What do you think the chances are of getting a good last minute deal (shorthaul) during the summer hols?

[NorbertDentressangle]

I've heard that holiday companies are likely to reduce their prices as people are tending to not want to go abroad this summer (due to exchange rate etc) so are more likely to holiday in the UK.

Do you think this will mean there will be some good last minute deals? I'm thinking along the lines of a self-catering apartment/villa in somewhere like Spain, Portugal, Greece etc.

As DP is self-employed and can take holiday whenever he wants we're not tied to a specific week (so could be flexible on dates to some extent) but it would need to be in the school hols.

Are we likely to get a good deal do you think?

You may well, but may also need to be flexible about not only the country, but also the precise location. Last minute 'bargains' are often for places that haven't sold for a reason, or are 'allocation on arrival' - you could end up somewhere fab and a real bargain find, or somewhere awful. What kind of budget are you looking at and what kind of thing do you like on holiday (pool, playgrounds, organised activitied, suit yourself and make your own entertainment etc)?

Unfortunately 'last minute deals' are a bit of a mystery, and so is the rumour that holidays are not selling. My aunty works in travel and says things have never been better with the recession and people wanting to get away etc.

As direct says, the things that are left are often places you wouldnt want to take children too (lager lout resorts and 18/30 hotels). And the choice is obviously less in the summer holidays.

The best time to book is early, when you can get free child places and have the pick of the hotels and resorts.

I have just re-booked ours (and lost our original free child place), and have also just booked a hol for my mum and dd for summer hols, which was expensive because mum wont do less than 4* HB

What sort of place would you like to go to, apts or hotel, rating, budget? I can have a look for you, I love looking for hols and it takes my mind off other stuff

Directskiandsun -We tend to prefer to go to less touristy areas and make our own entertainment ie. don't want/need kids clubs, entertainment on site. Self-catering -eat out at local restaurants each evening (so not inclusive hotel packages).

We are happy with lots of time on beach and some sightseeing, wandering round interesting towns (so ideally not places full of "English Bars" and tat aimed at tourists!)

Saying that I appreciate its partly "luck of the draw" so we're willing to make some sacrfices and just fancy a chance to relax somewhere in the sun and have a bit of a break

mosschops -sorry X posted as I took forever to type mine as eating at the same time .

Interesting inside info from your auntie.

Not really set a budget as at the moment we're just wondering what the costs are likely to be. This was after pricing up UK holidays and finding that our apartment in Potugal last year was a fraction of the price of a holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire !

Hmm I dont know how likely you are to find a nice villa or 'off the beaten track' hotel in peak season.

But i know what you mean about holidaying in the UK. Me and dh took the kids camping in IOW a couple of years ago (first and last time ) and spent more in four days than it would have cost us for a week abroad, lesson learnt

small hijack Norbert sorry!
Mosschops - is that offer open to anyone? I'm keen to get away in the 2 weeks between finish one MSc and starting the next one. In need of sun! Me, DH, DD 7 and DS3. In mid September, one week with a nice pool near coast. Any ideas?

NorbertDentressangle - we may have some good options for you to consider in Brittany (lovely beaches, interesting sights and villages/towns, great apartments on a small complex with pool, lots of green areas, laundry room! etc) or the Alps - we love it there with our DCs as they are never bored, and we can relax. Stunning views, gorgeous places to visit, not touristy as they are 'real' villages where people live/work all year, great local speciality shops, boulangeries etc., and excellent quality apartments with pool, large communal lounges, spa facilities etc. Prices are pretty good even in the peak weeks. If of interest, you can see details via my profile - drop me a line if I can help.

absoluetly hockeypuck, any escape from the real world is welcome at the mo.

So 2 adults and 2 children, tell me:

your local airports
possible dates
areas youd prefer (greece/spain/portugal)
self catering or board

It is mad that you can holiday abroad for cheaper isn't it?

Last year I found the apartment and booked the flights in January so got in there early. I think I've left it too late to faff around trying to find accommodation and flights that match up on a availability and location this year though.

Re: camping. I'm hoping to persuade DP to try this for a weekend this year as the DC are desperate to go. I only have camping experience form Girl Guide days though (oh, and, much later on, festivals but thats a bit of a bluury memory )

What was the worst bit about the camping then?

Thanks Direct -will take a look.

Oh god dont ask me anything about camping!! Im just not a camper.
I hate shring showers and toilets with comeplete strangers (my argument being that I have my own at home, why would I go somewhere thats supposed to be a treat and not have this basic thing).
Also hate carrying my washing up to some manky sink with other peoples bits in it half way across a field.
Hate the noise, the smokey BBQ's, god I sound like a moany cow. dh and the kids love it. I can last about 2 nights and then Im done.

