Advice needed on family package holiday...

wallbash

Work out how much you save booking separately against a package with Thomas Cook / Thompson etc , remember to include transfers , your on your own .

Is it worth it ?? For peace of mind I now book package holidays , not MSE but I sleep well at night.

mum2one

wallbash wrote: »

Work out how much you save booking separately against a package with Thomas Cook / Thompson etc , remember to include transfers , your on your own .

Is it worth it ?? For peace of mind I now book package holidays , not MSE but I sleep well at night.

Ditto, I would rather have full peace of mind, its different if its a short city break, (I did Prague last yr, diy job), but where my daughter concerned, travel agent all the way i know we get sorted, yes it may be a few quid more but that peace of mind worth it.

Shop around, we did Dom rep last yr, booked 18mths before hand, the highest quote I had was £3,200, medium was £3,000 lowest was £2800, I got it down to £2,500 all in 4 star, upgrade on flight....... x

maf20

Thanks for that.

By shopping around, which are the better travel agents to head to? I notice that some tour operators seem to focus on different types of holidays.

Is Thomson a good bet?

Sorry for sounding like a complete novice, but I am, in a way. Never been on a beach holiday with my family, before. Always stuck with a handful of domestic holidays per year. Always enjoyed them. But, as I say, the other 75% of the house now want sun!!!

wookie_2

We went to Marmaris, 5 of us in July this year for 14 nights half board, 2 adults and 3 kids, after much research on trip advisor we stayed in a really nice hotel. I priced the same holiday up on the Thomas Cook website which was £2700, I paid about £1500 as I booked all the bits seperatley. The flights with thomas Cook direct £950, Hotel was £400, Transfer Private mini bus £100. Saved a fortune, The hotel even had Thomas Cook reps there, so if you are stuck they will help you, although we were fine. I will def recomend this type booking your own holiday.....

wallbash

maf20 wrote: »

Thanks for that.

By shopping around, which are the better travel agents to head to? I notice that some tour operators seem to focus on different types of holidays.

Is Thomson a good bet?

Sorry for sounding like a complete novice, but I am, in a way. Never been on a beach holiday with my family, before. Always stuck with a handful of domestic holidays per year. Always enjoyed them. But, as I say, the other 75% of the house now want sun!!!

As always , its down to the individual behind the counter.
Go to your local holiday shop and see if they seem to help. Remember you can browse all the brochures and even book Thompson holidays in Thomas Cook shops ( I did that this year ... surprised me)

needaholiday

I saved around £1000 by booking my hotel and flights seperately last year and will be doing the same next year. As much as I would have liked to have booked a package I simply couldn't afford that extra £1000.

SKIPPY

Would recommend Menorca - Punta Prima - Barcelo Pueblo 4*. Very quiet resort but a lovely beach and very nice restaurants along the front - El Faro a definate must. Lovely walks. The hotel is very nice - we booked through Monarch holidays. No need to pay for transfers either just jump in a taxi which costs about 20 - 25 euros outside the airport - resort about 20-25 minutes away. Hotel will book taxi for your return to the airport takes all the hassel out of waiting for everyone to get on a coach!

tuttifruiti20

meer53 wrote: »

In my experience, you can't always gauge what type of people stay in certain hotels. TripAdvisor is good for reviews but without a personal recommendation i wouldn't have a clue where to stay either, thats why we book a villa in Florida. No one to spoil our holiday ! I'm sure someone on the forum will have a suggestion for you soon. Maybe booking a villa would be better for you ?

We've had a couple of beachy holidays, in Majorca, one in Alcudia which didn't impress me but Puerto Pollensa was a nice resort, slightly more upmarket than Alcudia which i really didn't like. Think McDonalds, Burger King, all you can eat buffet type places. Not my cup of tea.

Just to requote what meer53 says, Puerto Pollensa is a wonderful resort in Majorca we have been going on and off for 15 years and always had a great time. The Sis Pins http://puertopollensa.org.uk/hotels/sis-pins-hotel/ is a lovely hotel right on the front, we are just back from staying there a few weeks ago.

busiscoming2

I find booking the flights first the best way to go as they seem to be the part that gets expensive the nearer to departure.
Travelrepublic and Lowcostholdiays are IMO fine to book hotels and transfers etc with.

I am biased as I am love with Mallorca especially the North (Alcudia & Pollenca). Personally the Port end of Alcudia is more upmarket (more expensive restaurants) and would recommend the Ferrer Maristany hotel 4* which is just across the road from the beach and it's small and friendly. Beach wise the best part is further round near the Mcdonalds etc. The sand here is much wider and the sea is shallow and calm.
Further round near Albufera Nature Reserve the beach is narrower, and the sea slightly rougher with seaweed. There seem to be more upmarket hotels here but less restaurants etc.

HTH's