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Aah. Holiday Supermarket in the sun! Spain, Majorca, Lanzarote, Dubai, Malta and more! Here I come. Lanzarote how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Dubai, you spicy prince. Ah Malta, my knight in shining armour.
Egypt, your sand-soaked history gets me every time. Tenerife, you make me sing like a canary. And Ibiza, I blame you. Corfu, we were always meant for each other. Sharm el-Sheikh all of young Europe loves you. Spain your resorts are like tapas; there's always room for one more. Greece, no worries, keep the change. And the Canaries, so much to choose no time to snooze.
All-inclusive holidays are usually the best value for money, but of course if you're that desperate, a last-minute holiday doesn't have to cost your first-born! Holiday Supermarket sorted. (today if necessary). Go on you need a holiday.
What is the best kind of holiday? Everyone has their ideal; but here's a couple of ways to help you decide yours.
What can you afford? Take a moment to think of a realistic budget. Add in a contingency of say 20% (for a special night out, some gifts or just an unexpected expense). Now draw up a rough list of where you can go. You'll find a lot of prices online to help develop a list and once you have that it's time to serious about the real research.
Think of the top three things you want out of a holiday? Is it sunshine and blue-sky days? Is it great food? Hot clubs or a great resort with pool and excellent rooms close to a town? Is it travel time? Do you prefer an all-inclusive holiday which includes meals, and water sports? Do you like more of an exclusive; get away from it all kind of place? Pick three only to give yourself some leeway and write them down.
Once you know what you can afford, select the 4-5 or places that suit and then run them through the sift of your top 3 things you want out of a holiday. That will give you a really good feel for the holiday you want and where you'll most likely get it!
Europe has a vast array of choices. Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canaries and is just 125kms off the coast of Africa (if it's heat and sun you want, Lanzarote has it all year round). It's volcanic, giving it distinct scenery and the resorts here are very good.
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Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands and has been servicing tourism for more than 40 years. There's a range of quality resorts here for most price points and the Mediterranean is always warm and welcoming.
Dubai is one of the newer destinations in the holiday directory. It's a glamorous place with incredible shopping and an outstanding attitude to service. One of the tallest hotels is here and the feeling of luxury never leaves you.
Malta has been a favourite of UK holiday makers for more than 40 years with it unique history and exquisite resorts. The prices are generally very good, and the food is of a high standard.
Egypt's resorts have always been good value and the service culture is good. The exoticness of a holiday in Egypt just adds to its charm.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and has plentiful resorts catering across the budget price points. The food is always good, and the Spanish are well used to tourists. They cater to the party crowd and the family crowd.
Ibiza is the real party island though - still. The nightclubs here are legendary and you can sleep it off by the pool the next day and do it all over again. Watch out for pricy drinks and watch out for club touts moving you into a not-so-great bar.
Sharm el-Sheikh is on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the Red Sea. This is an exotic, spicy, hot destination. Never seen a camel up close? Now's your chance! The history is incredible, and the resorts are world-renowned.
The coast of Spain has the most famous resorts in Europe - from Benidorm to Torremolinos to Malaga and Marbella. Many of the resorts have had well deserved makeovers in the past few years and what made them great locations before - azure waters, beautiful beaches and plenty of sun - makes them even greater places now.
Do you deserve a break? Make it a last-minute holiday and you'll still find there's plenty to choose from - with many of the prices reduced even further. Enjoy!
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