The Great 'Holiday Inspiration' Hunt

MSE_Martin

The holiday season's officially upon us, and with late package deals aplenty, the hardest question to answer's often 'but where to go?'

So, this week I want to tap MoneySavers' collective ideas for cheap-but-great holiday destinations, to make choosing a getaway that little bit easier for others.

If you're looking to book a late deal, read the Package Holiday Late Deals article.

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pavlovs_dog

we're off to spain for a cheap break on the 23rd. reading the tripadvisor forums, it does seem that a lot of europe is bracing up for a poor season as the credit crunch and strong pound/weak euro bites. it seems that if you want more bang for your buck, turkey, bulgaria and croatia are the places to go.

there seems to be an awful lot of interest in camping, so perhaps a camping info hunt would be a good idea?

dmg24

Is this one of those 'how long is a piece of string' articles?

My biggest piece of advice - never book a package holiday! They are rarely better value than DIY, and the days of last minute bargains are long gone.

Next thing - search around on the Travel board. You are never going to get all the information on one thread!

I agree with pavlovs_dog about the Euro at the mo, and going to Disneyworld in the US can work out as cheap as EuroDisney!

Where would I recommend for people to go? Marrakech is fab but very hot in the summer, as is Madrid (fab and hot!). TBH for the summer months I would stick to our own coastline, and save going overseas until it is shockingly cold here!

A little tip on Butlins - on quieter weeks (in school term!), if you don't want to go on one of the specified packages, you can get good deals for odd nights (or two) by calling direct to the centre, waiting for the operator, and asking to speak to their reservations team (i.e. don't use central reservations). They will be wanting to fill any last minute rooms, and sometimes you can even barter with them! A few years back I got a basic half board room for two for £18! x

martinlewisfanclub

How about money savers setting up a house swap scheme? I remember a TV series a few years back and it seemed quite successful. With the Sterling/Euro exchange so poor, carbon footprints large etc, swapping homes could be good. Loads of places in the UK I'd love to visit.
Not sure if I'd like to have strangers in my house but perhaps someone has tried and can recommend a company?

dmg24

martinlewisfanclub wrote: »

How about money savers setting up a house swap scheme? I remember a TV series a few years back and it seemed quite successful. With the Sterling/Euro exchange so poor, carbon footprints large etc, swapping homes could be good. Loads of places in the UK I'd love to visit.
Not sure if I'd like to have strangers in my house but perhaps someone has tried and can recommend a company?

Lots of posts on this already - search the Travel board!

Engadine

I do have to agree with dmg24 about late deal bargains, these days are long gone, you can still get some good deals but not as cheap as in the past. Fuel surcharges are pushing up the price of flights.

Dynamic packaging can save a lot of money in most cases but is not always guaranteed.

The States is better value for money at the moment than Europe, your money will go a bit further.

I would recommend Nerja on the Costa del Sol, great place, still very Spanish and hot in the summer. I also love Sorrento fab food and wine.

lesandflynny

My top tip is a place called Mojacar in Almeria southern spain. Monarch fly to almeria and you can hire a car through carjet or get a bus. School hols with 2 adults, 4 children car and luxary 6 man apartment is costing just short of 2000 for a fortnight. The apartment has all mod cons so we travel light and wash clothes, shop at the huge supermarket and eat breaky by the apartment pool or on the patio overlooking the med. Make pack lunches and cold drinks for beach where there are miles and miles of beautiful, peacful coastline and eat out occassionally in the evening - we take our children to local hotels to join disco and watch free shows... we buy drinks and some food and have never been unwelcome.
All told with insurance we could holiday for £2.600 - with the luxary of a private apartment and a pool, sat tv, air con, etc. To go through travel agents to a packed hotel for 6 of us, even with free child places it is 3k+ for a family of 6.

any questions please ask

Di

TraceyB_2

Engadine wrote: »

I do have to agree with dmg24 about late deal bargains, these days are long gone, you can still get some good deals but not as cheap as in the past. Fuel surcharges are pushing up the price of flights.

Dynamic packaging can save a lot of money in most cases but is not always guaranteed.

The States is better value for money at the moment than Europe, your money will go a bit further.

I would recommend Nerja on the Costa del Sol, great place, still very Spanish and hot in the summer. I also love Sorrento fab food and wine.

I second Nerja - but I'm biased as my lovely Aunty lives there! Some nice day trips to be had too.

alph250

If you can stand the heat try Egypt

I booked through UK travelshop flying from Gatwick staying at Falcon hills hotel for 2 weeks all inclusive end of June for £850!!!!:D for 2 people inc taxes etc

Its really cheap over there, go quadbiking for the afternoon for £15 per person! and eat out inc a bottle of wine for less than £5 a head, yeah okay the wine was suspect but perfectly drinkable. And the snorkelling is amazing!

spirit

These late deal bargains are all very well for couples but not for singles like me. 'd like to find a great deal on a holiday Sep/Oct time. I'd look at pretty much anywhere, prefer all inclusive. bargains are rare I feel - unless someone knows different?

Incapuppy

spirit wrote: »

These late deal bargains are all very well for couples but not for singles like me. 'd like to find a great deal on a holiday Sep/Oct time. I'd look at pretty much anywhere, prefer all inclusive. bargains are rare I feel - unless someone knows different?

Mercury Direct offer quite a few holidays with no single supplements at a range of properties throughout the year.