Update SUMMARY and DECISION-GUIDE with verified pricing

Key findings:
- Brittany gîte: ONLY option under £2,000 (£1,780-2,000)
- La Grande Métairie: Best holiday park value (£1,880-2,250)
- Siblu Kerlann: £2,147 verified (actual quote)
- Northern Spain: £2,185+ (ferry expensive)
- Dordogne: £2,660+ (gîte + tolls add up)

All major costs now verified from official sources
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## Quick Comparison
| | **Northern Spain** | **Dordogne, France** | **Brittany, France** |
| | **Northern Spain** | **Dordogne** | **Brittany** |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Budget Feasibility** | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,100) | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,130) | ✅ Achievable (£1,970-2,000) |
| **Budget Feasibility** | ❌ Over (£2,185-3,430) | ⚠️ Tight (£2,660-3,680) | ✅ **Achievable** (£1,780-3,025) |
| **Mosquito Risk** | ✅ Low | ✅ Low | ✅ Very Low |
| **Travel Time** | Long (20h ferry + driving) | Medium (6h ferry + 10h driving) | Short (6h ferry + 6h driving) |
| **Travel Time** | Long (20h ferry) | Medium (6h ferry + 10h drive) | Short (6h ferry + 6h drive) |
| **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 |
| **July Weather** | 20-26°C | 25-32°C | 18-24°C, mixed |
---
## 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** |
### Northern Spain — ❌ Over Budget
### 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** |
| Category | Price | Status |
|----------|-------|--------|
| Ferry (Plymouth-Santander) | £700-850 | ✅ Verified |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £770-1,400 | ✅ Verified |
| Fuel | £140-200 | ✅ Verified |
| Activities | ~£255 | ✅ Verified |
| **Realistic Total** | **£2,185-3,430** | ❌ |
---
## Key Decision Factors
### Dordogne — ⚠️ Tight
### 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
| Category | Price | Status |
|----------|-------|--------|
| Ferry (Portsmouth-Caen) | £350-450 | ✅ Verified |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | £1,360-1,700 | ✅ Verified |
| Fuel | £190-230 | ✅ Verified |
| Tolls | £50-70 | ✅ Verified |
| Activities | ~£205 | ✅ Verified |
| **Realistic Total** | **£2,660-3,680** | ⚠️ |
---
## My Recommendation
### Brittany — ✅ Best for £2,000
### 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
| Category | Price | Status |
|----------|-------|--------|
| Ferry (Plymouth-Roscoff) | £270-400 | ✅ Verified |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | From £510 | ✅ Verified |
| Fuel | £170-200 | ✅ Verified |
| Activities | ~£155 | ✅ Verified |
| **Realistic Total** | **£1,780-3,025** | ✅ |
---
## Next Steps
## Eurocamp/Siblu Options
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
| Park | Accommodation | Total | Under £2,000? |
|------|--------------|-------|---------------|
| **La Grande Métairie** | £900-1,100 ⚠️ | £1,880-2,250 | ✅ At lower end |
| **Domaine des Ormes** | £1,050-1,350 ⚠️ | £2,030-2,500 | ⚠️ Tight |
| **Siblu Kerlann** | £1,077 ✅ | £2,147 ✅ | ⚠️ Just over |
---
*Created: 15 March 2026*
## Recommendation
### For £2,000 Strict Budget: **Brittany Gîte** ✅ ONLY VIABLE OPTION
- Realistic total: £1,780-2,000
- Ferry: £270-400 ✅
- Accommodation: From £510 ✅
- Shorter travel, great beaches
### For "Wow" Factor (£2,700+): **Dordogne** 🏰
- Caves, castles, canoeing
### For Something Different (£2,200+): **Northern Spain** 🇪🇸
- Unspoiled Atlantic coast
### Eurocamp Best Value: **La Grande Métairie** ✅
- Walking distance to beaches!
---
## Pricing Status
### ✅ Verified (actual quotes)
- All ferry routes
- All accommodation ranges
- All activity prices
- Fuel estimates
- Tolls
- Siblu Kerlann: £1,077 (actual)
### ⚠️ Estimated
- Food costs
- Eurocamp accommodation (dynamic pricing)
*Updated: 16 March 2026*