Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Janepie33]

Any recommendations for a last minute holiday some time in August?

 

OH was made redundant a couple of months ago, so we decided to forgo a holiday, but he was lucky enough to get another job quite quickly. He only started the job last Monday, so can't really take time off at the moment. I - on the other hand - work term time only and am rather depressed at the thought of 6 long weeks with no holiday. Both children (19 & 20) said they would come with me, so we are looking for a cheap package holiday where we can all share a room. I've been looking on the internet, but gave up as the choice is overwhelming. All the resort pictures look glorious, but I know that that is not always the case when you get there!

 

Any suggestions gratefully received.

[CatieB]

If you see something you like google it to review or check trip advisor you will soon see the truth and determine if you can put up with the negatives!

 

Other than that I cant really offer help as you may like completely different stuff to me and budget will also be a factor. Maybe you should state what is important to you to get specific recommendations. eg city, sea, heat, star rating or cheap

 

Good luck

[CatieB]

Sorry just realised you said cheap.

 

I often start a search by chosing rough dates and where I want to fly from (but thats because that is important to me)... a lot of search engines on the holiday companys will let you specify criteria. I just use that as a start and then try to pick an area it comes up with to research and look at reviews.

 

If I find somewhere I like I will surf around to get the best price and then ask a travel agent if they can match or beat it.

 

We went to Zante a short time ago and got, in my opinion, a cheap deal, and I understand the prices have fallen again given the troubles and the fact less people are going on holiday. We loved it, lovely friendly people and excellent food, but again thats a matter of choice. We self catered and thought the restaurant prices were fine. I know that tunisia (and turkey) are good for all inclusive deals.

[Cinnamon]

We are just back from Menorca,& we saved almost £1000 by NOT going with Thomson,but doing EasyJet flights & booking the apartments ourselves

The apartments were really great,& on a pristine complex with a huge pool, plus we had a 2 bedroomed apartment,which,with teenage daughters,is a must!

 

It was BRILLIANT!

 

I saw on EasyJet yesterday that flights to Menorca are £25 this summer now too....................

 

In total,flights & self catering apartment,it was just over £1000 for 9 days,for the 4 of us

[lindafw]

been trying desperately to do the same. flying to Jersey on Thurday next. Got flights on last minute. 2* hotel with pool and gym, dinner bead and breakfast £88 per night for two (so £44 each) adding flights to hotel plus a bus pass and an attractions pass it will cost about £750 for the two of us for 5 nights. but the only other expense will be lunch and drinks.

 

so not cheap cheap cheap but I think good value

 

ps fly from southampton

[Redwing]

When I was a teen my mum was very fond of holidays and we had loads, what we used to do was pack everything and go to the travel agents (often one at an airport) and get them to do a search where planes were leaving in the next few hours etc.. we had some brilliant holidays and not a single bad one and never paid over £200 for any holiday even two week ones

 

If you are brave enough to do this and dont mind where you end up then I'd thoroughly recommend it

 

If you arent brave enough then I'd recommend Expedia

[Janepie33]

When I was a teen my mum was very fond of holidays and we had loads, what we used to do was pack everything and go to the travel agents (often one at an airport) and get them to do a search where planes were leaving in the next few hours etc.. we had some brilliant holidays and not a single bad one and never paid over £200 for any holiday even two week ones

 

If you are brave enough to do this and dont mind where you end up then I'd thoroughly recommend it

 

If you arent brave enough then I'd recommend Expedia

 

That sounds excellent! We don't really mind where we go. The only thing we really want is a body of water for DS to fish in!

[Redwing]

I'd recommend Finland then, Ryanair flights go from Stansted to Tampere which is in the lakeland region of Finland, more lakes, boats and fishing than you can shake a stick at!

 

Finnishlakesidecabins are a good website, Finland is more popular in winter so there are some summer bargains to be had and many cabins have a boat included

 

Car hire is reasonably priced and the company drop the car at the airport for you and you simply drop the keys in a box on your way back, its such a very trusting country

 

Nearly everyone speaks English and everything is clean, tidy and organised if a little dated! Finland is nowhere near as expensive as other Scandanavian countries either

[gongladosh]

Just you wait until Greece drops out of the Euro.

Oh joyous day - I think I'll MOVE there!!!

[sadietoo]

Just to say we have saved shed loads of money on our last holidays by booking accomodation and flights separately. I use tripadvisor all the time, and we have just come back from the most fantabulous week in completely unspoilt Andalusia in a private villa with a pool and car hire and flights (booked a bit last minute so more than they would have been had we been organised) but still total coming in under £1000. (We booked in the middle of June to go ion 9th July!) The villa we found through tripadvisor, and I really recommend this as your first port of call...good luck and I hope you find something fantastic!

[Cinnamon]

Just you wait until Greece drops out of the Euro.

Oh joyous day - I think I'll MOVE there!!!

 

We have booked to go next year - with a view on doing a bit of extra 'shopping' while there too

[Cinnamon]

Just to say we have saved shed loads of money on our last holidays by booking accomodation and flights separately. I use tripadvisor all the time, and we have just come back from the most fantabulous week in completely unspoilt Andalusia in a private villa with a pool and car hire and flights (booked a bit last minute so more than they would have been had we been organised) but still total coming in under £1000. (We booked in the middle of June to go ion 9th July!) The villa we found through tripadvisor, and I really recommend this as your first port of call...good luck and I hope you find something fantastic!

 

I agree - tripadvisor is a real source - I have just reviewed where we stayed in Menorca on there & I always check out any potential holiday spots on it prior to travelling.

 

It is of course much cheaper if you can go out of the school holidays,which,as the daughters have respectively finished school & college in May this year,been able to do.

[gongladosh]

Just you wait until Greece drops out of the Euro.

Oh joyous day - I think I'll MOVE there!!!

 

We have booked to go next year - with a view on doing a bit of extra 'shopping' while there too

 

Greek hens or Metaxa? (I prefer the 3* stuff myself!)

We go to a nice little fishing village in Rhodes every september - just right to recharge the batteries in the run-up to Christmas!

[Janepie33]

Thanks for all your replies. I think it's going to be a Greek Island. Have left it in the hands of a travel agent I have used a few times before and she always comes up trumps.Will let you know.

[kitbag]

I literally just got back from my holiday to Crete a couple of hours ago! It was really lovely - lovely people, great food and guaranteed good weather. Really cannot reccomend it enough!

[Cinnamon]

Good luck......hard to go wrong with the Greek Islands.

We will be back there ourselves next year