Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Algarve on a Budget


Perfect for beach breaks, the Algarve is the ultimate place to chill out and relax. It’s got a beach for every occasion - family-friendly bays with safe shallow shores, secluded coves, and long stretches of sand that were simply made for sunbathing.

Although not to everyone’s taste, if you want to save money on your holiday to the Algarve, one of the best ways to do this is to book an all inclusive style hotel. Not only will your breakfast, lunch and dinner be provided as part of the cost - often served as a buffet to offer the best choice - you will also have snacks and drinks included too, which makes Portugal all inclusive holidays a sensible option that’s bound to save you a small fortune.

It may be more expensive at the time of booking but there are several ways around this. Book early and look for discounted upgrades to all inclusive, and shop around between tour operators (as well as direct with the hotels) to see if you can get it cheaper anywhere else. It may take some searching but it’s usually worth the effort. Or, consider a late deal and save a significant chunk off the whole cost of your holiday by booking as close to the departure date as possible.

Take Thomas Cook for instance. As one of the most well-known and long-established tour operators in the UK market, they certainly know how it’s done and you’ll find plenty of bargain Thomas Cook holidays on offer across the full package spectrum.

Or for an entirely different experience, book a scheduled flight and find your own self-catering apartment away from the main tourist hotspots. Shop in the local markets or grocery shops and cook your own meals - it’s a great way of saving money on eating out plus you get to experience a side of Portugal that many visitors bypass completely.