The Travel Thread

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Jan 2024
7:28am, 3 Jan 2024
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Diogenes
Diogenes
Jan 2024
12:20pm, 9 Jan 2024
83,804 posts
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Diogenes
I have a question for you all.

Mrs D wants to go abroad this summer as we have never had a foreign family holiday.
We absolutely do not want an all-inclusive package deal in a large complex. We are thinking more of a villa with a pool somewhere where there is plenty to do other than sitting around sunbathing.

Any recommendations for location? Mrs D has a hankering for Italy, but Spain, Portugal and Greece are all viable options. Maybe even Turkey. There will be 5 of us, so price is a big consideration.

Fortunately, with D at college and J&L taking their A levels and GCSEs this summer, we'll be able to travel before the peak season gets going.

What about places to book flights, villas, car hire?

Are there places that will book all three at a better rate than one can find oneself?

Big questions, I know, but you lot are wise and experienced. Thank you. :-)
DeeGee
DeeGee
Jan 2024
12:40pm, 9 Jan 2024
22,737 posts
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DeeGee
When I do this sort of thing with my family, I book the components separately. It is worth perhaps looking to see if someone knows of a package operator that specialises in self catering, but I don't know one.

The biggest advantage of a package is that you don't have to pay huge amounts up front at once. If you're DIY-ing like I do, then normally you'll have to pay for the flights at least up front in their entirety.

That said, the method I used last summer for our self-catering holiday to Austria kind of got around that.

We booked our accommodation, a flat in a wooden chalet, via Interhome as normal. I can thoroughly recommend them, they act as an agent for private landlords, and we've always had decent places through them. They do have properties in Italy, Spain and Portugal, although we usually use them for the Alps. They will accept payments in instalments.

I then booked a package of flight and car with British Airways *Holidays*. This worked out cheaper than buying those two components themselves, and allowed me to pay for that in instalments as well. I found that easier to cope with than dropping a coouple of grand all at once.

Of course, your mileage may vary...
Diogenes
Diogenes
Jan 2024
1:00pm, 9 Jan 2024
83,805 posts
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Diogenes
Thanks DeeGee, that's very helpful
GregP
GregP
Jun 2024
7:03am, 14 Jun 2024
152,113 posts
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GregP
This is one of the more bizarre things I’ve read in a while. The takeaway seems to be ‘go to Morocco - it’ll make you so happy that you don’t live there’.

glitterandmud.com
Diogenes
Diogenes
Jun 2024
8:30am, 14 Jun 2024
86,455 posts
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Diogenes
Ew, as I think she would probably say.
Dvorak
Dvorak
Jun 2024
4:05pm, 14 Jun 2024
27,799 posts
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Dvorak
$99 eco-bikini.

Have you been, Diogenes?
Diogenes
Diogenes
Jun 2024
4:10pm, 14 Jun 2024
86,460 posts
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Diogenes
No, we go next Thursday. Carvoiero in the Algarve. Booked a villa through Villa Plus, flights and car hire through BA.
Big_G
Big_G
Jun 2024
4:21pm, 14 Jun 2024
3,540 posts
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Big_G
I enjoyed Marrakech when I went in January 2020 (ie, just before the pandemic). I did the marathon there, we had a good look around, and we did a day trip to the fairly nearby Atlas Mountains. Really enjoyed it.

Heard a lot of talk about people being bothered at the souks, but we didn’t have an issue. May sound a bit harsh, but if you’re not interested in whatever someone is trying to sell, you soon learn to ignore the people trying to flog stuff.
GregP
GregP
Jun 2024
7:52am, 15 Jun 2024
152,117 posts
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GregP
I think I’m possibly a bit scarred from my experience of Cairo and people wanting handouts for everything.

I’m more scarred by the time I spent in hospital there but that’s another story for another thread.

About This Thread

Maintained by Diogenes
What are the best sites for finding flights, trains and accommodation, especially overseas.

In the UK I usually try and book directly with the business, if possible as you get the best rate that way.

I feel like Simon Calder... that's a good idea, I bet he has a website.

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