Column: Travel with Katie Butler of Total Travel: Sun, footy and a good getaway – what more do you want?
Football fever is well and truly here, and I’ve got to say, there is nothing quite like watching a match when you are abroad. Whether it’s a bar by the beach or a lively square somewhere in Europe, the atmosphere just feels different.
We have definitely seen plenty of customers this year timing their holidays just right so they can catch the England games in the sunshine – and who can blame them?
While there are plenty of last-minute getaways flying out the door (and they are going like hot cakes at the minute), I’ve got a lot of admiration (or envy) for those who are super organised. You know the type – got their holidays sorted years in advance, spreadsheets and all! Believe it or not, some people really are that organised and are already planning right through to 2028.
The big travel companies are certainly keeping up with that demand. Cruise lines have started releasing their 2028 programmes already, with hundreds of itineraries to choose from. There is everything from no-fly sailings out of Southampton to Mediterranean fly-cruises, and even some proper bucket-list trips like world cruises that last several months. It’s a far cry from a quick week in Benidorm.
Not to be outdone, the tour ops are getting ahead of the game too. Guess who has just launched its winter 2027/28 programme – and it’s a big one. We’re talking millions of seats available, with more choice than ever before. Egypt’s proving particularly popular, with full winter seasons now planned for both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
Yes, Jet2holidays are now bookable right up to March 2028, going on sale a fortnight before rivals at TUI. In total, there are 17 destinations on offer from 14 UK airports, so there is plenty of flexibility no matter where you are travelling from. And that’s not even the full picture yet – we are still waiting on details for ski trips, city breaks and Iceland packages, which should be announced in the coming weeks.
Interestingly, all this early planning hasn’t slowed down the late booking crowd. In fact, around 40 per cent of bookings are still being made last minute. July is currently leading the way as the most popular month to travel, followed closely by September and August. It seems people are either super organised or flying by the seat of their pants.
As for where everyone is heading, some favourites never go out of fashion. Turkey, Tenerife and Majorca are topping the charts once again, offering that winning combination of sunshine, good food and something for every budget.
So, whether you are the type who is already eyeing up 2028 or you are just waiting for a last-minute bargain, there is plenty of choice out there. One thing’s for sure – whether it’s football, sunshine or a bit of both, it’s shaping up to be a cracking time to get away.
Our brilliant staff start their summer holidays over the coming weeks and I look forward to plenty of airport updates from multiple destinations. There seems to be plenty to say in the mainstream media so we look forward to experiencing it all first hand - the good, the bad and the ugly.