How much for a week in the Spanish sun?
Where: Benidorm
When: September 13th-20th
With the tour operatorBudget Travel has a last-minute week-long, half-board deal to the dubious delight that is Benidorm for a couple for just under €1,450. In the Hotel Meliá Benidorm, Budget promises, we are getting an "extremely impressive" four-star property that "offers superb services and accommodation in beautifully manicured grounds with extensive on-site amenities". It is 600m from the beach and about three kilometres from the heart of the resort. Our flight leaves Dublin for Benidorm on the Saturday at noon and leaves at 9am a week later. The basic price per couple for a half-board package is €1,324, on top of which we are given a €30 online discount. Then a long list of extras is added. We have to pay €24 for a return coach transfer, €55.82 in taxes and charges, a fuel surcharge of €40 and an inexplicable late-booking fee of €30.
Total€1,443.82.
On our ownAer Lingus flies to nearby Alicante at 6.10am on the Saturday, which means we'll have to get up before bedtime. Our flight leaves the Spanish city the following week at 9am. The initial fare per person is €178. We get a discount of €36 but are hit with taxes and charges of €41.87 and handling fees of €20, taking the total cost to €387.74. A week half-board, booked with the hotel website, www.solmelia.com costs €846.37. A shuttle bus from Alicante to Benidorm costs €45 return for two adults.
Total€1,279.11.
DIY savings€164.71.
