Holiday Brokers Blog

All Inclusive Fun Package at Palm Beach, Benidorm

Tom — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:06:22 +0000

Smashing Hotel, Close to the beach, Free Child Places
PLUS Unlimited entrance to 3 terrific theme parks, too!

By booking a room with an AI Fun Package at the Palm Beach, Benidorm, clients will have a terrific time in a 4-star hotel, just a sort stroll from the white, sandy beaches that give Costa Blanca its name, and also be able to enter these three fantastic theme parks:

Terramitica – A theme park with a difference!
Visit ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and The Islands.
Wander through the labyrinth of the fabled Minotaur.
Scream as you ride the Titánide, a fearsome, metallic rollercoaster.
Take on the challenge of Magnus Colossus – the longest wooden 'coaster in Europe!
And much, much more…

Mundomar – See the meerkats, lemurs, giant tortoises and more…
Watch the shows featuring dolphins, parrots, and sealions.
Interact with many of the exhibits – have your photograph taken with some!
Experience the whole World of Nature, just a short distance from your hotel.

Aqualandia – Do you like waterparks? This one is fantastic!
The first ever waterpark to be built in Spain, opened in 1985.
It is one of the largest water parks in the world and covers 150,000 m², featuring landscaped areas, pools, slides, restaurants, cafés, and snack-bars.

Florida and Disneyworld 2013

Tom — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 12:18:41 +0000

Map of Florida
showing major cities

Disney Resorts, water parks, white sandy beaches and great food are all symbolic of Florida and the USA.

The Florida region is one of the most visited areas in the world due to its appeal to families, with its abundance of activities and theme parks making the resort one of the most appealing to children, and probably the most sought-after destination to visit.

Disney is the most famous landmark to holidaymakers but Florida appeals to a much greater audience than this due to its varied landscape. Head out to the west coast for long white sandy beaches and surfers paradise at Clearwater, St Petersburg and Tampa. Head south to the Everglades and see the wild wilderness and the abundance of wildlife including alligators and crocodiles! Or stick with the Disney area and see Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Sea World and Universal Studios to name just some of many theme parks and activities available.

Disney World is more a group of small villages with the resort split into individual areas such as the Port Orleans Resort, Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian Resort. All offer a different authentic feel, for example Wilderness Lodge has a design inspired by the great American pioneers' lodges from the 19th century. The impressive cottages at the resort focus on the wildlife and rich American cultural heritage.

Customers wishing to access the Disney parks and water parks usually stay around International Drive, Kissimee or the immediate area surrounding the Disney Parks. Holiday Brokers offer a wide selection of accommodation in these areas from villa properties, hotels and condo-style apartments.

The Monumental Hotel Orlando (4-Sun standard) is situated on the south end of International Drive near Seaworld and just 12 minutes away from the main entrance to Disney. This property offers a good standard of accommodation; whirlpool, fitness room and car parking and prices start around £25 pppn.

For apartments, a good recommendation would be the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village and Spa by Sky (4-Sun standard) in the Lake Buena Vista area of Florida. All of the apartments come with an en suite bathroom with hairdryer and hot tub, as well as a kitchen with fridge, oven, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. Further amenities include a direct dial telephone, TV, radio, complimentary high-speed Internet access, ironing set, a washing machine and a master bedroom with king-size bed. Each unit also has a lounge with sofa bed and dining area, plus a private balcony with spectacular views. There are complimentary shuttle bus services to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, making this property very appealing to families, enabling them to travel to the main theme parks easily. Prices start at around £44.32 pppn.

If all this is too busy for you then head over to ‘The Keys’ and stay at the Lexington Key West (3-Sun) and relax. Take a couple of days' breathing space with spectacular views and facilities including outdoor pools and hot tubs, golf courses, valet laundry service, bar and restaurants. Everything you need after a few days wandering around the theme parks. Prices are around £72.50 pppn.

