Travel expert Simon Calder has revealed the best places to find the cheapest deals for holidays while explaining why many holidaymakers should expect it to be more expensive in the New Year.
Appearing on this morning's episode of BBC Breakfast, the travel journalist highlighted a handful of holiday destinations in both Western and Eastern Europe which may offer the best value for money this year. He also noted some less popular holiday destinations which are providing great value for travellers.
However, Simon also warned of spending more money than is necessary on a holiday when booking in January due to the expected influx of bookings made following the festive period.
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When asked which destinations offer the best deals for holidaymakers, Simon said: "If you are simply looking for the places where your pound will stretch the furthest when you get there, well in Western Europe it has to be Portugal. In Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, obviously very popular package holiday destination and I stress that package holidays are definitely the way to go in terms of consumer protection.
"But, interestingly, EasyJet Holidays are telling me that Albania and Montenegro are doing very well, very popular, very low cost. And also North Macedonia is going to be on the holiday map from May because rival company TUI is putting on flights from Manchester and Gatwick to Lake Ohrid...not proper sea but extraordinarily good value."
Simon also revealed why holiday deals are more expensive for travellers during January. He explained that January is traditionally the month of the year when a high amount of holiday bookings are made.
He added that while holiday companies will prop up good deals around this time of year, "it is the final cost of the package which is important" so holidaymakers should compare deals. He also advises that a "good, human travel agent will be very good at that for you".
Simon also noted that while the "demand" for holidays "has returned in extraordinary numbers", the supply of available aircraft seats has not.
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