Tourists flying to Spain told to avoid booking 7, 10 or 14-day holidays
Spain is the number one destination for Brits with 17.8 million trips made in 2023. But travellers are being advised to think outside the box when it comes to their holidays
British holidaymakers planning to jet off to Spain are being urged to ditch the usual seven, 10 or 14-day breaks. As UK tourists gear up for their summer getaways, they're being encouraged to reconsider the conventional length of stay in European Union countries.
Spain reigns as the top holiday spot for Britons, with a whopping 17.8 million visits recorded in 2023. France, Italy, Greece and Portugal round out the top five favourite destinations for UK travellers – all nestled within Europe. However, those taking to the skies are now being prompted to think more creatively about their holiday durations.
Travel expert Karen Williams from Eurocamp advises: "There are lots of holiday providers which don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates."
She further suggests: "Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices."
Ms Williams also recommends exploring alternative transportation options for potential cost savings: "Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings."
To cut costs even further, she advises: "A great tip is to split the cost of your accommodation with your mates or nearest and dearest as this can save you a fortune,".
Ms Williams endorsed the benefits of hiring holiday homes, saying: "Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person."
She further suggested that opting for less conventional durations of stay could be more cost-effective than sticking to the usual fortnightly, weeklong, or ten-day bookings, reports Birmingham Live.
She added that considering alternative times during the season could also reduce expenses: "Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down," she advised.
For those journeying with youngsters, she highlighted that the later weeks of the school break leading up to September often offer more affordable options than the peak holiday period.
In terms of deciding when to travel, Ms Williams said: "When travelling during these months, think carefully about the destinations. If you're looking for sunshine, southern Europe is slightly hotter than more northern regions so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors even during off-peak months."
She also encouraged tourists to embrace self-catering: "You don't need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead taste some local delicacies from the comfort of your own holiday home.
"You can even pack and bring your own food to your holiday home to ensure that the kids have all their favourite snacks."
For forward-planners, Ms Williams pointed out an upcoming opportunity: "For the super organised, many travel providers will be bringing out their 2024 holidays over the coming months, so keeping an eye out for these can also help you save for next year too."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ibiza's 'hidden gem' overlooked by tourists despite its crowd-free beaches
Ibiza draws in millions of British visitors every year but there's one part of the island that often gets overlooked, despite boasting some ridiculously pretty villages and beaches Ibiza is famous for its party towns, clubs and golden sandy beaches, but there's one gorgeous region on the Balearic island that's often overlooked by tourists despite its amazing coastline. Els Amunts is a nature reserve that covers a large part of the northern side of the island, but because it isn't host to those world-famous pool parties, the island often gets overlooked by the crowds of tourists that descend on Ibiza every summer. However, intrepid explorers who venture into the wild forests will be treated to quieter beaches, breathtaking hikes, and plenty of quaint villages. Highlights include the picture-perfect Cala d'en Serra, a secluded bay that's surrounded by dense greenery, and boasts azure waters that look like the stuff of postcards. Visitors can enjoy a dip in the water or even have a go at snorkeling, or lay out a towel and bask in the sunshine without having to fight off other tourists to get beach space. There aren't many amenities at this hidden beach, but there is a snack bar for some refreshments if you need them. Be warned that some tourists were caught off guard by the steep path that leads to this coastal spot, so pack some sturdy shoes if you want to visit! Another hidden beach that's well worth having on your radar is Cala Xarraca, which is so beautiful you'll often find photographers here trying to capture the ridiculously pretty views; think golden sands, pine forests and eye-catching red cliffs. This beach is a little easier to reach as you can drive and use the nearby car park, or there are even bus routes available from Ibiza Town. Those who like to go off the beaten path will also find countless villages nestled across the landscape, boasting whitewashed homes, historic defence towers and impressive fortified churches; but the medieval village of Balàfia remains one particularly popular spot with adventurers thanks to its gorgeous surroundings and ancient buildings. READ MORE: Beautiful underrated city has gorgeous beaches and 'no tourist price hikes' The great thing about the region is that although it's quieter than the rest of the island, it's not completely remote. For example if you want a good base from which to explore that also has some of that hustle and bustle, the nearby town of Puerto de San Miguel is worth having on your radar. It boasts a small sandy beach with swim-friendly waters, as well as plenty of family-friendly hotels and restaurants. There's still plenty of opportunity for adventure though courtesy of the town's impressive Can Marça cave network. Getting to Ibiza from the UK is easy - it is a holiday hotspot after all. There are heaps of direct flights with airlines including easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair and Jet2 and TUI, from a wide array of UK airports. The centre of Els Amunts is about a half hour drive from Ibiza airport itself, or an hour if you use public transport, so it's easy enough to visit if you'd rather stay at one of the island's busier resorts, and enjoy a day trip to the quieter side of Ibiza!
