It’s all very well finding a cheap package holiday online to a sunny destination but you must take care that at the very least it carries some guarantee of quality. When it comes to scouting the internet for that amazingly low cost getaway make sure you choose a travel agent that at the very least is a member of ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents. ABTA is a regulatory body for British Travel Agents which protects the customer regarding the holiday they have booked.

There are so many stories to be heard about flights being overbooked or cancelled and families being left stranded or hotel of such poor quality that people have had to desperately search for alternative accommodation. The end result is that the holiday not only becomes an expensive one but also one of a nightmare.

When it comes to booking a holiday online there are several things you can do to ensure your holiday will be of value. Firstly check that the travel site you are visiting is reputable and is a member of ABTA. Read as many reviews as you can and where possible, use a website that you know either friends or family have successfully booked with. Check that the hotels and itinerary listed are genuine by doing some further online research and look for photographs and a contact address.

Although cheap holiday offers may look tempting in writing they can be misleading and very disappointing. Saving money by finding a good deal is supposed to be just that so to guarantee you have the minimum in standard do your research beforehand, otherwise you will literally get what you pay for.

Over the years flying to Europe has become much cheaper with the amount of budget flight companies offering no frills cheap tickets. There are literally hundreds of travel sites online to choose from each offering fantastic deals on most European destinations.

Flights to all major European capital cities are daily and the further in advance you book the higher the discount you receive. The only downside to a no frills budget flight is that there is usually no onboard meal and refreshments are limited to light beverages. In addition most cheap airlines tend to have early morning or late night flying times but this is well worth it if it means you can travel for literally half the price.

The new trend of cheap budget flights has in some respects changed the way people are now booking their holidays. Instead of buying a package deal, that is to say flights plus accommodation, it has become increasingly more popular to go the independent route. The overall costs of a holiday can be considerably reduced and this in itself can permit you to take a second holiday later on in the year.

Flights to Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and Amsterdam can be found online for as little as £50 return in low season. As a result of the frequent flights to most European cities, the cost of accommodation has also been reduced in an attempt to increase tourism and encourage people to spend their money by actually booking a holiday.

More and more families are turning to caravanning as a holiday option as a result of the financial stress brought about by the economic crisis. Caravanning in France has become a growing trend that is proving to be extremely popular amongst the Brits. By choosing a caravanning holiday you can literally cut down on the overall costs of the holiday whether you have your own caravan in tow and drive across or fly out to France and rent out a caravan on arrival.

There are over 12,000 campsites scattered across France with the majority offering some form of onsite facilities. Before taking the plunge it is always a good idea to ask yourself what type of facilities you require i.e. entertainment for the kids such as a swimming pool or play area, sporting activities, restaurants and even access to a beach.

How you choose to plan your holiday is entirely a personal choice. You can either drive across to France in your own car and plan out several stop off points along the way or have your trip arranged for you and rent a caravan already onsite. Either way, you still have to be well prepared and a caravanning holiday in some respects can be similar to that of camping. If you are going it alone and bringing your own equipment you must make sure you have all the necessary utensils that will function in France such as electric appliances. If you intend to rent you must check that they basic essentials are included. If you are travelling with a small child check beforehand that the caravan park you have chosen is adapted for children and that you can hire a cot or car seat if necessary.

Paris is said to be the romantic capital of the world and is up there as one of the most beautiful. Rich in architecture Paris boasts some of the most amazing monuments in the world. Renowned for its style and elegance Paris never disappoints and these days you can travel there at a reasonably cheap price.

Flying to Paris from the UK takes approximately 50 minutes and there are daily flights from all major UK airports to both Charles de Gaulle and Orly. In addition to flying you can take the Eurostar which is proving to be a popular form of travelling into the heart of France. The journey from London takes just 2 hours 15 minutes and takes you direct into Gare du Nord, the major train station in the centre of Paris.

Upon arrival you can continue to your hotel by either metro or taxi or if you’re in the mood to shop, make your way to the Champs Elysees. Attractions are one thing you will not be short of as there are so many museums, art galleries, parks, theatres and shops to indulge in. Restaurants, bistros and bars are also in abundance and you can sit back and relax from a terrace along the river Seine and watch the world go by in true Parisian style.

Accommodation is of a high standard and you will find that even hotels rated with just 2 stars offer far better quality than the average 2 star elsewhere. Although Paris is considered to be expensive you can pick up some fantastic deals online. Return flights can cost as little at £50 and throughout the year there are great offers over Christmas and Valentines that are well worth looking out for.

Spain has always been a favourite holiday destination and this dates back to the time when passenger flights became more affordable and well as available. There are so many fantastic locations to choose from within the Spanish mainland and reaching out to the many islands.

Whether you are looking for a two week relaxing holiday in the sun there are resort towns in abundance, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella to name a few. But if it’s a mini break or a weekend getaway you are after you can choose from some of the amazing cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao or Granada. You have the choice to go skiing down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, hiking in the Pyrenees or enjoy the folkloric cultural experience such as Flamenco in Seville and the bullfights of Pamplona. Camping is also another option and you will find some of the best campsites in Europe dotted in and around the Spanish regions.

Although the currency of Spain is now the Euro you can still get a pretty good run for your money as the cost of eating out is still far cheaper than in the UK. Restaurants and bars are in abundance since Spain is a social culture when family and conversation matter. Despite the language barrier you will find that English is widely spoken especially along the coastal areas. Tourism is the largest business in Spain and the Spanish aim to please.

These days booking a holiday to Spain couldn’t be easier and there are hundreds of travel sites online offering some great deals. You can book your holiday requirements altogether from the same site or shop around to get either accommodation or flights at a cheaper rate. All in all travelling to Spain doesn’t have to be expensive but the option is there however if you choose to go 5 star.

One of the beauties of travelling in and around Europe is the vast amount of different cultures you will come across. Europe is without doubt the richest continent of them all when it comes to languages, architecture, cuisine and scenery.

Some of the most popular European locations include the coasts of Spain, Southern France, the Suisse Alps, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey and Portugal. Of course one of the most important ingredients for a holiday amongst the Brits is that of Sunshine and there are many fantastic countries in Europe which offer this pretty much all year round.

Travelling to the various locations in Europe couldn’t be easier. For UK travellers there are cheap flights in abundance which depart from all the major airports on a daily basis. In addition, the Euro tunnel has opened up the possibility to travel across the Channel on a high speed train. Ferries are also a popular option particularly when travelling to mainland Europe by car or coach.

As far as accommodation is concerned there are again plenty of options. The most popular choice continues to be a hotel but this is also dependent on the type of holiday you are planning to do. Campsites are literally dotted across Europe as well as caravan parks. But there are also guest houses, villas, cottages, apartments and chalets for those who prefer to go self catering or plan to stay for an extended period of time.

Choosing where to go in Europe can be something of a dilemma as the choice of country as well as city is quite extensive. With so many online travel agencies you are sure to find something that both appeals and is within your financial budget.