Posts Tagged ‘Package Holiday’

With over 5.8 million visitors in 2006 and occupancy rate in excess of 83% Dubai is fast becoming one of the world’s premier tourist destinations in the world with tourism business reaching unprecedented levels.

It is clear that the travel industry hence the local accommodation providers are riding the biggest wave of their life as the request for holiday accommodation has clearly overtaken the supply.

Quality wise, there is a wide choice of accommodation available in Dubai ranging from hotels or hotel apartments to self-catering villas and apartments with this latest option being much sought after in recent days.

Renting a furnished apartment or villa on self-catering basis proves to be a cheaper option then staying in many hotels especially if you intend staying in Dubai for longer then the usual package holiday or if you are a large group or simply wish to have greater flexibility and privacy.

One of the most popular areas of Dubai is the Dubai Marina that delights residents and visitors with its cosmopolitan atmosphere and unique refreshing lifestyle, challenging the most exclusive waterfront developments in the world’s leading cities.

Booking a Hotel in Dubai Marina is out of reach for many travelers who would rather spend their budget on shopping, for this reason renting a self–catering apartment or villa can be a smart option, more affordable, more private and also more exciting…. There are many villas and apartments available for short-term rental on self-catering basis and can cater from a minimum of 1 guest to as much as 15 guests according to the design of the individual property.

When planning to book a holiday apartment or villa in Dubai on self-catering basis it is necessary to carefully select the right agent to deal with. The most recommended would certainly be those actually based in Dubai that can guarantee you full assistance on a 24 hrs basis.

It’s really the quality that matters when you choose your holiday home in Dubai, yes you could be spending a little extra but in the end is your accommodation on the line. Some properties are equipped with every amenity you could think of, from the bread toaster to the kettle, from the coffee maker to the microwave some even offer a complimentary house keeping service, fresh towels, fresh bed sheets and extra amenities such as shampoo, shower gel etc… some other properties that come across as a good bargain could end up being a bad surprise to say the least and you might experience issues such as faulty air conditioning, lack of water pressure, rusted cutlery items, lack of glassware or cooking items, poor hygiene level and the list can go on to a point where your vacation could get badly compromised. Professional agencies maintain and check on the properties on regular basis in addition to supply amenities, accessories and services to a level that can meet and in some cases go beyond the standard of a 5 stars hotel.

Probably the best way to go about it, when possible, would be to actually inspect the premises before making any payment, in this way you will have a direct understanding of the quality of property you are about to reserve and you will also be able to check the consistency with the information (photos or descriptions) that were displayed on the agent website or catalogue.

When booking a self-catering apartment or villa there are few questions that you might want to ask such as:

How far and where is the nearest hospital? Does the property have a telephone line to make at least emergency calls? Will you be awaited at your arrival in the early ours of the morning and will you be escorted to your apartment by professional and English speaking staff? Will you find first hand groceries in the fridge at your arrival? How far is the closest pharmacy? How far is the closest supermarket? How far is the closest restaurant or coffee shop? Are the utility bills included in the rent? Is there a house keeping service provided? Is there an emergency assistance number that you could call in case it was required? Is there an Internet connection in the apartment? Is there a cable TV in the apartment? How far is the beach? How far is the closest mall? Is the area fully developed or is it still under construction? How noisy or quite is it and does the apartment/villa have double-glazed windows to serve this purpose? Are taxis easily available? Etc etc….

In the end it all comes to experience and professionalism… There are many companies offering holiday villas and apartments in Dubai and around the world, which is a great advantage as it keeps the competition alive and the rates affordable, however be always careful and do your homework before making your final choice, at the end of the day it’s your holiday on the line and you don’t want to jeopardize it just to save a few bucks.

With over 5.8 million visitors in 2005 and occupancy rate in excess of 83% Dubai is fast becoming one of the world’s premier tourist destinations in the world with tourism business reaching unprecedented levels.

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a population over 1 million that offers a wonderful taste of Arabia, seamlessly combining some of the world’s most exciting tourists developments in a distinctive blend of modern city and desert. Where else can you spend a vacation that combines sand dunes and Middle East culture with stunning high rise hotels overlooking pristine beaches and the warm turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf?

Dubai is also a shopper’s paradise. The tiny emirate is a duty-free zone and during its Shopping Festival, two million visitors arrive looking for discounts on gold, electronics, clothing, and Persian carpets.

Dubai has a subtropical arid climate and the weather is sunny pretty much all the year round… Dubai has experienced a total of 4 days of rain in 2005!

Given all the above reasons and keeping aside many others, is clear that the travel industry hence the local accommodation providers are riding the biggest wave of their life in fact in many cases the request for holiday accommodation as taken over the supply and it’s not breaking news for frequent travelers to hear that the hotels are fully booked and capable of offering only the most expensive suites (whatever left available).

