Last minute holiday deals - the thrill of the chase

Booking late holiday deals is becoming something of a national hobby; the excitement of an imminent trip away can sometimes be overshadowed by the euphoria of finding a really good deal as people become caught up in the thrill of the hunt.

And nobody is excluded from the fun; the old problem of quadrupled school holiday prices is slowing reducing as more travel operators extend last minute bargains into peak seasons.

Obviously being able to travel light and move fast gives you a competitive edge in the cheap holiday dash, but that doesn't mean leaving the kids behind as more travel operators are offering good deals up to a month in advance.

So get the suitcases packed and the week booked off work; for a serious last minute holiday adrenalin rush get yourself to the airport and book your break from an internet cafe, or, failing that, half an hour on the internet with a credit card in hand and the world is your very own bargain oyster!

Winter holidays in mind

With the weather getting warmer, snow capped mountains and ski lifts may be the last things on your mind. Yet now could be just the time to start planning your winter holidays.

Unlike beaches, skiing resorts have a finite amount of space, so last minute skiing holidays are not always the most sensible option. There are some great ski holidays online at the moment so book your active winter break now and you won't feel so bad about having that extra ice cream on the beach!

Holidays you like to dream about

Cruises are often considered the ultimate Rolls Royce of holidays. The luxury, the food, the exotic locations....all of this is becoming a lot more attainable for a lot more people with the growth of competitive new cruise liners.

In addition to better prices, cruise liners are also broadening their range of destinations. Typically limited to Caribbean Islands, cruise ships now visit Alaska, the Balkans and Europen destinations.

So for a truly memorable holiday experience, consider the range of cruise holidays now available, they may be cheaper, and more varied, than you thought.

Cheap holidays? Perhaps not in the the Balearics

Famed for its incendiary nightlife, Ibiza has become one of the most expensive and undiscovered of the Balearic Islands. If the superclubs are your thing expect to pay a premium for accomomdation in the thick of things, but if you are after a more serene getaway, Ibiza is something of a dark horse.

The fortified upper town of D'Alt Vila offers beautiful cobbled streets, Renaissance architecture and quirky accommodation, all within walking distance from the main nightlife hotspots.
So for leisurely daytimes and evenings to remember (of forget) head to Ibiza for a lot of everything.

For the best offers and exert advice on the best resorts for your preferred holiday, visit Travelcall Breaks for holiday packages and last minute airfare deals.

CheapTravel Deals to Berlin

One of Europe's greenest cities, Berlin has a lot more to offer than the depressed, austere image it gained through overuse in war films. Thoroughly modern and bohemian in equal parts, Berlin takes on a whole new character in the summer with music festivals, street carnivals and a bizarre beach volleyball World Champions tournament with imported sand.

With so much going on over the coming months, there is no better time to take advantage of Travelcall breaks' excellent weekend breaks offers; flights from Bristol and Luton start from just £105 for 2 nights with 3 star bed and breakfast included.

Short break in Barcelona makes a world of difference

Top ten city break entrant, Barcelona could be described as "all things to all people". From hedonistic partying, to Gothic architecture, via opulent shopping and epic Catalan cuisine, this astounding city could fill an entire year's worth of holiday, never mind a weekend break.

But if a short break is all you have time for, there are a multitude of great last minute holiday deals to this Spanish gem, just make sure you get yourself a good guide book before you go as you won't want to miss a thing.

Weekend breaks in Culture Capital nearer than you think

Recently crowned European Capital of Culture 2005, Cork is one of the most enchanting cities in Europe. The expected repertoire of welcoming pubs full of fiddle-playing locals and charming rolling countryside will be supplemented with a year long programme of events focusing on music, arts and literature.

There really is no better time to visit Cork, and with frequent flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds-Bradford, Manchester and Nottingham, there is really no excuse not to!

Travel search engines on the move

Online intelligence service Hitwise recently announced the market share of 4 major travel search engines have increased by 304% in the last 6month period.

Specific travel search engines, such as Kayak, have seen a staggering 6,000% rise in visitors from Oct 2004 to April 2005 whilst Farechase, Mobissimo and Cheapflights gained more modest increases of 659%, 350% and 56% respectively.

The ability of travel-meta search engines to find the lowest prices and has been credited for their blossoming popularity.

Weekend Breaks with a difference

The proliferation of cheap air tickets make weekend breaks a very appealing option for many holiday-goers. And the scope of destinations is growing by the day.

The new city break de rigueur is St Petersburg. Once considered an exotic, distant and strange city, St Petersburg is busy making itself available to more and more intrepid holidaymakers.

With its cultured historic background St Petersburg has managed to avoid the swarms of stag and hen parties overrunning more 'mainstream' European cities. So if it is serenity and the more gentile pursuits of opera and ballet that you are looking for, St Petersburg should definitely be top of your list.

Cheap travel deals not the only reason to go to Greece

As the summer holidays approach, the discerning traveller will be busy researching last minute airfare deals and cheap package holidays. Well the discerning traveller could do a lot worse than a cheap holiday to Greece. Combining Aegean beauty and magic with excellent flight deals, Greece has something to offer everyone.

Short city breaks - the ideal holiday?

More and more people are opting for city breaks and avoiding the hustle and bustle of the beach. We are recognising just how relaxing the big city can be, strolling around the cosmopolitan streets, stopping for a light lunch and perhaps a late afternoon aperitif before heading off for an evening people watching in a chic bar.... all sound too good to be true?

The recent explosion of city break deals reflects the shift in our holiday ideals. As work pressures increase, the lure of a two-hour flight on a Friday evening is a tempting alternative to the Saturday afternoon rush for Tenerife. Rather than being a hectic dash round the shops, a city break can offer a serene, cultural respite from everyday stress, and includes none of the inconvenience of suntan lotion, insect repellent and sand. Even better, you could be back at work on Monday morning!

City breaks

Family holidays in the skies?

As summer looms so does the horrifying prospect of the annual summer holiday flight. For the most of us, flying is little more than a mildly uncomfortable means to an end. Add two children under 6 to the equation and your stuffy three-hour flight becomes an epic battle of wills involving at least the surrounding five rows of passengers.

But whilst the logistics of air travel remain an unfortunate certainty (cramped seats and hot, bored children will never truly gel) there is the added insult of cost. The majority of airlines charge the same for a child passenger as an adult. Whilst there is some logic in this (children, in theory, take up a whole seat on a flight, even if they never sit in it) why do parents have to pay for the privilege of having a two year old on their knee for four hours?

There is little continuity in airline policy on child or other discounted travellers, even if the fare is reduced, the airport taxes and charges remain the same. The best approach to booking a family holiday is to ask around, there are some discounts out there, failing that, set up the paddling pool and pray for a sunny August.

Fare deals for families

A lot of hot air?

The maiden voyage of the A380 'monster jet' delighted investors and onlookers with its impressive size and quietness, but there may be more sinister problems lurking undetected.

As with all planes, the A380 generates turbulence in the air as it passes, the difference with the super jet is its extra 150 tonnes of weight. There is concern that the wake generated by the massive turbines could contain enough energy to rip roof tiles from houses and throw following planes off course, albeit very quietly.

Although Airbus insists its revolutionary design minimises wake vortex, further tests need to be conducted before the jets are entered into service.