Holiday Thread

[Diane65]

Just had a quick look on the Eurostar 26th - 28th November with 2 nights bed and breakfast it is just under 400 in Paris but 250 in Lille which is very pretty plus you will have the Christmas markets there. I will have another look over the weekend as I'm sure with the 69 return fares on the Eurostar I can get a much better deal with hotels. What sort of price have you in mind? What star hotel are you happy with? I personally don't mind if I'm in a 5 star hotel or in a hostel. I make the most of wherever I go.
Just had a quick look at Geneva and on 19th to 21st November for 2 nights in Villa Toscane it is 200 including flights from Gatwick and the added bonus of a Geneva card for the entire stay ie free public transport including mouettes. About to be logged off as at work but I'll keep looking.

[prettyxcool]

So I have 8 vacation days to use before the end of the year, and have no clue what to do with them. I know it sounds silly, but I'm really bad with planning my time off - haven't been on real vacation in over 10 years! What to do alone and on a limited budget? Any suggestions?

If you are not good at planning your trip individually, I suggest you try packages (train+hotels, flights+hotels), they can be very cost effective too:
If you are looking for short city breaks:
http://www.short-breaks.com
or http://www.lastminute.com

or for last minute sun: Thomas cook is always good. All inclusive 7 nights to Tunisia from £265pp.

http://www.thomascook.com/search/?dbTra ... AdultOnly=#

I always try http://www.expedia.co.uk and http://www.travelsupermarket.com

Again, it is worth shopping around to find a deal that you want. I once got a really good deal with Virgin Holidays. It all depends what you want!

Especially if you are going out of season, there are a lot of bargains to be had! Good luck holiday hunting!

[prettyxcool]

Wow, what a stunning photo, pxc - seriously considering a trip to Malaga now! And so glad the holiday was a success.

It does look such a beautiful place and so happy that you had a lovely time. It's not somewhere that I had ever thought of visiting (no reason for not thinking of it) but I will certainly put it on my list of places I want to visit.

Thanks! I thoroughly recommend it if you want some winter sun! And tapas is so cheap! As Andalucia is very mountainous it does require you to hire a car, but these can be as cheap as £7 a day out of season. But of course you can book day trips with local tour companies with guides etc if you do not want to drive. They have just recently done the Port up in Malaga, and that is really nice to hang around and have a meal, after a day up at the castle, for instance. There really is so much to see and do in the whole of Andalucia, you can even take a day trip to Gilbraltar to see the monkeys or a day trip to Tangiers! Go to Marbella to see how the other half live, I can go on! Go for the menu of the day is always much cheaper, even in Marbella where you expect the cost to be more expensive you can have a 3 course steak meal for £15! If you are interested in my holiday photos, just pm me!

[Yinster]

Looking for some advice. We will be going down to Londontown in July for a wedding firstly in Stoke Newington Town Hall and then the Rose And Crown. We be going down on Friday and going back up on the Sunday. Thinking of either staying near there or just near King Cross area then travelling up for the day. However not used to London prices and anything decent is about double what we usually p*y for. So any suggestions? I will be also looking intently at Premier Inn but it won't do deals till nearer the time. My sister is already booked into the Pullman which looks lovely but do I really want to spend £200 per night??????

[Beate]

If you really want cheap, go for a Travelodge - there should be loads in Central London.

[prettyxcool]

Also try Easyhotels and Tune Hotels. Ibis and Holiday Inn Express are also other budget hotel chains.

For non hotel chains and cheap B&Bs in London, try travelstay.
http://www.travelstay.com/index.htm

You can also try YHA - they do private rooms
http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/london-central#

Once you find something that is suitable location and costs wise, I always have a quick look on TripAdvisor, to see if anyone has stayed there and reviewed!

[Yinster]

Thanks for the advice Beate and PXC. Personally I try everywhere else before I do travelodge. For some reason I find them budget yet Premier Inn which is the same market just seem so much nicer.

Tune hotels don't do booking in July till next month as I could only get up to June yesterday.

[Yinster]

Seems I am kinda of in out time just now as its only 05:30 so thought I post the first couple of days of our honeymoon.

