Best travel deals for December 2019 including 7-nights in the Algarve for £72pp - The Sun

Posted: 15 Oct 2019 11:00 PM PDT

WINTER is upon us but it's not too late to book a last-minute trip for the festive season.

Although it's one of the busiest season for Brit holidaymakers, there's still time to bag a bargain holiday in December.

Discover Singapore and Kuala Lumpur this December thanks to this offer from Wowcher.Credit: Getty - Contributor

According to Skyscanner, in many destinations where temperatures are soaring, prices are actually dropping year on year.

Looking at the data findings, Christmas sun seekers should consider Phnom Penh in Cambodia where prices dropped by 15 per cent on average in December compared to last year.

For those looking for something a bit closer to home, Hurghada in Egypt is also offering great value during the festive season with prices down by 10 per cent on average compared to last year.

If you're not sure where to start, read on, as we've selected some of the best deals around to help you find your last-minute Christmas escape.

All our prices are based on two adults sharing a room for one-week in December.

Algarve

You can spend a week-long holiday in Portugal this December for less than £100 per personCredit: Alamy

From the sunny weather to the blue-flag beaches, the Algarve in southern Portugal is the perfect place for a quick fix of winter sun.

Temperatures on the Algarve are mild even in December and can be up to 17°C with a minimum of 10°C – which will make a change from the chilly UK.

This deal from LoveHolidays, costing just £72 per person, is based on two adults sharing an apartment at the three star Vilanova resort on a self catering basis, leaving London Stansted on December 2 or December 11.

Vilanova Resort has a mixture of villas and apartments, decorated in traditional Portuguese style, all with kitchen facilities, TV, fully-equipped bathrooms and a daily cleaning service for a relaxing stay.

Malta

Brits can head to Malta for a budget holiday with this deal for a week-long trip to Malta, staying in the four-star Paradise Bay Resort.

With four seawater pools and a private stretch of Blue Flag beach, this hotel near Mellieha, at the northern tip of Malta, is an ideal holiday location enjoying superb views.

Costing £110 per person, this deal is for flights leaving Exeter on December 7.

Afraid you might get cold? The temperatures on the island can drop to an average minimum of 11°C during the night, while the maximum temperature rises up to 18°C.

Cyprus

The Mediterranean island, located just south of Turkey, boasts year-round warm weather with highs of around 19ºC and six hours of sunshine in December - perfect if you're after some winter sun.

Check LoveHolidays, which is offering a week-long holiday at Panareti Coral Bay resort for £122 per person, with flights leaving on December 11 from Liverpool.

Set just a five-minute walk away from the picturesque beach at Coral Bay, and with two outdoor pools, a sauna, and free WiFi in public areas, you're guaranteed to love this peaceful four-star resort.

If you fancy a change of scene from Cyprus Bay beach, culture lovers can hop in a taxi to Paphos Town for a tour of Kato Paphos Archeological Park, and Paphos Castle.

Hurghada

A five-star, all-inclusive, week-long holiday to Hurghada in Egypt could be yours this winter from £234 per person, including flights and hotel.

The deal is with Teletext Holidays, departing on December 11 from London Gatwick.

Guests will stay at the Jasmine Palace Resort and Spa and as all food and drink is included, they won't need to spend much more at all once they are there.

The hotel offers private beach access and an outdoor pool, while all the rooms are equipped with air-conditioning and balconies.

Dubai

Just a seven hour flight away from the UK and with temperatures rarely dropping, Brits choosing Dubai for their winter beach holiday can bask in ten hours of sizzling sunshine every day.

With this deal from TravelSupermarket, you'll get to spend seven nights at the Citymax Bur Dubai for £439 per person.

Travelling from London Gatwick on December 9, the hotel features an outdoor pool and a fitness centre while all the rooms are equipped with free WiFi.

First time in Dubai? From desert adventures and gastronomic feasts to colourful spice markets, we share tips for your next winter break.

Phnom Penh

The Royal Palace serves as the King's official residence, but some section are open to the public for visitors to exploreCredit: Collect

Experience all that Cambodia has to offer with this deal from Expedia, costing £483 per person and leaving London Heathrow on December 1.

The capital Phnom Penh is the ideal place to dip into Khmer culture, explore the city's heritage and sample the local food.

You'll stay at the Lumiere Residence, which features an outdoor pool and fitness centre - perfect considering temperatures in December are as high as 30ºC.

Dining options at the hotel include a restaurant and guests can also unwind with a drink at the bar.