There is a wide choice of accommodation available in Dubai ranging from hotels, hotel apartments and private villas or apartments for more exclusive retreats.

Renting an apartment might be a cheaper option then staying in a hotel especially if you intend staying in Dubai for longer then the usual package holiday or if you are a large group or simply wish to have greater flexibility and privacy, this latest option being the most sought after in recent days.

One of the most popular areas of Dubai is the Dubai Marina which creates an awe-inspiring city-within-a city that delights residents with its cosmopolitan, free-spirited atmosphere and unique, invigorating lifestyle.

It is a urban center on the water, comparable to the most exclusive waterfront developments in the world’s leading cities. Dubai Marina is the place where people meet, laugh, live and enjoy life to the full, always alive, with the glittering Marina at its heart.

Booking a Hotel in Dubai Marina is out of reach for many travelers who rather spend their budget on shopping and dining, for this reason renting a self-catering apartment in the Dubai Marina itself or a self-catering villa on the world famous Palm Island can be a much cheaper option, more affordable, comfortable and also more exciting….

There are many villas and apartments available for short term rental on self-catering basis and can cater from a minimum of 1 guest to as much as 15 guests according to the number of bedrooms available.

When planning to book a holiday apartment or villa in Dubai on self-catering basis it is necessary to carefully select the right real estate agent to deal with.

The most recommended would certainly be those actually based in Dubai that can guarantee you full assistance on a 24 hrs basis.

It’s really the quality that matters when you choose your holiday home in Dubai, yes you could be spending some extra bucks but in the end it will pay off.

Some properties are equipped with every amenity, from the bread toaster to the kettle, from the coffee machine to the microwave and also include a twice weekly house keeping service, fresh towels, fresh bed sheets, miniature shampoo and shower gel etc. some other properties that come across as a good bargain could end up being a bad surprise to say the least and you might experience issues such as faulty air conditioning, lack of cutlery items or crockery or cooking pans or lack of water pressure, poor hygiene and the list can go on and on to a point where your vacation could get badly compromised.

Professional agencies maintain and check on the properties on regular basis in addition to supply amenities and accessories to a level that can meet and in some cases go beyond the standard of a 5 stars hotel.

When booking a self catering apartment or villa there are few questions that you might want to ask such as:

How far and where is the nearest hospital? Does the property have a telephone line to make outgoing calls in case of emergency? Will you be awaited at your arrival in the early ours of the morning and will you be escorted and checked in your apartment by professional and English speaking staff? Will you find first hand groceries in the fridge at your arrival? How far is the closest supermarket? How far is the closest pharmacy? How far is the closest restaurant or coffee shop? Are the bills included in the rent? Is there a house keeping service provided? Is there a maintenance number that you could call in case it was required? Will you be able to receive international calls from your loved ones? How far is the beach? How far is the closest mall? Is the area fully developed or is it still under construction? How noisy or quite is it and do the windows have double glazing to serve this purpose? Are taxis easily available? Etc etc….

In the end it all comes to experience and professionalism…

There are many companies over the internet offering holiday villas around the world which is a great advantage as it keeps the competition alive and the rates affordable however be always careful and do your homework before making your final choice, at the end of the day it’s your holiday on the line.

The author of this article is Alessandro Dubaldo, Managing Director at www.DubaiFurnishedApartments.com

Bear in mind that tour operators and major airlines operate all year round and have to maintain their profit margins. You can find yourself a good holiday deal either for last minute breaks or for next year’s holiday if you are prepared to put some work into searching.

Booking a holiday is no longer a matter of just picking a destination and letting the tour operator sort out all the details. Holiday deals are becoming more sophisticated and you can grab a good deal by paying closer attention to what is on offer. Late deals can be found on the internet or teletext if you are prepared to travel at very short notice. Just be aware of the hidden costs, such as transfers from the airport, airport taxes, flight meals, single supplements. The prices quoted are rarely the final amount.

If you are looking to book in advance, then now is a good time to bag a bargain with the tour operators and airlines needing to entice customers in order to maintain their profit margins.

If you want to go away next year, look for deals that include free child places. Look for low deposit holidays – if anything happens between now and your holiday, then losing a small deposit is preferable. Use comparison sites – most of these are up-to-date and some of the best will point out the hidden costs.

If you are looking for a package holiday, compare the price of self catering against all-inclusive. All inclusive holiday deals can offer extremely good value for money, especially if you are travelling as a group. If you have children, then this may also be a cost effective option – there’s nothing worse than paying for a meal that isn’t eaten!

Sign up for holiday newsletters and check them regularly. Also, widen your horizons – if you want a beach holiday, try looking away from the perennial favourites to less well known destinations.

