Latest posts for the topic "Are we booked up?"

Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:36:16 GMT

Hey people, just tryin to get a little convo on who'se going where and when? :)

I've yet to book up with some of my friends, but we're looking to get away in January - a DIY holiday :)

Anybody else doing some DIY this season?

Enjoy!

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:57:21 GMT

We pretty much always DIY. Off to Les Houches on 2nd January :D

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:50 GMT

For the last 2 years (all the times i've been skiing) we've done DIY without really looking for package holidays.. however, I seen an advertisement in a newspaper not so long ago 'Ski Italy, transfers, flights, accomodation for GBP429' or so it was.. didn't sound too bad, but of course i didn't look any further into it.
Still, I cannot wait until we're booked up so then it becomes official. Not long before you get going, hope you have a great time!

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:12:44 GMT

We usually go DIY unless it is across to North America, but this year a TCO managed to have an offer at the time we were looking to book our main trip, and it worked out the same cost as DIY, except it also included half-board and the use of the resort reps. So we are off to Soldeu, in Andorra on the last weekend of Jan.

That will be a Family orientated trip. The "boys" will then try to do two more trips subject to work etc. and we will sort those DIY as last minute jobs.

If we do Europe, we either drive or go by train, so it is very easy to DIY. Some of the resort agencies offer very good deals. Two seasons ago, I managed to get an appartment in Val D'Isere during February, sleeping up to 7 people, just by the Ice Rink, for a total of 650 Euros. I thought that was very good value for a prime location, excellent appartment. We even had a patio area :D

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:23:03 GMT

Pretty lucky that time eh! Great stuff.
Skiing in America and Canada are goals of mine I wish to achieve but not until a later time.. For one I can't powder ski well enough to take advantage of the areas they offer and two, I don't have that kind of money! Student life and all that.
Very nice appartment considering the price you did pay, like you said!

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:27:32 GMT

I've got 3 hols booked, two DIY and one TO. I have done both in the past and I will say that TO hoildays are far less stressfull and because there are so many good deals about at the moment it seems to be the cheaper option. Especially if you get lift passes included and or you are choosing a resort with long/akward transfers.

I'm off on the 26th... :D :D :D

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:30:39 GMT

3! Excellent!! Needless to say i'm jealous.
That's great though, hope you enjoy them all - I'll be keeping an eye out for decent package holidays just incase - Might work out cheaper if not the same price for less hastle in the end.

I think we're trying to book for the 23rd to suit everyone who'se going in terms of time off work etc.

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:33:05 GMT

baillie353 wrote:3! Excellent!! Needless to say i'm jealous.
That's great though, hope you enjoy them all - I'll be keeping an eye out for decent package holidays just incase - Might work out cheaper if not the same price for less hastle in the end.

I think we're trying to book for the 23rd to suit everyone who'se going in terms of time off work etc.

Where are you going?

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:38:20 GMT

Absolutly no idea :D haha
We've just been keeping an eye out for where's going to be cheapest really - Not so dirt cheap that the holiday is rendered rubbish, but most likely somewhere in France :)

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:46:19 GMT

We're off to Saalbach in Jan.
Hopefully a last minute cheap and cheerful bargain early Feb, no idea where.
We had been looking into a DIY holiday in March, (Austria or maybe Switzerland for the first time), but I have not been able to find cheap enough accomadation.

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:52:00 GMT

Just out of interest, has anyone ever looked around, randomly found a pretty cheap deal that's booked to leave say, in the next week or two and taken it?
If so, how did that plan out for you and what was the estimate on the booking? :) I'd love to look around for a last minute deal in Feb to get away twice this year, just want an idea of what i'd be looking for

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:16:35 GMT

baillie353 wrote:Just out of interest, has anyone ever looked around, randomly found a pretty cheap deal that's booked to leave say, in the next week or two and taken it?
If so, how did that plan out for you and what was the estimate on the booking? :) I'd love to look around for a last minute deal in Feb to get away twice this year, just want an idea of what i'd be looking for

Yes, I have done and will do so again.

I have even arranged a trip on the Thursday for four of us to leave on a Eurostar on the Friday evening. My Ski gear is always kept pretty much ready to go, so a quick pack and I can leave. Usually I am OK with work to go on short notice, and my brother and the other guy I go with mainly, both run their own businesses so they will be aware I am looking for trips, and will let me know in advance when they cannot go.

In terms of savings, I think my best ever was to get a Mark Warner holiday at about 50% of the brochure price, including the massive loading for me being a single occupant in a room. I did that less than two weeks before the trip, and joined my Sister, her husband and some of their friends (they had young children with them, hence the Mark Warner) in Tignes.

Frankly, if you are not worried too much about going to a specific resort, then I think booking last minute can be excellent value for money.

