026
- **Party:** 2 adults + 1 child (age 6)
- **Budget:** £2,000 total
- **Transport:** Fly from Manchester/Liverpool + hire car
- **Must Have:** Pool access (private or shared)
- **Dietary:** Vegetarian + allergies → self-catering
- **Priority:** Daughter having fun!

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## ✅ VERIFIED PRICES (16 March 2026)

### 10-Night Options (18-28 July 2026)

| Destination | Flights | Car Hire | Accommodation | **TOTAL** | Status |
|-------------|---------|----------|---------------|-----------|--------|
| **Germany (Budget Airbnb)** | £364 | £300-430 | **£750** | **£1,414-1,544** | ⚠️ MAY work |
| **Portugal (Lagos)** | £530 | £120-160 | **£1,405** | **£2,055-2,095** | ⚠️ Just over |
| **Croatia (Split)** | £699 | £0 (no car) | **£1,620** | **£2,319** | ❌ Over |
| **Mallorca** | £411 | £400-500 | **£2,465** | **£3,276-3,376** | ❌ Way Over |

### 7-Night Options (Shorter Holiday)

| Destination | **TOTAL (7 nights)** | Status |
|-------------|---------------------|--------|
| **Germany (Budget Airbnb)** | **~£1,000-1,200** | ✅ VIABLE |
| **Portugal (Lagos)** | **~£1,600** | ✅ MAY work |
| **Croatia (Split)** | **~£2,163** | ❌ Over Budget |
| **Mallorca** | **~£2,700+** | ❌ Way Over |

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## 🏆 ONLY VIABLE OPTION: Germany (Black Forest)

**Germany Airbnb Budget Mix (10 nights):**
- Flights MAN→Munich: **£364** ✅
- Car hire (economy + insurance): **£300-430** ⚠️
- Airbnb Black Forest: **£750** ✅
- Food: £300 ⚠️
- Activities (Europa Park): £185 ✅
- **TOTAL: £1,899-2,029**

**This is the ONLY option that MIGHT work under £2,000** - but it depends on:
- Getting the budget Airbnb (~£750 for 10 nights)
- Economy car hire at ~£300
- No pool guarantee (some Airbnbs have shared pools)

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## ❌ NOT VIABLE UNDER £2,000

### Portugal Algarve
- Cheapest 10 nights: **£2,505-2,545** (Lagos + car)
- Main issue: Accommodation £1,405+ (vs £600-900 estimated)
- Even 7 nights: ~£1,800-2,000 (tight)

### Croatia Split
- Cheapest 10 nights: **£2,819** (no car, cheapest Airbnb)
- Main issues: Flights £699, Accommodation £1,620+
- Even 7 nights: £2,163 (over budget)

### Mallorca
- Cheapest 10 nights: **£3,276-3,376**
- Main issues: Car hire £400-500, Accommodation £2,465+
- Even 7 nights: £2,700+
- **Completely unaffordable on £2,000 budget**

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## Why Fly-Drive Works Better Than Drive+Ferry

| Factor | Fly + Hire | Drive + Ferry |
|--------|-----------|---------------|
| Travel time | 3-5 hours total | 12-20+ hours |
| Cost | £400-700 | £600-1,100 |
| Stress | Low | High (long drive, ferry) |
| Time at destination | More | Less (lost to travel) |

**Fly-drive saves ~£300-400 and 1-2 days of travel time!**

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## Files

- `01-PORTUGAL-ALGARVE.md` - Full details + verified prices
- `02-MALLORCA-SPAIN.md` - Full details + verified prices
- `03-CROATIA-SPLIT.md` - Full details + verified prices
- `04-GERMANY.md` - Full details + verified prices
- `05-DECISION-GUIDE.md` - How to choose

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## What Changed from Original Estimates?

| Item | Estimated | **ACTUAL** | Difference |
|------|-----------|------------|------------|
| Flights | £200-450 | **£411-699** | +£200-300 |
| Car Hire | £100-280 | **£120-483** | +£0-200 |
| Accommodation (10 nights) | £600-1,400 | **£988-3,400** | +£400-2,000! |

**Key Finding:** July peak season accommodation is 2-3x more expensive than off-season estimates. This is the main budget-breaker.

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## Recommendations

### For £2,000 Budget:
1. **Shorten to 7 nights** - All destinations except Mallorca become viable
2. **Consider late June/early September** - ~30% cheaper accommodation
3. **Look at package holidays** - Jet2/TUI may offer better value than Airbnb

### For 10 Nights:
- Increase budget to **£2,500-3,000**, OR
- Travel in **late June** or **early September** instead of July

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*Created: 15 March 2026*  
*Updated: 16 March 2026 - All prices verified with actual quotes*
