I love DIY as well, mainly for the flexibility, but it does become addictive. Everytime I see a cheap flight I want to book it . Booked 6 already this year, ranging from 2 night breaks to Prague and Amsterdam, to 4 and 5 night breaks to Algarve and Costa del Sol. Will still look for a week (package) in Greece/Greek islands in June or maybe October is there are any good late deals. Looking forward to April already, for when Easyjet release their winter schedules, and I can start all again booking for next year.
There have been some excellent deals in the above posts, well done to you all - just hope you don't get addicted (not sure if there is a DIY holidays Anonymous helpline yet).

Robby

Robby

I could certainly do with some councilling as I am suffering from bargain
booking syndrome. If you know of any please post on here. also I can't stop telling people about the flights that I booked for October at £98 are now £272 they can't pssibly be bored with me. A guy came to sell me some double glazing I finished up booking him some cheap flights, hotel car parking and insurance and told him what to allow for transfers.

It is a very serious condition

Seriously, the gee gees where my BIG addiction up until about 18 months ago. I packed them in after about 30 years of losing my money, and started doing DIY holidays as a hobby. So now instead of sending the bookies on their hols, I send myself, and God have I seen the benefits.

Robby

yes, it is addictive.. I have booked 4 already and I reckon by the end of the year I'll have been on about 6.

All my family keep saying is "what is wrong with you? not even millionaires go on holiday so much". But they're just jealous and miserable, stuck in this cold miserable place, maybe going away once away if they're lucky.

The system is rotten, it's nice to step out of it and see how other people live. I booked my 3rd holiday for this year within 48 hours of arriving back home. When I'm home, all I can think about is getting away.

The more DIY features to the holiday the better, just come back from one where I arranged flights, 3 sets of accommodation, desert safari, internal flights and accomodation, transfers over a 2 weeks period. Felt really proud of myself and saved a packet.

One thing people probably don't even think of - if you book a privately owned apartment/villa you don't have to worry about those selfish people who put their towels on sunbeds, then don't emerge till midday! In almost all cases you'll have your very own sunbeds!

hi everyone,just booked my first diy short break normally go away for a couple of nights in the uk for wedding anni,but thought i would price up a three night stay to majorca,costing less than going away here really excited will def be booking more hols like this :lol:what a bargain!

another DIY convert! Have a great break!

Hi Everyone,
I am a holiday addict as well, always looking at sites for bargain flights,we have just been to Granada[& costa del sol] got a really great deal,flights only £18 each ,including taxes.
The biggest diy hol i have organised was last april when we went to Singapore,borneo and tioman island,i had great fun sorting it all out,even booking the ferry to tioman island. Everything worked out really good,and it was a fantastic month long trip.
We usually go away 3-4 times a year, can,t wait to get back to the sun,turkey next in june,then hongkong and aussie!!!
Have fun
suzy

I'm also hooked on DIY but also shop around TA's online and just go with whatever suits me. Also book hols for workmates. This PC has saved me a fortune [I just spend the extra money on hols]

I agree its addictive and I really enjoy the researching and finding the best flights arranging the accomodation etc.
You get a sense of satisfaction in knowing you have a tailor made holiday that suits your needs more than a bog standard pckage could and if you save money in the process even better

Hi all
I booked my first diy holiday a couple of weeks ago. I felt it rather nerve racking. Had one or two hiccups but hopefully it is now all sorted. I suppose as they say, when you have done it once, its gets easier the next time!
If it does work out (I go at Easter) I shall book this way again.

All the best
Dawn

Well done dawnie-rob,we go to palma nova on the 30th april for three nights.not going to pre book a taxi from airport ,dont mind paying 30 euros to hotel as we have saved a foutune already have a good time and let us know how it went when you get back
boots

Hi all
Yes I will let you know how it turns out. I'm still undecided about the transfer. Been on sites regarding taxis. Some vary from 28 and 45euros to my hotel in Magaluf if prebooked. When you hear of stories of people turning up at the airport to find nobody there to collect them it makes you a bit nervous. Also as it is Easter weekend is the airport going to be choc-a-bloc with people diving for the taxis on the rank.

Dawn

Hi Dawnie-Rob, I booked a taxi for daughter in August last year, think they called it Janerbus. They stayed in \Magaluff and taxi was waiting for them as they stepped off plane - they thought it was good service.

I almost crossed back over to the dark side of Package holidays for this one, but sense prevailed, I stuck at it, and eventually found the Barcelo Birthday offer which allowed me to save loads again.

The irony is every place we have stayed at appears in one of the major tour operators brochures (or more) and we don't just beat brochure prices, oh no thats too easy, we regularly beat "street price" by some £300-£400 and hire a car instead of the cattle truck that is often the coach transfer.

We also look for properties that are 6 months to 18 months old. We have found they tend to be a bit cheaper if they are newer "on the block", than established hotels.

I must admit we stick to the Canaries, but if you build up that kind of "local knowledge" year in, year out, you can always save money. And its not like it gets boring. There are four islands (probably siz in truth now El Heirro and Las Palmas are gearing up), which is a nice rotation.

A good place to look for self catering accomodation for your holiday is

http://www.homesforholidays.co.uk

Hello
Just a note to say that my diy holiday worked out great. I will not hesitate to book my holiday this way in the future.

Dawn

Hi, i have booked 10 diy holidays now and would never go back to package. Just love the freedom of choosing my flight times and airport to maximise my hoilday time. Always get to my villa dead on the time its available and leave when i have to, i have no hanging around just pick up the hire car and go. Also the facilities we get at a private villa are all ours with no sharing the most i cook is a piece of toast or a salad to go with bbq the hubby does. I would recomend it to everyone also our accomodation is better with every holiday because you learn the jargon on the sites (sat tv doesnt mean our sat tv etc) so you can ring and ask questions. Its great i could bang on about it all day (i wont though)

Sally

With the advent of the web it is now so easy to find flights, find accomodation and find car hire/transfers all from your arm chair. I became inerested in DIY when I booked a package to Goa. Having plenty of time to think on the long journey out there I realised that the only thing Uni Jet were actually providing was a bus from the airport. I don't want to pay for a rep whose sole purpose is to sell me excusrsions at 50% higher than I can buy in the street. I don' t like hanging around on airport buses while the until the flight from Newcastle arrives.
I recently compared the price of a holiday for 5 using James Villas and booking flights and accomodation independently for 2 weeks in August. The saving was almost £2,000. It would have been greater had I booked earlier in the year as the flight prices in January were much less. Good sites for independent travellers. A1Travel or Flights and Nights which both seem to be run by the same people.