Trade Secret: When Party Packages are Cheaper than Airfares
August 26, 2010 Travel Trade Secrets
Now’s the time to bag a bargain party holiday. Or, if you’d prefer something more sedate, it could be a savvy way to ship yourself to the sun…
If you’re looking for a party holiday, it’s best to wait until the children are back at school to get a good deal, right? Wrong. Everyone’s thinking along the same lines, meaning that demand for ‘young and lively holidays’ (as they’re known in the trade) is low. Empty seats and rooms in late-night holiday resorts mean the tour operators need to shift packages and the prices are unbelievably low.
Here’s the trade secret though: These packages are so cheap that they are often cheaper than the standard airfare to a given destination at this time of year – book yourself on to a cheap young and lively holiday and even if you don’t stay at your accommodation, chances are the whole deal will cost you less than the going rate for a return ticket-only. Your travel agent can help you find accommodaton in and transfers to the part of the region that you want to stay in, or you can arrive and discover the place for yourself. Corfu, for example, is a beautiful island with spectacular scenery and unspoilt villages – you could arrive on a party holiday to Kavos and find yourself watching the peaceful sunset at a Paleokastritsa taverna. Majorca’s a big island with mountain farmhouses and a cosmopolitan capital – arrive on a lively package to Magaluf and see the biggest of the Balearics your way. Just make sure you tell your rep on arrival at the airport that you’re not going to be staying in your booked accommodation and will be making your own way back to the airport for your return flight (really important and your responsibility.)
Of course, there’s nothing to stop you staying in your allocated accommodation. It might be that you are looking for a party holiday and this is truly one of the best times to go: stay savvy and enjoy a week in the sunshine while the Med is still red hot. Incorporate Monday 30th August and you’ll need to book less time off work because it’s a Bank Holiday! Turn up and be prepared for basic accommodation, outrageous reps and noisy neighbours. If you’re willing to put up with all that, it’s a wise way to grab an affordable holiday with guaranteed sunshine and a beach nearby. Most young and lively tour operators accept anyone between the ages of 18-35 so you so you don’t have to be part of the teen party set to bag a place on one of these packages. Just know what to expect, book a bargain, fly in and relax.
We have got some brilliant reader holiday deals on late young and lively packages through our sponsors at Hays Travel. These exclusive prices are correct at the time of blogging, but subject to availability and change, which is highly likely with them being so close. Click on each one for more information, or call Hays on 0800 408 4131 to book a date, destination and departure airport to suit you.
Reader Holidays:
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, 2 share from £145 each – Recently voted the top destination for UK holidaymakers, this Black Sea coastal resort offers spotless beaches, scores of bars and Euro-free value. Explore further afield for fascinating history and unspoilt countryside. Hint – there are no low-cost flights to Sunny Beach’s nearest airport, Bourgas and flights there rarely go for less than £200 return.
Magaluf, Majorca, 2 share from £127 each – Legendary nightlife and a golden sandy beach in this well-known clubbing capital. Explore the island and discover hidden coves, pretty scenery and the cosmo capital Palma.
Kavos, Corfu, 3 share from £175 each – Cocktails and clear seas in this party destination. Explore further afield for top-notch tavernas, sleepy Greek villages and sublime sunsets.
Laganas, Zante, 2 share from £175 each – A soft sandy beach and plenty of bars in the island’s liveliest resort. Venture further and discover loggerhead turtles, dreamy Shipwreck Beach and neighbouring Kefalonia.
Playa del Ingles, 3 share from £155 each – Flamboyant parties in this Canarian clubbing capital. Explore further afield for breathtaking sand dunes, beautiful beaches and bustling capital Las Palmas.
A week of wild partying or a great value airfare? Ether way, these deals are a cheap ticket to the beach...