Valentine’s Day Specials

Tom — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:24:30 +0000

Paris Skyline
The Eiffel Tower

Paris, probably one of the most famous romantic destinations, offers a very memorable stay for couples that would be difficult to beat in terms of having it all for a romantic and authentic getaway. Frequent travellers to Paris will still have an array of things to keep them occupied; all of which are classical, relaxing and sophisticated. Stay for a short weekend, a long weekend or a full week, and memories will be made with quiet, riverside walks, strolling through majestic palaces, and whiling away your time in a little local bistro sipping red wine and watching the world go by. Romantic breaks in Paris are popular at any time of the year with a wealth of sightseeing to behold, but St. Valentine's Day makes it even more special.
Visit the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysées or the magnificent Notre Dame cathedral by day. Paris by night is a romantic experience filled with fine dining, river strolls and lively cabaret bars.


Hotels range from as little as £47.00 pppn at the 4 star Grand Hotel Français on a bed and breakfast basis, and from £55.00 pppn at the 4 star Villa Alessandra Hotel, also on a bed and breakfast basis. Both hotels are centrally located and offer a wealth of facilities to ensure your stay is a comfortable one.

Barcelona
St. Joan Despi

Barcelona is one of Europe's top mini-break destinations because it is one of the most accessible places to get to and is big enough to enjoy a long weekend without running out of places to visit or things to do.

If you are coming to the city for a romantic break with your partner you will find a lot of things to do and see with rambling streets, numerous plazas and various options for excellent shopping from tiny boutiques on the back streets to large designer stores scattered across some of the large pedestrianized shopping areas. As well as the shopping and restaurants, there is the famous football stadium which is sure to keep everybody happy.

If you are a couple who love good food then take a stroll around the Boqueria food market, full of stalls serving every type of food imaginable. Barcelona is one of very few cities to offer a beach. When the sun is shining, there is nothing more romantic than an evening stroll along it. In a city that is next to the sea it seems a shame to miss the opportunity to breathe in the sea air and work up an appetite for dinner. If you really want to up the romance, bring along a bottle of cava to sip while the sun goes down and enjoy one of the many beachside restaurants.

Holiday Brokers have a wide range of hotels in the area from the most meagre budget to plus 4 and 5 star hotels with a host of amenities. You can make the trip as simple or as lavish as you like, as quiet or a close to the amenities as possible.
The Novotel Barcelona Sant Joan Despi is a 4 star bed and breakfast property which currently offers a free night when booked in advance keeping the price low at around £24.00 pppn.

Rome
The Colosseum

The city is steeped in romantic fact and fiction with the stories of Casanova and Roman Holiday based there. Walk hand in hand through nearly three thousand years of history – the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, the narrow lanes of Medieval Rome and and palazzi of Renaissance Rome.

Embrace, bathed in the romantic glow of the Trevi Fountain.

Dine outdoors in many of the city squares with beautiful food and a bottle of wine or champagne, the area is renowned for its many excellent restaurants. Shopping is a romantic pastime in Rome, to appreciate it, you need to take your time, stroll around the streets and stop for the odd glass or two along the way. Head to the Spanish steps and chic shopping streets, visit the hundreds of historical ruins and make the most of the wonderful food and sunshine the city has to offer. The Colosseum is Rome's top tourist attraction and is nearly 2,000 years old. Visit the holy Vatican City, home of the current Pope, and the awe-inspiring Trevi Fountain.

Couples will find it hard to resist the romantic air that a Rome city break offers and families with children will also enjoy the cultural experience and great food. Holiday Brokers offer a range of hotels, with prices from as little as £15.00 pppn at the 3 star Arcadia Hotel in Rome. Take the other extreme and you could stay at the 5 star Ambasciatori Palace on a room only basis from around £77.00 pppn.

There is no better reason for a weekend break than St. Valentine's Day, so while the flight costs are low, and the hotels are offering such good deals, get your trip booked in advance then the money saved can be spent on the wonderful food that these cities have to offer.

Rome-antic fact: The Italian for Rome is ROMA, reverse the letters to spell AMOR, the Italian for Love!

