Booking my first holiday

Cheetah

I am in the process of booking my first ever holiday.

Where: Portugal (coast)
Budget: £650 inclusive of hotel, flights and transfer from portugal airport to hotel and back (and all hidden charges for those things)
People: me and girlfriend
Leaving from: Any London or Bristol.
Type: relaxing beach holiday, not too touristy, but not a remote village.
Date: Anywhere from 24/06/11 -> 30/09/11.
Temperature: As hot as can be affordable.
Extras: would like breakfast inclusive if possible.
Duration: would like 5 full days holiday (not travelling days)

Will the VAT rise affect the cost of my holiday (seen as I am on a tight budget its important) I.e should I book tomorrow?

Given that the budget is tight, is there anywhere/thing someone would recommend? Anywhere to avoid?

Are things expensive there?

Thank you for any advice.

BOBS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/509598
you might get a better answer here - 'beat my quote- travel agent thread' - if you find a quote online for where you would like to go and post details they will try and find you a better deal

Cheetah

BOBS wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/509598
you might get a better answer here - 'beat my quote- travel agent thread' - if you find a quote online for where you would like to go and post details they will try and find you a better deal

Thank you for that tip.

Is anyone able to give an intelligent guess as to whether VAT is going to affect my holiday price. I'm guessing for hotels it won't because they are abroad but for the flights it will?

Also, what is the rough cost of things in Portugal, just so I know how much to save for spending money.

Thanks.

BOBS

I dont think VAT affects flights so that should be ok. As for spending money - I would reckon the same as any other holiday - depends what you like doing - what type of eating out etc you like and how much you drink etc. Also if you intend taking any tours. It can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be - you can always eat it and do some of your own cooking.

topdognero

Been to the Algarve a few times and tried a few of the resorts along the coast. Have to say though, once we discovered Lagos (on the very western Algarve), we haven't been anywhere else. Very cosmopolitan resort, fabulous marina, a bit more upmarket than Albufeira. If you're a beach type person, the Meia Praia beach is wonderful!

DUKE

For advice on info about a country have a look at TripAdvisor forums.

Doshwaster

In Portugal, I really like the coast along from Lisbon heading past Cascais, Etroil and towards the Altlantic. Not as touristy as Faro and parts of Spain and still relatively good value for money.

Cheetah

Thank you for your responses. I am actually going to book a place in lagos on the marina so its nice to know that you liked the marina, Im definately a beach person too!

I need to get a transfer to the hotel in lagos and back to the airport at the end of the holiday.

I have googled and seen that you can get transfers to lagos, but how do I know where they stop/pickup from? Also wheres cheapest? Anyone got any recommendations?

lagoslife

Great choice with Lagos.

The marina club gets good reviews and it's only 10 minutes walk to Lagos town or meia praia beach. Iv'e spent many hours people watching on the marina with a cool drink, admiring the yachts.

For transfers try http://www.algarve-365.com/ or http://www.resorthoppa.ie/