Trying to find some Easter sun

[caroline7758]

We have decided to get away for Easter this year but are having trouble finding anything that suits us.Can anyone recommend a good website or travel compnay? We are 5 adults (2 plus 3 grown-up kids) looking forsomewhere warmer than the UK (possibly Italy), preferably self-catering but hotel is ok, that won't cost an arm and a leg. Not asking much really! Thought there might be some cheap deals around but haven't had much luck so far. :(

[caroline7758]

[davyw1]

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/

[OllieC]

We had a nice last minute cancellation holiday in Nerja a year & a half ago through James' villas... Did the car hire ourself just googling (although I think that's "free" now with them) and flights through searching the websites ourselves (that was XL, RIP!)...
I'd head to Lanzarote at this time of year - plenty of villas down in Playa Blanca although not as cultured as Italy!

[nilly71]

We used http://www.ebookers.com/ to find the best hotel deal after buying £1 flights from http://www.ryanair.com/en (flights from £8 if booked today)last year.
It was recommended to us from a ex- travel agent.

Neil

[honeybee]

We booked an Easter break last night http://www.hallhills.co.uk/ but its more like English sun than Easter sun..lol,  :D still, it looks idyillic and really looking forward to it.

Hope you find somewhere to suit Caroline.

[PurpleHeather]

You may actually get some here, after the winter we have had, the temperatures hitting double figures seem positively balmy.

Easter is going to be busy for travel companies, you are certainly not going to be the only ones who will want to go off for a break so bargains wont be there.

School holidays are the few times when they can guarantee  a profit so they will loose a few bookings rather than cut prices. A few years back when there were more companies out there, they would take anything they could get.

It depends on where you want to go to, how long you are prepared to fly.

If you want to get meals all prepared for you or if you are happy to do your own.

Self catering sounds cheaper, but by the time you have bought food and drink.
That cheap holiday has more than doubled in price. If you can manage to go all inclusive on a package you will overall get a better deal than you will if you buy everything separate.

Costs
Travel to and from the airport *
Flight (meals on board, extra luggage, where you sit on the plane)
Travel to and from the air port to the accommodation.
Food, drink, entertainment, excursions.
Insurance.**

Packages are also covered by ABTA and the holiday company is fully responsible for you, if you get delayed for any reason through no fault of your own, they have to look after your needs. Not so if you book all these things independently.

All you have to do is get yourself to the airport* on time.

One of the least expensive last minute deals can be obtained following this link

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/last-minute-deals/

Sort out first the airports you can fly from, then which sort of holiday you want and where, and see what they can offer.

I have used them a lot but must admit that I go outside the school holiday time. I spend ages too checking if I need the extras they offer and going back and forth with costings. I use the holiday watchdog for reviews, although the reviews are sometimes more of a hindrance than a help. You can not expect a Rolls Royce for the price of a second hand Fiat.

Do not use their travel insurance** though. It is cheaper to buy from a lot of other sources for exactly the same cover. ASDA Tesco and the post office offer good deals but there are some cheap ones on line too. You should make sure you carry with you an E111 card. For Europe. If you need emergency health treatment you have to show that card, no point leaving in the hotel safe. You can not claim back later.

Let us know how you get on and what you decide on. There are a lot of people follow these links and we all want to know. Some of us may have been to where it is you  decide to go and can offer tips about the area for you too.

Hope you get what you want and have a great time

[1066]

As with all things it really depends on what your budget is! Simply Travel have some nice places, we've used their appartments a few years ago, also Simpson Traval have amazing places - but are priceier!! It depends whether they are doing deals or not.  What about Sicily or Majorca, can be lovely in Spring. Ollie's suggestion of Nerja is also a good un

[Bugloss2009]

you should go wherever Peter Hain has just been. Just caught him on the telly in the House of C. and he looks like a Terry's Chocolate Orange

[plot51A]

you should go wherever Peter Hain has just been. Just caught him on the telly in the House of C. and he looks like a Terry's Chocolate Orange

He always does! (Used to live in his constituency) It has to be out of a bottle  ;D

[Digeroo]

Easter is very expensive does it have to be then.  A couple of weeks later and the prices drop like a stone.

[caroline7758]

Thanks for all the ideas. Will let you know what we come up with. Unfortunately it does have to be Easter as we still have one at school.

[caroline7758]

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Italy/Emilia-Romagna/holiday-house-Bologna/p6066.htm

This is where we're going- thanks for the tip, Davy! Not that cheap (especialliy when Ryanair flights go up as soon as you start trying to book them, never mind all the add-ons!), possibly not that hot, but after hours of trawling the internet it was the best we could find. Should be a nice place to chillout.

Looking forward to it now!

[SamLouise]

That looks wonderful.  Room for one more??  ;D

[Squash64]

It's only 15 miles from Bologna - one of the most beautiful and under-rated cities in Italy!  My brother-in-law lives there so I've been a few times and I absolutely love it.  Are you going to hire a car?  We are not brave enough to drive in Italy  :o so we use public transport.

The house looks lovely, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[caroline7758]

Yes, will definitely need a car. OH has been looking on Tripadvisor and all the reports make it sound great!

[1066]

great website Davy - now saved in my faves  :D

Hope you have a great holiday Caroline  :)

[OllieC]

Looks perfect - have a good break!

[zigzig]

I have not been to that part of Italy. Italy can be very pricy so if the restaurants are great value as the reviewer says, then all the better.



Hope you have a wonderful time,

[Digeroo]

Ravenna is not far away it is amazing if you lke that sort of thing.  I went by train through the mountains from Florence it is a very beautiful area.  Flew back from Bologna.  Train jouney up from Florence was lovely.  It was all covered in snow. 

[caroline7758]

Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful week. The house and owner were just as lovely as promised on the websites. We got as far as Venice, Ferrara and Modena, and Bologna of course, but the weather and the surrounding countryside were so beautiful that it seemed a waste to spend any more time in the car, so Florence, Verona, Ravenna etc will have to wait until next time! :D