Easter can be a great time to book a holiday – after all that stretch from Good Friday to Easter Monday gives you four successive days off work without even having to dip into your holiday entitlement. However, if you missed out on travelling during the Easter break this year, fear not: because the bargains that are available for the summer promise to be all the more enticing.
However, when booking a holiday should you opt for a package holiday or should you consider purchasing your flight, accommodation, etc, separately? We investigate.
Package or DIY?
A package holiday is a holiday that you book all-in-one – with a single tour operator providing flights, connections and accommodation for one price. Generally, package holidays are the cheapest option if you’re going away for a seven, 10 or 14 day break to a popular holiday destination. However, if you’re going away for a different length of time; to a less popular city or destination; or you’re travelling on a multi-stop holiday then you may benefit from shopping around for these segments of the holiday individually. However, you should remember that many package holiday companies will offer ATOL protection – meaning you’re covered in case a holiday company goes bust. You may need additional travel insurance to cover you against this eventuality if you’re booking the various elements of a trip separately.
Remember that even if you opt for a package holiday, it shouldn’t stop you shopping around for the best rates. There are several websites that will now compare package deals, including the likes of: travelsupermarket.com; teletextholidays.co.uk; and icelolly.com.
The web is a great place to get a good opening price on a holiday – but it doesn’t give you the opportunity to haggle on prices like you could with a traditional travel agent. So if you’re willing to go that extra mile to save some cash, why not get a quote on a package holiday on the web and take it to a rival travel agent: see if it is willing to beat the offer you got online, perhaps with a hotel upgrade, an all-inclusive package or reduced prices on flights and connections.
Are there holiday bargains available?
Of course if you prefer the comfort and simplicity of booking a holiday in one go online, then at least make sure you see if there are any travel and holiday voucher codes available at Moneysaver.ie that could bring your expenses down further.
For example, there are a host of Barcelo.com voucher codes offering reduced prices on stays everywhere from Brno to Dominican Beach; while you can also save 20 per cent more with an APEX Hotels voucher code if you book before September.