Finally, holiday deals are only good if the holiday itself turns out to be good. You won’t appreciate saving a few hundred pounds if the resort isn’t to your liking. So don’t go with the cheapest option unless you have researched the destination thoroughly. A cheaper hotel full of partying young people won’t go down too well with a family trying to get a baby to sleep!

A family package holiday to Punta Prima is a more secluded affair than many holidays to Menorca. This isn’t the crowd of choice for the party goers or those interested in seeing people and being seen. This is the holiday of choice though for families that are looking to escape hectic city life and enjoy a little bit of sand and good clean fun under the sun. This resort, despite its relative isolation remains popular with many families and couples looking to get away from it all or for a little bit of romance.

One of the best things about holidays in Punta Prima is the fact that this resort maintains a more authentic island atmosphere than some of the more widely populated resorts that seem bent on bringing the best of the city to the resort. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to do and experience on holiday to Punta Prima. It is also located within easy traveling distance of many of the busier resorts on Menorca.

On the beach, which has been awarded an EU Blue Flag, a symbol of cleanliness and quality in beaches, you can enjoy a nice long stretch of white sand ideal for worshiping the sun, or explore the sand dunes. The waters are shallow and warm which makes it an excellent location for swimming and snorkeling. Sailing, wind surfing, and pedalos are also common along the beach.

You will also find a nice selection of restaurants to keep you entertained, a few nice bars that are rather peaceful, and plenty of shopping to keep you happy during your holiday. Whether you are booking last minute holidays to Punta Prima or have found some excellent cheap holiday deals to Punta Prima well in advance it is possible to enjoy great rates and an inexpensive holiday to remember.

Late Holiday deals to Punta Prima are easier to come by now than ever before. When you book your family package holiday to Punta Prima online be sure to check that you are getting exactly what you want as part of your package deal. You might also want to check and see if there are any all inclusive holidays available at this interesting resort so that the savings can really add up. Book your cheap holiday deals to Punta Prima today and give your family something to talk about for quite a while.

By giving the responsibility to a package tour operator, you can take the hassle and worry out of booking a holiday.

Not everyone is able to book the flights, hotels and destinations separately which is where the package holiday comes into its own. The beauty of the package holiday is that you don’t have to worry about the hidden extras. All you have to do is choose where you want to go, where you want to go, when you want to travel and that’s about it. Package tour operators book a hotel or resort en bloc and then sell it on. There are many advantages of this. The resort has to be of a certain standard thanks to legislation that moderates overseas resorts. It is the responsibility of the tour operator to ensure that this standard is maintained, otherwise, they would lose business and you would be liable for compensation. If the hotel is only half built, then the tour operator has to tell you about it.

Should anything go wrong on a package holiday, the tour representative is the ideal person to go to for assistance. These trained people are generally on hand all day to ensure that your every need is met, up to a certain extent.

One advantage of booking package holidays is that the resort will be filled with people from the same nationality although some of the bigger resorts will have more than one tour operator. So if you want to mix with people from your own country, then this is the best option. Also, tour operators arrange tours and excursions, usually at extra cost but this is perfect if you want to see some of the culture and traditions of the local environment.

Always book with a reputable company with many years experience and listen to other people’s experiences. Package holidays take the hassle out of the arrangements and if you want to be looked after on holiday, then this is the best option to choose.

Holiday is the time for all of us to relax and get away from it all. But for some people lounging by the beach and drinking margueritas is not their idea of a good time. Maybe you are the type that enjoys a good adventure. Adventure holidays are a great way to spend your holiday if you have had enough downtime lately. You could go mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, paragliding or windsurfing.

If you prefer a romantic holiday with your girlfriend you should consider going to the carribean and enjoy your holiday under the sun. Of course the kind of holiday you will be able to have will also depend on the amount of money you are willing to spend.

Travel agencies usually offer different packages. often they will include airfare, hotel accomodations and car rentals. Try to search the web and see if you can put something similar together on your own at an even better price.

If you are ready to take a break but still have not decided where you want to go then here is an idea worth considering: You should try an all-inclusive vacation on a cruise line.

Have you sometimes read the low price travel ads offered by the local travel agents? Before you decide to pick one please make sure that what you are getting is actually worth buying. Often the ads advertised are not available for the prices shown but at much higher prices. The prices often exclude certain expenses such as insurance and transport fares between the airports as well as taxes.

Cheap holidays have always been in high demand. Try to compare package holidays and do it yourself holidays. Sometimes you just cannot compete with the price of a package holiday even though you put a lot of energy into it and try to do the booking yourself. Often you book a package holiday trough a travel agent and then everything about your holiday is arranged for you. In recent years the internet has made it possible to book the package holiday online but it also possible to do all of the booking yourself on the web.

Remember to take good care of your pets while you go on holiday. You could bring them to a pet boarding and grooming facility to make sure they will not suffer while you go away on holiday and enjoy yourself.

