Haven't had a holiday for years - I know nothing!

joxy

Hi all,

I genuinely have only had one holiday (lasting more then a couple of days) for 25 years, and my husband and I have only ever had a couple of weekends away.

Now we find ourselves in the position where we would like to book a cheap holiday away somewhere, (perhaps Malta or Rome) but the system is such a minefield I genuinely don't know where to start!

ANY TIPS, HELP, HINTS OR GUIDES WELCOME!

Thank you for your help!

duchy

Why not start with a local travel agent -and tell them what you are looking for.

This will give you something to compare with if you wish to then look on line before deciding.

Often it is cheaper to put a package together yourself - but for a first time trip you may decide you'd rather pay a little more to have it all in one pot - and then once you've done it once you'll have more confidence to DIY.

Tripadvisor is a great place to start narrowing down what you like the sound of - but remember it's all subjective (and some posts are just plain unreasonable !) so remember it's a guide and not a bible

Travelzoo often has some great Malta offers so worth registering for and keeping an eye on.

zagfles

What in particular do think is a minefield? Flights, hotels, local travel? Do you travel much in the UK? It's not much different abroad.

You could book a package where you're met at the other end by a rep. Outside school holidays you can get reasonably priced packages.

Obviously_the_best

It's really much easier than anything else to organise your own holiday. Find yourself a hotel you like from a website such as TravelRepublic or Trivago, then find a flight that suits your needs on SkyScanner. And remember to claim TopCashBack where possible.

Grumpelstiltskin

Before you book anything have you got valid passports?

maman

I agree it is easy to sort out your own travel just as you would in this country but I've been doing it for the past 25 years+ whereas OP hasn't.


I'd start from the safety net of a travel agent or booking a package from a company you're familiar with like Thomson or similar.


joxy, if you want advice on specific holidays then it would help to have a bit more information. How long do you want to go for? Do you want a short city break like Rome or a beach holiday with some sightseeing available like Malta? If you want to see Classical sites then there are some excellent escorted tours. Are you interested in All Inclusive or half board or prepared to eat out most of the time? What sort of figure do you have in mind as 'cheap'? When can you/do you want to travel?

wallbash

OP needs a hassle free experience, therefore go for the safest option .
Forget about DIY , make a small mistake on any of the items, you will flounder.
Head for a large chain Travel Agent , i.e Thomas Cook or Thompson.
The agents will hold your hand and take care of EVERYTHING. Making sure you have passports/ currency/insurance and finally tickets.any problems, phone them up. At your destination. met by a uniformed rep, who will take charge. During hols, rep is there to sort problems out.

Yes its going to cost a little more, but peace of mind is priceless.

safesound

100% agree with wallbash. I just booked my first holiday with Thomson as 've never been abroad and whilst I fully understand what is required to diy I'm not comfortable doing it the very first time I fly/go somewhere that doesn't speak English. Yes it's more expensive but for me the knowledge that I just have to turn up with the right paperwork is worth the extra.

Beaker99

Yes, agree with wallbash too..


Go for a main travel agents - and ask/make sure that the holiday is entirely operated by the travel company - most often a 'Thomson holiday' will fly on a 'Thomson plane' for example.


Quite often if going 'off piste' through some of the low cost agents you can book a package and then find yourself on a ryanair flight, having to work out what you've got to do.


We started package to learn what to do many years ago. We now think nothing of going anywhere around the world off our own backs.


then when you're there, start to think to yourself - 'what would I do if we were here without a rep?' where would I get a car from? - where is the taxi rank? after a couple of trips just go for it yourself!


Get out and enjoy yourself!

AlexMac

joxy wrote: »

Hi all,

.. we would like to book a cheap holiday away somewhere, (perhaps Malta or Rome) ....Thank you for your help!

I don't know Malta, but I'd avoid Rome as although it's awash with galleries and ruins, in relative terms, it's eye-wateringly expensive compared, with, say almost anywhere in Spain. And given that you seem open either to anything from a city break to a beach resort, Spain's a good choice given the sheer range of terrain and places,
- from relatively less visited mountain areas like the Picos de Europa or Pyrenees with sunny valleys but snowy heights even in May (think Lake District but with more sun)
- through cities like Barcelona or Malaga which have more than their fare share of culture, but where the rsatuarnts only come alive after 11pm (except for the Japanese, Chinese and Americans who eat at 6pm- mid afternoon to locals) and bars open well into the early hours
- to beach resorts ranging from those used by Spanish people to package tourist 'ghetto' where all you ever see are Brits and other Northern Europeans or Russians.

Weather's a factor- we find cities in Italy and Spain too hot for comfort from July on, so tend to go for off-season hols, mountains or more northern or coastal parts of Spain; Cantabria, Asturias, Navarre and Cataluna), but you might prefer a package as first-timers unless you're adventurous.

If you do decide on a package, don't book blind; look at the brocures or websites and read independent (ish!) forum posts and reviews of what other travellers think of both the locality and specific hotels on Tripadvisor. Use Google maps and images to search by place and get a feel for the locality, cityscape or countryside scenes.

If you feel brave enough to drive, you'll see so much more; but even using local buses or ferries will be a cheaper adventure than the overpriced trips, excursions, boat rides and 'folk nights' which Reps will try to sell.

But frankly, wherever you go, it will be great. And while I'm a sucker for Spain - ( even classic popular resort islands like Mallorca have mountains, country towns, quiet coves and beachesaway from the over-developed 'paella and chips' southern coastal strip), Greece is also great value since their economy sadly tanked like Spain's

callum9999

I am very curious as to what exactly the "experienced travellers" who are suggesting they use a travel agent specifically think is so difficult? Or in fact, how using a travel agent the first time actually helps - the travel agent won't sit there showing them how they could independently book the flights and how to find the hotel etc.

I organised a year in Australia without a travel agent a couple of days after I turned 18, which went perfectly and wasn't the slightest bit taxing. I don't say that to show off - quite the opposite in fact. If I could do it, anyone could!

Find a suitable destination, book the flights (making sure you understand the check-in procedure and have a suitable baggage allowance), book a hotel and work out how you'll get from the airport to the hotel. That's pretty much it!