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I visited the cheap African holiday island that feels like Mykonos and Santorini with new easyJet flights
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRAILING vibrant pink bougainvillaea frames white-washed buildings, spilling across blue window shutters and doors. A confetti of tiny petals drifts in the breeze, dancing along the narrow, cobbled streets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The small town of Erriadh sits at the centre of the island of Djerba, just off the south coast of Tunisia Credit: Getty 8 Hotels line the soft white-sand beaches on the island's north coast Credit: Shutterstock 8 Houmt Souk's pedestrianised streets are lined with shops and restaurants Credit: Getty Around every corner comes another eye-catching piece of technicolour street art. The walls and doors of the sleepy paths are a quirky, open-air gallery. The resemblance to the alleyways of Mykonos and Santorini is striking and my arty stroll ends at a small cafe under a sprawling canopy of trees in a sunlit square. But when I tell you a small cup of strong coffee here costs 25p, you'll know I am nowhere near the trendy Greek isles. The small town of Erriadh sits at the centre of the island of Djerba —which was used as a filming location for Star Wars — just off the south coast of Tunisia. And at its heart is Djerbahood, the passion project of a famous French art gallery owner who convinced some of the world's best street artists to travel to Djerba, and its inhabitants to allow their walls to be daubed. Now, more than 250 murals and sculptures have transformed the heart of the neighbourhood. Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites. Low-cost giant easyJet has launched year-round flights to the island from both London Luton and Manchester, with fares from just £115 return, and easyJet holidays has packages from just £373pp. The island's compact size means it's easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences. Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations Hotels line the soft white-sand beaches on the island's north coast, including our base, the 5H Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso. The resorts' vast pool, surrounded by loungers and cabanas, leads down to small sand dunes and a broad stretch of sparkling white sands dotted with straw parasols. Its contemporary rooms are spacious and bright, with marble-clad bathrooms and balconies or terraces to soak up that sunshine. 8 The Sun's Lisa Minot exploring Credit: Supplied 8 The fortress of Borj El Kebir has been protecting the island's inhabitants from invading armies since the 13th century Credit: Getty 8 Our base, the 5-star Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso Credit: Supplied With four restaurants, three bars and the biggest Thalasso spa on the island, you could be forgiven for not straying far. But the island's compact size means it's easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences. Troglodyte dwellings In the island's capital Houmt Souk on the north coast, the minarets of mosques sit alongside the St Joseph's Catholic church. Jutting out on a headland surrounded by the Mediterranean sea, the fortress of Borj El Kebir has been protecting the island's inhabitants from invading armies since the 13th century. Today you can explore the impressive fortifications and admire the stunning sea views from its now thankfully peaceful ramparts. Houmt Souk's pedestrianised streets lined with shops and restaurants lead on to covered souks and a spice market, as well as a rather less fragrant fish market. There's plenty of opportunities for a bit of souvenir shopping, from local handi-crafts and clothes, to Pottery Square where you can buy colourful ceramics from just £2 with a little haggling. If you're in need of sustenance after all that shopping, look no further than El Fondouk. This fabulous conversion of an 18th-century caravanserai, or travellers' inn, is open daily for morning coffees and pastries in its sun-soaked courtyard – then fresh seafood with couscous, fish curries and meaty kebabs at lunch and dinner. Prices are also excellent given the quality, with main dishes from £8 to £12. Also worth a trip out from the excellent restaurants back at the hotel was Haroun, in the nearby marina. Its outside terrace comes in the form of an actual ship's deck, complete with rigging and ropes, and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun sets. Inside, the dishes coming out of the kitchen include traditional Tunisian specialities such as brik — crispy filo pastry parcels filled with meat or fish — as well as fried calamari and fresh fish. Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise. Again, prices are very competitive, with main courses from £13.50. And while Djerba has more than enough to keep a holidaymaker happy for a week, it would be a shame to come this far and not head over on to the mainland and into a galaxy far, far away. EasyJet has multiple tours you can take from Djerba, over the ancient Roman Road that crosses the sea to southern Tunisia. The centuries-old causeway is essentially a bridge, and as you travel the five miles you're rewarded with stunning views of shimmering waters on both sides. As you travel through the arid desert landscapes of the mainland, huge rock formations rise dramatically from the flat plains. The rugged mountains are home to the Berber people, and at Chenini we peek into the unique troglodyte dwellings carved into the rocky hillsides and admire the palm trees and olive trees growing around the oasis by the Chenini Canyon. 8 Strolling the streets of Tataouine, you can easily see how George Lucas was inspired to use the location for Star Wars Credit: Getty 8 Fans can visit locations from smash-hit franchise Star Wars Credit: Rex Strolling the streets of Tataouine, you can easily see how George Lucas was inspired to use the location for Star Wars. Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise on the tour, including the Hotel Sidi Idriss and Ksar Hadada, an other-worldly Berber granary store that served as a key setting in The Phantom Menace. LISA MINOT
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained
Foreign Office warning after holidaymakers are detained The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for more than 48 countries There is a growing concern about the number of tourists arrested (Image: Getty ) The Foreign Office has revised travel advice for 48 countries during the past few days. It follows growing concern about the number of British tourists being arrested for drug trafficking abroad. During the past few months, UK nationals have been detained in countries including Spain, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Germany, Indonesia, Chile, and the United States, often after being caught with narcotics in their luggage. One of the most high profile cases has been that of Bella Culley, who went missing Thailand. The 18-year-old from Teeside is currently held in a prison in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences. Prosecuters are investigating 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish found in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport, the BBC reports. If found guilty, Miss Culley faces up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has revised its Safety and Security advice for 48 countries, highlighting the dangers of involvement with illegal substances. Article continues below In some countries, even traces of cannabis on clothing can lead to arrest, and blood and urine tests may also be conducted. The advice read: "There are severe penalties for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including cannabis. Airports have excellent technology to detect items, including in the baggage of transiting passengers." For those planning a trip abroad, it's essential to stay informed by checking the latest travel advice on the website, which provides detailed information for 226 countries. The updated guidance for most countries states: "Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes the risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport." The advice underscores the harsh consequences of drug offences: "Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. "You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports." For those heading to Greece, the Foreign Office cautions: "Airports in Greece have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here "This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence. Nitrous oxide is illegal to buy or sell for recreational use. You could be arrested or fined." A similar alert is in place for the Netherlands, which reminds tourists: "Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers." Article continues below The message is equally as stern for those bound for Turkey. Here, being caught with, using, or smuggling banned substances - including cannabis - can come with extremely harsh penalties. Even those only passing through airports may find themselves facing prison terms of between four to 24 years, as well as hefty fines.
