In the current economic climate everyone is hunting for value and that is probably a key reason why travel search websites such as www.travelrepublic.co.uk have enjoyed such phenomenal growth.
The combination of easy internet access and whiz bang behind the scenes technology allow customers to compare prices from all the best airlines, hotels and other providers of travel products. Customer internet searches clearly chasing value (“cheap holiday Majorca” or “cheap holiday Spain”) increased over 152% in 2009. Holiday makers are now working to a budget and want to fix their costs in advance – hence the boom in “all inclusive” holidays seen across all countries.
For all that, there is one cost holiday makers cut time and time again which we think is just simply a mistake. Over 1 million people travel with Travel Republic every year and that means we have access to an amazing number of holiday stories. Happily, most holidays booked through Travel Republic are a great success. Sadly, sight over so many holiday experiences also teaches us that things can go wrong.
Unfortunately, the events and mishaps we have in mind are not really things we can do anything to help you avoid. Holidays are meant to be about fun and happiness and perhaps because of that we don’t expect things to go wrong. We have seen it argued that holiday makers themselves play a role in this, pointing out people tend to drink a little more, care a little less and perhaps end up taking more risks as a result. Ultimately though, accidents happen because accidents happen.
The key difference is that a serious sudden illness or injury in the UK will give you immediate access to the NHS, which for all our grumbling, is a pretty effective healthcare operation with no charges on usage. If you are abroad at the time, on top of the trauma itself, costs can be another massive stress. Depending upon the scale of the treatment required this can be substantial – for example, an air ambulance home from the Canaries could cost £15,000 to £20,000.
Our view is simple – enjoy your holiday and expect to have a great time, but just in case your number is up, always make sure you and your party have travel insurance.
If the cold snap is getting you down it could be time to head to Tenerife for The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the best known and celebrated festival on the island. Many holidaymakers stay in the south of the island, but most say the best carnival action is in the north. No problem, it is only 77km from Playa de las Americas, less than an hour by car.
Watch out for the Carnival Queen, who is due to be chosen today.
Onto the Northern Lights. BBC programmes like 
The 2010 Nice Carnival (
Lasting more than two weeks, the carnival turns Nice into a fairy tale destination. Book your trip and let the Carnival of Nice transport you away from the snow and slush here in the UK! 
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