browsing for holidays

[karenmac60]

Why is it not possible to browse for a holiday? Mr mac and I are thinking of going to Cuba next year. We aren't fussy about when - we'll take annual leave for whatever good dates we find - but we'd like an idea of costs etc. Every site I go onto wants me to enter dates and then comes up with 'sorry, we have nothing available for those dates, please enter an alternative'. Short of entering every day of the year, does anyone know a way of browsing - kind of like looking at a brochure so I can see what dates are available and what prices are involved?

[DaisyNonna]

Try Jules Verne or Telegraph Travel.

[karenmac60]

Thanks Daisy, I'll have a look.

[douglas9401]

I don't have specifics Karen but a workmate and wife are off to Cuba in two weeks for an all inclusive holiday. they're staying in a purpose built complex, self contained and miles from anywhere for about £600 each. They also got a deal on flights and hotel at Gatwick for less than £100 for both of them.
Seems like a great deal if you just want to relax and tan.

[lardhelmet]

Hi Karen - if you're not fussy when you go, give January a miss. We went a couple of years ago and it rained a lot and was often too windy to go out sailing (Mr Helmet was not impressed).

[Buenchico]

For an idea of costs, simply click on the 'late deals' links. They'll show you both the regular cost and the discounted price. e.g. here
http://www.thomson.co...ba/holidays-cuba.html

For an indication of how prices vary month by month, see here:
http://www.travelsupe...ys/caribbean/cuba/81/

However there's probably not much point in seeking prices for 2013 (beyond the first few months anyway) at the moment, as they won't have been released yet.

Chris

[theshedman]

It's probably a bit early for next year yet. As Chris says they may not have been released yet. When I was trying to book this years hols I had to wait until beginning of June before I got anywhere. If you just want to look at some of the places that may be availabel next year why not type in this year and use that as a guide.

[LDC134]

We went in September and paid about £ 800 for a virgin return flight, 3 nights in Havana and all inc in Varadero for 7 nights - we literally booked a week before we went because this is 'hurricane' season although we only had a rainy blowy hour on one day and the rest of the time it was gorgeous weather.

[karenmac60]

Hi all. Thanks for the info. I managed to find some for early in the year but most are resorts. I want to stay in havana itself - i'm not a sunbathing kinda gal ;-)

[LDC134]

I'd recommend the Havana Libre as a hotel to stay in, in Havana - it's very 70's and the rooms are certainly dated but it's has a certain 'history' about it, the food was very good (which is unusual in Cuba) and it's one of the only high rise buildings so you get a great view. It also has a pool for when you want a day to relax. It's a good walk (30-45 mins) along the Malecon (the sea wall) to get to old Havana but it's very cheap and easy to get a taxi.