How Long is Too Long for a Family Holiday? - by Dea Birkett

How long is too long for a family holiday? I know Takethefamily.com's slogan is 'For family holidays that last a lifetime', but that's probably a little long for any of us. We all used to aim for a fortnight break in the summer, and hoped it might be topped up by the odd weekend away during the rest of the chilly year. If we were very fortunate, we’d slip out of town for a whole week at half term. But that was the pattern of our breaks – two weeks, one week or a weekend. Nine or eleven days just wasn’t the shape a holiday took.

But now, tour companies claim we’re demanding our breaks in all sorts of odd sizes. Thomson and First Choice say they’ve been surprised by the demand for ten and 11 day holidays, so have increased them by almost a quarter. I don’t think there are many other companies that are as flexible, without becoming bespoke.

I’m really glad Thomson is doing this, as we’ve always battled with the obligatory fortnight. It’s not that we don’t enjoy going on holiday, it’s just that two weeks seems an awful long time and one week not enough. We like ten days. I calculate that’s a day either end to settle in - discover the best bit of the beach buffet and the cheapest local cafe to purchase lunch - then a full week to actually ‘be there’. Perhaps it’s just my fidgety kids, but if the settled down middle bit extends to longer than seven days, they start to get bored. Instead of being a short, sweet adventure, the holiday itself becomes routine.

Our other ideal break length is a weekend. It’s surprising how refreshing just a couple of days away from home can be. So ten or two nights is our favoured formula. Just a pity more companies can’t offer us that.

First Class for Families - at Economy Rate - by Dea Birkett

My family is getting used to first class. We check ourselves in to the exclusive airport lounge, ready to relax before our flight, as if we were Beckhams, not Birketts.

That’s because more and more places are selling upgrades to facilities formerly reserved for the rich. Now if you’re going on a Virgin Holiday from Gatwick, even cattle class, you can saunter into The V Room lounge, flop back in an uber-chic chair (usually bright orange) and order your free drink. And, remarkably, although I travel with the three kids, I can enjoy my brush with premium treatment in peace. The teenager saunters off into the V Room’s ‘tech zone’, to play video games. The eight-year-old twins hang out in the play area and consume our entry fee in packets of crisps alone - £10 per child, £17 per adult. I think that works out far cheaper than buying endless takeaway coffees and sandwiches in the airport’s Pret A Manger. And as there are no shops nearby, I also save money on the bribes I usually have to hand out to keep them busy in the tiny Hamleys or Harrods while waiting for our boarding gate to be announced. (Find out more about V ROOM.)

Now being accustomed to first class perks, last time we crossed the Irish Sea we naturally upgraded ourselves. Going from Holyhead to Dublin City port on Irish Ferries, we paid £14 per head to use the Club lounge, so I could catch up on the newspapers while nibbling on a cheese board and supping red wine, and the kids could have unlimited drinks, snacks, and, unfortunately, cakes. (www.irishferries.com)

I suspect there are many more such deals on land, sea and air. Can you let me know about them? It would be great to compile an upgrades list, where families can experience first class for economy fares. We all like a little bit of luxury.