HolidayBrokers Do Snow…

Tom — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:55:52 +0000

As we approach the festive period the skiers amongst us turn our thoughts to winter adventure holidays, and weather conditions in France and Europe become an obsession, waiting for that first fall of snow. The loft is opened and last year’s ski and board gear is dusted off in anticipation of a forthcoming winter adventure holiday.
Most people look forward to their summer holidays, but the skiers amongst us enjoy nothing more than seeing the Diet Coke advert as it signals the beginning of the festive season and, of course, the annual ski trip.
Never have the French resorts been more accessible than with the advent of low cost flying and transfer shuttles operating to most resorts from Geneva airport. The once expensive ski trip only reserved for the elite is now available, even if only for a long weekend, as it has become far more affordable. Low cost flying from Gatwick to Geneva from around £95 per person and shuttle transfers by coach from Geneva for around £75 per person make the resorts very easy to reach. Holiday Brokers offer a wide range of accommodation to ski resorts in France, Andorra, Bulgaria and Austria. Below are some of our French offers:

	Avoriaz The resort has been named the best family resort at the World Snow Awards in 2012 in London and is one of the most accessible resorts with a transfer of time of only around one and a half hours from Geneva Airport. For children, there are so many facilities, making the adults enjoy their stay so much more, as everything is catered for.
The resort also offers Dog Sled rides, Ice Skating and Bowling as well as an array of restaurants and bars.
100% ski-in, ski-out resort with a large ski area. Ski School for children with afternoon breaks and sleep times for the younger members of the family. Child lift pass up to age 16 to keep costs to a minimum. Snow parks designed especially for children to play and have fun. A fully pedestrianized resort offering a giant après-ski snow playground. The Aquariaz Kids zone area. Apartments for larger groups and families. Winter children’s events including the carnival and the festival of lights.
	The Maeva Residence L’Antares is offering self-catering studios for 4 for around £562.00 per week in January and offers facilities such as oven, hobs, refrigerators and microwaves as well as being central to the children’s ski schools and facilities.
Located in the “Les Crozats” district of Avoriaz 1800, the entirely renovated Maeva Antares Resort enjoys an uninterrupted view over the Morzine valley. Maeva Antares offers direct access to the slopes on skis and is linked to the heart of the resort and to shops by lifts.

	Flaine Flaine is the core resort of the Grand Massif ski area. The ski area links Flaine to the villages of Sixt, Samoens, Morillon and Les Carroz to create a large ski region totalling 265 km of pistes. Flaine itself is a huge snow-sure bowl encompassing 140 km of slopes.
The accommodation in Flaine has been designed to be convenient for the slopes; therefore virtually all hotels and residences are “ski to door”. Foret is linked to Forum via two funicular lifts and the entire resort has been planned with access in mind so that all amenities are close by.
The Pierre & Vacance La Foret residence in Flaine is one of our most sought after residences in the French Alps. A recent refurbishment has transformed the residence into a modern, comfortable establishment, offering larger apartments with greater comfort. Duvets come as standard, a bakery service, Wi-Fi access in all apartments, heated ski rooms; boot dryers, and much, much more. With prices for 4 from £480 in January this makes an ideal choice featuring, heated ski lockers & Showers, reception and lounge area, luggage room, children’s area, bakery order service, hamper delivery service and apartment preparation service.

	Chamonix The Chamonix Valley is not a ski in – ski out, purpose built resort, but rather a town which became the world capital of mountaineering and a major ski resort. Chamonix Valley has 5 main ski areas some areas are better for beginners, like Les Houches and Le Tour, others are better if you are a confirmed skier, like the Grands Montets or the Brevent.
The Pierre & Vacance Premium La Ginabelle is an ideal property located in the heart of Chamonix. The residence MGM gives you access to its wellness areas, relaxation room and heated indoor swimming pool. An apartment for 4 people in January is around £780 for the week and offers a huge array of facilities such as pool access, underground parking and Wi-Fi.