With one of the UK’s main airlines collapsing earlier this week, thousands are set to lose their money if they have booked their holiday straight through the airline using their debit cards. The 30,000 people who are not covered are set to lose their money which has been estimated at around £20 million.

The airline went down last Friday with all flights instantly being grounded and around 85,000 British passengers left stranded abroad. 200,000 holidays which have already been booked through the airline have also bee scrapped.

If the package holiday has been booked through a travel company then you should be covered through their insurance but for many, who have booked straight through the airline are set to pay the bill themselves.

An employee who works for a subsidiary of the company has booked his wedding abroad for the entire family as well as himself has lost the lot as he booked the package on his debit card. “It is just terrible,” he said. “I broke down in floods of tears.”

For the thousands stranded, rescue planes have been sent out to the destinations and are attempting to bring home the late travellers. This is set to cost around £42 million for tax payers.

MPs along with senior figures in the travel industry are urging the government to increase the £1 levy on all package holidays so that people are insured against any further airlines collapsing.

This underlines the importance to obtain insurance when booking your holiday, with recent events taking place you need to ensure your package holiday is covered if the airline collapses.

Enjoy a quieter slice of Majorca by booking a family package holiday to Cala Mesquida. You will find plenty of opportunities to book cheap holiday deals to Cala Mesquida whether you are booking last minute holidays or making your plans well in advance of your estimated travel time but this won’t last long. The economy is the bringer of cheap holiday adventures for one and all and it is time to enjoy your fair share.

Cala Mesquida is a little less lively at night than many of the more famous resorts on Majorca. This purpose built resort is small and relatively quiet, making it a popular resort for couples looking for a romantic escape and families who want somewhere quiet that is less likely to over stimulate small children. Another main attraction to this small resort is the beautiful beach. The beach is the centerpiece for this holiday haven from the rest of the world at large and provides a great playground for your family’s holiday pleasure.

The high season for holidays in Cala Mesquida lasts from late April until late October each year and can be enjoyed by one and all. The close proximity to Cala Ratjada provides a small taste of the nightlife if this is a must for your holiday good cheer.

The beach here is great for swimmers who aren’t as strong as they would like to be and small children but you must be mindful of the flags. Certain weather conditions can bring strong and dangerous currents. This resort is fairly popular with both French and German visitors in addition to the British visitors who enjoy the relative peace and quiet.

One major attraction that is accessible from Cala Mesquida, and one that draws visitors from across the island, is Drach’s caves where there are sometimes concerts held in the biggest cavern. You might also be interested in paying a visit to the auto safari where you can ride through on a mini train and see the animals in a natural habitat. It’s a good idea to take the mini train rather than a rental car to avoid possible damage from the animals.

Whatever your pleasure may be there are plenty of late holiday deals to Cala Mesquida that can help you find the ideal holiday for you and your family. Book your cheap holiday deals to Cala Mesquida today and see what a grand and peaceful adventure your holiday to Majorca can be.

Everyone expects to enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday abroad but, unfortunately not all holidays have a happy ending. Accidents and illness often ruin package holidays but if you booked a package holiday you could be eligible for compensation under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

It doesn’t matter if the accident happened in the UK or abroad as long as it was a package holiday. To qualify as a package holiday at least two or more parts of the holiday must have been booked together and paid for at an inclusive price. The normal example is booking your flights and accommodation as part of a package deal. This can also include excursions booked at the time of the original booking and also food and drink packages.

Your travel injury compensation claim would not be pursued against the foreign provider of the holiday such as the hotelier; it is pursued against the tour operator. This means that your claim can de dealt with in England & Wales as opposed to the country where the accident happened. This makes bringing a claim for holiday injury compensation easy and hassle free as you will be dealing with solicitors in your own country without the difficulties of language barriers and distance.

In order to pursue a claim on your behalf it is important that you have reported the accident or illness to the holiday representatives and hotel staff. Other things that will help your claim are photographs of the scene, medical treatment information and any witness details.

We sincerely hope that your holiday is enjoyable and you don’t suffer an injury but if you should suffer an accident or illness when abroad we would be happy to discuss this matter with you. We can offer legal advice and assistance from lawyers with experience and expertise in package holiday compensation claims.

To find out if your injury qualifies as a Package Holiday Accident Claim or for more information about Personal Injury Claims simply visit us at www.mycompensationclaim.co.uk.

Everyone expects to enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday abroad but, unfortunately not all holidays have a happy ending. Accidents and illness often ruin package holidays but if you booked a package holiday you could be eligible for compensation under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.

It doesn’t matter if the accident happened in the UK or abroad as long as it was a package holiday. To qualify as a package holiday at least two or more parts of the holiday must have been booked together and paid for at an inclusive price. The normal example is booking your flights and accommodation as part of a package deal. This can also include excursions booked at the time of the original booking and also food and drink packages.

