Travel newbies

RedBanana

Hi, just looking for a little advice. My husband and I have saved a little money over the past few months, and would love to go away for a week or so....but, despite being in our mid forties, we've never really had a holiday abroad. Summer holidays until now have been a caravan in Cornwall with the kids!
We've had a look at some of the travel sites, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, and not quite sure where to start.

RedBanana

Ok sorry, should have given a little more detail
Looking for something fairy relaxed...a good beach, nice food, maybe a little sightseeing.
We don't have a fixed timescale, anytime from April to July really, not taking kids as they're all too old and want to do their own things, so not tied to school holidays.
We have around £1000 saved, and would like that to cover everything, including spending money!
Would like something warm/hot, don't mind 'foreigners' But we also don't speak any languages.
Thanks

richardw

Main thing to be wary of is websites such as onthebeach and similar who just put flights transfers and accommodation together, without you getting true package holiday protection with the package travel regulations. If you don't want package holiday protection you could just book the elements of a holiday yourself. Remember booking Ryanair and easyJet flights isn't cheaper through other websites.

A good place to start is your preferred departure airport's website which lists destination possibilities.

jonesMUFCforever

Most of southern Europe should be available within your budget.
Spain, Portugal. Greece, Turkey etc - but it will be up to you what you like and what you want to do.
We went to Fuengirola last November when it was still hot - not any kids in sight for a little over £500.

RedBanana

OK, thank you Richard.....I had looked at onthebeach, and holiday pirates, I assume they are similar companies? I dont really understand much about this at all What protection would we get with a 'proper' package? and is it worth it over the discounts offered by the above companies?

richardw

Best example is what happened with the ash cloud situation, package holiday makers didn't have to sort matters out themselves, although this is a rare occasion.
Many people book things separately and have no problems.

Rambosmum

Malta is nice in June. Some sites to see and lovely walks and most of the locals speak English. No real beaches though- it's very rocky. We got flights, a transfer and a lovely apartment for £250 each.

A city break could be good, I'd recommend Rome.

I don't really see the benefit in going for a package deal, I was in Egypt during the ash cloud incident and had packaged it myself and we were in no worse of a position than anyone else, the airport was either open or closed, when it was open we went and spoke to the airline, just like the thompson and thomas cook people we met! Their reps were useless.

I almost always package myself- take a look at where ryan air/ easyjet/ monarch fly too and get some flights. Then look at booking.com or expedia etc to find a hotel - have that website open in one window and tripadvisor in another and look up reviews of the hotels and make a decision based on that.

As for language, most of the main tourist places have high levels of English and restaurants with English menu's. I always learn how to say 'hello' 'thank you' and 'table for 2 please' in the native tongue, and I usually get a very good response and better service just for trying (Egypt was a prime example of this, we got treated really well, where as others really didn't).

RedBanana

OK thank you, great advice!
I think a city break is out this time, as OH would really like a couple of days to lie on the beach and chill... and I'll look into more detail about package vs non package.

stephb34

The likes of on the beach, icelolly etc aren't a package they put components together and you have to add in all extras from the price you are seeing, so transfers, luggage etc. Make sure the company you book with is atol bonded and maybe abta. You could ask at a high street travel agent for their advice, pick a smaller high street shop not the largest in your shopping centre your just a number to them and the young trainee probably won't know as much as you. Don't be pressured into booking there and then if you want to research what they've found you. In may between the 2 bank holidays is normally a really good time to get a late deal nearer the time.

MasterPoo

Rambosmum wrote: »

Do you like 'foreigners'.

WHAT???!!!!! WOW, just WOW!

Rambosmum

MasterPoo wrote: »

WHAT???!!!!! WOW, just WOW!

I asked this because a lady I work with went on holiday to Spain and came back saying that they had had an awful time because the resort was full of 'foreigners' - she meant Spanish people!

I'm always amazed at the number of people that go abroad and come back aghast that there were people native to the country there!