plan dates here
 holidays
2006
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
France 1 - - 16, 17 1, 8, 25 4, 5 14 15 - - 1,11 25
Spain 1, 6 - - 14, 16 1, 25 4, 5, 24- - 15 - - 1 6, 8, 25
Portugal 1 - - 13 to 17,25 1 10, 15 - 15 - 5 1, 8 24, 25
Germany 1 - - 15, 16, 17 1, 25 4, 5 - - - 3 - 25, 26
Italy 1, 6 - - 16, 17, 25 1 2 - 15 - - 1 8,25,26
Austria 1,6 - - 16, 17 1, 25 4, 5, 15 - 15 - 26 1 25,26
UK 1 , 2 - - 14, 17 1, 29 - - 28 - - - 25, 26

The hardest decision of all is 'WHEN' to go! Usually is it quite easy to target for a specific month, but how do you pick the exact dates?

  • are there public holidays which will enable you to consume less of your precious holiday allocation from work?
  • are there national holidays when you plan to go, and which may make reservations difficult?
  • can you minimise prices of ferry, accomodations, etc? Study 'seasonal rates', 'day-of-week tariffs' and also 'limited-period reductions'.
  • what will the weather be like at that time? Not so important with a car and aircon, but important for bikers in leathers or young kids.

Our experience in 2005 was that 80% of who were unable to book early failed to go at all. Book the dates with the wife, gf or office, and reserve the ferry first. If you are unable to reserve ferry or flights, then you suffer two obstacles:-

  • prices increase the later you leave it. Eventually you won't afford it !
  • choices (availability of reservations, especially the cheaper cabins, become less!
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