How do you book a holiday, coinciding a flight with a hotel?

Do you book the flight or the hotel first? Do you enquire about both, then have to ring both back, juggling dates, maybe more than once? If you just book a flight to go abroad in Europe or the USA how do you go about finding accommodation once you get there?

Or is it always cheaper to go package holidays, for a couple?

Having traveled most of the world, both for business and pleasure, I find that nothing works quiet so well as putting myself in the hands of a reputable travel agent. They have made it a profession and know exactly the best way to go.

That is not to preclude making my own arrangments...which can be a bit more exciting and challenging.

As a general rule, do a bit of homework regarding your intended destination...find out what hotels are available in your price range and, before booking anything, check to see whether the hotel of your choice will have rooms availble for you. Having determined THAT, then proceed to book your flight. Once the flight is confirmed, THEN book your hotel room/rooms.

If you like adventure, simply book a flight to Europe and set out to find accomodations when you arrive. Often airport personnel will have a list of accomodations available from which you can choose. We did this TWICE on trips to Italy and it worked out fine...a bit of a hassle, but all worked well in the end...and we found some charming accomodations that way. Also in the former Jugoslavia, where we ended up being directed to a private home, where we were treated as family.

How do you do it??? With two people, one can stay with the luggage while the other visits hotels within walking distance to see what is available. Alone, check your luggage...if there is a lot of it...and set off on foot. This has never failed to turn up suitable accomodations for us.

If you want to be absolutely hassle-free...book a scheduled package...but opt for one that isn't a moving crowd scene...try to book one with no more than twenty other travelers. Beyond that you are subject to delay after delay as you wait for Maisie to go back for her camera, or wait for Joe Blow who ALWAYS oversleeps.

As to which way is cheaper....that depends on too many variables to give a certain answer...including peak season as opposed to low season, popularity of destinations as opposed to not frequently traveled destinations.

Even if you decide to go it alone... first speak to a travel agent who specializes in your destination...they are, mainly, willing to answer any of your questions.

try www.ebookers.co.uk or www.expedia.co.uk

You can book your flight and choose your hotel from a range that they have available for the dates you specify.

More reliable - less hassle!

ryanair offer cheap hotels and car hire on their web site http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/

In these days of low cost airlines it is often cheaper and always more flexible to make your own arrangements, though package deals can have some great offers on great hotels that you will not get, especially last minute.

In general I have found that you can pretty much always find a hotel, so I book the flight first. But if you are worried, book the hotel first because on almost all deals hotels can be cancelled without penalty while flights cannot.