Beach-Based Breaks That Won't Break the Bank

A beach vacation is an ideal break for the budget-conscious. What more could you want? Sun, sea and sangria on Spain's Costa del Sol if you live in Europe or a cheap flight to Florida or California if you live in the U.S. Canadians and Americans on the western seaboard can get a cheap flight to Hawaii and discover an abundance of beaches. Nowhere is too far away.

The beauty of beach vacations is that they are possible for all. However small your budget, you'll be able to find somewhere in the world that offers you and your family a memorable beach-based holiday either at home or abroad. Thomsonoffer year-round packages to suit all budgets but be careful you pick the right time of year appropriate for the particular climate of the country you are travelling to or you might spend more time playing board games in your vacation rental home, waiting for the clouds to disperse.

Saving all year for the vacation of your dreams need not be daunting if you know where to look for the cheapest possible package. The Internet offers a wealth of sites that specialise in beach-based vacations at knock-down prices to suit all pockets. To budget for your proposed vacation, you'll need to assess what your outgoings are going to be with regards to your vacation rental home or hotel and then you'll be able to gauge how much cash is still available to spend on trips, entertainments and even a few luxuries.

Where there's a beach there's also sand, sea and sunshine. It may sound obvious but these are the only three ingredients you need to make your kids happy. Okay, so the occasional ice cream will help to perfect the equation but the day's delights are already catered for, they're completely free and can be enjoyed by all. Because of this, budgeting for your annual vacation should be virtually effortless. Things can be made even easier if you opt for an all-inclusive option which means the extra cash you need to take with you is further reduced.

Icelolly in the USA. specialise in sun holidays and even if you live somewhere as landlocked as Oklahoma, you'll be pleasantly surprised how affordable a beach holiday can be.

Although Madeira is more renowned for its colourful displays of flowers and lush landscape than golden stretches of sand, there are several beaches on the island, a few of which even have some sand which is largely imported from the Bahamas and the Sahara. Sun worshippers won't be entirely disappointed as what Madeira lacks in beaches it gains with the many rocky promontories ingenious hoteliers have developed into sunbathing areas. But if you desire dreamy days in sandy bays then why not take a trip to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo? Here you'll find the sand that Madeira lacks and more besides!

Portugal's Algarve is the place to be if you prefer unspoilt coastal scenery and you won't have to travel too far from the main tourist areas at Albufiera to find it. The Portuguese coastline is quieter than that of Spain and since it faces the Atlantic and not the Mediterranean it's not as sheltered from strong winds. However, the beaches are just as good and the Portuguese way of life is not dramatically different from Spain.

The coast of North Africa is just one long sandy beach so any holiday in Northern Morocco or Tunisia is a beach lover's delight. Both countries are inexpensive and easily accessible from all European airports. A family holiday here will be cheaper than other destinations in the Mediterranean except for Turkey. Tunisian hotels are first class and you'll be surprised how far your money goes when it comes to purchasing souvenirs and sightseeing trips.

It's possible to take a trek into the desert (usually about 2-3 days duration) to visit otherwise inaccessible locations such as the film set of Star Wars and even a Saharan oasis.

Villa holidays can be a wonderful way to travel to idyllic locations on the cheap. You can rent the most opulent accommodation in the world if you share the costs of the villa with a group of friends.

You'll know from the onset, the proportion of costs that you are responsible for, then you can arrange a 'kitty' with your group and contribute an equal amount to everything else from meals to car hire. When budgeting for a beach vacation you need to factor in all your travel costs and transfers from the airport and the cost of car hire and rental of additional items that carry a fee such as costs of a cot and high chair hire etc. if you have a young family. Only after this has been done can you begin to budget for other attractions and trips etc. Food arrangements are not always as simple to budget for as you would think. You do have to eat whether you're on vacation or not but you must still be cautious not to overspend on food especially when there's a large group to cater for and only one wallet to pay for it all.

On the Beach is a self-explanatory site that will offer great beach vacations at an affordable price. Anyone in mainland Europe will be able to find a great package holiday at any time of year to places such as The Canary islands which has a perpetually temperate climate; thus an off-peak holiday to The Canaries doesn't mean you have to compromise on sunshine.

Assess all available options to see which deal suits your party the best. Take advantage of all discounts offered and don't be afraid to ask for further discounts for early bookings etc. Beaches and budgets go hand in hand when it comes to affordable vacations and armed with their buckets and spades your kids won't be conscious of any cutbacks and compromises you've had to make in arranging your well-earned family vacation.

If foreign travel is out of the question from a financial perspective, make a point of finding out about the nearest coastline to where you live. Even a few days' break will delight the kids. The UK is home to some wonderful beaches and quaint seaside towns but unfortunately, the weather does not always oblige even in the height of summer. Caravan parks such as Haven have a huge selection of activities on offer and you will still enjoy your stay even if it rains every day. Lakeside holidays are also the answer for those living too far away from the coast and many such resorts have man-made inland 'beaches' with imported sand or gravel.