Seven holidays that are cheapest if you book now
From European rail holidays to cut price river cruises, these are the holidays that are best booked now. This article is updated each month with new suggestions and tours.
1. Autumn sunshine in the Canaries
When: September and October
Why book now? With temperatures peaking at around 26C, and with eight hours of sunshine daily, the Canary Islands are popular with those seeking reliable late-season sun. Book now before hotel and flight availability become scarce and prices start to rocket, particularly for half-term (October 21 or 22).
What to book: Rooms at luxury hotels in Lanzarote sell fast, but there’s currently good availability through Thomson Holidays at the five-star Princesa Yaiza suite hotel in Playa Blanca and at Costa Calero Thalasso and Spa in Puerto Calero, accessed via convenient weekend flights from London and regional airports. Thomas Cook offers a seven-night, all-inclusive stay at four-star Bahia Principe Costa Adeje in Tenerife from £862 per person, based on four sharing a junior suite, from Manchester on October 22.
2. A silk road adventure with Benedict Allen
When: September-October 2017 and April-May 2018
Why book now? Both departure dates for this popular 33-day itinerary, put together by Telegraph Tours, are selling out fast.
What to book: The first 11 days are spent in China and include a talk by Neil Connor, The Telegraph’s Beijing correspondent, as well as visits to the Great Wall and Xi’an, for the terracotta warriors. Days 12-17 are spent in Uzbekistan and include a talk from explorer and presenter Benedict Allen.
The last 13 days take you on a tour through Iran, including visits to Kashan, Shiraz and Tehran. The tour is operated by Wild Frontiers on behalf of Telegraph Travel and costs from £8,995 excluding international flights to Beijing and back from Tehran, but including all other travel on the itinerary, accommodation and 89 meals. For more information, see telegraph.co.uk/tt-silkroad or book on 03334 144730).
3. European holidays by rail
When: September
Why book now? With more of us opting to travel by train rather than face the hassle of airports, escorted and tailor-made tours to European destinations need planning well in advance, especially if you want to avoid the hottest summer months.
What to book:Great Rail Journeys (01904 521936) is offering a 10-day Italian Lakes tour from St Pancras starting at £1,695 per person, with a seven-night stay in the waterside resort of Sirmione on Lake Garda and excursions to Verona and Venice. Spaces are already limited for departures in early September. More rail holidays are available through Expressions Holidays (01392 441245), which has launched a new programme of iconic Swiss rail itineraries. Also try Travelsphere (01858 897923), which organises competitively priced itineraries to the South of France, Austria and Switzerland.
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4. Cut-price offers on river cruises
When: 2018
Why book now? If you know when you want to travel in 2018, this is a great time of year to take advantage of early booking discounts and value-added deals which big river cruise companies are offering on next year’s peak-time European river cruises.
What to book: Scenic (0161 236 2444) is offering 2018 cruises at 2017 prices for bookings made before April 28, with prices set to increase after this date. Avalon Cruises (0800 668 1802) is waiving its mileage restriction (usually 100 miles maximum) on its private, home pick-up service for a complimentary chauffeured transfer to the closest departure airport on 2018 bookings which are made by April 28 2017. Viking River Cruises (0800 319 6660) is offering a discount of £1,000 per person on its 2018 river cruises for bookings made by the end of June.
5. Big houses for Christmas
When: December 2017
Why book now? A large self-catering house in Britain can be a perfect solution for a big gathering of family or friends over the festive season. However, the pick of the crop will have sold out a year or more in advance, so beat the next wave of bookings to have a chance of securing a special place for a memorable celebration.
What to book:The Landmark Trust (01628 825925) has plenty of roomy, atmospheric houses, but these are selling fast. Still available is The Grange in Ramsgate, the Grade I-listed home of 19th-century architect Augustus Pugin, sleeping up to eight at £2,958 for seven nights starting December 22. Also consider Gargunnock House near Stirling, Scotland, sleeping 16 at £4,576. More options through National Trust Holidays (0344 800 2070) and Unique Homes Stays (01637 881183).
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6. Winter flights with no-frills airlines
When: October to April 2018
Why book now? Snap up your flights now for the lowest fares and best availability to European ski destinations and cities over the coming winter period.
What to book:EasyJet has recently opened its flight booking window for winter 2017/18, for departures between the end of October and February 4 2018, including the Christmas and New Year periods. For bookings further ahead in 2018, look out for its next opening of flight schedules which will cover the period February 5-March 25 2018. These are due to be released at the end of this month.
Jet2 has introduced new winter routes from Stansted and Birmingham, including flights to Geneva and Grenoble, with bookings now available until April 2018. Booking schedules flying with Ryanair are currently running until March 2018.
7. Active summer weeks for families
When: July and August
Why book now? Availability for small-group family tours in peak summer is dwindling fast. These high-octane breaks organised by activity and adventure companies are a great way to join like-minded families with similar-aged children. Itineraries are carefully planned and at this time of year travel is mostly to Europe’s coast and mountains.
What to book: An eight-day family trip to the Amalfi coast offered by Exodus (020 3733 8306) is sold out for late July and late August, but there is availability on the August 5 departure. Prices start at £1,349 adult, £1,214 child, staying in family-friendly hotels for an active week including excursions to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius. Availability is tight, but there are still places on the July 30 and August 20 departures of an eight-day family activity week in Tuscany offered by Explore (01252 883993). Prices start at £1,339 adult, £1,159 child.
Staying in a rural agriturismo in the Garfagnana valley, guests can try activities such as trekking, cycling and canyoning, and there are optional excursions to Lucca and Pisa. Other family activity operators offering exciting summer breaks include The Family Adventure Company (0808 252 5994) and Families Worldwide (01962 302062).
