Holiday Newbie

Weequine

At the grand old age of 32, I have my first passport. Where would be an ideal first holiday destination?

Looking for cheap, short flight with warm weather and beaches

zagfles

When are you going? If in the winter look at the Canaries, early-mid December can be quite cheap. If in the next few weeks you could look at the Med, Majorca, Greece etc, it should still be OK weather wise. If you're going in the school holidays look at DIY rather than a package.

Obviously_the_best

To be honest, as it's your first time abroad, I'd stick to a Thomson package. Canaries? or maybe Balearics.

Thomson First Choice packages are incredibly well organised, just remember to ignore reps meetings on the first day.

geminilady

I got my first passport at the age of 56 and my first destination was LA!:eek: won the holiday in a competition,just got back last night and had a fantastic time!loved every minute.

Delree

Portugal is a great destination in my book

Weequine

Am going tail end of next summer for honeymoon. Haven't decided if children are joining us but probably as they are tweens and wouldn't want to leave them babysat for a whole week

MrsE_2

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

To be honest, as it's your first time abroad, I'd stick to a Thomson package. Canaries? or maybe Balearics.

Thomson First Choice packages are incredibly well organised, just remember to ignore reps meetings on the first day.

No, go to the reps meetings, you pick up lots of local info & info on what's worth visiting.
Just don't book any trips with them, book in the local resort for half the price.

stephb34

I agree with you MRS E reps can often give you some very interesting and useful information especially if the newbie hasn't been abroad before.

paddyrg

+1 for booking a package not trying to DIY. There will be enough new experiences to deal with (airport procedures, transfers, foreign food/currency/etc., language gaps, etc) without trying to sort out problems as well. A package is simple - you get to the airport by the time it says on your booking, check in, security, get to the gate by the time you're told, get on the plane, get met at the other end, sit on a bus for a bit, get dropped off at the hotel, get your key allocated on arrival, etc., and someone to hold your hand/ask questions of the whole way. Sometime during the holiday your rep will post a note under your door/post a notice on a board when and where you need to muster to get the bus pick you up again to take you back to the airport. You can even pre-pay for meals in the hotel/go all-inclusive if you want an easy life.

EmmaParsons

In answer to your initial question it would all depend on what you like doing or would like to see and do whilst you're away.

If you are travelling with children and considering it's your first time I would go for somewhere like Majorca or Ibiza (there is far more to it than the clubbing part!), the Algarve or maybe a greek island.

All of these places have popular resorts that would let you experience somewhere new without feeling too out of your depth. In Majorca take a look at Alcudia or Cala D'or, Ibiza try Santa Eulalia or Es Cana (in particular I would recommend the Tropic Garden as it's a decent standard and has something for everyone.)

In terms of the reps meeting, if you have a rep then go to it as you will find out lots of useful information. Even if it's only things like which way to the beach and local bus times.

As for packages vs DIY the choice is yours. Obviously as an online travel agent I would say do it yourself online. You can still book your flight, hotel, airport transfer and even holiday insurance on the same site. And if you book with the right company there is someone there with you every step of the way too if you have any questions / issues. A good travel agent will offer a 24 hour emergency number for you to call should you need it, but hopefully you won't!

Weequine

Thanks everyone. There is certainly a lot to think about!