In Search Of Vitamin D

We have just got back from 7 days in sunny Javea, Spain (not so sunny the last 2 days)! We do have some colour on our bodies though, so I think the mission was mostly successful.  We flew from Southampton with Flybe.  They were an absolute pleasure to fly with, on time and fantastic service.  Our arrival into Alicante went without a hitch until we got to the hire car counter.  Our car hire had been booked and paid for with my Amex card.  Gold Car did not accept Amex (as well as most of Spain).  As we did not have another credit card with us we had to pay the full insurance via debit card.   My bargain car rental was not such a bargain anymore!  I have written to customer service of the company that accepted payment from my Amex card when I originally booked and paid for the car hire.

Other than that we had a lovely time in our villa. Thank goodness the pool was heated.  April is not the time of year to swim in the ocean, but the sea was aquamarine blue and we had travelled far, so we had to do it!  We were previously here in October and the temperature of the water was warm and we had such a great time snorkelling, so wanted to repeat the holiday………..but not in April!  Most of our time was spent lazing around the pool and driving around the different coves we would have snorkelled in had the sea water been a few degrees warmer.  Now, this brings me to another conclusion. The cost of the one week holiday compared to a two-week cruise.

This one week villa holiday for a family of 4 cost us an approximate £3000.00 compared to a 13 night Canaries cruise in an outside cabin from Southampton –  £3800.00 makes the argument a no-brainer. The cruise at £290.00/night compared to the land holiday at £428.00/night is the winner in my books.

Food is plentiful – no trips to the supermarket or overpriced beach restaurants. The children are taken care of, they can eat and drink whenever they choose at no extra expense and Mom and Dad can relax at the adults only pool, and not have to think about doing any cooking!