Sean C
a27fcfef61
What Changed: - Added VERIFIED-PRICES.md with honest assessment - Added BUDGET-REALITY.md explaining challenges - Added disclaimers to all option files - Clearly marked estimates vs verified data Key Findings: - Could NOT get live quotes due to cookie popups - £2,000 budget is VERY TIGHT for July/Aug peak - Realistic Eurocamp: £1,500-2,500 for 14 nights - Brittany Ferries: £850-1,100 return with cabin Verified Data: - Siblu Kerlann: €250/week (June OFF-PEAK) - Eurotunnel: £250-400 return avg - Budgeting Mum: £600/10 nights OFF-PEAK User action needed: - Manually check Eurocamp.co.uk - Consider shorter duration - Consider gîte instead of mobile home
124 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
124 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
# Holiday Options Summary
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## ⚠️ PRICE DISCLAIMER
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**ALL prices below are UNVERIFIED ESTIMATES.**
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I could not get live quotes due to site blockers. See `VERIFIED-PRICES.md` for verified data.
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**The £2,000 budget is very difficult for July/August peak season.**
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---
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## Quick Comparison
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| | **Northern Spain** | **Dordogne, France** | **Brittany, France** |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| **Budget Feasibility** | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,100) | ⚠️ Tight (£2,000-2,130) | ✅ Achievable (£1,970-2,000) |
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| **Mosquito Risk** | ✅ Low | ✅ Low | ✅ Very Low |
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| **Travel Time** | Long (20h ferry + driving) | Medium (6h ferry + 10h driving) | Short (6h ferry + 6h driving) |
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| **Child Appeal** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
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| **Uniqueness** | High (new region) | Very High (caves/castles) | Medium (coastal) |
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| **Vegetarian-Friendly** | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ✅ Very Good (galettes) |
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| **Self-Catering** | ✅ Apartments available | ✅✅ Gîte paradise | ✅✅ Gîte paradise |
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| **July Weather** | 20-26°C, some rain | 25-32°C, mostly sunny | 18-24°C, mixed |
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---
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## Budget Comparison (£2,000 target)
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### Northern Spain
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| Category | Amount |
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|----------|--------|
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| Ferry (Plymouth-Santander) | £450 |
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| Accommodation (14 nights) | £700 |
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| Food | £450 |
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| Fuel | £200 |
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| Activities | £100 |
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| Contingency | £100 |
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| **Total** | **£2,000** |
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### Dordogne, France
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| Category | Amount |
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|----------|--------|
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| Ferry (Portsmouth-Caen) | £350 |
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| Accommodation (14 nights) | £750 |
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| Food | £500 |
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| Fuel | £200 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| Tolls | £50 |
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| **Total** | **£2,000** |
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### Brittany, France
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| Category | Amount |
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|----------|--------|
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| Ferry (Plymouth-Roscoff) | £350 |
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| Accommodation (14 nights) | £750 |
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| Food | £500 |
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| Fuel | £180 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| Contingency | £70 |
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| **Total** | **£2,000** |
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---
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## Key Decision Factors
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### Choose **Northern Spain** if:
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- You want somewhere completely new and different
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- You don't mind a long ferry crossing
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- You're excited about unspoiled Atlantic coast + mountains
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- Your daughter loves caves and nature
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### Choose **Dordogne** if:
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- Your daughter is obsessed with castles, knights, or caves
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- You want a truly unique family experience
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- You don't mind a longer drive
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- Self-catering in a proper French gîte appeals
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### Choose **Brittany** if:
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- **Budget is your #1 priority** - best chance of staying under £2,000
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- You want shorter travel time
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- You want guaranteed beach days
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- Crêpes and galettes sound perfect
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- You're okay with weather that might be mixed
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---
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## My Recommendation
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### For Budget (£2,000 strict): **Brittany** ✅
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- Most realistic to achieve budget
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- Shorter travel (less tiring for everyone)
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- Great mix of beaches, castles, culture
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- Easy to find affordable gîtes inland
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### For "Wow" Factor: **Dordogne** 🏰
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- Incredible experience for a 6-year-old
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- Caves, castles, canoeing - magical
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- Will create lasting memories
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- Slightly tighter budget but achievable
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### For Something Different: **Northern Spain** 🇪🇸
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- Least touristy option
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- Beautiful unspoiled region
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- Mix of coast and mountains
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- Longest travel but most "adventure" feel
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---
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## Next Steps
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1. **Discuss as a family** - which option excites you most?
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2. **Start researching accommodation** - get a feel for what's available
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3. **Set booking deadlines** - January/February for gîtes, March for ferries
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4. **I can help with:**
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- Finding specific gîtes in your chosen area
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- Checking ferry prices and availability
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- Building detailed itineraries
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- Researching specific activities/attractions
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---
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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