What is your Favourite way to Book

[tonyco1]

What is the most popular or best value way to have a holiday in San Stefanos? - you choose!
NOTE: For Thomsons - include the other TUi members - i.e PORTLAND, DIRECT Etc.

[don]

We look for the best deal and surprisingly independent booking works out best 99% of the time. Then again we'd rather our money go to locals than some big German company -Tui or Cook!

[Lesley]

Just for info, Corfu Selections dosn't book your holiday as such - they are putting you in touch with owners in the area so act as the go between, as many of the owners do not have their own websites for independant travellers to find them.  The website has been set up to help promote the small hoteliers and other businesses with their hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars and other services. If you find something you would like to book on the website then they go to the owners of the apartments who otherwise may remain undiscovered as many do not have their own websites or the technology to do this.  If you contact corfuselections they will then contact the owner on your behalf for availability and prices and then you arrange payment directly with the owner thus helping all small businesses in the areas they feature on the website. Bascially it is a advertising/marketing website supporting local businesses and hopefully then helping the local comminuty during the holidy season as well as giving the independant traveller a real choice which may otherwise go undiscovered. You can link into www.corfuselections.com for further info.

[tonyco1]

Thanks for that info Lesley.
Good information!!

I also agree with Don, I would always rather book locally, we have done so many times over the years.
but it usually depends on the flight prices when I want to go.
Last year we went independent, as I had  good flight prices, & best overall deal!!
This year it's with Thomson's as I have to go with the best deal, (Give or take a bit)!
that usually depends on flight prices - (the deal maker/breaker), transfers, Accommodation Total.
But  - I don't like the big companies and their poor customer service if things go wrong!

[YANNIS26]

I have always booked with Thomson in the past.Next year I will be booking direct because the Romanza has a number of rooms available for direct booking.
Based on this years prices it would cost me 383 pounds for the hotel /2weeks. This would leave me 617 pounds to pay for two Jet2 flight from Leeds plus transfers.If I get in early for the flight I believe both the Romanza and I could make a profit.The main reason is the money should go to the local economy and not some faceless multinational.
Yammas
Yannis

[Jules]

If Teresa did independant that would be our choice but as they don't we have to choose Portland (TUI)

[Mikee]

I have always booked with Thomson in the past.Next year I will be booking direct because the Romanza has a number of rooms available for direct booking.
Based on this years prices it would cost me 383 pounds for the hotel /2weeks. This would leave me 617 pounds to pay for two Jet2 flight from Leeds plus transfers.If I get in early for the flight I believe both the Romanza and I could make a profit.The main reason is the money should go to the local economy and not some faceless multinational.
Yammas
Yannis

When I tried booking the Romanza direct they didn't have any rooms, in future I will try way in advance
and Easyjet are so much cheaper when the flights first come out some 7 - 9 months before departure.

In this instance Portland were cheaper for me, by some £160 compared to the exact SAME holiday thru Thomsons 

[Mikee]

Just looked again at Portland and Thomson for the same 2 weeks I have just booked

Thomson are asking approx £270 MORE for the exact same holiday .. WHY?? 

[tonyco1]

This is standard practice with the big boys!
First in any accomodation, they cover their costs with an early better deals.
Once target for Teresa's is reached and if other Apt's below their Target,
they pump up the price to encourage  people to book elasewhere.
Then to keep sales up - A special cost cutting sale - i.e. £100 per couple off this weekend, (still a little dearer than before)
is run every now and again!!
Sound familiar??   

Thomson's are past masters of this financial manipulation.                     

[YANNIS26]

I have checked Portland today and you can have 2 weeks mid June from a number of northern airports at Romanza B/B orTeresa B/B for 370/380 pounds per head.These prices make it very difficult for the independents to compete.Bookings must be well down. I have never known prices at this time of year beat the early booking price in these two hotels.
Yammas
Yannis

[tonyco1]

That is a very good deal!!
I must check against Gatwick later today!

[Mikee]

Yannis is on the ball Tony .. check it out ..

http://www.portlandholidays.co.uk/default.asp?&SOURCE=goog&referrer=google&ito=2152&itc=64

Around £730 mid june from Gatwick for 2 people .. good price

[Mikee]

This is standard practice with the big boys!
First in any accomodation, they cover their costs with an early better deals.
Once target for Teresa's is reached and if other Apt's below their Target,
they pump up the price to encourage  people to book elasewhere.
Then to keep sales up - A special cost cutting sale - i.e. £100 per couple off this weekend, (still a little dearer than before)
is run every now and again!!
Sound familiar??  

Thomson's are past masters of this financial manipulation.                    

I see what you are saying BUT Portland and Thomson are both part of TUI .. why so much a price difference between them ?

[tonyco1]

They often do this - Thomson can't reduce too much in case of buckets of complaints from buyers of their super-sale!!
So - - Portland shift some out cheaper - direct Holidays also part of group and do some good deals as well.
Not so honest, but hey! that's marketing for you!!

[Mikee]

The holiday I booked to SS (staying in Romanza end of june for 2 weeks) at £920 has just dropped to £860 with Portland