Trouble finding package holidays when (extremely) flexible

bigadaj

PompeyPete wrote: »

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.

Yes that's what I would do. Combine with cheap internal flights, or even to neighbouring countries, so a bit of beach time, jungle, wildlife, history etc etc

I don't think we've ever spent more than about £1300 per person for two weeks, including trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, South Africa, India

PompeyPete

bigadaj wrote: »

Yes that's what I would do. Combine with cheap internal flights, or even to neighbouring countries, so a bit of beach time, jungle, wildlife, history etc etc

I don't think we've ever spent more than about £1300 per person for two weeks, including trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, South Africa, India

After the first 3 nights in Bangkok we're off to Kanchanaburi for 3 nights...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm

...staying at Sky Resort, which is a couple of minutes walk from the train station, and within easy walking distance of loads of places to eat and drink...

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297924-d10058458-Reviews-Sky_Resort_Kanchanaburi-Kanchanaburi_Kanchanaburi_Province.html

Then back to Bangkok [same hotel] for a night, and then flying [Nok Air] to Hanoi [Vietnam] for a couple of weeks, before flying back to Bangkok for the last two nights. Not booked anywhere in Vietnam yet, but I've got a shortlist and have plenty of time before we travel.

It all sounds a bit complicated, but it's relatively straight forward, relaxing, and great vfm. Many hotels have swimming pools, and breakfast included, and so providing you don't choose places out in the sticks [which AI often are] there's usually loads of quality places close-by to eat and drink that are surprisingly cheap and atmospheric.

richardw

Why is it too difficult to put dates into a search?

Very good short haul by the pool all inclusive are possible.

KevinK

richardw wrote: »

Why is it too difficult to put dates into a search?

Very good short haul by the pool all inclusive are possible.

It takes absolutely ages, try it yourself - and then need to do it over and over again for each departure airport and each destination. Try it yourself and then compare it to the Thomson website and you'll see the difference.

DUKE

KevinK wrote: »

It takes absolutely ages, try it yourself - and then need to do it over and over again for each departure airport and each destination. Try it yourself and then compare it to the Thomson website and you'll see the difference.

I spend my life doing this & absolutely love it! I've been known to go through almost every single date to get the best price. It's all part of my planning, & I enjoy it almost as much as the holiday. Perhaps I'm sick :-/

Try this http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/book/flightoptions

We stayed here some years ago, the cheaper option but you get to use the other Riu hotels. Or just book the better hotel & pay more.

KevinK

DUKE wrote: »

I spend my life doing this & absolutely love it! I've been known to go through almost every single date to get the best price. It's all part of my planning, & I enjoy it almost as much as the holiday. Perhaps I'm sick :-/

Have a look here http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/book/flightoptions

I stayed here some years back, the cheaper option but you get to use all the other Riu hotels. Or you can book one of the better Riu hotels.

You're more than welcome to look for me :rotfl:

Unfortunately the link doesn't work! If you give me the details I'll search it.

KevinK

Neil49 wrote: »

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

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

Prices are crazy - over £3k for two in Barbados for 2 weeks. Even the sale prices are obscene.

KevinK

Can anyone suggest a website for comparing all inclusive hotels? I've tried trivago but can't find an option to filter it by then, as I've said above only one I've found is alpharooms but poor selection and high prices.

richardw

Holiday hyper market is easy to use, you just put different dates in.

The tour operators may have just decided they don't want to display prices over a long range of dates and told their IT people not to do it.

DUKE

KevinK wrote: »

You're more than welcome to look for me :rotfl:

Unfortunately the link doesn't work! If you give me the details I'll search it.

How odd, it works for me.

Thomson

31 August - 14 September

Gatwick - Cancun

Riu Lupita, Playacar, Mexico

£1962.14 for 2 people

Don't forget to change the sort by button from Recommended to low to high price.

Have a fiddle around with your dates, you may even get to enjoy it. Dom Rep was going really cheap last week too, under £800pp.