Whether you are booking an early vacation in the Mediterranean, or a last-minute deal in exotic Egypt, there are some great bargain package holidays to be had right now. A growing number of resorts are open all year round, with package holidays to suit families, couples and single travellers. So what are the top bargain package holidays on offer right now?

Well, one of the best value destinations for package holidays has to be Egypt, which is at its best this time of year. During the summer months resorts become blisteringly hot, with temperatures over exceeding 100 in some places, but between October and May the temperatures are pleasantly Mediterranean, and the rise of the Red Sea resorts like Sharm el Sheikh – one of the diving capitals of the world – mean bargain package holidays in abundance, with plenty to do for all ages.

Another exotic destination that can be enjoyed on a budget is the Caribbean. British families will find there are some great bargain package holidays to be had on islands like Jamaica and Barbados. Along with beautiful beaches, joyous entertainment and activities for every age group, you will be bowled over by the sunsets and wildlife.

Or how about the spectacular Canary Islands? Located just off the North African coast, but Spanish owned, this string of volcanic islands includes the popular hot-spots of Tenerife and Lanzarote. Renowned for their dramatic national parks and lunar landscapes, here you can ride camels over deserts where live volcanic vents can still be seen! The beaches may be black, rather than silver, but if you want package holidays full of excitement, the Canary Islands are the place to find them.

Right now, you can find bargain package holidays in many popular Spanish areas, including Benidorm and Majorca, as well as Turkey and the larger Greek islands such as Crete and Corfu. It’s even possible to find cheap package holidays in Florida – meaning you can enjoy Disneyworld before the crowds arrive.

There are literally hundreds of short city breaks to choose from, in Europe and further afield. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a weekend of cultural delights or a “shop till you drop” experience, there are city breaks to match every need.

Best short city breaks for romantics

Paris has to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe, with an excellent Metro system to whisk you to attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. Wander the romantic Tuileries gardens, have your portraits done at Montmartre and finish with a candlelit supper at a riverside restaurant – perfect!

Venice is still the leading choice for romantic city breaks, and nothing quite matches the experience of hearing the waters lapping at the steps of St Marks, as you are serenaded on your first gondola ride. It’s a great choice for culture lovers too.

Best city breaks for culture vultures

Italy is the place for art and culture, and short city breaks in Rome allow you to mix the boundaries a little. After you’ve seen the famous Colosseum, visited the Vatican and thrown your three pennies into the Trevi Fountain, you can enjoy traditional Italian cuisine at one of the many trattorias, before indulging in some designer therapy at the malls.

City breaks in Prague introduce you to one of the gems of Eastern Europe. The towering spires and amazing architecture are even better seen from the river, with the bonus of a packed program of music festivals, covering every genre.

Best short city breaks close to home

Amsterdam is tops for last-minute city breaks. The city is defined by its diversity: canals, windmills, museums, churches and art galleries are matched by vibrant nightclubs and an eclectic arts program – over 14,000 events a year, not counting music festivals! It’s hard to imagine a city so charmingly different, so close to home.

This is just a tiny fraction of the vast range of city breaks available to British travellers.

When it’s wet and miserable outside, nothing beats the warm glow of searching the internet for cheap holidays abroad. And this year, there’s a wider choice of cheap holidays than ever. From self-catering villas to all-inclusive hotels; beaches in the Balearics to cultural breaks in Italy – there’s cheap holidays abroad to suit every type of traveller.

For families, summer holidays mean sun, sea and sandcastles. The last few years have been a washout as far as traditional British beach holidays are concerned – but there are plenty of European and Mediterranean destinations to choose from. Some are hotter than others, but one that suits all is the Spanish Balearics. The little island of Menorca is fast becoming a family favourite, with quiet beaches and a friendly, traditional atmosphere. Its popular neighbour Majorca (also known as Mallorca) offers everything from ancient sites to theme parks, while Ibiza in the high season is a Mecca for club-loving singles.

If you’re looking for cheap holidays abroad with plenty of variety, the Spanish mainland is hard to beat. The Costa Blanca, Costa Brava and Costa del Sol are firm British favourites. Fun-packed cheap holidays abound in popular hot-spots like Benidorm and Malaga, but don’t neglect the tradition and unspoilt beauty of Valencia and Cadiz – there are cheap holidays abroad for culture lovers, too.

