21 Sep 2022
Half-Term Holidays: Where Can You Still Book Your Family Getaway

Tags: , , , , , , , ,


Vrbo

Survey finds 60% of Brits have already booked or made plans for an Autumn getaway


With the summer holidays already a distant memory, British travellers are looking for the perfect destination to book a half-term break. A recent study revealed by holiday homes expert Vrbo® found that nearly two thirds of Brits are considering taking a holiday this autumn (70%)*, with most of them having already booked or made plans (60%). Some of the main reasons for booking travel in autumn included:  

  • Lower prices in off-peak season and opportunities for cost-saving (45%)
  • Enjoying a taste of winter sun without the summer crowds (43%) 
  • Having something to look forward to after an unusual summer (31%)

As temperatures drop, the most popular destinations on travellers' wish list for a half-term holiday included destinations in the UK and escapes abroad. According to Vrbo, the most searched-for international destinations include Las Palmas and Santa Cruz (both in the Canary Islands) and, in the UK, Cornwall and Devon.**

For those still scrambling to find a last-minute holiday home for a family getaway, look for places in Kent, Suffolk, East Sussex and West Sussex, where there's 60%*** availability. Alternatively, look for homes in Pembrokeshire, Gloucestershire, Gwynedd or Dorset where vacancy is at around 55%. 

If you're looking for a break in popular overseas destinations, there is some availability for holiday homes in Faro (60%), Málaga (55%), the Balearic Islands (55%) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (55%).

Whether travellers are looking for a cosy country getaway or a coastal retreat, we have rounded up beautiful properties still available in the UK and abroad to book in time for half-term. 

Dog-friendly chocolate box cottage in Suffolk 

Where to book: Vrbo 
Price: from £342 per night, for up to 5 people*** 

Offering total privacy, Honeysuckle Cottage is perfect for families, group of friends and dog-lovers that want to explore the beautiful Suffolk countryside. This 15th century thatched holiday home is a great choice, not forgetting the jacuzzi and sauna, but also for the cosy fireplace and bread oven in the living room that will keep you warm if the weather is chilly outside. There is also plenty of space outdoors for dogs to run around. 

Idyllic detached cottage in Kent to disconnect
Where to book: Vrbo 
Price: from £330 per night, for up to 6 people*** 

This tranquil three-bedroom property is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Brittons Hill cottage is situated close to the famous Romney marshes and situated between picturesque Appledore and Hamstreet villages. With idyllic surroundings, guests have the great outdoors on their doorstep, with pasture and woodland bluebell woods nearby to explore. 


Light-filled lodge in Battle, East Sussex

Where to book: Vrbo

Price: £140 per night, for up to 4 people*** 

Located at the heart of Battle in the East Sussex countryside, Loose Farm Lodge is surrounded by many quaint, seaside and market towns, historic sites and miles of glorious coastline to explore, making the perfect spot for those looking for an action-packed family half-term break. The town is famous for its historic links to the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066, so don't miss a visit to its nearby battlegrounds and ruins during your stay. 

Majorcan country house with pool in Balearic Islands  
Where to book: Vrbo 
Price: £468 per night, for up to 8 people*** 

This classic Majorcan villa will delight those holidaymakers, who will benefit from the stunning views of the Serra de Tramontana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This holiday home is also ideally located only 12km from Palma, the capital. Enjoy the peace and sunny weather in the large garden amongst fruit trees and take a dip in the private swimming pool. This is a dream property to escape the cooler weather in the UK. 


Design-led villa with unbeatable views of Santa Cruz in Tenerife

Where to book: Vrbo

Price: £157 per night, for up to 8 people***  

This light-filled minimalist villa is the perfect choice for families looking for moments of relaxation, with amazing city and sea views to boot. Located in one of the most exclusive areas of Santa Cruz, Las Mimosas, you are minutes away from the centre of town for everything you need. Enjoy breakfast on the balcony or take in the breathtaking views of Santa Cruz from the comfort of the master bed. 

 
Sun-soaked countryside villa with swimming pool in Faro

Where to book: Vrbo 
Price: £191 per night, for up to 6 people*** 

The perfect place for lazy days by the private swimming pool, enjoying al fresco dining and the striking views from the roof terrace or getting a dose of vitamin D in the Algarve sun. Take a walk around the beautiful gardens, surrounded by delightful flowers and plants or take a day trip to closest beach, only a couple of kilometers away. 

ENDS

 

 

Notes to editors:    

 More photos and high res: https://we.tl/t-fexhqbzopm

Top destinations for half-term 2022*  

1.       Cornwall, England, UK 

2.       Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain 

3.       Devon, England, UK 

4.       Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain 

5.       Faro district, Portugal 

6.       Malaga province, Andalusia, Spain 

7.       North Yorkshire, England, UK 

8.       Balearic Islands, Spain 

9.       Cumbria, Cumberland, England, UK 

10.   Norfolk, England, UK 

 

 

About the research 

*An online survey was conducted by One Poll among 2,000 respondents from the UK – all had travelled domestically or abroad. The research fieldwork took place on 1 September – 3 September 2022. OnePoll is an MRS Company Partner. All MRS Company Partners and their employees agree to adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and MRS Company Partner Quality Commitment whilst undertaking research.  

**Vrbo owned data looking at 'interest' based destinations for Half-term 2022 travel amongst British travelers. Searches made 23 –30 October 2022. Data pulled on 4 September 2022. 

***Based on Vrbo's latest availability data (4th September 2022) for domestic and international destinations (stays in 23-30 October 2022).

****All prices include taxes and fees, accurate as at 13/09/2022, subject to availability and terms and conditions of Vrbo. Prices displayed do not include damage deposit details; prices and availability may change depending on number of people.  

About Vrbo 
In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we've grown into a global community of homeowners and travellers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.  

Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.  

© 2022 Vrbo, an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Vrbo and the Vrbo logo are trademarks of HomeAway.com, Inc. For more information, please contact pressUK@vrbo.com.