Holiday Websites

[Reidy]

I just wanted to ask seems as im looking to go away soon, what websites do you use to look for your holidays, i have looked at a few out there but was just wondering if anyone knew any more decent ones?

[Stanaccy]

I use various sites if you are meaning about checking what the possible resort is like such as realholidayreports.com, rough guide etc.

[Reidy]

thanks for that stanaccy will have a look cheers

[entwisi]

For normal 'beach'ski/etc Teletext hols is normally quite good, I find expedia doesn't work anywhere near as good as the old TV travel shop used to.

Then theres lastminute.com, firstresort.com,


If you want interesting holidays, ther are some amazing looking trips on Homepage - Intrepid Travel I'd love to go on one of the Vietnam/Cambodia trips like this one

Days 1-2 Bangkok
Take a boat ride down the khlongs to escape the clamour of the city streets, and see the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.

Day 3 Chiang Mai
Wonderful Chiang Mai is alive with local hilltribe culture. Head out to the mountain temple of Doi Suthep for spectacular views back over town.

Day 4 Chiang Khong
Kick back on the guesthouse veranda and enjoy views across the Mekong River into Laos, or explore the town on foot.

Days 5-6 Mekong River
Take in the beautiful scenery and smiles of local children as we float down the Mekong on a local river boat.

Days 7-8 Luang Prabang
Visit the fascinating Royal Palace Museum and nearby Kuang Si Falls in this magical riverside town.

Days 9-10 Vientiane
Possibly the most relaxed capital in the world, Vientiane's many sights are easily explored by foot or bicycle. Be sure to see the iconic Pha That Luang.

Day 11 Hin Boun Homestay
Travel through spectacular mountain scenery and spend the night as a guest in the home of villagers.

Day 12 Ninh Binh
Cross the border into Vietnam and descend through the mountains of the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the rural plains around Ninh Binh.

Day 13 Halong Bay
Experience the ethereal scenery of Halong Bay. Explore a cave, take a dip and dine on fresh seafood.

Days 14-16 Hanoi/Overnight Train
Soak up the French charm of Hanoi and explore the shops of the Old Quarter before boarding the Reunification Express for an overnight trip to Hue.

Day 17 Hue
Visit the Imperial Citadel and one of the emperor's tombs and take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River.

Days 18-20 Hoi An
The rich trading heritage of Hoi An is evident in the shuttered windows and pitched rooves of the traditional merchant houses. With artisan's shops and tailors lining the narrow streets, Hoi An's still a great place to engage in a bit of trading.

Days 21-22 Ho Chi Minh City
Head into the Ben Thanh Market for fresh coffee, delicious cashews and cheap t-shirts - or just about anything really.

Days 23-24 Phnom Penh
Explore Cambodia's volatile past with a visit to one of the infamous Killing Fields. Reflect on how far the country's come since then over a beer or cocktail at the riverside institution, the Foreign Correspondent's Club.

Days 25-27 Siem Reap
The magnificent temples of Angkor are set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition and are believed to represent the cosmic world.

Days 28-29 Bangkok
Return to Bangkok for another serve of spicy specialties and bargain hunting.


£840 +flights

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by entwisi

For normal 'beach'ski/etc Teletext hols is normally quite good, I find expedia doesn't work anywhere near as good as the old TV travel shop used to.

Then theres lastminute.com, firstresort.com,

Expedia isn't good for package holidays but I have used it a few times for elements of a holiday because we usually book each part independently.
Heard some bad reports about Lastminute taking bookings and then people turning up at hotels who have no record of the booking.

Perhaps the original post is a bit too vague really

I spend lots of time on the internet looking at places I can't afford to go to

[WillowTheWhisp]

Flippin 'eck Ian. I'd need a holiday after all that excitement on the Vietnam/Cambodia trip!

[entwisi]

Nah, Julies the relax and toast herself in our household, I get bored if I'm sat still for more than 10 minutes.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I like to get out and explore a bit too but I'm not into being shepherded around - it's Monday so we do this, it's 9am so we go there etc.

[entwisi]

I get the feeling the Intrepid travel tours aren't that 'fixed', I'd also love to do places like Interior of China and Russia, Mongolia, Tibet Napal etc

[egg&chips]

Someone recommended Travelzoo to me yesterday, but I haven't tried it myself.
Tripadvisor seems to have a pretty extensive range of 1st hand reviews of hotels & locations

[jelly baby]

Originally Posted by Reidy

I just wanted to ask seems as im looking to go away soon, what websites do you use to look for your holidays, i have looked at a few out there but was just wondering if anyone knew any more decent ones?

Holiday Reviews at Holidays Uncovered - Real Package Holiday Reviews
is a good one, it will give you reports on resort and hotel from previous visitors.

[magpie]

HolidayTruths.co.uk - Holiday Chat, Holiday Discussion, Photos, Reports, Reviews

is a good one and there is a message forum on there.... real people talking not the people that own the hotels and so on ....

[entwisi]

The only problem I see with these sites is that you could put two sets of people in exactly teh same hotel on teh same days. Depending on their expectations and preferences one may have a brill time teh other will hate it.

e.g. I'm not one for "Blackpool with Sun" places like Magalluf, My review would be that I hated it. Yet there are other people who would complain if they couldn't get a decent English brekkie and a pint of John Smiths. Same place, different desires.

So you need to try and read between the lines of what type of person is writing this. That way even a 'bad' review could actually be good news if your expectations are the opposite of what the reviewer wanted.