The British weather has been playing its caprices on us
again this summer and for many of us it is even hard to
imagine that the 'real' summer is still at its height
everywhere else... You know which one I'm talking about -
the one with clear blue skies and hours and hours of
unobstructed golden sunshine when you don't have to dash
out to make the most of it today because it will simply be
still there tomorrow and the next week for you to enjoy.

On a positive note, this is a good excuse for us to leave
everything behind and set out on a journey in search of the
'real' kind of summer. Luckily, and even on a more positive
note, this doesn't necessarily need to be a long and
expensive trip! This is actually the best time to book that
cheap summer holiday. Although the tour operators have been
telling us how they slashed their capacities due to the
recession, there are still plenty of empty beds in the
hotels and empty seats on the flights waiting to be filled.

Deciding to book a holiday on the spur of the moment can be
such a good idea. If you are one of those experienced and
internet savvy travellers, just turn on your computer and
immerse yourself in all those jazzy looking travel websites
competing for your attention. Lot of them offer full
service 'under one roof' from the initial search of your
destination to making your reservation including your
payment processing, weather service and pre-ordering your
foreign currencies. And the best thing is that this is all
actually happening under the roof of your own house!

To get the best possible bargain out of booking your
holiday online, here are just a few useful hints and tips:

- Be flexible, whether it's the airport you fly from or the
date, you will increase the chances of the system searching
for more available options.
- Ideally, be also flexible on the destination. Of course,
if you are a party animal, nobody would expect you to book
your holiday in a tranquil village on the outback of Turkey
or Greece. But the legendary party scene of Ibiza can also
easily be found in booking your last minute holiday to
Marmaris, Malia, Ayia Napa, Magalluf or Faliraki.
- Book a package holiday with standard duration of 7 or 14
nights, they always tend to be cheaper
- Try to avoid the Eurozone if possible, for example last
minute holidays to Turkey or Tunisia are a good example how
inexpensive a good quality all-inclusive holiday can be.
- Booking your holiday online can offer extra discounts.

As booking your cheap package holiday online is in
principle a DIY thing, some of us may feel a bit lost or
lonely in this process. In this case, many travel websites
encourage their customers to contact their call centre
staff by providing them with free phone numbers, so why not
reach for your phone? The call centre teams are formed of
fully trained travel advisors who are always at hand to
help you with your holiday choices and any advice you may
need. They can even make the reservation on your behalf.
Speaking to a friendly, well mannered and erudite person
can only enhance the whole experience. Of course, whilst
this is all happening from the comfort of your own home,
some of us may prefer the most traditional method of
booking our holiday face to face with a high street travel
agent. You are assured to have their undivided attention
and many of them will gladly share their personal holiday
experience with you and become your favourite 'real person'
to book your holidays with on regular basis.

Last minute holidays to Spain, Greece, Turkey and other
Mediterranean destinations can be booked at amazing prices.
Whether you are travelling with children, you are a couple
or a single traveller, there are still some great bargains
around to be pocketed this summer. How about last minute
holiday deals to Crete, Corfu or Zante in Greece starting
from only £230 per person? Fancy all inclusive? No problem,
Turkey has still got deals to Marmaris from £329 per person
in four star hotels! And the list could just go on and on...

Why not cheat the British weather for a change this summer
and exchange it for a sun-toasted sandy beach lined with
palm trees and warm blue sea? There is still time and
hundreds of last minute holiday deals available begging to
be booked. They are hot, hot, hot.... And just a few clicks
away... so stop enviously watching all those tempting TV
adverts, it could be actually you on that sunbed with a
book and exotic cocktail!