We stayed in the premier inn in Glasgow airport on Wednesday night after packing our shockingly heavy luggage the previous few days. As we were going to Orlando and a Caribbean cruise we had more clothes than usual and my bag had another bag as OH wanted to b*y lots of things.

Arrived nice and early for first flight to Gatwick. Dropped bags off in Easyjet. However discovered as they are a budget airline they only transfer the bags to Gatwick and we have to do the same again in Gatwick. Let me they you though they is nothing budget about Easyjet. Their prices were almost as expensive as BA. There was only a £20 difference for the return flights to Gatwick from Glasgow. And everyone who flew with us were all going on business as they all wore suits and had briefcase. Actually felt bit underdressed with my shorts and tshirt.

When we arrived in Gatwick we reclaim our bags and proceeded to drop our bags again. However Gatwick were doing a pilot scheme in baggage reclaim where they drop your bags off if your airline is doing the scheme and they even let you in premium security so you dont have to queue as long. Bit dubious at first but it was fast and simple. And it worked.

As we had lots of time we went around the shops and got a few things before heading to the V-room. Oh awesome is this lounge. Never been in an airport lounge before but this is heaven. Comfy seats. Relaxing and spacious. Lots of free food and non alcoholic drinks. Perfect way to start our honeymoon.

Before too long our flight was called and we headed to the plane. We pa*d for premium economy which was lovely. Flight was full so nice to be in separate cabin from the rest. Not sure whether its the destination but for reason the cabin crew announced on more than one occasion for people right at the back to sit down or the flight would miss its slot. Guess what we missed our slot so we were actually 30 minutes late right to arriving in Orlando. If it was up to me it would have been one warning and then off the plane.

Eventually we got up in the air. Now word of advice for anyone on honeymoon. Ground staff knows you are on honeymoon if you tell your travel agent. Cabin crew dont unless you personally mention it. How do I know? Well for the majority of the flight we saw one couple getting more free alcohol whilst we got nothing. Even think they got a free upgrade. Anyhoo eventually I asked our cabin crew who inform us of this and OH got some more free alcohol.

As we never flown with Virgin before we assumed we get free savoury snacks as well as free alcohol in long haul just like BA. Nope. They dont really offer any more alcohol except when serving food and there id no savoury snacks at all unless you p*rchase them just like a budget airline. Now when you are in my shoes and have spent a small fortune on the honeymoon of your dreams for someone to tell you you need to b*y them they can shove them up their ass. Luckily our lovely cabin crew managed to find some cheese and biscuit for OH who was starving.

Arrived in Orlando to the drizzles of rain. But who cares we are on holiday. Passed immigration really quickly as we were one of the first of the plane. Picked our bags only to discovered our transfer wasn't there. Spoke to the virgin reps that were there and they had to arrange them again. Driving to our lovely first hotel the Royal Pacific Resort in Universal Studios. We didn't appreciate hoe big it is and how nice it is until we saw it in daylight.

Another problem checking in at the hotel as they didn't have us in club room level even though we pa*d for it. That was sorted quickly. Our room us lovely. As OH was exhausted from the flight and working all week we just went to the club room lounge and had some cookies and tea before heading to bed.

( time for me to get up here so will post our first day later. This hotel has free wifi so making the most of it whilst we here as the cruise won't)

[Yinster]

First day we were up pretty early. Since we are in club room level we had breakfast which was nice. Even OH who is a fussy bugger found things to eat. OH was no longer a living zombie which was good. Staying in one of the universal hotels have benefits like getting access to Harry potter a hour before anyone else. We also get unlimited express pass on most rides and shows which has been a god send.

As Harry potter and the forbidden journey is one which doesn't have a fast pass we went there first. It is one of the best simulation there is. I also like despicable me and transformers. Actually most of the rides are good. I don't like roller coasters so OH went as a single rider for them.

So the first full day we managed all of island of adventure and half of universal studios. Then headed back to the hotel around 17:30 after waiting for the biggest disappointment ever. Universal studios do not do a good parade. Perhaps I am harsh as I compared it to Disney but there were about five floats and there were people walking but not really dancing or signing. The tune used was instantly unforgettable.

We headed back out to the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world for dinner as OH had never been to one before.

[McG]

Sounds as though you are having a ball despite a few hiccups, Yinster!
Nothing can beat Disney for parades and atmosphere!
Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon!