4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Cinnamon]

Hubby has just informed me that he wants to take us away to the Algarve for a week in the summer

 

We know the Algarve pretty well, but have always done a package deal before. This time we are looking at rental villas & apartments & booking our own flights

 

When I say we,obviously I mean I am doing it all, & to be honest it is very scarey

 

Flights wise,Monarch looks good as I am fussy over what time we fly out (no night flights,thank you), but I am so nervous of hitting that button & taking the plunge

 

Can anyone hold my hand for me please?

[Willow]

Blimey a husband that wants to do holidays - I'm envious !

 

presumably you've found a villa for the dates - they could be the harder to find than fligts as you can always do a day later if encessary on the flight. So having checked both villa and flights are available I'd actually book the villa first just in case but book the flights straight after that is confirmed.

 

But I know what you mean somehow it's harder taking the plunge on that click of a button knowing you have to do each thing separately and make sure they all sync up

[hillfamily]

now where are our lovely Omlet Airways Cabin Crew when we need them

 

I'm sure you'll be fine Cinnamon - my mum booked flights (only to Edinburgh) online earlier this year and it was fine :D

 

Take the time to read all the T&Cs as this is were most people make a mistake and miss a vital bit of info

 

Good Luck and let us know how you get on :D

[Laura & CTB]

Very scary the first time Sarah but Patricia's advice is spot on!

 

Once you've booked the flights it's very expensive to change anything so get the villa sorted first then when you come to book the flights make sure you input all the details correctly - no spelling mistakes on the names, passport numbers correct etc as it will also cost you if you have to correct something after you've pressed that "magic" button!

 

I actually love booking holidays online and have booked several to America which included various hotels, motorbike rental and flights - just triple checked all the dates etc and got CTB to quadruple check!

 

Have fun and look forward to a great holiday - all thanks to you

[redfrock]

awww how lovely - you will be fine I promise! When I sold my flat in London before relocating down here to be with hubby, I took some of the money out of the sale and we went on holiday to Cape Town. We booked it all ourselves over the internet as you are planning to do now, including car hire from the airport etc. OH had never been abroad before and I had only been with my parents, so it was a real learning curve, but it was a dream holiday to remember. We are hoping to be able to go again in Spring 2010, six years after our first trip, and we will definitely book it all ourselves again. Do it! It gives you so much freedom (and I'll gladly hold your hand all the way there ..... and for the whole time you are there if you want! )

Edited May 12, 2008 by Guest

[Joojoo]

I booked a holiday to the Dominican Republic a few years ago. Accommodation direct with the hotel and the flights and transfers separately - no problems at all and it saved me quite a lot of money by missing out the tour operator.

 

I hope you get it all booked smoothly and have a lovely holiday

[Louise]

Check the dates and then get someone to check them for you as I managed to book a flight on the wrong weeks once and then had to book a second set as it was cheaper to do that than pay the penalty for changing them

[Christian]

Omlet Airways Cabin Crew at your service M'am! *salutes*

 

If you need any advice Cinnamon, you have my number.

 

Are you flying to Faro?

 

Try Flybe from Southampton! Very small airport very easy to get to as well!

 

Give me a shout if you need any advice. We have always booked it all separately. Gives you more choice and flexibility. We are off to Faro in September to stay in a private villa. can't wait

[The Dogmother]

Got some advice here for you Hon.. Our MD owns 3 of these apartments in the Algarve http://www.vilasol-algarve.com/

 

I haven't been there yet, but understand that they are gorgeous, especially if you choose the one with the roof terrace. Fly to Faro (I understand that Monarch are cheapest - sorry Christian ) and then a short cab ride to the apartments. Shops and restaurants in the resort and even more a short cab ride away. All the facilities too. Loads of our staff have gone and say it is fab.

 

Have fun - I always used to organise my travels like that when I was travelling 20 years ago and it's no problem at all.

[BarbaraJ]

i quite enjoyed doing it myself. We went to florida and did it ourselves flights, villa etc 3 times no problems. The villa with pool was 400 a week for 8ppl the last time we booked in 2002, i rang the US to book it and it wa out of their season so much cheaper than if i had booked one here as it was May holiday, have fun as said before just check EVERYTHING

[BeckyBoo]

We did exactly that last year - I ended up using Easyjet to Faro (£50 each one way) then Air Portugal on the way back £%0 each one way, saved us £50 each on a return fare! I booked through some villa site I found on line and we had a fab time. it's a bit nerve warcking pushing that button I'll admit, much easier doing it through an agent, but you'll save a FORTUNE! Our villa was £400 on line last minute whereas it is now £1500 for a week.

 

have a great time, go on, push the button!

 

Mrs B

[Cinnamon]

Got some advice here for you Hon.. Our MD owns 3 of these apartments in the Algarve http://www.vilasol-algarve.com/

 

Claret, would you believe it,but these are the ones we have been looking at

 

Not sure if its your MD's ones though,but certainly on the same complex - they look great & we love Villamoura

[Tiggy]

my hubby has booked holidays on line loads of times & saved us a packet, as long as you have holiday insurance you will be fine

[The Dogmother]

Small world eh?

 

That particular site takes you to his apartments and there's a number you can ring to a chap who does the bookings for him and handles any enquiries.

 

I only know what I have heard from the colleagues who have been - they all say that the apartments are beautifully fitted, very clean and the resort is great. I understand that you can use the facilities at the hotel that is part of the same club... they give you a pass card or something.

 

He has two sets of children, one late teens and the others are tinies, it seems to have something for both sets from what I hear.

 

Let me know how you get on and what you decide.

[kaylis1980]

i agree with getting someone to check what your booking.. the vey first booking i ever made online was for plane to mallorca (palma airport) instead i booked to las palmas cost 15.00 each to adjust.

[Seagazer]

We visited Vilamoura when we went to Portugal a couple of years ago. It was lovely, it has a great harbour with lots of lovely expensive looking boats. Lots of really nice restaurants as well. You can just sit down and do a spot of people watching, one of my fav hobbies! (Well I haven't got any hens yet to do hen watching!).

[Cinnamon]

Beautiful roof terrace villa now reserved

 

Not sure if they are the actual ones owned by your MD Clare, but they are in the same block & have the same specifications, so I am really happy.

 

Its nice to hear that there is plenty to do there for teens too.

We tend to go out & about a lot during the day,& have a loooooooong relaxing supper outside in a nice restaurant,which I know there are plenty of in that area.

 

Just the flights to do now, & they are the most frightening bit

They seem cheaper from Luton,so we may fly from there

[Clash City Rocker]

Just the flights to do now, & they are the most frightening bit

They seem cheaper from Luton,so we may fly from there

 

I've just booked to fly from Bristol airport rather than our local Birmingham airport, saved £189.00 for the 3 of us. Had to spend £67.00 on a family room in a bristol hotel the night before we fly because of the early flight time but still saved £ 120.00 by using a smaller airport.

[The Dogmother]

Sarah, if you went through the site link that I sent you, then they'll be his apartments - that site is dedicated to just his 3 flats.

 

What a small world that you're going out to his place.... I still haven't gone

[Cinnamon]

The agent only had one 2 bedroom one left on his books for the date we want, & it isn't one of your MD's.

But how odd that I was looking at those ones anyhow

They really caught my eye & I love the idea of a roof top terrace, & there seems plenty to keep the girls amused too

 

Still haven't been brave enough to book the flights - I will wait for Hubby to come home,just so he can OK everything

[Willow]

Did you book your flights ? how did you get on ?

[The Dogmother]

The agent only had one 2 bedroom one left on his books for the date we want, & it isn't one of your MD's.

But how odd that I was looking at those ones anyhow

They really caught my eye & I love the idea of a roof top terrace, & there seems plenty to keep the girls amused too

 

Still haven't been brave enough to book the flights - I will wait for Hubby to come home,just so he can OK everything

 

I hope that you enjoy it there, I understand that it's very nice. Must get around to using my staff discount and booking a trip when I am more solvent!

[little chickadee]

OOh good luck with the holiday. I wouldn't dream of using a travel agent. Before the internet I would have used one though.

We organised our own honeymoon and it was fabulous