With this in mind, another Mediterranean favourite is the Greek Islands. Corfu, Zante, Crete and Kefalonia all have great deals in the summer months.

For cheap holidays in exotic climes, Morocco is a hot favourite – but maybe too hot for the summer months. The Canary Islands, just off the North African coast, is a popular alternative for those looking for something a little different. On Tenerife and Lanzarote, fabulous family beaches are backed by volcanic lunar landscapes straight out of Dr Who! For cheap holidays abroad that mix beautiful beaches with exotic cultures and landscapes, look also at Turkey, Bulgaria, Malta and Cyprus.

Recent events in North Africa have alerted people as to why package holidays are the safest way to holiday abroad. By booking accommodation, flights, airport transfers etc. together, you don’t only save money – you’re far better protected when things go wrong. Book your own flights, for example, and you could find yourself being flown into the middle of a civil war zone!

Of course, a safe destination like Spain or Cyprus is unlikely to suddenly experience a military coup, but there are plenty of other reasons why package holidays are the safest option – not least, the financial aspect. Sadly, around two tour operators go bust each month – and that’s not counting the airlines and hotels which fold. If you’ve arranged a holiday yourself and this happens, you will at the very least lose your deposit, and could even be left stranded abroad – with the prospect of more expenses to arrange a flight home.

Compare this to package holidays where, by law, all payments are protected. Package holidays are classified as those where two or more elements (for example flights and accommodation or flights with hire car) exist as a pre-arranged combination, paid for in one lump sum. If any element of the holiday fails, you will at the very least get your money back.

If you book your package holidays through a bonded travel agent, such as one who is a member of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), you get ultimate protection. Depending on the circumstances, ABTA guarantee to bring you home safely, continue your holiday as originally planned, or offer a full refund – though disasters are unlikely, given the professionalism of their members.

If this hasn’t persuaded you, think of all the scams which abound with self-arranged holidays – anything from unscrupulous taxi drivers offering “cheap” airport transfers, to “tour reps” who are timeshare agents in disguise.

Play it safe – book package holidays through a reputable, bonded firm.

Crystal blue seas, a teaming array of marine life, beautiful white beaches and the grandeur of the Sinai desert – all these describe why cheap holidays in Sharm have become a top choice for British travellers wanting winter sun on a budget.

Cheap holidays in Sharm don’t mean poor quality. Hotels are furnished to an extremely high level of luxury, with restaurant menus that are out of this world. One of the diving capitals of the world, the Sharm area is today known as “the Red Sea Riviera”, having been transformed from an industrial port to a major tourist destination in a little over 20 years.

With the entire city built around tourism, cheap Sharm holidays abound, with a high level of competitiveness among operators helping to drive prices down. The best cheap holidays in Sharm are found online, where you’ll find numerous all-inclusive package deals with meals, flights, accommodation and activities all included. You can bring prices down even more by booking bed-and-breakfast in place of full-board hotel rooms.

Remember, cheap holidays in Sharm come with high standards, and it’s not unusual to find 3-star guest houses with private beaches and even their own diving schools! Sharm has an enviable number of restaurants in the Naama Bay area, while the old town district of Sharm El Maya has markets where you can buy fresh local produce.

The later you leave your booking, the cheaper the prices become, so if you’re looking for ultra-cheap Sharm holidays, check last minute deals online. The bulk of cheap Sharm holidays are found in the Naama Bay district, where most of the hotels, and the majority of bars and nightclubs, are located. For a quieter option, look for cheap deals in Sharm El Maya. Far more traditional in flavour, it offers a real taste of Bedouin life. Cheap Sharm holidays can also be booked at Ras Um Sid, a delightful area of cliff-top hideaways and unspoilt coves, perfect for families and diving enthusiasts alike.

The present economic climate has got many families thinking twice about a foreign holiday. However, all inclusive package holidays have become cheaper than ever, saving you not only money, but time and peace-of-mind as well.

Once upon a time, the only way you could book all inclusive holidays was via high-street travel agents. Today, you can book them online. But that doesn’t mean trawling multiple faceless websites looking for cheap flights and cut-price hotels. There are online travel agents who function exactly as conventional ones do, offering a cheap and friendly service with a real-life agent who will help sort a package deal that’s tailor-made for you.

