THE school holidays might be in full swing but thousands of families still haven’t booked a summer break.
Searches for late deals on comparison site icelolly.com have soared by 60 per cent and boss Richard Singer says: “With many bargains still available, it’s certainly a buyer’s market.”
9
Spain remains the favourite destination, despite the drop in the Pound against the euro, followed by Greece and Turkey.
TRISHA HARBORD has selected eight top bargains whether you want a beach break abroad or a holiday in the UK.
Dominican Republic
9
YOU’LL have to splash the cash for this deal but you will be following in the footsteps of US president Bill Clinton.
He has just holidayed at the luxury Casa De Campo Resort and Villas in the Dominican Republic, which offers a family of four a saving of £4,500.
GO: All-inclusive, for seven nights in a three-bed villa (unlimited watersports) costs £2,372pp, based on four flying from Gatwick on August 13. See exsus.com.
France
9
BOOK by Tuesday to get an extra 20 per cent discount on a holiday park stay.
Al Fresco Holidays is offering savings of up to 40 per cent on arrivals before August 24. Le Soleil des Landes is a four-star park in Aquitaine, near the beach of Cap de l’Homy.
GO: Seven nights in a two-bed mobile home, sleeping six, from August 23 costs from £494, if booked by August 6. See alfresco-holidays.com. Flights to Bordeaux from £173 return with EasyJet.com.
Lake District
9
STAY in the UK and go glamping – saving hundreds of pounds.
The new holiday park, Ullswater Heights, in Cumbria has deluxe safari tents – some sleep up to ten – and lodges complete with all mod-cons and even Jacuzzis. There’s an on-site restaurant, playground and farm.
GO: A safari tent sleeping six for three nights from August 30 is from £710. A lodge sleeps four for seven nights from August 9, 16, 19 or 23, from £1,470 – hoseasons.co.uk.
Turkey
9
BOOKING an all-inclusive holiday in Turkey can save money.
The three-star Bodrum Beach Resort is in Gumbet, a lively resort set in a bay with a pine-forest mountain backdrop. Holidaymakers flock here for the choice of watersports, nightclubs, restaurants and shops.
GO: Seven nights all-inclusive from Birmingham on August 12, from £604pp, or Doncaster Sheffield from £537pp. See holidayhypermarket.co.uk.
Majorca
9
KIDS stay free at a Majorcan hotel on the beautiful bay of Alcudia with long beaches and wild countryside.
The all-inclusive three-star Hotel Nordeste Playa is in the lively resort of Ca’n Picafort, which has a Blue Flag beach and promenade with bars. Visit Alcudia market in the old town and see Roman ruins dating from 123BC.
Along the coast, you can go snorkelling and marine caving or take a thrilling speedboat ride. The resort has indoor and outdoor pools.
GO: Seven nights all- inclusive, with flights from Gatwick, Stansted or Luton on August 31, costs from £399pp. Kids stay free. See icelolly.com.
Greece
9
STAYING here will be like being in a scene from Mamma Mia!
You can save 40 per cent on a villa in the unspoilt Pelion Peninsula. The two-bed villa, with a shared pool, is in Kala Nera. The beach and shops are nearby.
GO: Seven nights’ self-catering at Levante Villas, from Gatwick, Newcastle or Manchester on August 16, for two adults and two under-16s, including car hire, costs £2,618. See ionianislandholidays.com.
Tenerife
9
IF you are looking for a quick quality break with the kids, there’s nearly 50 per cent off rooms at a Tenerife hotel.
The five-star Sunlight Bahia Principe on the Costa Adeje has three pools, kids’ clubs, gym, spa, four restaurants, bars, minigolf, archery, table tennis and nightly entertainment.
GO: Three nights all-inclusive, flying from Gatwick on August 21, is from £552pp, with two adults and two under-12s sharing a suite. See onthebeach.co.uk.
Devon
9
THERE is still a good selection of cottages available to attract late bookers. Two barn conversions, each sleeping four near Aveton Gifford, have been reduced by more than £400 for a week.
Both share six acres of quiet countryside including gardens and a wildlife pond. Nearby are Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and Salcombe.
GO: Seven nights’ self-catering from Aug 16 in The Gallery, from £1,092, or The Barn from £893. See helpfulholidays.co.uk.
