ESSENTIAL CHECKS TO DO BEFORE BOOKING YOUR LONG-STAY GETAWAY

Always check the room basis – the cost difference between room-only and allinclusive will be huge.

If you go for a self-catering apartment, check what the kitchen is like. For long stays, you won’t be happy if there’s just a microwave.

Don’t book a place that’s too remote – it’s much better to at least be on the edge of a town with restaurant options, supermarkets, laundrettes and so on, then you do not rely entirely on your hotel.

Think about what activities are available for exercise: hiking trails, swimming, parks.

Of the main tour operators, Jet2 Holidays, Thomas Cook and British Airways Holidays tend to have the best deals. n Also consider online selfcatering apartment options offered by Airbnb (airbnb. co.uk) or Vrbo (vrbo.com) – and buy flights separately.

Most importantly: you must remember the rule that Britons can now stay in the EU for only 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. See the section ‘Visiting the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein’ at gov.uk.