i have done both DIY and package for SC over the years, DIY is good if your able to travel anytime and also at short notice, we used the same apartments for 6 years and did actually manage to get a good deal going DIY, its all about waiting for the the right price on flights and spending time searching of which i love, have fun searching and hope you have a great time.

i've done DIY for the last 6 years now - i book my flights with Easyjet and am on the internet daily to see when they are released for next year and book ASAP to get the cheapest price!!

i book into apartments not villas and find that hotels4u.com or travel republic are fairly cheap - we know where we want to go so thats an advantage for us not having to do a lot of research!

i find that DIY is by far cheaper than a package especially if you know where you want to go

We always go DIY to Turkey, we have booked bith apaprtments and villas. Have a look at Holiday Lettings or Owners Direct for villas and private apaprtments. If you want to stay in an apartment complex look at different site like Travel Republic and also check the prices direct with the apartments as it can be cheaper either way.

Once you have your holiday book yourself a private transfer rather than a taxi as it will be cheaper.

We go to Turunc and fly from Manchester. We alway go DIY as we tend to go for 3 weeks or more, and it works well for us, but this year we have seen flight prices rise a lot especially if you want to travel from the North West as at the moment Manchester is the only airport with flights to Turkey. Also, tour operators pay much less to the apartment or hotel owners than individual travellers, and you have to factor in car hire or a private transfer or try carrying your luggage on a local bus.
If you are going for a fortnight or less, I would look closely at the costs.
We have heard this May of people booking a very cheap package in their resort and then moving immediately to their chosen accommodation!

When we don't go to our apartment, we almost always book DIY. You can be so much more flexible, you can choose to fly on the cheapest days and are not tied to the flight times and days that are offered by the tour operator.If you book through an owner or local agent in your chosen resort,you can often arrive and vacate your accommodation to suit you, rather than having to check out at a specified time.
I would advise asking lots of questions to find out as much as possible so that you choose the place that suits you best You should also ensure before you go that you have contact details of someone nearby who can help you if you have any problems, as you won't have a tour operator to fall back on.
Most owners/local agents will be able to organise your airport transfer, and will probably know the best value deal.
If you find some accommodation you like, firstly check exactly what dates are available and keep in close touch with the owner/agent while you are looking for flights.Mostly if they know you are serious and if they are aware of your rough dates they will wait to hear from you before letting the accommodation to someone else. Then before booking the flights, just have a last check with the owner/agent before committing to your flight.
Generally if you find a flight that you think is reasonable and at a time that is convenient for you, don't wait hoping to get another better deal, chances are you wont.,
Good luck, if you decide to go for it!

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Apartment rental in beautiful area of Turkey, perfect location for a wonderful holiday http://www.turunc-apartment.co.uk

Just a point

There are now flights direct from Blackpool to Dalaman for 2013

We almost always do DIY wherever we go in the world. In Turkey we have our own house but sometimes go to other parts and stay in pensions, hotels and villas/apartments. I usually poke around on web sites and then phone them to book or email. As someone mentioned Easyjet are great and are our company of choice especially if we can book as soon as they are released. This year all our return flights were around 100 pounds return each. I also find Monarch to be good and next week I am trying Thomson flights as they fitted in well with my friend who will be arriving from Italy. We always hire a car from the airport and find that cost effective for the transfer and trips out while we are there. Next year we hope to do something a little different and fly to Rhodes, travel to a few islands and then get a ferry over to Turkey, returning a few weeks later from Dalaman. I'm waiting for Easyjet to release 2013 flights to book this.

when do easyjet,usually release their flights,for next year? missed them last year,so where quite expensive,when i noticed them.
tracy x

we booked this years flights on 15 September last year and we had missed the release day - got them for £250 each! i will be looking every day after i come back this year on 16 August!!!

thank you,i will keep checking.
trtacy x