I will try to give an answer based on my personal experience, considering all trends I've seen in those recent years.
Early booking
Many tourists usually plan their holidays well in advance, probably because they are also lucky enough to know by the end of September the exact dates for their summer holidays on the following year :P The fact remains that at the end of December many of the most desirable properties are already fully booked, especially if:
A. close to the sea
B. good value for money
C. equipped with every comfort (air conditioning, jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, etc.)
If the property you are looking for shall have these requirements, then I suggest you to follow these few simple tips to secure your dream villa!
- Preliminary research: start searching already by the end of September, you'll still have the summer spirit in you! Evaluate the various geographical areas and different types of accommodation... you'll get an idea about the offers present on the market while you decide on the period for your break from work!
- Create a Wish List: during the search, select the structures that better meet your needs and request for quotes according to your preferred periods of stay. For early bookings, you will surely get very attractive discounted rates!
- Book: the best time to finalise your reservation is by the month of December! Most of the vacation houses still have available dates, discounts are commonly offered and... choice is absolutely much wider! Although during the Christmas holidays you probably have more time to look around and decide, my advice is trying to get organised with friends and family before the holidays start. You'll have a better chance of closing the deal!
What about last minute deals?
Now just a couple of words to all those last minute fans out there ;) It's true, you'll often find amazing cheap offers, probably because the accommodation has not been booked for that time or maybe because other customers have cancelled their stay. However, in the wonderful world of holiday homes planning ahead always brings more rewards!