But loads of people on here love it so i guess its horses for courses

lol! Not your cup of tea then.

I have a feeling that DP will be the same (and possibly me too as, like I said, my only other experience was when very young or very inebriated for the entire weekend)

mosschops -

If possible departing from Cardiff, Bristol or Midlands.

Dates one of the middle two weeks of september.

Destination - I really do not mind one bit - somewhere safe, sunny with a pool, not too rowdy, but stuff to do. I've been to Greece and Turkey before and loved them. Never been to Spain and Portugal but like the idea of them.

Thanks :-)

apartments or hotel?

mosschops -with your holiday research experience are there any particularly good companies/websites to look at for good self-catering apartment holiday deals?

I dont know, I usually book a package and we normally stay somewhere s/c with entertainment and that sort of thing which is not what youre looking for Norbert.
However people like Thomason and First Choice do villas so maybe you could look at them. Im a bit of a sucker for First Choice after a hospital disaster with ds, they were excellent. Similarly Thomson, love them both. We went with Thomas Cook last year simply because we were limited to August holidays and needed to do it cheaper and they are always cheaper for some reason

Hockeypuck - I dont know Turkey or Greece that well so have just stuck to what I know

Do you have a budget?

Last year I used Travel Republic to book on line. You can either look for a package or book flights and accomodation seperately. Everything went smoothly. I always look on Trip Advisor for reviews before booking.

Thomson have got a really good Late Deal search facility for anyone looking to depart within 6 weeks. Good filters by price, duration, destination and departure airports. TBH, this year I would be tempted to book with a big Tour Op (as an ATOL protected holiday package) rather than doing DIY flight plus accommodation. Flights are cutting cut back and schedule changes will be more frequent, especially after the school hols when demand is lower in September. FWIW Thomson villas do car hire for the week, instead of resort transfers.

If anyone is caught up in the Freedom Direct mess, they'll know what I'm on about. If it looks to cheap, don't book it. Also use the web as a source of info for who to book with if you are unsure. Search agent names, ABTA numbers etc to find out any reviews. Book on a credit card too.

Shorthaul holidays, don't forget the price you see normally won't have the hold baggage included until you click through to add it.

Travel Republic Director, Kane Pirie will be in court again this month on 20 May. The CAA for alleged breach of the ATOL Regulations in the way, they sold holidays providing flights plus accommodation.

Presumably Last Minute dot com are OK as reputable agents? Have seen very cheap holiday to Italian Lakes in August which I want to book but I don't know who the actual tour operator is, although flights are Thomson charter ones. Accommodation is allocated on arrival which could be horrendous but we're prepare to chance it for teh price!

Titchy, I would avoid lastminute like the plague. I had a weekend away booked with them which they cancelled (due to airline issues). They would then only reshcedule for me midweek, which was no use and they wanted to charge me more. They offered no alternative so I lost my money.
And a friend booked a week in Dubai with them. Just as he was departing for airport they phoned him to say sorry but they had overbooked so he couldn't go, but that it was OK cos they would refund his money! Err...not OK when time off work already booked, foreign currency bought and taxi fare to pay!

Sorry mosschops - was away. I am pretty open about type of accomodation and board basis. I'd like to keep costs reasonable, but don't really know what that means, I just want to get some sun!!

This is the thread I was going to start but Norbert beat me to it! I have to see not having done a last minute thing before and not being a particularly seasoned holidayer (in terms of Med beach holidays) I have been a bit put off the idea. Obviously we all want to get a bargain but the idea of not knowing exactly where you might end up and what facilities there will be doesn't appeal! The other problem I have with booking holidays is there is so much choice - not just where to go (not particularly fussed what country) but who to go with and where to look - I drive myself mad (doesn't take much according to DH). Also think I am being unrealistic about how much to spend - is there any chance of getting anything decent in school hols for family of 4 for @ £1000 or am I way off the mark - if so what is the minimum spend? Sorry to ask so many questions and hijack the thread but I think we are all after the same thing at the end of the day..

P.S. What does AI stand for in these travel threads?

Thanks

purple princess - can't answer the first part for you I'm afiad, but AI means 'All Inclusive' on travel threads.

Purpleprincess - your budget of £1000 may be OK but it depends what you want for that and what you consider 'decent'? If a two bedroom cottage or apartment (self catering) on a small complex with swimming pool, play area, near a beach or mountain activities would suit,then Yes, you can find something for under £1000 (or I can ). However, if you are looking for flights, food, organised activities, child care etc., then it's unlikely.