The Guardian, 21 February, 2009
THE REAL DEAL
The traditional package holiday conjures up images of tourists herded from charter airline to hotel by a brassy clipboard-wielding tour guide. So it is hardly surprising that in recent years savvy travellers welcomed the internet boom and took the opportunity to put together their own holidays independently. But as the recession deepens, package holidays are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Now, because many operators have negotiated heavily with hoteliers, booking a package is often cheaper than arranging a do-it-yourself holiday.
If Exclusive Escapes's seven night holiday at the Dionysos hotel (from £500pp, see right) was booked separately, for example, it would cost £680 (accommodation £350 per person, transfers £80, flights £250 per person depending on dates).
As well as saving on the initial outlay, a package can also help you budget while in resort, if, say, you have paid in advance for meals every night. Most importantly, packages have the benefit of financial protection because they are bonded under the government-backed ATOL scheme.
And if you've never considered a package it's worth bearing in mind that they have evolved from naff bucket and spade jobs into higher quality products offering luxury hotels in sought-after destinations. In fact, there's probably never been a better time to book one.
Turkey
Travelling in the "shoulder" season - end of April, May, June, September and October - is a great way to save money. Exclusive Escapes has seven-day B&B packages staying at the Dionysos hotel on Turkey's Lycian Coast on the very first week of the season, for half the cost of mid-season rates - £400pp departing 25 April with return Heathrow-Dalaman flights. The hotel sits on a canyon-top village above the bay of Kumlubuk, a short stroll to the waterfront. Aside from this date, rates in the shoulder season are around £500pp, rising to £625pp in June and more in high season (prices include transfers and gulet cruise).