Posts Tagged ‘hotel offers’
Egypt delivers top family fun on holiday
Egypt has plenty to offer all types of traveller and families in particular can benefit from its ‘something for everyone’ appeal. The availability of adventure tours, numerous activities for both adults and children and the comfort of the many all inclusive Egypt hotels have helped to boost the country’s popularity among families.
Earlier this year, in fact, The Times newspaper named Egypt’s Luxor a top family destination. Affordability and a great location were two of the key factors which assured it a place in the Top 20 list. Luxors favourable position on the Nile River makes it the perfect place to start exploring the ancient wonders of Egypt, with attractions such as the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak and Luxor temples all close at hand. With so much to see and do, Luxor is a great place to stay for families wanting to get a full flavour of Egypt without too much effort.
Meanwhile, Sharm el Sheikh is a good choice for those seeking a combined desert and beach experience. Over recent years the area has made a concerted effort to go from backpacker resort to all-round crowd pleaser and has certainly succeeded. All inclusive Sharm el Sheikh hotels are excellent value for money with plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained. A multitude of activities across the region offer the best of both worlds on land and out at sea. Scuba diving, golf, shopping, sunbathing and camel trekking across the Sinai desert are just some examples as a start. Culture and nightlife haven’t been forgotten either with excitement ready and waiting on both counts.
Peak season in Egypt is usually from October to May making it an obvious Christmas or Easter choice. The main attractions can get busy, though, so for those wanting to escape the crowds there is relative peace and quiet to be had, alongside some great cheap hotels deals, in low season during the summer months.
Holiday-makers enjoy affordable and hassle-free holidays abroad
Holidays are supposed to be your one chance to relax and unwind, but with today’s financial worries threatening to get in the way, is it possible to find both a hassle-free and low cost break all in one? Happily, the answer is ‘yes’, thanks to the huge range of hotel deals currently available in top locations.
All inclusive resorts are the ultimate in stress-free holidaying. The essentials, such as food and the majority of drinks, are fully catered for, while on site facilities mean that you don’t need to go far to find alternative entertainment if you fancy a change from lounging by the pool or need something to keep the kids happy. With all this readily available the ‘hassle-free’ element of your getaway is covered, but what about the ‘cheap’ part??
Resorts in a whole range of popular destinations are currently offering excellent deals to tempt guests through their doors, so you can now take advantage of all their benefits at a much less stressful price:
Greece
Greece and its islands make popular choices for a relaxing getaway and tick all the boxes when it comes to scenery, culture, activities and cost. On the island of Kos, for example, all inclusive hotels can be found for as little as £16 per person per night this October. Considering the average cost of a three course meal for two plus wine in Greece is currently £38.30, according to the latest Post Office Holiday Costs Barometer, staying at one of the many all inclusive Greece hotels is a no-brainer for those wanting to save money while they relax.
Turkey
Turkey is offering great holiday value at the moment thanks to its position just outside the Euro-zone. While the general cost of living is relatively low, eating out can be expensive so an all inclusive holiday is a sensible choice. All inclusive Turkey hotels near the capital are costing as little as £17 per person per night this September.
The Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands offer excellent variety for holiday-makers, from the action and excitement of Ibiza and Mallorca to the quieter shores of Menorca. There are great deals to be found on Balearic Islands hotels at the moment. A four star all inclusive experience in Ibiza can be found for just over £30 per person per night this September, while even better deals are to be had in Mallorca, where prices drop to £19.50 per person per night.
Golfers gear up for the Portugal Masters with cheap deals on Algarve hotels
Portugal is now gearing up for one of its major golfing events of the year, the Portugal Masters tournament taking place this autumn. The four day event, which will be showcasing the abilities of some of the world’s top golfers, is being held between the 15th and 18th October at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura, Algarve.
This will be the third year running that Portugal has hosted the tournamnet, as part of the European Tour, helping to reaffirm the country’s position as a top European golfing destination. Portugal’s Algarve hotels are preparing to welcome visitors from far and wide who have booked to attend the event and perhaps even play on the tournament’s championship golf course, designed by golfing legend Arnold Palmer.
The Algarve has a long standing reputation as an excellent choice for golf enthusiasts. The region boasts world class facilities that have been impressing visitors for many years and now has over 30 courses to choose from catering for golfers of all abilities.
Vilamoura itself is well known by the golfing community, being home to the oldest and most famous course in Portugal, the appropriately named Old Course, designed by noted amateur champion and international golf course architect Frank Pennink. Alternatively, there is the Penina championship course, which was designed and played on by renowned golfer Sir Henry Cotton and has also been host to the Portugal Open.
