The price of freedom

The cost of the Careys' three-month trip

The big downside is that parental leave is unpaid, so there is undoubtedly a financial hit. The holiday was largely paid for out of savings (for those with SSIAs this is clearly an option), and a tax rebate for the period not worked also helped. The biggest financial consideration was the mortgage. A three-month break from the mortgage was easily facilitated by the bank.

Start-up costs:

Car breakdown cover €211

Travel insurance €152

Additional car insurance for abroad €75

(Friends loaned us a roof-rack and roof box)

Ferries:

Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead and Harwich-Hook of Holland €245

Civitavecchia-Barcelona €321

Cherbourg-Plymouth €368

Accommodation:

Italy - friends had bought a house in Le Marche for first-time renting in the summer of 2005. In return for a bit of work around the house, they let us have it gratis for April. See www.casacannavino.com

Barcelona - we rented an apartment in the Ravel District for 10 nights, which was rather noisy but with a central location.

See www.gobcn.com €1,000

France - a 19th-century house for three weeks, a bit rough-and-ready but with a hectare of land. See www.gitesdefrance.com €1,000

Varius hotels along the way €500

Petrol:

Due to the nature of the holiday, the mainly rural locations and the fact that petrol prices in many parts of the continent are higher than here (by up to 40 per cent), petrol was a factor that we didn't really consider. But it certainly increased the cost of the holiday, as we travelled about 7,000 miles.

Living:

The rest was just living - and living in Italy and Spain is significantly cheaper than here - the Loire we found nearly as expensive as here - and we saved a lot on our wine bill!

Total: €3,872

(excluding petrol and daily living expenses)