Deals for early birds

WITH this summer just over, the holiday companies are already plan to grab next summer’s disposable income.

The latest brochure is Budget Travel’s “sneak preview”, which tempts families to put down an early marker.

Budget promises thousands of free child places in selected properties and will accept just €99 booking deposit for a family of four. The company also offers a no fuel surcharge guarantee on preview bookings made until December 31.

The preview brochure profiles a selection of popular Mediterranean destinations throughout Spain, the Balearics, Canaries, the Algarve, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria and Malta as well as new destination Sharm El Sheikh, on the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt.

As well as a host of destinations served from Dublin, Budget offers 10 options from Cork and seven from Shannon.

Holidays can be booked through Budget Travel’s website www.budgettravel.ie; Budget Travelshop’s 43 branches nationwide, or by booking direct on 01-631 1111 (open 7 days).

PROOF that early offers are snapped up come from Direct Holidays, who say up to 20% of the company’s total bookings can be made in the first few weeks after launch. The company’s MD Rick Green said: “It is a myth that customers who book late always save money. We have a week in Majorca next summer for a family of four for less than €920. Those booking early can secure daytime flights and avoid upsetting the routine of young children,” he said.

The company’s year-round sun brochure is still available and features 20 destinations served from Dublin and Cork from November to October of next year.

Call 1850 400 678 for brochures, 01-886 0400 for reservations or go to www.directholidays.ie

STENA Line is bucking the recent trend of airline price add-ons by guaranteeing 2006 prices for next year.

The company has taken the unprecedented step of making 2007 bookings available early, so that customers can plan ahead and avail of fares as low as €70 (single) for a car and driver.

The company is introducing a new ticketing policy, with economy fare for those certain of their dates of travel, a flexi-fare for an additional €15 (single) which allows tickets to be changed without further penalty.

The company offers a premium fare for a further €15 that allows more flexible booking, express boarding and disembarkation as well as access to the Stena Plus lounge. Check out the offers at www.stenaline.ie.

AIRTOURS has cut the cost of upcoming holidays in Turkey, with prices starting (ex Dublin) from €309 per person sharing (self-catering).

Family groups can save as much as €400.

For further information contact Airtours on 0818 20 20 20 or log onto www.airtours.ie.