Hi,

I've got three young kids and in 2004 I want to go to the South of France
for a fortnight. A work colleague rents out 2 caravans down there.

I've never driven on the continent yet, but I've got a french MPV and quite
prepared to use it.

Can anyone recommend the best balance of cheapest , but sensible way to make
the journey from Manchester to Antibes. I personally thought flights would
be expensive and then I'd have to hire a car when I got there.

The times I'm considering must be school holidays i.e spring bank or the
main summer break

How much would you expect road travel would cost, i.e ferry crossing &
motels.

Would I be better finding a package holiday off the teletext.........

cheers
IJ

In article , Ian Jarvis
writes
    >Would I be better finding a package holiday off the teletext.........


You might well, but you would lose flexibility.
--
Marie Lewis

"Ian Jarvis" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > I've got three young kids and in 2004 I want to go to the South of France
    > for a fortnight. A work colleague rents out 2 caravans down there.
    > I've never driven on the continent yet, but I've got a french MPV and
quite
    > prepared to use it.
    > Can anyone recommend the best balance of cheapest , but sensible way to
make
    > the journey from Manchester to Antibes. I personally thought flights would
    > be expensive and then I'd have to hire a car when I got there.
For two weeks (assuming you are staying there that long rather than the
total length of your holiday), it will definitely be cheaper to take your
own car. For one week it may be marginal.
    > The times I'm considering must be school holidays i.e spring bank or the
    > main summer break
If you are prepared to take extra week off termtime (sort of thing that
schools frown on, for good educational reasons), you won't meet a huge crowd
in Easter or May as you would in July/August, and traffic will be much more
manageable (traffic jams in August can be appalling - worse than London many
say). But then you lose the chance for a swim in the sea and many
attractions and site facilities may not be open.
    > How much would you expect road travel would cost, i.e ferry crossing &
    > motels.
Let's see: Dov-Cal ferry crossings using special deals (book before January
04) around £120-150. Coming from M/cr you'll need at least two overnight
stops, at a budget motel (F1, Prem Classe etc), two rooms x 4, around
200-250 euro (£140-175). Petrol/diesel @ 30mpg/40mpg for 2100 miles around
320 euro/190 euro (£225/£135). Return autoroute tolls around 160 euro
(£115). Breakdown insurance £40. Holiday cover £40. Total around £510 - 745,
plus meals etc. Add around £100 a week for food (self-catering) and £100/wk
for incidentals. You could probably do it for around £1000-1200 all-in.
    > Would I be better finding a package holiday off the teletext.........
But since you already have accommodation, there's no point. It's always
cheaper to make your own self-drive arrangements.
    > cheers
Cheerrs to you!
Alec

www.easyjet.com

Liverpool - Nice


"Ian Jarvis" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi,
    > I've got three young kids and in 2004 I want to go to the South of France
    > for a fortnight. A work colleague rents out 2 caravans down there.
    > I've never driven on the continent yet, but I've got a french MPV and
quite
    > prepared to use it.
    > Can anyone recommend the best balance of cheapest , but sensible way to
make
    > the journey from Manchester to Antibes. I personally thought flights would
    > be expensive and then I'd have to hire a car when I got there.
    > The times I'm considering must be school holidays i.e spring bank or the
    > main summer break
    > How much would you expect road travel would cost, i.e ferry crossing &
    > motels.
    > Would I be better finding a package holiday off the teletext.........
    > cheers
    > IJ