Can you still get a bargain holiday this July and August? Scotland on Sunday Travel

It’s not too late to bag a cheap summer break

View from the Pent House at St Michael's Resort, Cornwall. Pic: Elliott White/PA.

Airports are heaving, roads are packed with traffic and prices are at their peak. Now school’s out for the summer, it would be easy to assume that all the best deals were snapped up months ago. But, according to experts, that’s not the case.

Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at holiday comparison site TravelSupermarket, says there are still great bargains if you’re prepared to be flexible. “If you’re willing to swap Tenerife or Majorca for one of the Spanish Costas or Bulgaria, for example, you can find bargains,” he suggests.

According to the site’s data, Spain’s Costa Brava is currently the cheapest option, with an average per person rate of around £615pp.

Brasserie on the Bay at St Michael's Resort. Pic: Elliott White/PA.

And you don’t necessarily need to fly.

“There are great deals still available for the summer holidays,” says Abby Penlington, director at Discover Ferries, the body representing UK passenger ferry operators. “For travellers looking for the cheapest fares, we advise travelling at off-peak times, such as late night or early morning sailings, and outside busy weekends.”

So, if you are on the hunt for a last-minute bargain try these savvy suggestions.

A family room in a Generator property. Pic: Adolpho Gozalvez/PA.

Make the most of a mini beak

A holiday needn’t be a week-long affair. Choose the right destination and it’s possible to condense the same benefits into a weekend. Hit the instant reset button with a two-night escape to the Cornish coast for less than £200 per person at St Michael’s Resort. The wellness retreat, next to Gyllyngvase Beach and the South West Coastal Path, features a luxury spa with the largest hydrothermal pool in the southwest, and a state-of-the-art Health Club. Led by executive chef Darren Millgate, the AA rosette-winning Brasserie On The Bay serves the best of Cornwall’s farms, fields, and waters. More laid-back dining with sparkling sea views can be found at the Garden Kitchen. A Summer Sensation breaks costs from £195 per person and is valid for stays until August 31. Book by July 31. Visit stmichaelsresort.com.

Opt for a hostel that isn’t a hostel

Generator, the leading hybrid accommodation brand, is offering 25% off stays in three of its most popular European locations, with dorms in shared rooms from just £20 per person per night – a great option for groups. Couples preferring more privacy can opt for private rooms from £107 per night – £53.50 per person.

A bar in a Generator property. Pic: Adolpho Gozalvez/PA.

The offer applies to locations in Paris, Madrid and Copenhagen, bookable until August 31 and includes free bike rentals, late checkout, and other perks. Those visiting Copenhagen can enjoy five free arcade tokens for games in the Generator Arcade, Copenhagen’s largest shuffleboard centre. For information, visit staygenerator.com.

Head for the mountains

If the heatwave continues to rage across southern Europe, heading for the cooler mountains could be a sensible and economical option. Morzine in the French Alps is a ski destination that during summer months becomes a hiker’s playground. Five-bedroom chalet Manoir is one of several properties in the area with great deals. Book through VIP SKI to secure half price rates for kids and seven nights for the price of six. Highlights include a pool room, cinema room and hot tub with mountain views. A seven-night B&B stay, arriving August 19 is priced from £560 per person for adults and £280 per child, based on three people sharing a family room. Flights and transfers are extra. Visit vip-chalets.com and en.morzine-avoriaz.com/summer.

Swap sky for sea

The Manoir chalet in Morzine. Pic: VIP SKI/PA.

Flight prices have skyrocketed since Covid but flying isn’t the only way to reach many European destinations. Ferry travel has always been an affordable alternative mode of transport, connecting the UK and Ireland with popular destinations, such as France, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. A car for up to nine passengers can sail from Dover to France from £68 each way with Irish Ferries or DFDS; a huge saving compared to Eurostar tickets to Paris, which can cost £274 for a family of four. All P&O Ferries’ Dover-Calais crossings start from £76 each way for a car and up to nine passengers. Visit discoverferries.com.

Ferries are highly favoured by campers and caravanners for good reason: there are no hidden luggage costs, making it easy to carry your own gear. If you are considering camping, Risle-Seine les Etangs near Le Havre is available from £18.10 per night in late August, and Des Abers, near Brest, is offering pitches from £23.28 per night throughout July and August, both available through the Caravan and Motorhome Club. Additionally, The Camping and Caravanning Club is offering up to 40% off stays at Eurocamp throughout Europe. Visit caravanclub.co.uk and campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.