Your travel injury compensation claim would not be pursued against the foreign provider of the holiday such as the hotelier; it is pursued against the tour operator. This means that your claim can de dealt with in England & Wales as opposed to the country where the accident happened. This makes bringing a claim for holiday injury compensation easy and hassle free as you will be dealing with solicitors in your own country without the difficulties of language barriers and distance.

In order to pursue a claim on your behalf it is important that you have reported the accident or illness to the holiday representatives and hotel staff. Other things that will help your claim are photographs of the scene, medical treatment information and any witness details.

We sincerely hope that your holiday is enjoyable and you don’t suffer an injury but if you should suffer an accident or illness when abroad we would be happy to discuss this matter with you. We can offer legal advice and assistance from lawyers with experience and expertise in package holiday compensation claims.

To find out if your injury qualifies as a Package Holiday Accident Claim or for more information about Personal Injury Claims simply visit us at www.mycompensationclaim.co.uk.

Looking for a family package holiday that will get the entire family on board? How about booking cheap holiday deals to Cabo Blanco? No one needs to know how cheap the holiday is and you get to be the hero for the family (at least until the holiday ends). Cheap holidays to Majorca are always amazing and they allow you to forget about money for a little while and concentrate on having a great time together as a family. These are the memories that will last a lifetime and are important for everyone to hold onto no matter how grim the economy appears to be.

You will find a wide range of package deals and holiday options for late holiday deals to Cabo Blanco as well as quite a nice selection of all inclusive package deals to some of the finer resorts on the island. When looking for cheap holiday deals to Cabo Blanco don’t overlook the value of all inclusive packages. These are a great way to budget your holidays because they include meals and a good deal of entertainment for the entire family. This gives you a better idea of what to expect financially and allows you to pay for it ahead of time so that the money you save to enjoy on your holiday can be spent on entertainment, tours, and shopping that are not included as part of the package deals.

There are many things to do and see in and around Cabo Blanco as well as the opportunity to explore some of the other grand adventures waiting for you on Majorca. This holiday is one that the entire family will remember for many years to come. Not only can you find some amazing deals by booking package deals far in advance but also by checking out the wide range of last minute holidays available to Cabo Blanco on any given day.

Give your family what you’ve all been looking for-an escape from the depressing economic news by booking your family package holiday deal to Cabo Blanco today. You’ll have the duration of your holiday to forget about the economic woes waiting back home and plenty of opportunities to enjoy limitless sun beneath the Mediterranean sun. Book your cheap holiday deals today and let the adventure begin tomorrow. Are you ready for your last minute holidays to Cabo Blanco?

A mixture of news from British companies confirms that Spain should be the number one destination for holidays in 2008, despite the Pound falling against the Euro, and prices typically some fifteen per cent more expensive than last year.

A survey found that once in Spain, if the holiday is based in a resort, three quarters of British tourists stay in the resort for the duration, apart from getting to and from the airport. It would appear that the majority of British tourists aren’t interested in finding out more about where they are staying, and perhaps Spain is more popular than countries like Greece simply because the flight is shorter.

And while the internet has taken the travel world by storm, the package holiday, which started en masse in the 1960′s, is still very much alive and kicking.

A package holiday is when both flights and accommodation are booked with the same company, and often the flight and hotel aren’t owned by the travel company handling the booking.

Part of this can be put put down to the fact that the successful chains of travel agents in the 1960′s onwards who would have a shop on every town’s high street in the UK have also mirrored their success on-line.

‘A holiday is a major expense for most families’, comments one British company with travel sites for Majorca and Menorca holidays, ‘and people grew up with travel companies who could be trusted – and those companies have used their brand awareness to great effect on-line, with the result that given a choice many people will book their holidays to places like Menorca and Majorca with the same company they have always used – but instead of doing it in a shop they are doing it on a computer in their office or at home.’

In today’s world where the interests of the environment is being promoted by governments as being paramount, the switch from shop based holiday companies to the internet is a plus for the travel market.

Just ten years ago the majority of people looking to book a summer holiday would visit one or two bricks and mortar based travel shops, and come away with three or four printed brochures from each. The volume of paper saved by the internet from the hotels and holidays industry alone must by now be very significant.

One island popular both ten years ago and today for European holidaymakers is Menorca, especially for family holidays.

Menorca is the second largest of Spain’s three Balearic Islands. This island is in the Mediterranean, between Spain and the North African coast. The other two islands are Majorca and Ibiza.

Daytime summer temperatures hover around 27C in the summer months. Lovely peaceful days are on the menu on this island, a pace that differs from the party atmosphere of Majorca.

The beach area in the holiday resort of Santo Thomas for example offers popular busier stretches and quaint hideaways. At 3 km long, it’s never overcrowded and offers protection with its surrounding sand dunes. The beach, patrolled for safety, is long and narrow. It offers an excellent swimming habitat, fine sand and warm surf. Scenic countryside and woods provide a backdrop to the sand and the Mediterranean waters.