All inclusive package holidays take away the headache of budgeting for accommodation, activities and flights, because all these are purchased together in, as the name suggests, one single package. Many online package holidays include optional add-one like car rental, sports activities and excursions. Often, these are far better value when booked upfront, rather than when you arrive. Then there’s the security aspect – if your independently-booked flight gets cancelled, you could end up with hefty accommodation costs. With all inclusive holidays, things like this are covered.

Package holidays come in many different guises. As well as full-board and half-board hotel accommodation, there are options on cruises and self-catering breaks – anything from secluded villas to self-contained holiday parks. The latter usually have restaurants on site, giving you flexibility and choice. Airlines and hotels will often join forces to offer special online packages and last-minute deals, with extra incentives like free kids places, two-for-one activities and accommodation upgrades – great news for families on a tight budget.

It’s easy to overspend on holiday, especially if you’ve not factored meals, car hire, airport transfers or excursions into your initial spend. These can be expensive when purchased at the resort – with no guarantee they will even be available. With all inclusive package holidays, all these are covered up front, leaving you to enjoy your holiday free of worry.

Last minute holidays are available all year round, with some great deals to be found even in the high season. By being flexible about your flight times, destination, accommodation etc. you can save pounds off the cost of your next holiday – meaning extra spending money for treats and excursions.

If you book last minute holidays out of season, you can save money at home too. Instead of turning the thermostat up and grumbling about your fuel bills, you can leave the heating off and lap up the warmth of a fabulous beach abroad!

As departure dates approach, unsold hotel rooms and flight places are sold off at bargain rates – generally, online. So this is evidently the best place to shop for cheap last minute holidays. However, this doesn’t have to mean trawling endless unknown sites, booking cheap flights and accommodation from different places. There are plenty of reputable holiday companies offering everything under one virtual roof – at extremely low prices.

If you want a last minute break, it can be yours with just a few clicks of the mouse. You can even chat to a real-life travel agent, who is as knowledgeable and helpful as those you find on the high street.

Last minute holidays obey the rules of supply and demand, so if you see a holiday you really want to go on, and it’s out of your price range, it may well be available at a far lower price a few days before the departure date. This is taking a gamble, however, and in general flexibility is the key when booking last minute holidays.

Have a general destination, rather than a specific hotel or resort in mind, and be prepared to self-cater rather than go half-board, and the world is quick literally your cut-price oyster – with the odd pearl or two to be found.

Book a Sharm holiday, and you are in one of the diving capitals of the world. However, a holiday in Sharm has more to offer than endless golden beaches and exquisite coral reefs. Here, we list the top 5 things to do on a holiday in Sharm.

1. Go diving or snorkelling. Or, failing that, book a glass-bottom boat trip or mini-submarine excursion. Either way, no holiday in Sharm is complete without at least one underwater visit to the Red Sea reefs. Coral canyons, ancient wrecks and over 1000 varieties of tropical fish make this a true diver’s paradise. Never tried it? Most Sharm holidays have beginners diving classes that will get you swimming underwater in no time at all.

2. Visit Ras Mohammed National Park. Teaming with flora and fauna, three-quarters of this protected habitat lies over water – but often at extremely shallow depths, so easily explored by snorkel. On dry land you can view the Eel Garden, watch migratory birds from the mangrove swamps – or simply relax on the secluded, tranquil beaches.

3. Enjoy the shops, restaurants and nightlife of Na’ama Bay. Most holidays in Sharm are centred around this area. Great beaches, great dining, inexpensive shops and fantastic bars and clubs that are at their best after midnight.

4. Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai. Walk in the footsteps of Moses with a coach excursion to the foot of Mount Sinai, where you can explore the exquisite icons of one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world. Those who are fit enough can attempt the climb to the top of the mountain. With over 3,000 steps, it’s not for the faint-hearted – but worth it for the views that Moses saw.

5. Finally, no Sharm holiday is complete without an off-road desert safari. Quad bike, jeep and camel are just some of the ways to see the oases and Bedouin villages out-of-bounds to coach travellers.

These are just some of the things to do on a holiday in Sharm – the resort with something for everybody.