Ryanair adds holiday homes to its low-price stall

THEIR catchcall is ‘cheap’ and now Europe’s number one low-fares airline is hoping to corner the bargain basement of holiday accommodation.

Ryanair yesterday announced a new deal to provide holidaymakers with a choice of self-catering cottages in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France.

A week in the Lake District in a 17th-century farmhouse in Windemere will set you back just 599 during August peak season, while a winter break in the same location comes in at just 331.

For those who fancy a peak-season week of gourmet food and wine in Provence, eight can bunk into a large house with private swimming pool at a cost of just under 2,000.

If a highland fling sounds more your thing, then a cottage in Glencoe in the Scottish highlands is up for grabs. With sleeping room for six, it’s a snip at 543 during August.

Closer to home, for the extended family, a large B&B in Carna, Co Galway, offers 14 ensuite bedrooms for a party of 28. The cost: 3,789 peak season or 1,617 during the winter.

All in all, there are more than 4,000 cottages to choose from.

Ryanair.com’s commercial director, Conal Henry, said prices start at 49 per person per week and that some of the accommodation allows owners to bring their pets.

“Self-catering cottage holidays offer Ryanair passengers total flexibility on their holiday. We take care of getting the cottage set up, giving travellers the freedom to tailor their own break. We’ll prepare the accommodation, give them directions how to get there, plus a guide to events and places of interest. And the owner or key-holder will always be close at hand if you need any help or advice.”

To book, visit www.ryanair.com and click on the “Holiday Cottages” link on the home page.