Help and Advice for a last minute cheap holiday.

[Eddw86]

I understand that this is a bit low brow and beneath the threads talking of Maldives and chartering yachts around the Caribbean etc but unfortunately those destinations are out of my current reach and so here goes:

Having finished university I would like a holiday this summer before starting my career/entering working life for the next 40 years, I would like to go on holiday with the gf, unfortunately the gf is still at university and isn't one of those gifted everything through university and basically pays for it herself through working during holidays etc. This means her budget is low and she is not keen on me putting a sum towards her side.

As a result we are looking for a holiday for 2, somewhere hot and sunny/beachy for a week for say £200-£350 per person. I'm not expecting 5* AI, but I would like to take her somewhere nice and relatively decent where we can have a nice holiday and get away.

Any suggestions would be welcome? Destinations to look at, hotels, companies/websites to use etc etc.

I had thought of setting a date/week to go on holiday and then the week before go to travel agents and try get a last minute deal - is this still done? a good idea?

Thanks.

[Rollin]

Off to the Algarve myself, Lagos specifically. Its a quick cheap flight, good beaches and weather is always scorchio.

[bint]

Turkey. Good food, weather and plenty for you both to do even if you have differing tastes.

We have found the travel agents the best bet for last minute hols, mainly because when we do last minute we haven't a clue where we want to go.

The last 2 years the travel agents have come up trumps and suggested places we'd never considered (Corsica and Sri Lanka if you're interested) and were a great deal.

[Eddw86]

Thanks to the contributors so far, definately giving me food for though. Turkey and the Algarve will be investigated.

Any other suggestions or resort specific suggestions in these places?

Is the consensus that the small budget should hstretch to a relatively decent holiday?

Thanks.

[bint]

Dalyan Delta / Kalkan for Turkey - Dalyan is a fairly unspoilt area with mud/sulphur baths, 'Bellamy Beach' (lol it's a turtle beach with associations with David Bellamy, it probably has a proper name but that's what the tour guide kept calling it), fascinating rock tombs, white water rafting (depending on season) and very friendly.

Your budget should be sufficient. Sept is a good time to go as it's still hot but quieter.

[Lil' Joe]

bint said:

Dalyan Delta / Kalkan for Turkey - Dalyan is a fairly unspoilt area with mud/sulphur baths, 'Bellamy Beach' (lol it's a turtle beach with associations with David Bellamy, it probably has a proper name but that's what the tour guide kept calling it), fascinating rock tombs, white water rafting (depending on season) and very friendly.

Your budget should be sufficient. Sept is a good time to go as it's still hot but quieter.

The turtle beach at Dalyan is beautiful. decent waves to pleay in and at one end it meets the fresh water lakes so you can swim in either salt or fresh water. We saw turtles by the side of the boat to on the way there. Everyone jumped to one side of the boat to have a look ad nearly capsized the thing The mud and sulphur baths are a laugh too.

Avoid Marmaris in Turkey like it's swine flu. Seriously, it's a nightmare.

[Lucie W]

Eddw86 said:

I understand that this is a bit low brow and beneath the threads talking of Maldives and chartering yachts around the Caribbean etc but unfortunately those destinations are out of my current reach and so here goes:

Having finished university I would like a holiday this summer before starting my career/entering working life for the next 40 years, I would like to go on holiday with the gf, unfortunately the gf is still at university and isn't one of those gifted everything through university and basically pays for it herself through working during holidays etc. This means her budget is low and she is not keen on me putting a sum towards her side.

As a result we are looking for a holiday for 2, somewhere hot and sunny/beachy for a week for say £200-£350 per person. I'm not expecting 5* AI, but I would like to take her somewhere nice and relatively decent where we can have a nice holiday and get away.

Any suggestions would be welcome? Destinations to look at, hotels, companies/websites to use etc etc.

I had thought of setting a date/week to go on holiday and then the week before go to travel agents and try get a last minute deal - is this still done? a good idea?

Thanks.

We were in exactly the same position last December, we wanted to have a sunny holiday somewhere, but I'm at uni so couldn't afford much. Got a week in Sharm el Sheikh for £260 each all-in. Even mid-winter it was boiling hot, had a decent hotel with a pool, not far from the town and beach. Had a brilliant time.

[Eddw86]

Thanks for the advice so far guys and gals, much appreciated

Keep the suggestions ideas coming etc, I shall be looking into all those places suggested. Does the turtle place have nice beaches?

Is it still a good idea to go to the travel agent a week before and see what last minute deals they have or just try to book somewhere on the internet?

Thanks for all the help so far!

[Lucie W]

Eddw86 said:

Thanks for the advice so far guys and gals, much appreciated

Keep the suggestions ideas coming etc, I shall be looking into all those places suggested. Does the turtle place have nice beaches?

Is it still a good idea to go to the travel agent a week before and see what last minute deals they have or just try to book somewhere on the internet?

Thanks for all the help so far!

In my experience, travel agents are hopeless, always get the best deals online.

[bazking69]

Another vote for Turkey. Your money just goes so much further than it would anywhere else in Europe. We can live, eat and drink very well for well under £50 a day for the two of us.
This time next week I'll be on a flight to Bodrum too, not that I'm counting down or anything!

[Planet Claire]

Me and the oh are off to Crete tomorrow. We booked through Thomson holidays about a month ago and paid £330 each for sc appartment, and includes car hire! We're based in the west of Crete, which appears to be less commercialised than the eastern end. During our search I found teletext holidays an easy site to navigate, the Thomson one is pretty good too.