As long as Menorca remains popular, people who have booked package holidays in the past will probably continue with the habit, and package holidays will remain a feature of the travel industry.

The credit crunch is affecting us all to a greater or lesser extent. What is apparent however, is that holidays are no longer a treat – they now fall into the category of ‘luxury-necessity’. People view holidays as a necessary part of their year – a chance to wind down and escape the stresses and strains of modern life. And there are bargains to be had – especially if you find yourself private holiday rentals and book each component of your holiday separately.

Holiday rentals are big business and many people rely on the income from their holiday rental properties. Although package holidays often look like the best deal, make sure you look at everything you have to spend, not just the published price of the package. One of the great advantages of going for the private holiday rentals is that you are fully in control. By booking your villa or apartment directly with the owner, you avoid having to pay any agent fees or booking fees, and you get to speak directly with people who own the holiday rentals and who know the property and the surrounding area. How often do you get that when you phone one of the major travel agents?

What’s more, holiday rentals tend to be self catering, meaning that you can save money by buying local food and cooking and eating it at the house most of the time. If you’re in a villa with a swimming pool and views across the countryside, what better way to spend your evening than sipping a glass of cold beer and enjoying a home cooked bbq? Depending on the location of the holiday rentals, eating out can be very good value too, and more often than not, far better quality in local restaurants than in a package holiday hotel.

The other key to saving money on your holiday is being able to choose your location and book your travel arrangements separately. If you’re trying to reduce costs, look for holiday rentals in locations where you don’t have to fly, saving you money not just on the flights, but on travel to and from the airport and airport parking. Holiday rentals are scattered all over France and Spain, both of which are easy to get to from the UK by car or train, especially if you allow yourself a decent amount of time. Likewise, booking your insurance separately means you can scour the market for the best available deals.

Lots of holiday rentals cater for large groups, and this is where the bargains are to be found. If four couples share a four bedroom villa for a week, you will be astounded by how little the price works out to be per person. Compare the price of those holiday rentals with what’s in your high street travel agent window, and the private holiday rentals win hands down!

Free reprint article written by Olly Symonds

Copyright © 2008 Olly Symonds. All rights reserved.

See this package holiday on www.traveltocare.com Get to see Everest and the surrounding peaks on this taster of the Everest region. Kathmandu, Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Trek to Phakding Kathmandu

See this package holiday on www.traveltocare.com Go off-the-beaten-track to three unspoiled villages in the Indus valley in the largely undiscovered Ladakhi terrain…with all the luxuries you could dream of! New Delhi, Stok North India

See this package holiday on www.traveltocare.com Traverse the stunning landscape of the Sutlej, Baspa, Spiti, Pin and Chandra valleys to experience the spectacular natural beauty of the Himachal. Demul, Dhankar, Kalpa, Kaza, Manali, Sangla, Simla, Tabo, India.

The recent demise of the XL Group, a major UK travel company with its own airline and trading under established brands such as Kosmar and Medlife Hotels is an unnerving event for all holidaymakers. With over 20 airlines ceased trading in the past year, how can we be sure that we will not be placed in a similar situation of loss when we book with any travel company or airline?

It is interesting that the statement on the XL group’s website said: “The companies entered into administration having suffered as a result of volatile fuel prices, the economic downturn, and were unable to obtain further funding.” In a comment from rival holiday firm TUI, it is clear that the industry mandarins are warning that due to rising fuel prices, and less money available from banks due to lending restrictions brought on by the credit crunch “airlines with less than robust business models” – such as XL – were now failing. Clearly the mandarins of the bigger holiday companies are clear that their business models are indeed robust, and we should believe them of course.

But clearly, company size is not everything – XL was actually the 3rd largest operator in the UK – and so it is important always to understand what financial protection is available in the event that the worst happens and your holiday company fails.

In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority oversees the ATOL licensing system whereby any operator or airline offering holidays by air pays into a bonding scheme based on its business turnover. Funds thus generated are used to repatriate holidaymakers, or refund money paid in advance for such bonded holidays. It seems even more important in these difficult times, to make sure that you ensure every element of your holiday is ATOL protected.

However, it is important to know that this scheme is no a “catch-all”, when a holidaymaker has booked a “flight only” or a flight and accommodation separately. In the XL demise, it is estimated that more than 10,000 people were not ATOL protected because they booked separate flights and accommodation or flights only. In these days of do-it-yourself holiday packaging via separate bookings via the internet, this situation is unlikely to improve unless legislation changes.

Many consumer rights groups are vociferous in their demands that the Government should take steps to ensure all holiday companies must belong to the ATOL scheme, which offers package holiday makers financial protection. However, it is difficult to see how a scheme run via the Civil Aviation Authority should be able to cover elements of a holiday such as hotels which are purchased separately and are not in an “Aviation” remit.

