Thanks Jessop - that is good news, I had no idea! That's obviously why they want to see him after 1 week. They said that it's common with this break for the bone to "slip back" and need a further op with wires. As long as that doesn't happen we're OK (please, please please!) He's got horrendous bruising at the top of the cast and someone said to me that, that is a good thing, if the bruising is coming out rather than staying in, but I must confess I have no idea!!

Thanks again

Sue

I have organised two weeks in Fuerteventura Summer 2006 for a family of three, staying in two bedroom apartments equiped with full kitchen (washing machine, microwave etc, hifi, tv, dvd) flying from Newcastle for £1400. Car Hire should cost about £200.
Typical tour operator prices quoted were £1600 for a one bedroom apartment, £2000 for a two bedroom apartment and they were with basic kitchen facilities and a supposed free child place. The under occupancy rate for the two bedroom apartments were about the same as the total rental cost for hiring apartments privately.

It really does depend on where and when you are going and how flexible can be.

We've done both DIY and packages and I always compare both. For example last year we went to Kefalonia in September and it turned out cheaper to do a SC package as no low cost airlines fly there.
August is a killer month to get a cheap DIY as you really need to get in there early.

Good luck with your hunt.

Agree with that puddleduck2. Booking cities as well has been a lot cheaper when booked in advance. In fact lots of 3/4/5 night breaks work out pretty cheaply if the flights are obtained well in advance.

When I do a standard 7 nighter out of season, I usually book late and get some great deals, mainly Greece where flights can work out a lot dearer than actually booking a package.

Off again in October and will be booking late again, already some great deals out there, and plenty of choice (too much choice, it's confusing me) , but favourites at the moment are Corfu and Skiathos.

PS, Easyjet sale starts next month for those that missed the opening prices.

Robby

well I have just managed to get July/August flights out to Ibiza from Leeds for £88 each return so I am pretty sure that we will be able to book some lovely accomodation and undercut the package deal prices!!

Stu

I take it that's for 2006 ?????????????????????????????????

Well done, should be to put a good package together now.

Robby

Yeah Robby - we usually book our easyjet flights for our city break as soon as they come out.

oh yes 2006
and they were booked through jet2.com - which seem to do competitively priced flights to the med (so long as you fly from Manchester or Leeds)

and of course they have the jump over some of the other budget airline sites who don't have prices for summer 2006 yet

all I need now is a NICE place in Ibiza to stay at

I just booked a family of four into my apartment for two weeks commencing 18th July (School Holidays). Flights cost them £690.00 apartment cost them £500 total self catering holiday £1190.00 DIY is definately the cheapest if you shop around.

I agree Spaniard. Our holiday this year was the best ever. Five Easyjet flights return Belfast to Palma £402. Two one bedroom apartments through Alpharooms costing £1300 for two weeks. Thats £1700 for 5 of us in the peak season, and the standard of the apartments was second to none. No putting towels down first thing in the morning to reserve sunbeds, staff friendly and efficient, air conditioning, private gardens...........bliss!!!

We hired a Renault Berlingo for the whole two weeks to transport us plus luggage around the island , cost 300 Euros, which I thought very good value, and we used it every day.

Travel Agents will try to say "but what if something goes wrong, you have a rep" Well we did have a problem with my daughters boyfriend being pickpocketed and the Receptionist at the complex was more helpful than any rep I have ever dealt with.

I will always do DIY in future if at all possible. We saved a lot of money this year.

HI .TO ALL who say it is not cheaper one 4 day trip to torremolino + one 1 week trip to costa brava, total cost inc transfers 450 quid JUST booked late deal with scottish company 5 days in benidaorm 402 inc transfers all in 3 star hotels not a bad few breaks for an average of 150 pounds per person, GOD bless the internet. cheers maxie ps two of these in high season

Someone mentioned here that easyjet has a sale on next month, can anyone give me more details? I'd really like to get a cheap flight to glasgow or edinburgh (from Amsterdam) for the end of September but these are quite expensive now, anyone knows more about the date when this sale is going to start?
Thanks, Iris

Hi, iris

The best advice I've seen is to register with all the no-frills airlines via their websites and then they email you with detail of sales and offers when they're available.

The travel directory on this site is a good place to find the airline links.

Ive just priced a week in Tenerife July 2006.£300 for apartment and flights by flyglobespan £1188 thats for 4 adults and 1 child,thats about £600 less than what we payed this year with First Choice.

Just booked my flights and apartment for 10 nights 3rd Jan - 13th Jan. Flights are £580.00 for 4 adults flying from Manchester. Accommodation is only £250.00.

I got a quote from Thomas Cook for the same holiday which came out at £1500.00. Saving £670.00.

Hi Iris, the Easyjet sale should be in September, but it will be for winter flights. September still comes under their summer flight dates.
Register with them and the will email you when offers become available.

Robby

I know it's not much but we've saved about £350 on our two week holiday to Goa in January 2006.
first time we've done DIY to Goa, we usually buy a package, we've done DIY to europe (Majorca and France) though.
I personally enjoy sourcing and organising a DIY holiday as it makes it feel all the more individual and it may sound daft but it feels like you are getting there all the more quicker.
An added bonus this year as well is that we are flying out of Birmingham which is local to us, didn't have to pay a suppliment for it either and it means that we dont have that long journey down to Gatwick
jayne

I know it's not much but we've saved about £350 on our two week holiday to Goa in January 2006.

Only enough to have another holiday, a virtual "free" one.

I like searching and planning breaks/holidays, much better than booking through travel agents etc.

Robby

HI I find that unlike ryan air easy jet are more expensive at the beginning say 7 weeks in advance but in fact stay cheaper longer,usually cheaper to book two one way singles rather than return, but that is from scotland, do others find this cheers maxie