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:01 GMT

Interesting. It's certainly something I have to try at some point, when I have the chance to!
It's quite a bummer that in my work I have to give 2 weeks notice to get away, but shift covers are always possible if the deal really is that good.
For now though i'll just need to sit back and wait it out for January to come and we're off doing what we all love :D

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:32:34 GMT

kateshaw wrote:We pretty much always DIY. Off to Les Houches on 2nd January :D

We like Les houches but we will be coming home on the 1st :cry:

Re:Are we booked up?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:32:21 GMT

baillie353 wrote:Just out of interest, has anyone ever looked around, randomly found a pretty cheap deal that's booked to leave say, in the next week or two and taken it?
If so, how did that plan out for you and what was the estimate on the booking? :) I'd love to look around for a last minute deal in Feb to get away twice this year, just want an idea of what i'd be looking for

Yep. I week in Sauze d'Oulx half board, flying from Manchester with BMI, transfers, hotel. GBP129 in March 2007.
Booked on the Wednesday, went on the Sunday.

1 week in Verbier catered chalet, flying from LGW with Monarch, transfers, fully catered board in a chalet sleeping 10. GBP260 in April 2008.
Booked 2 weeks in advance.

1 week in Mayrhofen B&B, flying from LGW with Monarch, transfers, 3 star hotel, GBP159 in Feb 2007. Booked it a month in advance.

None of these were planned, and the places I went to were not somewhere I looked to go to particularly, but the deals were good enough to take them. All 3 were excellent holidays, and massive bargains.

If you are looking for something cheap and cheerful, have a look at www.rocketski.com at their deals page. I think you can currently get a week in France Half Board for around GBP250. I went with them to Serre Chevalier and the ski area is amazingly good. If you are a student, their clubhotels will be perfect for you.

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:08:39 GMT

The only holiday is a DIY holiday 8)

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:56:11 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:The only holiday is a DIY holiday 8)

Nonsense

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:08:35 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:The only holiday is a DIY holiday 8)

Nonsense

Don't knock it till you have tried it :lol:

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:09:37 GMT

Hmm, DIY can be worth the effort sometimes, but if you have the ability and freedom to book a last minute and disappear in the next couple of days.. of course, booking package holidays last minute is probably anyones best bet.
Nothin in life is simple it seems :p but hey, it's damn worth it however, where-ever, whenever you're up in those slopes.

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:00:55 GMT

I am doing a DIY ski holiday, 7 of us are going on the 10th Jan to La Plange for 5 days

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:02:32 GMT

broom wrote:I am doing a DIY ski holiday, 7 of us are going on the 10th Jan to La Plange for 5 days

Excellent! Hope you have a great time, never been to La Plange but I have heard it's a good resort :)

What kind of price are you looking at for booking that DIY just now and how many of you are going, if you don't mind me asking?

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:13:49 GMT

4 of us DIY Les Menuires New Year week

Appartment = GBP110pp
Travel = GBP125pp (Icluding transfer)
3V lift pass = GBP208pp

Total = GBP443

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:15:48 GMT

I am flying easy jet from liverpool at GBP60 return and got a 5* accommodation for 800 euros for 8 so divide that in 7 as it is 7 of us going, i think its the cheapest and I can choose the dates and accommodation, most package holidays you have to go on saturday for 7 days

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:16:06 GMT

That's excellent considering the week you're away!
I'm really hoping to get booked up soon, cannot wait :D

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:18:15 GMT

i can asure you DIY is much better, once you know the dates, you book the flights to Geneva, than you can decide which resort you want to go

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:20:45 GMT

If you can hang on some great last minute breaks rear their heads eg today with Inghams if anyone wanted to spend Xmas at Nendaz, Switzerland, leaving from Manchester or Birmingham on the 19th December, 2 star apartment allocated on arrival GBP99 for flights, tfr and apartment ...

DEAL OF THE DAY - Nendaz, Switzerland this weekend - fr only GBP99
Departure Date Airport Resort Hotel Board Rating Duration Price fr

19th December
Manchester, B'Ham Nendaz Apartments allocated on arrival Self Catering
min 2*
7 nights GBP99

For that money worth the risk ... !

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:06:23 GMT

Jenno wrote:If you can hang on some great last minute breaks rear their heads eg today with Inghams if anyone wanted to spend Xmas at Nendaz, Switzerland, leaving from Manchester or Birmingham on the 19th December, 2 star apartment allocated on arrival GBP99 for flights, tfr and apartment ...

DEAL OF THE DAY - Nendaz, Switzerland this weekend - fr only GBP99
Departure Date Airport Resort Hotel Board Rating Duration Price fr

19th December
Manchester, B'Ham Nendaz Apartments allocated on arrival Self Catering
min 2*
7 nights GBP99

For that money worth the risk ... !

Wow, that is amazing. I'd take unpaid leave to take that trip.

Re:Are we booked up?

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:41:26 GMT

If your happy to have people sleeping in the lounge if of course there is one a package is fine, me I like a spot of space 8)

Re:Are we booked up?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:31:22 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:If your happy to have people sleeping in the lounge if of course there is one a package is fine, me I like a spot of space 8)

Dost tha mean tha "needs" a lot o space, lad?

Re:Are we booked up?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:16:21 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:If your happy to have people sleeping in the lounge if of course there is one a package is fine, me I like a spot of space 8)

Dost tha mean tha "needs" a lot o space, lad?