Because such “Do-It-Yourself” holidays aren’t protected by the ATOL scheme, it is important to think about alternative protection. Examples are:

Book with a credit card: But be careful here, because you still might not be covered. You must spend at least £100 on each element of the holiday – and charge cards or debit cards do not offer any protection.

Take out travel insurance: Look for policies which cover against holiday company or holiday provider insolvency. However, it is vital to check the small print, as many policies don’t include this cover.

And also remember the important fact that you can only be covered for the component of your holiday that’s gone out of business. You can’t claim for the others and so you will need to rebook the missing element – possible at a higher price, or possibly with difficulty of any availability at all.

Sometimes, it seems much easier to book a complete package supplied by a single ATOL bonded operator – but taking these few small steps will at least ensure you have the same financial protection outside the scheme, even if you are more “on your own” in the event of a business failure.

Being picky when choosing for the right holiday for you is understandable seeing as how the recession has affected the whole world. So its only right to become more practical and choosing for the right holiday means something that suits your budget. The failure of some major Tour operator in 2008 has made the British general public to be more cautious in making transactions especially in handing their money over. Having an experience of more than 20 years in the Package Holiday business, let me share some tips on how you can have a perfect holiday for summer.

1. The first thing to enquire in the company that you want to have a deal with is if they have ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or ATOL license (Air Travel Organisers License). These two licenses can cover you if ever the Tour operator cease trading or go into liquidation. Your flights, and hotel will be covered by ATOL if you are on your holiday when something goes wrong with the Tour Operator’s business.

2. The best time to book for your holiday is not on the last minute. There are only a few tour operators left today due to the consolidation in the UK leisure travel industry. The small specialist tour operators have been bought by the two main tour operators, Thomson/First Choice Holidays and Thomas Cook Holidays. So as part of their cost cutting measure, they have reduced the capacity that made an effect to the traditional last minute booking. The tour operators have been enticing travellers to book in advance by giving them discounts or free addons like inflight meals. Another advantage of booking your holidays early is that some tour operators accept a low deposit with the balance to be completed up to 8 weeks prior to departure. So it won’t be too hard to pay on that since its like you’ll be paying it in installment.

3. Never forget to do some research. Reviews on different hotels are available in the internet. Try to visit hotel review sites so as to give you an idea of the quality of the hotels. Put in mind though that some hotels are known to put up a bad review about other hotels. Another thing is that most holidaymakers would only share their negative experiences over a hotel so you might just get a lot of negative reviews on some really good hotels. You can get good advices about a hotel from holiday specialists if you want by calling them. If you want to look for good quality price comparisons, try to visit teletextholidays and travel supermarket for they have thousands of offers from hundreds of Tour Operators and Travel Agents.

4. If you use a credit card when booking your cheap holiday, most travel agents will charge you around 2%. Whereas if you use a debit card, there would be no charge at all. Once you have chosen your holiday and feel ready to book for it, don’t forget to ask the company if they can give you free insurance or transfers. Most of them will give in to your request if you are ready to book immediately. When you think you’ve got the perfect deal and it fits your budget perfectly, book for it right away. Such good deals run out fast. Another thing to remember is do not call too many tour operators or companies for the same holiday because if you do, these operators and flight companies alike might increase their low cost packages if they get too many hits for the same holiday date and hotel. So when you do your research, enquire only to about 3 companies to have a general idea of the cost.

A package holiday is, by definition, a pre-arranged holiday comprising of at least two components booked together, such as the flight to the destination and the accommodation itself. While package holidays can sometimes be more expensive than booking each part individually yourself, there are more safeguards in place should anything go wrong.

The law states that a package holiday which is offered by a tour operator must be of a reasonable standard, and match the description given in the brochure. For example; if the brochure states that the hotel has a sea-view from each room, then this must be so. If the hotel is classified as a luxury hotel, then it must not be of a basic budget standard. If the hotel is a budget hotel, common standards of hygiene must still apply – sharing a suite with half the local insect population and 3 varieties of fungi are not classed as common standards of hygiene.

Once you have booked your holiday with the tour operator, you have entered into a legally binding contract and both parties must adhere to certain terms and conditions. The travel agent must make you fully aware of the booking conditions, usually printed in the brochure, and provide you with any information you may require which relates to your holiday. This includes notifying you if there are any dissimilarities between the brochure description and the current state of the resort i.e. if the hotel is having building work done or the swimming pool is closed for some reason. If this is the case, you are entitled to an alternative holiday of comparative value, or a refund.