Golf lovers are being lured to Portugal’s glistening shores by great prices on holidays to enjoy the Algarve’s excellent climate, stunning scenery and top quality facilities. For those thinking about a last minute booking in the run up to this year’s Portugal Masters, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy excellent deals on Algarve hotels in and around the Vilamoura area. Or if you’d prefer a bit more time to brush up on your skills, a spring break could be just the solution with the great selection of cheap hotels on offer ensuring that you have enough cash left over for some extra rounds on the Algarve’s best courses – as well as in the bar afterwards.
Which Spanish Costa is the one for you?
Spain is an enduring holiday hot spot for Brits, particularly due to its huge variety. Whatever you’re hoping for on your next getaway abroad, Spain is eager to deliver. Its renowned southern Costas, for example, offer a huge amount of diversity in their own right. So which one is right for you? There is, of course, a massive cross-over. You’ll find many breathtaking beaches in the Costa del Sol, just as you can enjoy a great round of golf in the Costa Brava. Some particular trends have emerged over the years, though. Here are some of the top choices for Costa visitors:
Golf enthusiast: Costa del Sol
This Spanish Costa is often fondly referred to as the ‘Costa del Golf’, which says it all as it’s a perfect choice for eager novice and veteran golfers alike. The region has one of the highest concentration of courses in continental Europe, with over 50 in the area. The celebrated Valderrama championship course is an excellent example of the Costa del Sol’s world class facilities. Designed by noted architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr, the course was the first in continental Europe to host the Ryder Cup, in 2002. To kick start your own golf career, check out the latest cheap deals on Costa del Sol hotels.
Beach explorer: Costa Brava
The Costa Brava offers a haven for beach lovers seeking an excellent mix of coastal landscapes, from long stretches of fine golden sand to rocky inlets and intriguing paths to explore. The region’s delights can be discovered by land or sea, with trekking, sailing and even glass-bottomed trips all available. Along the coastline, a select range of rural villages and landscapes allow visitors an insight into the ‘real’ Spain as they venture away from the tourist filled resorts. Recommended beaches include Gandia, Aigua Blava, Tamariu and Llafanc. To begin the adventure, have a look at the latest deals on Costa Brava hotels.
Watersports fan: Costa Blanca
The list of water based activities in the Costa Blanca is impressive, from scuba diving, jet skiing, paragliding, kitesurfing and windsurfing to sailing and sea fishing. A huge range of dive schools, windsurfing schools and other specialist companies litter the coastline ready and waiting to coach visitors of all abilities. To start exploring Spain’s ocean offerings, get up to speed with the latest offers on Costa Blanca hotels.
Theme park junkie: Costa Dorada
Fun seeking adrenalin junkies will be instantly attracted to Spain’s largest theme park, PortAventura in the Costa Dorada. Situated within the huge PortAventura holiday resort – the largest resort of its kind in Europe – the park boasts spine-tingling rides and amusements all grouped into internationally themed ‘worlds’, from Imperial China to Aztec Mexico. If you start to feel you’ve exhausted all the excitement on offer here, then you can always plan a trip to the Aquopolis water park in La Pineda for a change of scene. Have a look at the latest Costa Dorada hotels deals to plan your Spanish adrenalin injection.
Head to the Canary Islands for beach holidays at their best
The Canary Islands are a breathtaking collection of paradise holiday destinations. Boasting sunshine and year-round warm weather, they’re a no brainer for sun-seeking enthusiasts. For beach holiday relaxation at its best, then head to the glistening coastlines of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. A break in the sun doesn’t have to break the bank either, with deals on cheap hotels available on both islands at the moment. Here’s a selection of some of the top beaches to check out during your stay.
Corralejo, Fuerteventura
The fishing town of Corralejo in the north offers a multitude of beautiful dunes and sandy coastlines waiting to be enjoyed, alongside its old harbour and modern marina. Now Fuerteventura’s biggest resort, the larger beaches in Corralejo are particularly good for families, with calm waters and plenty to keep everyone occupied.
Caleta De Fuste, Fuerteventura
Located on the east coast of the island, Caleta De Fuste is a purpose built holiday town created around an attractive cove. This family-focused resort offers fine, white sand to stretch out on and an abundance of activities to please all ages.
Playa De Sotavento, Fuerteventura
Playa De Sotavento has made a name for itself among windsurfers and other watersports fans, thanks to its miles of coastline and favourable winds. The Windsurfing and Kiteboarding World Cup is held at the beach every summer.
