Trouble finding package holidays when (extremely) flexible

KevinK

I'm looking to book an all inclusive long haul holiday but don't have anywhere specific in mind, don't have specific dates in mind and can fly from anywhere mainland Scotland/England.

I'm having trouble using websites like icelolly, thomas cook etc. as they make it almost impossible to compare holidays easily as this information is required to search - the only user friendly site I've found is Thomson's late deals page as they just list the best deals.

I've looked into booking hotels and flight separately but usually find for long haul it's a lot cheaper to book a package deal.

Anyone got any tips?

bigadaj

Long haul all inclusive always seems oxymoronic to me, travelling thousands of miles to not experience culture, food etc seems a bit odd.

Thomsons and Thomas cook websites as you say seem easier than most of the search websites.

Personally I've always found all inclusive to be very much more expensive than booking separately, using skyscanner for flights and then tripadvisor and booking engines for hotels have always been much cheaper, though it depends where you go. That would be the case for most of Asia, the Caribbean may be different.

KevinK

bigadaj wrote: »

Long haul all inclusive always seems oxymoronic to me, travelling thousands of miles to not experience culture, food etc seems a bit odd.

Thomsons and Thomas cook websites as you say seem easier than most of the search websites.

Personally I've always found all inclusive to be very much more expensive than booking separately, using skyscanner for flights and then tripadvisor and booking engines for hotels have always been much cheaper, though it depends where you go. That would be the case for most of Asia, the Caribbean may be different.

I can't find an option for all inclusive on trivago? Only site I've found it on is alpharooms but prices are nuts.


Going to places like Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Egypt etc. AI is really the only option IMO - I've done self catering round Europe several times but at that stage I want to just relax by the pool the full holiday.

richardw

Try holidayhypermarket

zagfles

KevinK wrote: »

I can't find an option for all inclusive on trivago? Only site I've found it on is alpharooms but prices are nuts.


Going to places like Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Egypt etc. AI is really the only option IMO - I've done self catering round Europe several times but at that stage I want to just relax by the pool the full holiday.

Like the PP said long haul packages are usually more expensive than booking separately. Some long haul destinations are incredibly cheap for hotels & food, and even if you have to pay for all the meals etc separately it could work out cheaper.

But if you just want to relax round the pool the whole holiday why are you going long haul, do you just enjoy long flights Why not just go somewhere short haul with decent weather eg Spain? A decent hotel pool in Spain is pretty similar to one in the Caribbean!

KevinK

richardw wrote: »

Try holidayhypermarket

Late deals look great but unfortunately need to enter a date for the more in depth search

KevinK

zagfles wrote: »

Like the PP said long haul packages are usually more expensive than booking separately. Some long haul destinations are incredibly cheap for hotels & food, and even if you have to pay for all the meals etc separately it could work out cheaper.

But if you just want to relax round the pool the whole holiday why are you going long haul, do you just enjoy long flights Why not just go somewhere short haul with decent weather eg Spain? A decent hotel pool in Spain is pretty similar to one in the Caribbean!

I'm really finding that package is a lot cheaper than booking separately - for example a package deal to Mexico is around £1200PP but flights alone are over £500PP, for a decent AI hotel I can't find anything for 2 weeks below £1400.

Where are the places you'd suggest accommodation being cheap?

I don't want to sound as if I'm turning my nose up but I've been all round Europe and I just prefer the more far flung locations.

bigadaj

As above if you just want warm weather and a pool then the med or canaries would suit the bill.

Long haul cheaper destinations would include Thailand and Malaysia primarily, flights probably around £500 but decent hotels for probably £50 or less a night and food for a few quid a day. Sri Lanka can also be good, India would be ok but the visa issues are a pain and it could be a bit real fro many people.

You seem to have provided an example for Mexico so why not go with that if it's cheaper, Cuba or Dominican Republic might be less for a package.

KevinK

bigadaj wrote: »

As above if you just want warm weather and a pool then the med or canaries would suit the bill.

Long haul cheaper destinations would include Thailand and Malaysia primarily, flights probably around £500 but decent hotels for probably £50 or less a night and food for a few quid a day. Sri Lanka can also be good, India would be ok but the visa issues are a pain and it could be a bit real fro many people.

You seem to have provided an example for Mexico so why not go with that if it's cheaper, Cuba or Dominican Republic might be less for a package.

Over the last few years I've been to Jamaica, Dominican Rep and Mexico - also been to Canary Islands and mainland spain, it just doesn't compare IMO.

Cuba looks an option too might look further into that.

But we're getting away for the reason for the thread...

I struggle to use most holiday sites as the search function makes it compulsory to choose a date, destination and outbound airport - given that I'm flexible on all three it's nearly impossible (extremely time consuming) for me to find the best deal - it appears the only option is to enter loads of different permutations, surely there must be a better way?

For example, the late deals page on Thomson just has a list of all deals and you can then refine them by these factors if required. However, I'll often just look at the cheapest as the date doesn't make any difference to me and the travel for airport is often worth the saving.

It just appears this isn't possible on other sites.

PompeyPete

I booked return flights with Emirates from LGW to Bangkok for 2 Feb - 27 Feb next year recently @ £395 each.

Hotel for our first 3 nights by the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok @ £33 a night for a double, with excellent buffet breakfast, and a riverside swimming pool...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1763955-Reviews-New_Siam_Riverside_Guest_House-Bangkok.html

We've stayed there before, and so it comes with a first hand recommendation.

The area itself is quiet, as it's bordered on one side by the river. But within easy walking distance are dozens of excellent value restaurants, bars, arguably the best street food in Thailand, and some of the main tourist sights. So it's almost like AI, except you can pick and choose where and when you want to eat.

Neil49

Given the countries you have mentioned, you may want to consider Sandals for all inclusive.

http://www.sandals.co.uk/