Best time to book to spain / ibiza etc..

duncan32

Interesting and thanks for that, I will look into it in depth before deciding what to do. Now, I have considered this before, but doesn't Martin say that if you're going on a package holiday traditional destination etc, it's best through the travel agents, and only best by this method if you're going for a strange number of days or somewhere unusual?

Duncan

nw_man

budgetflyer wrote: »

There really isnt such a thing as a "FREE CHILD". You are paying for a package, if its £1500 for family of 4 then its £375 each. With 1 "FREE CHILD" under occ supplements would make the paying travellers £500 each probably.

Package tour opps like to herd you into 7 or 14 day holidays, herd you onto buses + then sell you their over priced excursions.

These are all items you can change to suit yourself by "self packaging"
Would a 8 or 13 day holiday matter if you could save £500?
Wouldn't it be better to get a private taxi to your accom using www.airporttransfers.co.uk ?
Choose what dates to fly using www.skyscanner.net or http://flightchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/ to get the lowest price flights.
Wouldnt it be better to choose from a wider range of accom such as on www.RoomRateCompare.com or www.hotelscomparison.com instead of being "guided" by whats most profitable for the "tour opp"

These little changes to your thought process could save you 50% off your next holiday.

:T:T Excellent, thought it was just me who thought like that :T:T

Bengt

I would also add to look for an apartment or a villa instead of hotel rooms. If you want to be free to eat where you like as well as having the possibility to save by fixing one or two meals by yourself an apartment is excellent.
Also you get more space as well as the possibility to have washing machine and other (at least sometimes for a family with children) essentials.

duncan32

Thanks for all the advice. You know what, I'm going to give it a go! Anything to save some hard earned money. I'd love it if you guys could give me examples of when you have put this sort of thing into practice and how much it ended up saving you?

Thanks again,

Duncan

deva

similar to above but you could always try www.ownersdirect.co.uk or www.holiday-rentals.co.uk for private property- they often have lots of games and child equipment(!) already there and the quality is much better. we have holidayed in calella de parafrugell, nerja, lanzarote and others doing it this way

duncan32

Just an update, as I would really appreciate some wise words on whether this sounds like I'm getting it right!:

I have been looking for a few hours today and have found a nice apartment in l'escale Costa Brava, for £675.00 for a week at the start of August. I've checked on one of the websites and Ryanair go to Gerona airport for around £347.00 total (return - for me, my wife and two children - 4 & 8). Then, the taxi is £155.00.

So, a total of about £1194.00, which is four or five hundred less than last year for what appears a nicer situation (more space, rather than a small room in a hotel).

I've asked the lady to hold it for me and I will give a final decision tomorrow. Would be very grateful for any more advice, warnings, suggestions, tips and so on.

Thanks so much for everyone's help up until now.:T

Duncan

Bengt

I would consider renting a car instead of taking a taxi. Gives you more flexibility, but will not necessarily be cheaper. Otherwise I believe you are quite OK, August is the most expensive month in Spain and flights and apartment and flights seems reasonable priced. Just check that there are no extras with the apartment (final cleaning, linen, electricity etc..).
As for savings with a DIY holiday I usually go to Spain for a week at mid term leave in October. This is the school holiday week in Sweden and the package tours are really expensive. One week in Cyprus would cost £800 per person (and we tend to be four people, all ppaying adult prices). We have stayed in very good apartments (far better than the package tour one), rented a car and flown to Barcelona from Sweden for £900 for all four, giving a nice saving of £2300...

budgetflyer

Remember - pay everything with credit card for financial protection, even if theres a slight surcharge imo its worth it.
Dont forget travel insurance too.
Thats it, its really that easy :-)

nw_man

duncan32 wrote: »

Just an update, as I would really appreciate some wise words on whether this sounds like I'm getting it right!:

I have been looking for a few hours today and have found a nice apartment in l'escale Costa Brava, for £675.00 for a week at the start of August. I've checked on one of the websites and Ryanair go to Gerona airport for around £347.00 total (return - for me, my wife and two children - 4 & 8). Then, the taxi is £155.00.

So, a total of about £1194.00, which is four or five hundred less than last year for what appears a nicer situation (more space, rather than a small room in a hotel).

I've asked the lady to hold it for me and I will give a final decision tomorrow. Would be very grateful for any more advice, warnings, suggestions, tips and so on.

Thanks so much for everyone's help up until now.:T

Duncan

We went to L'Escala over Easter this year, dont normally hire a car but we did for that trip as it worked out cheaper than the return taxi fare to the apartment ! To be honest it was very handy, there is stuff to see and do around town.

We used Carhire 3000.

If you want some basic help with L'Escala send me a pm.

spiro

If you are thinking of l'Escala you might want to check this website http://www.torrent-api.com/index.asp?idi=3 They are a firm I have used for 15+ years to rent everything from studio apartments to multiple villas in l'Estartit but they also cover l'Escala and Pals.