we don't have the problems of little ones.. but OH and i only take a week at a time as she becomes board if a holiday is any longer so we have a tendency to take 3/4 one week holidays [although it cost us a bit more] it splits the year up nicely.. not too long to wait for the next one.. and we get to go to more places as we try not to return to the same place every year [but like to leave a couple of years when possible between visits]

wiz

I virtually only ever do 1 week hols now, I get bored after a week in one place and normally hire a car to get about. For me, 2 separate weeks to different places are better than a fortnight in 1.
We are talking about short haul here I imagine, long haul is a different matter, though I still might consider a week away long haul for a valid reason/bargain.
Where are you thinking of going little legs?

Robby

A week would suit me fine if it was short haul. I don't think I'd fancy a 10 hour flight for a week. It does usually work out more expensive to have 2 separate weeks as you're paying for 2 flights. Have you thought about a 2 centre holiday maybe, or a cruise & stay?.

I would give it a go. I have been thinking about doing a ten day holiday in a posh hotel lol next summer, rather then 14 in a more modest one or in SC apartments. My kids are at a stage where 14 days away from their friends and home is just too long for them, but I am not prepared to let them stay at home and they still want a holiday with us anyway.

My Mum and Dad did the one week in May & one week in September thing for 20 years. They said they never could find a place that had enough to keep them occupied for more than a week but they weren't sunbathey lying by the pool types.

Go for it, it's the only way you will be sure. You get to try more places as well.

Long haul - two weeks, just because it seems more sense. But if it's short haul then I'd rather go for a week at a time.

I much prefer two 1 week holidays to one 2 week holiday even if it is more expensive.

As for going for longer if it's long haul, I'd much rather just have a week in Vegas than not go at all!

luci

I'm the opposite, we usually go away for min. 2wks once a year (Portugal).
We do try to get 3wks in one go - circumstances allowing - but it's not always possible.

We feel that with a weeks holiday, you are just into the swing of things and you have to leave.
I know it suits lots of people, but it isn't for us.
(Even the kids agree.)

A few years back we could only manage 12 days (because of apartment bookings) and it
was awful! We all felt like we had been robbed of some of our holiday.

3 weeks 17 times per year would be nice.
But in the meantime I'll stick to weeks etc.
I couldn't cope with just one holiday a year, I'd panic. I always like to have a one lined up and booked.
I would also do and have actually done a 3 night break in the Algarve, Cost del Sol etc.
I would much rather do this than drive for a 2 night break in Blackpool etc.

Robby

We generally tend to try for 3 1 week holidays a year..but it depends on our circumstances. it is difficult to get more than a week off at a time as Rob works in Construction/Lorries and if you are away..you miss out, especially in today's economic climate.

That said, we are going to the maldives for 2 weeks in March. You don't go long haul just for a week!..and then we are going to Malta/Gozo for 2 weeks in August....purely because I love the place so much and never want to leave

We always had the kids with us before and they also tended to get bored on a 2 weeker. As a rule, I don't think a week is long enough and 2 weeks is probably too long..so maybe 10 days would be about right.

I have done a week without the kids before ( 19 and 16) but never 2 weeks and I will probably miss them terribly..but by then they will be 20 and 17 so I really should be getting over it. They both are not interested in coming with us any more..although Gav did say he might do a Canary Island visit with us next time we go if his mates could come too!

I definately prefer 2 one week holidays rather than 1 two week holiday. That way you get to see more places and you don't get bored or fed up of a resort which I've found can happen on fortnight breaks. We normally go in early June and then again in early September. Both great times to go on holiday cos you get the weather but its not peak season.

cheers guys, yes it will only be short haul as the youngest is only 22 months, so there is no way i would do a 9 hour flight with kiddies, to be honest i couldn't do it myself, no idea where to go really never done any of the greek islands, and if one of the holidays is rubbish well you have only a week to put up with it rather than a full two weeks of living hell. but i must admit i do love 2 weeks at a time in the sun and never get bored, but its the time you after wait untill your next holday that really gets to me, so all said and done its two separate hols would be more of a benifit.

a week is not long enough, 2 weeks in the same place is too long
we prefer 10 nights and have done this quite a few times

I must be in the minority here. Give me a fortnight at a time, anyday. When I'm away for a week, I find that no sooner have I unpacked, started to relax and found my bearings that it's time to pack for home. I get a lovely feeling when the first week is up and I'm lying around the pool watching all the one weekers waiting to be picked up for the airport

We do occasionally fit an extra holiday in during the year, which will be only for a week but my main holiday is always for a fortnight.

I'm with you Shirley, 2 weeks for me as well. A week is nice, but by the time you've settled in and wound down, it's time to come home again!!! Becasue I like to go diving on hols, I need to leave a minimum of 24 hours before the flight home but if I've been doing several deep dives, I like to leave at least 36 hours so a week limits diving activities. Depending on where you are, I agree that 2 weeks can sometimes get a little boring, but I'd rather be bored on the beach with blue skies than at home in the rain! 2x 1 week holidays are nice though if you want to split the year up. I get over 6 weeks leave a year so might as well spend the time abroad and have 2 weeks at a time!!

Darren

It really depends where I am going, if it's long haul it will be a minumum of two weeks usually three or more. But to anywhere within Europe a week is more than enough for me. I really don't like beach holidays so after a couple of days I get itchy feet and OH can only take half a day of lazing around and he's ready to come home.
I usually have one long haul holiday every year, a few short breaks, plus a one week to somewhere like the Canaries or Majorca.

We have always been a 2 week once a year holiday in the sun type family but over the last 2/3 years we have grown fond of an extra week at easter and a few weekend breaks throughout the year. My children still like their 2 week A/I holiday in the sun but I have to admit hubby and I are not as fussed any more and still enjoy our week at easter as much and thoroughly enjoy our cheepy bargain weekend city breaks .

I would go for it little legs . could you maybe sqeeze one of them into a 10 day break

never thought of a 7day and a 10day one really, it all boils down to cost at the end of the day, when we go for 2weeks i like to know we are staying in a nice apartment, but if we decide to go on the 2 single week hols, i can cut the cost down by staying in a lower star, seen as its only for a weeks holiday we wouldn't mind shareing with roaches if it means we save money knowing we will get away again in the same year. i will have a scot round and compare prices between 7 days and 10,

little legs wrote:

never thought of a 7day and a 10day one really, it all boils down to cost at the end of the day, when we go for 2weeks i like to know we are staying in a nice apartment, but if we decide to go on the 2 single week hols, i can cut the cost down by staying in a lower star, seen as its only for a weeks holiday we wouldn't mind shareing with roaches if it means we save money knowing we will get away again in the same year. i will have a scot round and compare prices between 7 days and 10, :tup

I think you need to be vigilant when it comes to pricing 10 and 11 day holidays.

Check the prices really carefully, often the price of a 10 or 11 day is nearly as much as a 14 day, so not much left over for the second one week holiday, if you are trying to come in on a budget.

I'm with you on this one regarding the quality of accommodation.

If I was going for a week I would probably be happy to accept a 3 Keys level apartment (but not the roaches although we had loads in a 3 key in Gran Canaria one year ), but if I went for longer I would probably want 4 star. I know that probably seems weird to some, but it's just how I feel. Guess I can cope without aircon and lots of facilities for 7 but not for 14 I suppose.

Thanks for posting this it is quite an interesting thread.

your right about the prices, just done a quick comparesent with the same tour company same dates but one with 10 days and one with 14, the 14 came out cheaper, the 10 day one also wanted £60 for the coach aswell,but free on the 14 day, nice one thompsons