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Well known for their incredible sand dunes, the beaches of Maspalomas are a stunning natural choice. Enjoy exploring them by foot, or jump on a camel for something completely different! If you’d prefer to just relax in the sun Playa De Maspalomas itself offers golden sand and an attractive lighthouse to admire from your sunbed.
Playa De San Agustin, Gran Canaria
The volcanic nature of the Canary Islands has shaped a number of their coastlines. Playa De San Agustin is a good example of this, offering a dark sand alternative to the white beaches found in other parts of the island if you fancy a change of scene.
Playa Del Ingles, Gran Canaria
A popular choice with huge numbers of tourists every year, the Playa Del Ingles (English beach!) is a fun and cheap option for both family and group holidays.
To experience the best of these beaches in person, have a look at the cheap deals on Fuerteventura hotels and Gran Canaria hotels around at the moment.
Crete or Corfu? – Where to spend your island paradise holiday
The Greek islands have lots to offer if you’re looking for a sun-drenched Mediterranean holiday. Crete and Corfu are two particularly popular choices. Both offer stunning coastlines, excellent weather, ancient culture and an abundance of bars, restaurants and activities, both in and out of the water. In fact, it can be tough to choose between them, so here are some highlights to help you on your way.
Crete
The largest and most southern of the Greek islands is Crete, which enjoys plenty of sunshine and warm weather. For families, Hersonissos is a popular choice offering safe waters, plenty of amenities and the renowned Star Beach water park and beach resort, which has an abundance of amusements and thrills. For a quieter break, head to Chania in the south, an area commonly referred to as one of the most beautiful on the island, or for an ancient culture fix check out Heraklion, which is home to the mighty Knossos ruins – an ancient Minoan palace and legendary prison of the mythical Minotaur. Meanwhile, action and wild nights out can be found in the bars and clubs of buzzing Malia. Whatever type of holiday you’re looking for, there are some great cheap hotels deals on Crete hotels at the moment to help make it complete.
Corfu
In contrast to Crete, Corfu is the most northern of the main Greek islands and the seventh largest of the archipelago. Its close proximity to the mainland – just a 50 minute ferry ride from Igoumensita to southern Corfu, or 1.5 hours to Corfu Town – makes it a convenient choice for those seeking a change of scene during their holiday. Corfu Town on the east coast is where a lot of the action is. This large and bustling town offers fortresses, museums, shops and restaurants galore as well as some attractive and unusual Venetian architecture. Golf enthusiasts should head to the beautiful Ropa Valley in the centre of the island, where they’ll find Corfu’s acclaimed championship golf course. Meanwhile, families can enjoy a trip to the popular Aqualand water park in Agios Ioannis. Whether you’re seeking action or relaxation, the latest deals available on Corfu hotels will make it a trip to remember.
Places to Party on Your Holiday in Spain
It’s no secret that Spain knows how to party. Whether you prefer the upmarket wine bars of Madrid or the heaving clubs in Ibiza, you’re bound to find something you like. While things may have moved on since Spain first took the world party scene by storm, there’s still plenty of fresh action awaiting you. With some excellent hotel deals around at the moment, there’s good news if you’re looking to party on a budget as well.
Spain – Madrid
As a night out, Spain’s thriving capital Madrid has been described as the Spanish equivalent of New York. It boasts an enviable blend of arts and culture, which enriches the experience both by day and night, with a melting pot of music and influences providing everything from civilised terrace bars to jumping clubs. Take advantage of the cheap deals around on Spain hotels to enjoy the best Madrid has to offer. This September, accommodation in the capital can be found for around £23 per person per night.
Ibiza – Ibiza Town & San Antonio
This legendary isle has earned the reputation as a Mecca for party animals for a good reason. Its clubs are huge – up to 10,000 in capacity – with the likes of Privilege (the largest club in the world), Pacha, Space, Es Paradis, Eden and El Divino leading the way. From foam parties and pool parties to dancing under the stars, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. The clubs themselves can be expensive so it will be comforting to know that you can find cheap Ibiza hotels for under £10 per person per night this September in San Antonio Town.
Tenerife – Playa de las Americas
The well established tourist haven Playa de las Americas is well placed to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to island nightlife. You can stick to the strip and indulge your clubbing fantasies or head out of town for a more authentic Canarian evening out, including tasty tapas and flamenco dancing. For a cheap place to stay at night look out for deals on Tenerife hotels of under £15 per person per night for 7 nights in a self catering apartment.