There is often confusion about the price of a package holiday; the price advertised doesn’t always include all the non-essential yet rather important extras such as airport transfers, in-flight meals, and even the privilege of being able to sit with your family on the plane. The ‘from’ price is more often than not the price for the absolute basic flight and bed package – made glaringly obvious to lure the unsuspecting tourist into a holiday which, in reality, could work out much more expensive.

Fortunately, once you’ve sorted out exactly what you’re paying for and have handed over the money, you should be protected if the price was to rise significantly. This means that if you book your holiday a while in advance, and the price rises in the meantime, your travel agent cannot charge you extra to cover this, unless it specifically says this is allowed in the booking conditions. Even then, if the increase is due to anything other than rising fuel costs, landing fees or the exchange rate, you cannot be charged. The first 2% must also be absorbed by the agent and anything over 10% increase will automatically entitle you to a refund without a cancellation penalty, or a replacement holiday at the original price.

Be aware that some tour operators try to push travel insurance on you at the time of booking, and may make you think this is compulsory. It isn’t. While travel insurance is always highly recommended, you can usually get a better deal looking for it yourself, as agents tend to charge a fee on top of the premiums, meaning you could be paying much more than necessary.

Although you may be tempted to avoid package holidays altogether and book everything yourself, should something go wrong with your holidays you have more of a financial safety net if you book a full package. Finding cheap holidays with an ABTA registered travel company is easy if you browse online.

One of the difficulties facing travel companies is that there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to providing for customer’s travel needs. Many factors cause our needs to change over time, such as how much disposable income we have, how much free time we have, whether we do or don’t have children, and they mean that in reality every holiday maker wants something different.

For travel companies, trying to satisfy such diverse customer needs is a constant challenge. Now, with the mass adoption of the Internet, customers have an extremely powerful tool to tailor-make their own holidays -and this is what they are doing in increasing numbers.

A large number of on-line travel companies have sprung up over the last five years offering the component parts that go to make up a holiday (flight, transfer, hotel) but this seemingly endless choice can actually lead to a fairly negative on-line experience. After too many hours spent researching online and then attempting to make bookings with two or three different suppliers, potential customers sometimes justifiably conclude that half an hour spent with a traditional high street travel agent might actually look like better value.

To help get through the process and reduce the amount of time wasted it really helps to do some thinking first. Apart from the obvious things like where and when you want to travel, it helps to have answered the following questions:

Do I want to buy a package (flight, transfer, accommodation booked as one item) or do I want to attempt to save money (or tailor the holiday to my specific requirements) by booking my holiday components separately?

Do I want the reassurance of booking a holiday with a brand that I am familiar with or am I happy to try somebody new?

Am I confident enough to deal with any issues that may come up whilst I’m in resort (as, unlike on a package holiday, there will be no representative to turn to)?

Do I want to book a holiday that is covered by some sort of financial protection scheme such as ATOL or do I not mind either way?

There is no doubt that one of the key trade-offs customers need to make when booking on-line is between how much “reassurance” and “supplier accountability” they want (if something goes wrong) versus how much “tailor making” and perceived cost-saving they want.

There is a spectrum which reflects this trade-off right from, at one end of the scale, buying a two-week brochured package holiday from one of the major players such as First Choice (firstchoice.co.uk) or Thomson (thomson.co.uk) up to the other end of the scale where somebody goes to British Airways (ba.com) to buy a flight, Sol Hotels (solmelia.com) for the hotel and Holiday Taxis (holidaytaxis.com) for the transfer.

All the way across this spectrum are a huge number of other suppliers and online companies who are providing services that fall between the two extremes. The best-known examples of this would be Expedia (expedia.co.uk) and Opodo (opodo.co.uk) which are examples of sites that provide a “one stop shop” to give customers the feeling that they are “tailor making” a holiday and making a good cost saving but still give customers the feeling that, because they are dealing with one travel agent, a “safety net” is in place.

There is then an interesting new breed of online travel companies who are different yet again in terms of what they offer. This group is different in a number of ways:

They are typically ATOL bonded which means there is a financial guarantee in place if they were to have financial problems (details at caa.co.uk).

Through advanced technology they link to as many flight and hotel options as any of the other sites – often sharing the same hotels.

They offer an “on call” representative service in resort so they are only around if you need them.

They offer “package” holidays but their packages are made up of “components” from many different suppliers and presented to customers in one transaction. A recently launched example of this is Fresh Holidays (freshholidays.com)

All of the sites mentioned above have an online booking capability and all work reasonably satisfactorily. Most of the major travel web sites are now quite slick in the way they take customers through the booking process which means that the time consuming part when booking on-line now is the research phase.

Many of the shopping comparison sites such as Holiday Watchdog (holidaywatchdog.com) offer opinions from people who have actually stayed in the different properties but the best known for researching travel options is Trip Advisor (tripadvisor.com). This is a justifiably popular site that provides a rich vein of comment on most of the major hotels in the world and is always a good place to start.

Best of luck with your mission!