FAMILY VALUE; Package vs Private Holidays

I am going to take three holiday destinations, The Costa Blanca, Sardinia and Florida and compare the value you get for a family of four, flying from London. All private accommodation rates are taken from Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, and all flights and packages are the cheapest available, without insurance, carbon offsetting or any added extras.

Costa Blanca: Mid-May, self catering

Package - Includes; 7 nights for 2 adults and 2 children in a private villa, flights, fuel supplement.

Family of four, in a private villa in Javea - £2,752

Private - Private villa (with private pool) for family of 4 in Javea, Costa Blanca £491. Flights (including baggage, insurance, taxes and Champaign for the adults) £486.00.

Total for independently travelling family of four in Javea - £977

Sardinia: August

Package - Includes 7 nights in a hotel (2 rooms half board), flights and transfer - £2,868

Private - Includes 7 nights in a private villa (2 rooms and private pool, self catering) and air fairs. Villa £838, flights £663 and transfers. Total - £1,501 + transfers.

Florida: February

Package - 4 Star Hotel in Kissimmee, self catering, no car hire or transfer and flights for 2 adults and 2 children. - £2,704

Private - 2 bedroom private villa (with pool) £350, and flights for 2 adults and two children £1,524. Total - £1,874.

On three completely separate holidays, the equivalent cost is clearly much cheaper when arranged independently. What is more, you get more for your money; privacy, space and even a private swimming pool. So why would you continue to settle for a hotel? Especially in this financial climate.