TRAVEL: Early birds booking holidays for 2018

MANY holidaymakers are looking forward to a sunshine getaway over the next couple of months, but some are already making summer plans for next year.

Pressure on capacity in popular European sun resorts, as safety concerns keep tourists away from North Africa and Turkey in particular, means accommodation is expected be at a premium in many sun spots in 2018.

Cassidy Travel has noticed the trend and is now encouraging early bookers to secure their ideal holiday for next year with a low deposit of €300 per family.

Examples of holidays being snapped up include Splashworld family properties that provide unlimited waterpark access, such as Aquasplash Estival in Salou in Spain, where a week in June 2018 is from €2,590 for a family of four on an all-inclusive basis.  

Free child places are another incentive to book extra early and packages available include the Family Life Playa Feliz in Gran Canaria where two adults and two children can enjoy seven nights all-inclusive in July 2018 from €2,190. The Villa Mandi resort in Tenerife is also available at the end of June for €2,999 for seven nights, also for two adults and two children. 

Other early bird offers include a week in the brand new Family Life Nevis Resort in Bulgaria, all-inclusive from €1,579 for two adults and one child, or the Holiday Village Kos in Greece for €3,426 for a family of four at the end of June.

Also available for early booking next year is an exciting ‘cruise combo’ that combines seven nights all-inclusive in May aboard the Thomson Dream exploring the ‘Treasures of the Med’ followed by a week in the Family Life Coma Gran resort in Majorca (self-catering), from only €1,238 per person sharing. 

 “Current geo-political concerns in other parts mean destinations like the Balearics and the Canaries are booming, and the best accommodation in these resorts will sell out well in advance of the season,” explains John Spollen of Cassidy Travel.

“We are also seeing a shift towards more adventurous, experiential holidays – such as an Arctic cruises aboard an expedition ship, for example – where knowledgeable guides are key to uncovering local highlights and hidden gems. Here again, supply is limited and guests need to book early to secure a place exactly when they want it.” 

Early bird packages may be booked in any of nine Cassidy Travel travelshops across Dublin or by phone on 01-4629100. See cassidytravel.ie for more details.