Archive for June, 2010

Tenerife on a budget

tenerifeTired of staring at glossy brochures listing holidays that you know you simply can’t afford? Desperate to get away for a few weeks in the sun? Well there is another way. Thousands of holiday makers every year are looking to the budget end of the travel market to find their well earned annual break. The internet is a great place to start looking for these realistically priced holidays which can be built to suit your own needs.

The best deals are normally to be found at the more popular resorts and the island of Tenerife is an excellent destination for a budget holiday. Cheap holidays to Tenerife are out there, you just need to know where to look.

First thing; getting there. The internet is full of flight offers and cheap flights to Tenerife are not too difficult to come by. The main charter airlines all fly here as do most of the budget airlines although there are one or two exceptions. The best way in which to find your cheap flights to Tenerife is to use a flight search company. This way you can price the flight from your local airport.

Bear in mind the cheapest flights will normally be out of a major airport such as Gatwick or Manchester, but even allowing for travel, this can still be a better budget option than a local airport. Tenerife has two major airports, Reine Sofia in the South and Los Rodeos in the North, so make sure that the flight you are booking is not going to land at the opposite end of the island to your chosen hotel.

Flight found, you now have to get to your destination. Again the internet is full of websites offering resort transfers. These can be obtained quite cheaply if booked well enough in advance. If you do your homework before you fly you will have a good idea as to taxi prices and transfer alternatives, having found your cheap flights to Tenerife you don’t want to ruin your budget with an expensive transfer. One thing to bear in mind is that although a multi drop coach transfer may seem reasonable, you could also be sitting on the bus for a couple of hours as you get through all the drops whereas a direct transfer may take as little as twenty minutes.

Accommodation on Tenerife can again be found on the internet. There are accommodation search sites which will call up the details of all available hotels on your chosen dates. A little more research will find you plenty of reasonably priced apartments for rent. The larger resorts will have the greatest variety on offer. As an example, Playa de Las Americas is a lively resort where cheap holidays to Tenerife shouldn’t be hard to find.

Remember that self catering accommodation is often cheap to book but do allow plenty in your budget for food, something else to remember is that most apartments in Tenerife have hob style cookers but no ovens or grills, so meal preparation on a self catering holiday is limited.

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Tips for Planning a Cruise

cruiseIf you are looking for a unique vacation, a cruise provides the perfect balance of travel and relaxation. Cruise ships are luxurious and provide their guests with food, entertainment and a place to sleep. Planning a cruise may sound expensive, but many discount cruises are available that fit your budget. You can find these cruise deals through cruise specialists such as Discountcruises.com. Another option is to book your cruise directly through the cruise line. These provide you with a variety of options for finding an affordable cruise package.

When planning a cruise, you should first decide when you are you able to leave since the departure dates are already scheduled. After finding the days that you are available, you should decide which location its best for you. The most popular cruise destinations are the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska. These all provide a scenic view with many amazing locations to visit at each port. The location and length of the trip also affect the price.

There are also cruises available for those wishing to travel alone. These singles cruises provide the perfect opportunity to meet new people. If you decide to book a singles cruise, be sure to take part in the onboard activities.

Whichever type of cruise you wish to plan, there are many options available to choose from and the price varies between these options. When planning a cruise, be sure to research the locations you wish to see and then pick a travel package that fits your budget.

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Paris Long Term Stay

louvreThe travel industry has exploded and transformed in recent years, thanks largely to the unprecedented growth of the internet and the availability of increasing cheap flights. Intense competition between airlines and tour operators mean that prices have been driven down exponentially, and a tsunami of travel websites makes booking a holiday tailored to your individual requirements just a few clicks away.

Whether you are after a cruise to the Caribbean, a ski holiday in the Swiss or Italian Alps, a weekend break in Paris or a romantic week in Venice or Zagreb, it is a simple matter to find the deals on offer and book your treat from the comfort of your own home.

Renting is becoming more popular due to the flexibility it affords to explore foreign parts at your own pace. Whereas hotels effectively limit your freedom both in terms of physical space and set meal times, not to mention a constant awareness of fellow guests who might not appreciate the charms of your kids as much as you do, renting a villa or apartment is like a home away from home.

Explore an historic city like Paris at your own pace. There’s simply not enough time to hang about till breakfast is served and get back for dinner. Prepare your own picnic and set off to tick off at least the basic list: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Pompidou Centre- the list goes on and on of what there is to see in Paris. Eat out at zillions of small cafes and restaurants, carry the kids home on your back if necessary without incurring the disdain of a concierge, and have a long lie in next morning. Paris is a city that needs more than just a few days to see. Renting a place is a cheap way to lower your costs while getting to see everything this city has to over. It’s cheaper than a long term hotel stay!

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Rent a Villa in Amsterdam

amsterdamThe world has opened up to cheap international travel. Gone are the days of being limited to monolithic packages with a handful of travel agents, with all-inclusive hotel accommodation and a holiday camp regime of fixed mealtimes and round-the-clock, often crass entertainment.

Now, thanks to bargain flights and hundreds of travel websites, you can design your own vacation down to the last detail. Many people are moving away from the hotel-centered break and going for rented villa accommodation instead, which allows for complete flexibility and a more relaxed and homely atmosphere. This is definitely the best option if you have kids with you, as you don’t need to worry about troubling other guests, and you can also come and go as you please, staying up all night and lying in all morning if you so choose.

Imagine renting a villa in, say, Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is more than just red lights and coffeeshops. While it is a popular place for young people to be stupid, it is also a place of museums, cafes, and art. Explore the famous canals and many museums and art galleries, the old Dam Square at the heart of the city where Napoleon had his headquarters in 1808, and have lunch is a picturesque tapas bar, or some of the amazing Indonesian food in the city.

Book it a few months in advance via one of the many websites, either through an agency or direct through the owner. Then build your own itinerary and explore this historic city at your own pace, without having to worry about getting back for fixed mealtimes. Preparing your own picnic in the villa using local produce from the market can be a fun part of the holiday. Rent a villa and enjoy the freedom of a great European city. Amsterdam is a city that really reveals itself after a long stay.

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