With an array of properties such as these, the snow beginning to fall in some areas already and a wide range of après ski facilities, a snow break makes a great family holiday and can encompass all with skiing, boarding, snowshoeing, skating and dog-sledding, leaving lots to talk over at the end of a busy day. Visit Holiday Brokers and take a look at our hotels and their facilities. We think you will be impressed!

It’s Christmas Market time…

Tom — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:15:34 +0000

FESTIVE FAIR DEALS…

There is no better start to the festive season than a visit to one of Europe’s many Christmas markets, with authentic gifts, mulled wine and great food all laid on to get even the most un-festive person in to the Christmas spirit. The atmosphere around these markets seems to bring everyone together in light hearted fun with the aroma of festive food and spirits wafting around the stalls.

♬ Jin-gle Bells ♩ ♪ Jin-gle Bells ♫

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the middle ages in the German speaking part of Europe. The Dresden Christmas market was first held in 1434 and is one of the oldest Christmas markets attracting over a million visitors each year. Markets in Vienna existed up to 200 year before this date and still are one of the biggest attractions in the city in the months of November and December each year. Stalls sell locally produced wooden toys, handmade jewellery, gingerbread biscuits and cakes, bratwurst, mulled wine, toys, books and Christmas tree decorations

	Cologne The city of Cologne has six Christmas markets in total and is also home to the largest Christmas tree in Germany! The Christmas Market on the Alter Markt takes place in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town) and in front of the Old Cologne Town Hall, which is only 200 metres away from the Cathedral.
The Neumarkt Christmas Market is Cologne’s oldest Christmas Market; it is curiously located on the “New Market”, amidst the backdrop of St. Aposteln’s Church and Cologne’s main shopping area. The Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to a world of brothers Grimm fairy tales. Large fairy tale figures and festive illuminations provide a special eye-catcher, especially for children.There are also markets near the harbour, and smaller markets scattered around the city, making Cologne one of the most appealing Christmas destinations, as the variety of markets cater for old and young alike.

Prague
The Prague Christmas markets are some of the most impressive in Europe with bright lights making the city centre bustle with activity. The traditional city with its impressive buildings create a true ‘Winter Wonderland’ setting.

The main markets are held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, which are just a few minutes apart, with smaller ones operating at Republic Square and at Havel’ market. The Prague Christmas markets are open daily up to and including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’ Day.

The markets consist of brightly decorated, wooden huts selling traditional handcrafted products such as wooden toys, Crystal, jewellery, embroidery and scented candles as well as all the traditional food and drink stalls. As the different markets are all located fairly close together, you can happily spend many hours wandering around and soaking up the festive atmosphere.

	Krakow hosts a vibrant Christmas market for most of December, but what makes it different to the rest is the local tradition of “Szopki”. This is a competition which involves the creation of nativity cribs in which both adults and school children participate.These are handmade models of the city’s baroque churches and gothic cathedrals, some reaching up to 2m in height.
They are displayed in the Market Square on the first Thursday of December, and the winners’ entries are then shown in the Historical Museum for the remainder of the festive season. For souvenirs, there are artisan’s stalls in the vaulted arcade of the Cloth Hall. There are some excellent contemporary jewellers, and for food the “Stary Market”, were you can taste and buy smoked hams, sausages, tasty dumplings, as well as produce such as dried porcini, sheep’s cheese and black puddings. If you visit when the Christmas market is on, take your pick from the food stalls around the Cloth Hall as well and feasting on roast pork, sauerkraut and beer.


The nights are drawing in. Christmas is approaching. So, why not brighten up your festive season with a visit to one of Europe’s Christmas markets? With hotel prices starting from around £15 per person per night in Prague 4-star bed and breakfast, and £36 per person per night 4-star bed and breakfast in Cologne. The fun, laid-back atmosphere is what you need to bring a smile to your face along with a warming mulled wine to banish those dark nights away.

Plaza Alta Hotel, Prague from £15 Bed & Breakfast Mado Hotel, Cologne from £36 Bed & Breakfast

Popular Properties for Summer 2013

Pete — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:44:00 +0000

Here, we have some of our most popular, austerity-beating properties with high customer ratings.

