Package Holidays 2013
From one simple railway ride a phenomenon was born
When Thomas Cook left Campbell Street Station in Leicester on 5 July 1841 on an excursion to take 540 temperance campaigners on the eleven-mile ride to Loughborough, (for which he charged them one shilling each, which included rail fare and food), it probably never occurred to him that he was beginning what would become the greatest phenomenon in travel – the package holiday.
The original idea might have been Cook’s, but a holiday abroad only became an established part of British cultural life 1960’s, when the first economically-price charter airlines allowed affordable foreign holidays.
Since then package holidays have been the mainstay of the British holiday industry offering the quintessential sunshine break in beach resorts worldwide. They come in every shape and size, with an enormous range of destinations and accommodation to suit every taste and budget. The enduring attraction of package holidays is their convenience and low price, and nowadays many people take more than one such holiday a year.
Everything is done for you
The essence of a package holiday is that it is pre-arranged, sold at an inclusive price, which usually includes flights, transfers and accommodation, but may also include excursions, entertainment, insurance, car rental and the services of a tour guide. Industry safeguards and consumer rights provide legal protection for customers when these holidays are bought through tour operators and travel agents.
A major feature of the package holiday is that they tend to be cheaper outside of the main holiday season. Early booking is advisable for the peak school holiday times of Christmas, Easter and July and August, but the boom in last minute holidays means tremendous bargains are available throughout the year.
Some to suit every taste
The sheer variety of package holidays available today would amaze the holidaymakers of the1960’s. There really are holidays to suit everyone, whether you are looking for a tiny tranquil Greek village, a deserted tropical island, a diving holiday in the Red Sea or large lively beach resorts packed with bars and nightlife. The explosion of charter airlines and low-cost flights has opened up an astonishing range of package holidays, from the Baltic States to Turkey and even further afield. Up-and-coming package holidays destinations such as Croatia, Egypt or Cuba, offer tremendous value for money, amazing excursions, and excellent service. Even long-haul destinations such as Florida and Brazil have become established package holiday favourites. Beach resorts in exotic locations – the Maldives, Bahamas and Goa, for example – mean sunshine getaways are available all year round, offering a perfect break from the British winter.
The internet has revolutionised package holidays, with companies like Directline Holidays offering an enormous amount of information coupled a tremendous selection of destinations, allowing customers to make well-informed choices and construct holidays to their individual requirements. Book with us now and use our search tool to find your perfect holiday.