Singapore & Malaysia

Check the beautiful illuminate trees at Garden By the Bay in SingaporeCredit: Getty - Contributor

Discover Singapore and Malaysia in December thanks to this offer from Wowcher.

Costing £649 per person, this deal includes a week long holiday as well as return flights and transfers from all London airports and Manchester.

Guests will first spend three nights in Singapore at the four-star Furama Rivefront, ideally located to explore Singapore's city centre.

Each room hosts impressive views of the swimming pool and the stunning skyline and comes complete with private en-suite and WiFi.

Next up, you'll enjoy a scenic coach transfer all the way to Kuala Lumpur, where you'll stay at the Oakwood Hotel & Resident.

The rooms are fitted with WiFi, relaxing rain shower, designer toiletries and more - the perfect base for your time in this colourful city.

Looking for something more festive? The Sun has rounded up the best Christmas market destinations in the UK and further afield, which won't break the bank.

And if you've always dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights, read our guide of the budget winter holiday deals.

For those who need a weekend away from home to unwind, we've rounded up the European city breaks that offer the best combination of culture, great food and shopping, without the hefty price tag.

Prices were correct at the time of publication.

Don't dawdle: It's time to shop for Thanksgiving, Christmas flights - USA TODAY

Posted: 23 Sep 2019 12:00 AM PDT

With summer travel behind us it's time to start planning holiday getaways. And if you're trying to score a cheap Thanksgiving or Christmastime flight back home, listen up. Buzz60's Susana Victoria Perez has more. Buzz60

The turkey fixins and Christmas gifts can wait, but there's one holiday chore that shouldn't be put off much longer if your plans include travel: shopping for an airline ticket.

There are no magical dates for booking holiday flights or any flights, as prices change by the minute due to competition and other factors, but travel experts who comb through past holiday booking data and travel trends say there are dates to keep an eye on.

The best shopping window for Thanksgiving and Christmas flights began Sept. 25 for the best deals and availability and runs for a month, according to AAA, the national travel agency and automobile club.

Hopper, an airfare prediction and travel booking app, recommends booking any Thanksgiving or Christmas flights by Halloween for the best deals.

"You're in a sweet spot right now for the holidays,'' said Paula Twidale, vice president of travel for AAA.

Twidale isn't traveling for the holidays this year, but when she does, this is the time of year she's in "panic mode'' trying to solidify flights.

Wait too long, she said, and the choices dwindle.

"You are subject to not getting what you want ... and having to do multiple stops,'' she said.

Complicating matters this holiday travel season: the prolonged grounding of the Boeing 737 Max following two fatal crashes in five months.

Three of the four biggest U.S. carriers – American, United and Southwest – had the planes in their fleets when it was grounded by the FAA on March 13.

And they expected to have even more of the planes in their fleets by this time. Southwest had 34 Max 8s at the grounding and planned to have more than double that by the end of the year.

Bottom line: Southwest's seat capacity is down 8% as the holiday travel season approaches.

Fewer seats lead to a supply-demand imbalance and the potential for higher fares. Southwest Chief Financial Officer Tammy Romo said the airline has had to reduce some flights on peak holiday travel dates.

"You might want to make that (booking) decision earlier rather than later to protect yourself,'' Twidale said.

Southwest, American and United have already taken the plane out of their schedules over the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel season, and Southwest has taken it out until after the new year.

Boeing 737 Max fallout: How an 8 a.m. nonstop turned into an evening flight with a stop

Holiday travel booking tips

1. For Thanksgiving flights, you'll find the best deals on Monday, Nov. 25 and Thanksgiving Day, according to AAA and Hopper.

2. For Christmas flights, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the most affordable. The next best option, according to Hopper, Dec. 23.

3. When comparing airlines, don't forget to factor in baggage fees. Most major airlines charge $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second bag. Southwest allows two free checked bags, but its fares can be higher on many routes. Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant also charge for carry-on bags.

4. The lowest fares on American, Delta and United are called basic economy fares. Make sure you know the restrictions, which are detailed during booking. United doesn't allow basic economy ticket holders to bring a standard size carry-on. You have to check it for a fee.

5. Seat selection fees, a charge to pick an advance seat assignment, are prevalent on most airlines except Southwest, and they add up. Make sure you know what you're getting – or not getting – for your money. "Preferred" seats are simply ordinary seats airlines consider in high demand, such as window, middle and aisle seats near the front of the plane, while the pricier extra legroom seats come with extra legroom and, in some cases, other perks.

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Best travel deals for December 2019 including 7-nights in the Algarve for £72pp - The Sun