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Original poster

AIBU to ask for your help with booking a holiday?

47 replies

WineRipened · 26/07/2021 08:44

I haven't been on a holiday in 13 years and have rarely flown in the interim so am utterly clueless. I am getting totally confused with websites. For e.g. loveholidays.com is showing £201.17 for the accomodation but the summary bumps it up to £320.80 Confused. Sometimes 7 nights comes in cheaper than 5! A lot are showing Greek Islands but again, I'm not 100% clear on whether they are green or amber for travel (I've only had first shot of vaccine). Then, with luggage, is 20kg carry on, all you're allowed i.e. no handbag along with that for example?

I'm travelling from London and am open to red eyes, but will need to factor in taxis/airport hotels(?) or something if not able to get trains to meet flights. On the way home for e.g. I wouldn't mind if my flight got in at 1am and I had to hang around the airport until the first train. Stansted is my nearest airport I think.

I will be travelling alone and want sun, beach & bar, shops maybe. Cheap food, hopefully some nightly entertainment. It's just the sun and relaxation I am going for so don't need anything terribly cultural, sporty or active. I want to depart either this weekend or next week sometime and duration can be for 4-7 nights. Budget needs to come in under £350 incl. flights and accom.

I've been trying to book using search for 'cheap sun holidays' and looking at the websites that give flight/hotel/transfer options as I wouldn't be confident enough trying to book everything separately.

Canaries or Balearics would be great really, but I'm not incredibly fussed. I'm mid forties, but being single, I don't want a fuddy duddy holiday necessarily and probably not a totally family resort either.

Can anyone help get me away??? Lol. I'm crying out for a break.

OP posts:
chocolatesaltyballs22 · 26/07/2021 08:49

I would step away from loveholidays for a start if I were you, and book with a reputable tour operator. They were known to be spectacularly bad during all of the travel disruption.

Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 08:51

I've been 2.5 hours searching so far and have come up with zilch apart from picking one (the one with the price discrepancy). Would 1 carry on suitcase of 20kg be enough for the 5-7 nights? I'd like to bring trainers (will wear on flight) and maybe 2 pairs heels. Then you've makeup and meds (I'm on a lot) and that's before I pack any clothes!

Ideally not rural and not too far from airport. Somewhere with a bit of a buzz. Basic basic basic accomodation totally fine, once clean. I would prefer self catering as I eat at odd times.

OP posts:
Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 08:51

Which are the reputable tour operators?

OP posts:
rookiemere · 26/07/2021 08:53

When are you planning to go ? If it's this summer it might be best to pause for now if you're unaccustomed to foreign holidays, as there is the extra stress and expense of testing, plus you'd want decent travel insurance.
For travel agents I'd rate jet 2 holidays- they have a good reputation.

Geamhradh · 26/07/2021 08:55

easyJet holidays, BA holidays, Tui, Jet2.
Read the small print. BA can be surprisingly cheap.
If you want to put a package together yourself, then Expedia, Booking and LastMinute are all fine- but again, read the small print, take out good insurance and pay that little bit extra (usually only £20-£30) for cancellation possibilities.

Geamhradh · 26/07/2021 08:56

Meant to say, I often book my own separate bits, but tend to browse Tui for hotels, then book the hotel separately/direct.
For a package I'd go with Tui or BA every time.

staryrainbows · 26/07/2021 08:57

Have you considered getting PCR, you have to pay for these to travel so need to consider that cost on top of your holiday and make sure you have enough time to book in and get it done. They're difficult to book where I am, my son is going away in 6 weeks and he's saying it's £300 for the testing, no idea what this includes or if I can be found cheaper as he only said last night.
Maybe you should pop into a travel agents, that way someone can explain everything to you.

Lotsachocolateplease · 26/07/2021 08:59

I’ve successfully booked with travel republic in the past. Always found good deals.

Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:00

Oh I didn't know that you had to have PCR tests? Is that for all of Europe?

OP posts:
Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:00

Can you not just get tested for free?

OP posts:
Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:01

rookiemere I was planning on departing this weekend/early next week.

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 26/07/2021 09:01

Are you not double vaccinated?
Not all destinations need testing if you're vaxxed, though many do, and regulations change all the time.

Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:02

£300 for a PCR test would completely rule me out so. Not due to have 2nd vaccinnation until mid August. Is there anywhere you don't need a test for?

OP posts:
QueenAstrid · 26/07/2021 09:02

Agreed you should speak to a decent travel agent. Tui are very good.

Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:04

Can you still ring Travel Agents these days? I don't think I've seen a travel agent in donkey's years!

OP posts:
QueenAstrid · 26/07/2021 09:05

As far as I know you need a test for everywhere unless you’re double jabbed. And anyway you’d need to be tested to get back in to the UK

Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:06

Oh well, perhaps I should wait until I'm double jabbed then. Crap. Really wanted to get away.

OP posts:
21Bee · 26/07/2021 09:06

I’ve always used travel republic for package holidays, booking it all yourself means it isn’t protected.

Greece isn’t on the green list, could you try Croatia?

LemonMeringueThreePointOneFour · 26/07/2021 09:11

Now isn't really the time for spontaneous trips, especially if you're an inexperienced traveller, not fully vaccinated and very limited financially. Sorry. But if you still want to go ahead I'd suggest Tui, go for a country that's currently green, and book today as you have to allow five days for your test kit to arrive.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 26/07/2021 09:14

Sorry but have you been living under a rock, OP?

Newbornandupwards · 26/07/2021 09:16

Speak to a travel agent rather than trying to pick through it all yourself x

MumofSpud · 26/07/2021 09:20

Ummmm.... you know that there's still a global pandemic right?
You're not double jabbed and you're unsure about PCR testing in Europe (which will be changing again soon)
What would you do if rules change when you're abroad?
Maybe it is best to start with a UK based holiday??

Geamhradh · 26/07/2021 09:32

@chocolatesaltyballs22

Sorry but have you been living under a rock, OP?
Any need? The OP has said she's an inexperienced traveller, hasn't had a holiday for 13 years and wants to get away. Maybe you should crawl back under yours instead of asking her if she's been living under one.
Original poster
WineRipened · 26/07/2021 09:38

Lol Geamhradh. Yes, I have been deliberately ignoring Covid info on travel as I had no intention of travelling so it was not even on my radar. Good job I asked though as I had no idea about green lists/PCR tests etc.

OP posts:
Icannever · 26/07/2021 09:41

I cannot see that this is possible on your budget. You will absolutely have to pay for tests and good travel insurance. I can’t see why you would choose right now to go on your first holiday abroad in years

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