Woah. The price of holidays right now.

[Pinkbonbon]

Just having a look around the usual travel sites, thinking I'll go for a cheap few weeks in the sun. But oh my gosh, self catering in the canary Islands starting at around 800 quid! For that I'd want full board at a 4 star lol.

I suppose there's other sites (anyone tried icelolly?) but it'll be my first time abroad alone and I thought travel agents have reps ect so I might feel a bit less nervous.

Do we think places will get cheaper in a few months when there's more competition? Or more expensive because it's warmer and closer to summer?

OP I feel for you. It used to be that shorthaul flights were cheapest around 9-12 weeks before departure but this year it looks like all bets are off. They were really cheap for summer a month ago but sky high now.

I think what I'd do in your situation is book accommodation+ flight separately. Packages are just really really expensive rn and are always based on 2+ people.

Having decided that I'd set up a couple of price alerts.
You can do it on your phone.
Do Google and Skyscanner. That will cover most carriers. Do it from whatever UK airports are feasible for a couple of destinations that are well connected to places with lots of options eg malaga, Lisbon, Split, Rome (summer in Rome is awful but there are high speed trains out) , Alicante. When you get an alert have a quick look on booking.com for likely nearby hotels and then just google for the hotel's own website which is always always cheaper especially for solo travellers. Tell them in your booking information that you want a double room.

You will find something but it will be a bit of a faff. But you will feel like a fucking hunter gatherer when that bargain drops in your basket and it will save you loads of money that you can spend on having a lovely time when there.

4-5k for a week?? And then all the other* expenses. Jesus. Holidays are overrated. I'll never look the same at people who "holiday".*

Don't be such a snob, £4-5k means different things to different people, we save more than that per year for a holiday because it's completely manageable in our budget and we love going on holiday, it's a priority for us.

OP have a look at Jet2holidays in the deals section and be as flexible as possible with date, destination etc. Also look at Madeira, might cost a little less.

Or use skyscanner to find the cheapest flight then look for accommodation on booking.com. Stay in a central location and just get the local bus from the airport to the area you're staying in to save the cost of a transfer.

I'd say you could probably get down to not much more than £600 for B&B in a nice enough hotel with basic kitchenette type facilities in the room.

DH and I are going to Tenerife in March.
10 nights half board in a good 3 star hotel.
Went same time last year and it's only increased by £45.
This is with Jet 2.
Total price £1479.

@NannyGythaOgg

Can I ask what part of Turkey you go to ? How do you find travelling alone there ? I’m looking to go solo to.

We bought a 20 year old caravan in 2020. Thought we'd made a big mistake what with covid... but we started using it properly last year and this year we have 5 camps/festivals booked, totally about 6 weeks away.
Not talking butlins or haven, in talking about organised themed camps and local festivals.
Yes a pool is nice, but we absolutely love van life and very happy to sight see right here in England.

Are they that much more?

We last went away in 2019 and paid £860 per person for half board on a Greek island. The same resort at the same time is now £920 which is not all that much of an increase compared to how much everything else is rising.

I use Hays Travel a lot, they regularly have some cracking deals.

Eg.....on just now

Ibiza, April 2023, 7 nights,
Self catering
family of 3......£620
family of 4.......£816

I go to Hisaronu/OluDeniz. Olu is by the sea. Hisaronu is a short way up into the mountain from Olu. It's about 30% cheaper in Hisaronu and I prefer it. It's very friendly and very safe. When I was there in June last year there was a young single mum there on her own with a 3 year old. She loved it too and said she felt very safe. There are some great AI hotels if you are a bit nervous of going on your own but obviously these are more pricy. I went again in September with my daughter (in her 40s) and she can't wait to go again.

I went to olu 25 years ago on my own and felt very safe. 👍 Going back this summer (booked last April) as a single mum because I wanted to go somewhere I’ve been before so I know where everything is iyswim. Just checked the prices off the back of this thread and same package is £2k more to book now. 🤯

We haven’t bothered to look for holiday. Can’t afford it so no point.

I know OP. I think we’ll be staying home this year tbh and just having a few lovely days out. Have you checked Love Holidays? We got a good deal last year.

Combination of the currency values (legacy of Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng) and demand making up for lost time.

Places such as the Canary Islands are still warm in October, is that an option for you?