Yep :lol:

Re:Are we booked up?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:35:29 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:If your happy to have people sleeping in the lounge if of course there is one a package is fine, me I like a spot of space 8)

For GBP99 I could not give a s***.
However, my normal package trips do not involve rabbit hutch French style accommodation, and we are used to large Austrian rooms with balconys or a chalet to realx in.
Ian - GBP99.....its only a bed for the night :roll:

Re:Are we booked up?

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:06:44 GMT

Eggman wrote:

kateshaw wrote:We pretty much always DIY. Off to Les Houches on 2nd January :D

We like Les houches but we will be coming home on the 1st :cry:

Aw shame! Where are you staying? We're going for a chalet for the first time ever because it was such a bargain week! Staying at Maison Jaune

Have fun!

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:35:08 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:If your happy to have people sleeping in the lounge if of course there is one a package is fine, me I like a spot of space 8)

For GBP99 I could not give a s***.
However, my normal package trips do not involve rabbit hutch French style accommodation, and we are used to large Austrian rooms with balconys or a chalet to realx in.
Ian - GBP99.....its only a bed for the night :roll:

Not for me old boy 8)

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:24:18 GMT

Im off for two weeks tom to three valles with TO.
Off to Itally on the 9th which will be Accomadation TO but make our own way out.
End of Jan probabaly France last min and big group so definatly TO.
Early Feb TO.
March on a course but travel and hotel ill book indipendent, have an apartment booked end march that i found on Ebay a few years ago and have used a few times for GBP250 booked up but not sure if ill have holiday to use it and then a last blast beg of April which is always last min and independently booked.

I look for voucher codes online for P&O which halfs the ferry cost normally and then i pick 2 or three lots of accomadation and then book last min with whoever will give the best price.

Never paid more than GBP550 for a week when doing it indipendent and thats all in lift pass as well.

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:18:20 GMT

I believe I detect a little DIY snobbery :lol:

Seriously though, we do both. Before we had the boys mr-a and I had never done a package and then we became a family and discovered Mark Warner! Not having to worry about where you're going when you get off a plane with lots of luggage and two children in tow is a joy but I also like organising everything myself and love an adventure.

So, in my opinion, DIY or package is not the difference between a good or bad holiday. Maybe price can be a factor but, by the sounds of it, not necessarily.

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:58:54 GMT

Going DIY to la plagne on the 26th, ended up around 650 each. Can't wait

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:23:50 GMT

we're paying GBP430pp for a catered chalet in Arabba in March with Neilson which I think's pretty darn good.
I won't tell you how much we're paying for Obergurgl at new year :shock:. It was my 40th birthday present though so justified in my opinion :mrgreen:

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:29:33 GMT

caron-a wrote:we're paying GBP430pp for a catered chalet in Arabba in March with Neilson which I think's pretty darn good.
I won't tell you how much we're paying for Obergurgl at new year :shock:. It was my 40th birthday present though so justified in my opinion :mrgreen:

Thats a brilliant price for Arabba, and when you take into account thats all in (except lift passes) including food and drink in the evening, I have no idea why people still think DIY is the cheapest and best way of going. Ok, to go somewhere a little off the beaten track it may well be, and I would happily do it myself, but people baulking at Nendaz for GBP99 a week over Christmas smacks of a mental illness, not snobbery!!!!

I would imagine you are paying well over 4 figures each for Obergurgl at New Year. You'd best enjoy it! That is a different scenario altogether, and whilst you will undoubtedly have a fantastic time, I'd never pay anywhere near those prices for a weeks skiing when I know I could have exactly the same holiday for under 1/3 of the price, with a tour op!

Amyway, I do believe this has been discussed at length before tour op v DIY and both ways have their advantages and suit individuals, and also depend where and when you want to go. I just hope that everyone who has trips planned this season has an amazing time, because we all so look forward to these ski holidays and our time on the slopes is soooooooo limited that its important we make the most of it and are thankful to be able to do it all.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:44:42 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Amyway, I do believe this has been discussed at length before tour op v DIY and both ways have their advantages and suit individuals, and also depend where and when you want to go. I just hope that everyone who has trips planned this season has an amazing time, because we all so look forward to these ski holidays and our time on the slopes is soooooooo limited that its important we make the most of it and are thankful to be able to do it all.

Happy Holidays, everyone.

I agree whole heartedly. :thumbup:

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:38:23 GMT

I don't like TO's they always seem to let you down, I might consider a chalet package if my party took over the whole chalet, the people who have met me I think know I'm no snob, but I am selective who I
spend my important holiday time with, I really don't suffer fools, so spending a week in mixed company could be a bit of a pain for the other people staying. :lol:

Re:Are we booked up?

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:46:20 GMT

Do I sense that you are softening, Ian? :shock:

Re:Are we booked up?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:04:03 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Do I sense that you are softening, Ian? :shock:

Having met him, I dont think he needs to soften.

Re:Are we booked up?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:12:26 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:Do I sense that you are softening, Ian? :shock:

You and I know that I am not, as as stated before "it would be a terribly boring place if we liked the thing " 8)

Re:Are we booked up?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:17:46 GMT

As a matter of interest, all the delays etc for flights, ferry's and eurotunnel. Does your travel insurance cover all these delays?