We always go A./I and before I do anything I research and decide the hotel I want to book first . definately NOT low budget hotels . I then book whichever way is cheapest. Its also worth bearing in mind if you have a large family that other than XL who just take a deposit you normally have to pay for the flights when you book , sometimes accomodation too.

lyn

Its a bit different with AI isn't it. We did a couple of those when our kids were young and they were good but not cheap or budget as you say. However they were very suitable for a family. I was really thinking about some of the self catering deals you see. It often means being quite tightly packed in or paying extra for another room. In that case you can often do better on DIY. I have friends with beautiful spacious villas that are around £800 for 2 weeks in August for 6 people with pool. That's around £134 each plus a flight of say £300 each. Then you have transfers, obviously depends on where but maybe a mini bus for around £25 each return. So you are talking about around £460 each for 2 weeks peak season in very good quality accommodation. Of course on top of that you have food but with the option of eating in or out. However it's the same if you book a SC deal. Most villa owners expect a deposit and then full payment 6 or 8 weeks before, much the same as a package deal and as you say you might have to pay your flight in advance.

I think it depends on what you want. I have been investigating high end AI hotels for next summer and it seems like it is going to be cheaper to book a package.

I will wait until flights for next summer are available as a comparator, but I am not optimistic that I will be able to beat the package prices I am currently seeing, with a DIY to a decent 4 or 5 star hotel.

I would imagine I might be able to get a villa on a competative price but I prefer hotel style facilities, large pools, other children for my children to mix with etc so a villa however swanky is no good to me.

Dont suppose I will be able to get as good a deal as I did to Lykia World for summer 08, but will have a good go at trying.

Oh goodness knows. For me DIY just seams like a load of hassle. I want just a B&B on the beach, where my family can be there in no time. Yeah we have gone 3 star, its not the end of the world, don't plan on being in hotel much. BUT I will keep an eye on those flights for next year if I can get a particular hotel on beach.

I am not too sure I can be bothered with all that faffing aroung getting flights, finding acommodation, arranging transferes etc. All I know is that I am right off the idea of SC. I know its personal choice but I can think of nothing worse than shopping for food whilst on holiday.

Will keepmopen mind re DIY though.

ruth

ruth24s wrote:

I am not too sure I can be bothered with all that faffing aroung getting flights, finding acommodation, arranging transferes etc.

I think that is one of the things I worry about with DIY to Turkey, you have to book flights really early to get a good deal and then you are almost certain to get a flight time change & probably have to alter your transfer and accommodation arrangements. It does as you say seem like a lot of faffing around.

As you say its all down to personal choice. I have DIY'ed for the last 10 years or so and have never found it a hassle. (though I admit we tend to go June so not peak season) Once I 've booked the flights I quite enjoy researching an area and finding accommodation I like though I don't usually book the accommodation until much later ie flights booked June 07 accommodation booked Feb 2008.
I've been lucky that the accommodation owners or the local agency that i book through usually offer transfers too. I always book self catering because I like the space of an apartment as opposed to a hotel room. I never cook though, thats not part of my required holiday experience ! but it's handy having a fridge to keep the wine cool and a kettle for the coffee. I would consider a package though if it worked out cheaper It just that most 2 bedroomed aprtments are expected to sleep about 6 not the 2 adults and one child family we have

fionay,I do the same,dont cook on holiday,nice to have the extra space in an apartment than a hotel room.We always do DIY,not a budget accomodation,same apts for the last 6 years,received Thomsons Gold awards every year,we are are friendly terms with the owners,just phone up and book pay no deposit,just pay when we arrive,managed to get very cheap flights and private transfers,were having 3 weeks,works out £273 each for everything,I enjoy faffing about,and am very pleased with myself.

I am pleased that you are pleased with yourself crispy. For now I think that I will keep an eye on flights and consider DIY in the future.

Enjoyed reading all feedback with varying opinions.

Ruth

P.S. Anybody seen those cheap flights yet?

I am sure I read elsewhere that Aegean flights for 2009 as due out 10th June so keep an eye on their website

thank you

dont think theres any bargains left for this year, my son was hoping to join us in hisaronu july this year , but the flights are now over £300 with accom from £200. we priced up a package and the best was £738 2 weeks b/b add on spending money and your talking £1400, hes found a deal to dominican all inc for under £1000 so i think he will do that.

Do aegean flights leave from newcastle as well?

Gill,Aegean flight do leave from Newcastle.We are flying with them September 25th.

Diane