Go out-of-season and enjoy sunshine and savings on your next holiday abroad
Relaxing on the beach and letting the cares of daily life drift away is a top pastime for holiday-makers, but it’s often confined to the tourist-heavy peak seasons. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and save yourself a bit of money, out-of-season holidaying could be the perfect solution. It doesn’t have to involve trekking half way across the globe either. There’s a great variety of year-round destinations just waiting to be discovered much closer to home, with some fantastic hotel deals to be had as well.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are an ideal year-round destination. The climate is warm and dry and the diverse selection of islands means you are bound to find the right location for you. The most commonly visited islands are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, which all offer breathtaking scenery and varying degrees of action and adventure. Temperatures are consistently over 20°C throughout the year so traditional peak season has shifted towards the winter months. November to mid-December and April to June – avoiding Easter – are good times to enjoy fewer crowds and cheap Canaries hotels. One bedroom bungalows can be found on Fuerteventura at the moment for as little as £10 per person per night during mid-November.
Cyprus
A good early spring option is Cyprus, thanks to its favourable Mediterranean climate. Peak season runs from June to September, so avoid these months to experience the slightly quieter side of this popular isle. Head there in April and May to enjoy average maximum temperatures of 22°C to 26°C. Temperatures remain high into October and November, but heavier rainfall makes these months a less appealing choice. In mid-April, prices for Cyprus hotels in the Paphos area go as low as £14 per person per night.
Egypt
For something completely different, head to Egypt and sample a taste of the ancient. There are plenty of treats both on land and underwater making a visit extremely worthwhile. To avoid the crowds, stay away during the peak season months between October and May and instead visit in June or September. Maximum temperatures in Cairo average over 30°C during these months, though, so be prepared to take it easy. The great Egypt hotels deals available should help take the edge of the heat; hotels in Cairo can be booked for a little as £11 per person per night for a seven night stay in mid-September.
Holiday-makers seek deals on ‘cheap and nice’ hotels
The first word many people think of when searching for a hotel abroad is ‘cheap’. At a basic level the word means ‘costing little money’, but for a long while it has had some more negative associations. ‘Cheap and nasty’, for example, is a phrase that none of us really want associated with our bargain price hotels. So, is ‘cheap’ on its own what we’re really after when dreaming of that much-needed holiday? Or has the word taken on a slightly new meaning in our minds with some more positive associations?
At this time of global financial instability, both holiday-makers and hotels themselves are re-evaluating the meaning behind terms such as ‘cheap’, ‘added value’ and ‘service’. It’s not just about paying less nowadays; its about getting more at the same time. Holiday-makers want their pounds to go as far as possible.
Hotels have recognised that people are taking more time to search out a good price and that they want reasonable standards and service to go with it. Businesses can no longer just drop prices every once in a while and wait for customers to come knocking at their door. A huge number of special deals have flooded the market recently, so companies have to find other ways to stand out from the crowd. Those that do well in the long term will be the ones who are both low cost and able to back up their offering with good service and high standards. Clever hotels and agents are putting measures in place to add value wherever possible, which is great news for holiday-makers.
So, could this be the key to the real meaning behind the word ‘cheap’ when buying products or services today? Are we really looking for ‘cheap and nice’? As well as offering hotel deals, companies have to offer a good service and quality products so that holiday-makers can feel reassured that the cheap hotels on offer are of an acceptable standard. It’s all about getting that little bit more.
Opportunities for holiday-makers as Canaries undergo refresh
The Canary Islands have been attracting visitors to their glistening shores for many years. Presented as a perfect island paradise package, it’s hard to see why anyone would not want to visit. Yet, even these holiday gems have been suffering during these difficult economic times. Throughout 2009, falling visitor numbers have been regularly reported in the press and as the beaches fall quiet the islands have been spurred on to take this opportunity to undergo a refresh. It is hoped by all that this will encourage more visitors and stimulate the economy. In the meantime, holiday-makers who want to take advantage of fewer crowds and cheap Canaries hotels would be advised to do so now.
The number of tourists visiting the Canary Islands, which include the popular Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, dropped by around 15% in the first five months of 2009 when compared with the same time the previous year, according to a recent report by the BBC. An unfortunate combination of a weakening pound and the demise of certain major airlines and tour operators servicing the islands has contributed to the current problems.
The islands, however, have not been idle. Local authorities are taking decisive action in the form of public investment of up to 120 million euros over the next four years to give the islands a ‘facelift’. They are not alone in their action, either. Hotels are using this time to improve their facilities to help prepare them for busier times. This reinvention is being seen as one way to combat the recent problems and help restore the Canaries to their rightful place as a top holiday destination.
Future visitors to the islands will be able to enjoy the fruits of these labours. For now, tourists can enjoy great deals on Canaries hotels that are as low as £15 per person per night in Playa De Las Americas, Tenerife, at the end of August – and enjoy a quieter holiday experience at the same time.