Bargains in Turkey, beach hotels in Egypt, all-inclusives in Greece, Spain and Portugal, and a delightful hotel in Croatia, that are already being booked by eager customers owing to their terrific prices, locations, and features.

Take a look…

CLICK HERE to see the deals!

To sign up to receive our weekly special offers by email please CLICK HERE.

Quality Skiing on a Budget – Bulgaria

Louise — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:53:12 +0000

Skiing in Bulgaria is ideal for those who are new to winter activities or if you are looking for an inexpensive adventure in the mountains. The Bulgarian ski resorts are well established with great facilities and offer easy access to the mountains. The scenery is outstanding and the resorts offer great facilities with improvements to all resorts and their infrastructure over recent years. Bulgaria is a great choice for anyone wanting to sample winter activities for the first time or for families wishing to introduce their children to winter sports.

The two main Bulgarian ski resorts are Borovets and Pamporovo which have all thrived in the UK ski market in recent years. Bulgarian resorts are ideal for beginners and family groups, as they offer great value ski hire, lift passes and lessons. There are English-speaking ski schools that cater very well for first time skiers,snowboarders and children. The ski areas are good for those with some experience and are excellent for beginners, all with beautiful scenic views and gentle trails through the wooded pistes. There are a large array of restaurants and bars that cater for both families and couples ensuring the day of activities continues right up until its time for sleep.

Borovets is the most famous Bulgarian mountain resort and is situated on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountain at an altitude of 1300 meters. The resort enjoys a perfect location right at the foot of Mount Musala (2925 m), the highest peak in the Balkan region. Only 72 km away from Sofia and just 126 km away from Plovdiv, Borovets is easily accessible from both airports giving lots of options for cheap flying from the UK. Borovets is a lively resort full of bars and cafes and these along with the many clubs making après-ski a real attraction. Skiing however is its main focus and Borovets is popular with all grades of skier, with beautiful scenery all around that is breathtaking.

Pamporovo has a warmer climate featuring many sunny days during the skiing season. The influence of the Aegean Sea appears to soften the climate and make skiing here good for young children and families with a season that runs from mid – December to mid – April. The average air temperature is – 3 ° C and the gentle rounded slopes and summits makes Pamporovo particularly suitable for beginners. But there are also difficult ski runs like the Giant Slalom which makes it appealing to intermediate skiers too. This compact resort has 35 kilometers of marked ski runs, accessible by a combination of chair and drag lifts, including a 6 man chairlift and 38 kilometers of cross country trails, making Pamporovo holidays a great choice. In the evening head to one of the many local folk restaurants to try the local specialties accompanied by some popular Bulgarian wine.

There really is something for everyone in Bulgaria. Whether your looking for good shopping, ice skating, cheap skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, dog sledding or a spa break you will find it all. The addition of new accommodation lots of restaurants and après-ski facilities means your ski holiday will be a hive of activity from dawn until dusk which offers quality and an inexpensive way for families to have an introduction to winter activities.

So what are you waiting for…?

Save with our Winter Special Offer Hotels

Pete — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:56:55 +0000

This week, some great offers, including up to 30% discounts off previous prices, for the period leading up to Christmas.

Set in sunny climes, next or close to the beach, with amazing prices for all inclusive and other board bases, these hotels have proven popular with customers before, so should be really popular now!

CLICK HERE to see the deals!

To sign up to receive our weekly special offers by email please CLICK HERE.

Fabulous Offers for the Festive Season

Pete — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:24:36 +0000

As the clock ticks down to Christmas and the New Year festivities, some lucky people will be jetting off to sunshine, rest and relaxation.
These great offers ought to attract their attention. From Egypt to Morocco, from the Canaries to Costa Blanca, our Buyers have been working hard to get special rates, just for you and your clientele.
Check these out…

CLICK HERE to see the deals!

To sign up to receive our weekly special offers by email please CLICK HERE.