Cheap Holidays from Holiday Supermarket
Hands up those who remember their family's cheap holidays... and shudder at the dreadful memory of Dad loading the back of the car with over-stuffed suitcases, Mum screaming at everyone to get ready, the dreaded four hour car journey to some spotty destination where it rained all week, the food was miserable and the bingo caller took far too much interest in Aunty Vi? Oh, the horror!
Thankfully cheap holidays can mean something quite different these days. For example, genuinely cheap. As in not expensive with no horror story attached. You can pack your bags and head to Tenerife, Turkey or Torremolinos, have a fab time, party 'til dawn and come back with a tan the entire office will envy - and all for next to nothing!
Cheap package holidays from Holiday Supermarket are as close as your keyboard. Check 'em out on your smartphone; wrap up cheap last minute holidays on your iPad - it's all too easy! But what are the hotspots you should target in your quest for the best of the cheapest?
Start by defining your needs. Sun? Family holiday? Romance in the city?
For some sunshine it's hard to go past the aforementioned Spanish locales. You may have thought Torremolinos has had it's time in the sun as it were, but the sun still shines and the accommodation is good, bright and mainly new, the food tasty and the party-'til-you-drop crowd love it. If that's your cup of sangria, check in, don't wait.
Cheap holidays to Tenerife are on everyone's lips. The largest and most populous of the Canary Islands boasts year-round sunshine and accommodation that's second to none. There's plenty of culture too, if that's your bag. The island's modern Auditorio de Tenerife is an impressive structure and a night out listening to the Symphony is something quite special. (None of that stuffy formality here!)
We love cheap holidays to Spain; and on the other side of the continent lie the islands of Minorca and Majorca. Forget Ibiza for a moment and travel to the quieter, smaller and more traditional island of Formentera. This delightful place is a more laid back holiday - just perfect after a hard-fought year in the office. Spend some quality time with the nearest and dearest, enjoy real Spanish hospitality and lay yourself down on some of the whitest sand beaches in Europe... many of which will welcome your penchant for nude bathing, should you indeed have a penchant!
For exciting cheap last minute holidays, why not try a city escape? A week in Paris is a wonderful way to rekindle the romantic flames; or douse the disappointment of a love story gone wrong. Grab a friend and explore the city of love, or not, and take in some of the most famous sights of them all. The Louvre is a grand building, full of the art work you should have paid attention to in school. Avenue des Champs-Élysées is home to ... nothing much at all, avoid it, basically, but do explore the side streets around Montmartre. Artists still call the place home and the quirky cafes and galleries will bring a smile to your face.
Cheap holidays abroad don't mean lousy food and miserable accommodation. Do your homework in Holiday Supermarket and you'll find something that suits you perfectly. For example Turkey boasts some of the finest cuisine in all Europe at prices you won't believe. Little villages like Kas on the Turquoise coast have excellent accommodation and the water is crystal clear. You may even be offered a carpet or two. Frequently. Cheap holidays to Turkey are very good value at the moment; with your pick of destinations and the weather is starting to cool down so your comfort won't be a worry.
Kas is a picturesque spot, full of dreamy vistas; like the waterfront dining area, the stone steps to quiet beaches and back alleys full of restaurants and accommodation. There is a small harbour with fishing boats and daily boats for rent. Kas never became as popular as other areas because of its small pebble beaches, but this has saved the town from over development. Spend the morning pottering about in a kayak and the afternoon in one of the tea shops. Eat like a king at night and just enjoy sauntering the town after dark.
If you fancy something a little more northern European, how about Copenhagen? This beautiful city is developing a reputation as a foodie haven with an emphasis on local produce, organically grown and an interesting take on presentation. You may not get in to Numa (voted best restaurant in the world two years running), but the locals have taken up the challenge and out of the ordinary food can be found on every street corner. There are palaces to visit, art galleries to enjoy and a lively nightlife (albeit with some of the priciest drinks in Europe).
If you want cheap all inclusive holidays, your best option is a resort in Rhodes or Cyprus. Not only are these lovely Mediterranean islands full of warmth and sunshine but they're inexpensive and you can pre-pay most of your add ons. Rhodes is popular because the beaches are great; the service is good and the food excellent. You can get a package with watersports, food and accommodation included. If you're looking for a family holiday spot, try modest village resorts like Kremasti and Pastida.
Cyprus has a number of destinations on offer including Larnaca, Paphos and Protaras. They're all good value and the views, sunshine and Greek hospitality will blow you away. If you've a mind for it, Cyprus also boasts some fascinating archaeological sites where you view ancient ruins, temples and grave sites dating back 10,000 years.
Feeling the pressure of yet another deadline? Give yourself a new one - and book a cheap holiday by week's end! You'll feel all the better for it, believe me.