Dates | All prices are based on Saturday 7th March 2026 - Saturday 14th March 2026. 

Half-term covers the period Monday 16th February - Friday 20th February, and Easter is March 30th - April 10th. Weekends either side of these dates will be busy and more expensive.

Flights | Flights are based on flying out of Gatwick and include hold luggage. If booked with carry-on luggage only then there is a reasonable saving. CPAP machines maybe taken on board as free of charge extra luggage but the airline must be advised in advance.

Extra Expenses | Airport car parking or train travel to the airport | Holiday insurance | Car hire | Transfers at the resort | Fast track security at the airport (optional) | Lounges at the airports (optional). 

Passports and Visas | Passports must have a date of issue less than 10 years before the date that you arrive and an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. More info here www.gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area

EES is due to be operational from October 2025. This is a new digital border system that will change requirements for British nationals travelling to the Schengen area. More info here www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system

Points to consider | A self built "bolt together" holiday is not covered by ABTA agreements as a package holiday is, therefore if anything goes wrong it is your own responsibilty and you may need to make your own arrangements to get home at additional costs (insurance may not cover this).

Gran Canaria | Flight time is 4 hours 30 mins. Weather is generally good with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20 degrees C. and rainfall is low.

Accommodation | Booking.com are listing around eighty, four bedroom villas with a minimum of three bathrooms and most are priced at over £1500 per week, those that are less are either small and pokey or in not great locations. Based on this I haven't checked further.

Flights | Easyjet £280 | British Airways £286

More info here www.grancanaria.com/turismo/en/

Lanzarotte | Flight time is 4 hours 15 mins. Weather is generally good with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20 degrees C. and rainfall is low but it can be windy.

Accommodation | There are around seventy villas with four bedrooms and four bathrooms listed, most are over £1500 but this one looks interesting Villa Tiffany In Puerto del Carmen.

In around 2022 eight of us went to Puerto del Carman and shared Villa Siesta it has four bedrooms but only three bathrooms. The two bedrooms on the first floor share a shower room. For this date this villa does appear to be booked but it is mirrored by the semi-detached next door (Villa Calma). The location is good.

Flights | Easyjet £247 | British Airways £208

More info here www.turismolanzarote.com/en/ 

Fuerteventura | Flight time is 4 hours 15 mins. Weather is generally good with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20 degrees C. and rainfall is low.

Accommodation | There is a number of four bedroom, four bathroom villas listed around the £1500 mark. This would need more investigation to determine which location is most suitable.

Flights | Easyjet £240 | British Airways £ No Flights

 More info here www.fuerteventuraguide.com/

The Algarve | Flight time is 2 hours 55 mins. Weather is generally good with low rainfall and daytime temperatures about 18 degrees C.

Accommodation | There are quite a few four bedroom, four bathroom villas listed. The most lively area is probably close to Albufeira, which I think is about an hour's drive from the airport. Here are a couple of examples that are under £1500 Villa Duarte and Villa Orada  The Algarve appears to be good value for money.

Flights | Easyjet £238 | British Airways £181

More info here www.algarve-tourist.com/index.html

Cyprus | Flight time is 4 hours 40 mins. Weather is generally good with low rainfall and daytime temperatures around 20 degrees C.

Accommodation | There is a good selection of four bedroom, four bathroom villas and all look very top end but good value for money. No idea of locations but here is a few examples that are all around £1500 Romeo and Juliet or Anemone or Nissi Residence 

NB Cyprus has military bases that are supporting the war in Isreal, Palastine and the wider areas.

Flights | Easyjet £210 (Larnaca) £239 (Paphos) | British Airways £ No flights from Gatwick

More info here www.visitcyprus.com/

Mallorca | Flight time is 2 hours 20 mins. Weather is generally good with daytime temperatures in the high teens degrees C.

Accommodation | There is a good number of four bedroom, four bathroom villas at around £1500. Areas and locations need investigation for suitability. Here are a few examples Villa Corb Mari or Villa Font Xica Gran or Villa Corb Mari II 

Flights | Easyjet £187 | British Airways £150

More info here www.majorca-mallorca.co.uk/

Crete | Flight time is 3 hours 55 mins. Weather is generally good with daytime temperatures up to about 18 degrees C. and low rainfall.

Accommodation | I haven't checked this due to no flights being available.

Flights | Easyjet £ No flights | British Airways £ No flights from Gatwick

More info here www.crete.org.uk/