Do you remember when you could fetch a flight for £ 1.99? It was back in the tree years of the Neither Ghies, as Budget Airlines erected their brands.
Still, it is still possible to tackle a bargain, especially if you are willing to drive light with hand luggage – and to drop everything on short notice.
Yes, low-cost flights can be a little more expensive these days, mainly due to increased aviation fuel prices and taxes, but the four leading airlines have many attractive rates.
So here we have the lowest prices for luggage only to Europe (and two to North Africa) before the Easter holiday. The only question is: Are you ready to drop it all and go?
Easyjet
Faro, Portugal from Gatwick
Departure on 25 February (£ 16.99), return 5 March (£ 17.67).
Total: £ 34.66.
Where to stay: The smooth, contemporary 3hb Faro Hotel overlooks the beautiful maze of paved streets in Faro’s center. There is a wonderful pool on the roof and an authentic Portuguese restaurant. Double from £ 151 (3hb.com).
Palma, Mortelca Of Birmingham
Depart on March 4 (£ 14.99) and return March 11 (£ 15.99).
Total: £ 30.98.
Where to stay: The Puro Grand is a former palace in the 15th-century palace with chandeliers, a billiard table in the library, comfortable room and a restaurant serving steaks and fine Spanish reds. Double from £ 173 (purograndhotel.com).
Basel, Switzerland Of Bristol
Depart on February 26 (£ 14.99), and return March 5 (£ 16.13).
Total: £ 31.12.
Where to stay: Hotel Krafft, overlooking the Rhine and dating from 1873, has comfortable, elegantly decorated rooms, best to the river. Double from £ 218 (Krafftbasel.ch).
Agadir, Morocco Of Manchester
Departure on March 19 (£ 18.99), and return 26 March (£ 25.01).
Total: £ 44.
Where to stay: The Kenzi Europe is located on a white-sanded bay with tennis courts and heated pool. It is a five -minute walk from Agadir’s center with its Moorish buildings and live nightlife. Double from £ 86 (kenzi hotels.com).
British Airways
Dublin, Ireland Of Heathrow
Depart on March 25 (£ 47) and return on April 2 (£ 30).
Total: £ 77.
Where to stay: Near the hustle and bustle of Camden Street, the Wilder Townhouse has a bohemian feeling in a former art studio in the Victorian era. Comfortable doubles from £ 167 (Thewilder.ie).
Riga, Latvia of Heathrow
Depart on March 24 (£ 59) and return on April 3 (£ 33).
Total: £ 92.
Where to stay: Hotel Bergs is in an Art Nouveau building with French mirrors, decorated fireplaces and sophisticated rooms. Double from £ 80 (Hotelbergs.LV).
Verona, Italy Of Gatwick
Depart on March 24 (£ 51) and return on April 3 (£ 35).
Total: £ 86.
Where to stay: The Delser Hotel is a converted Roman water muscle, which provides an unusual but fascinating refuge with views of the Aige River. Double from £ 159 (Delserverona.com).
Ryanair
Frankfurt, Germany of Stansted
Depart on February 28 (£ 14.99), and return 9 March (£ 16.99).
Total: £ 31.98.
Where to stay: The Libertine Lindenberg Hotel has a youthful panache in the Sachsenhausen neighborhood, with Dutch watercolor, Moroccan rugs and quiet rooms. Double from £ 78 (thelindenberg.com).
Milan, Italy Of Newcastle
Departure on March 18 (£ 21.49), with return on March 22 (£ 16.99).
Total: £ 38.48.
Where to stay: The Aethos Hotel has near channels in the Navigli district an eclectic interior with velvet chairs, old cocktail boxes and heavy curtains. Double from £ 305 (aethos.com).
Bratislava, Slovakia Of Leeds Bradford
Depart on March 8 (£ 16.99), and return March 16 (£ 16.99).
Total: £ 33.98.
Where to stay: The Loft Hotel has an industrial-chic-style and is hidden in a side street, with a stripped decor, fashionably battered banks and a bar that serves craft beer. Double from £ 85 (Loftotlash.sk).
Alicante, Spain Of Manchester
Depart on March 2 (£ 19.99), and return 9 March (£ 19.99).
Total: £ 39.98.
Where to stay: Near the tiled explanation of Espana, the Strand and the Marina, the Melia Hotel has a pool on the roof, plus chic and smooth rooms. Double from £ 125 (Melia.com)
Wizzair
Marrakesh, Morocco Of Gatwick
Depart on February 3 (£ 19.99), and return February 11 (£ 17.99).
Total: £ 37.98.
Where to stay: Riad Adore has ten smooth rooms with soft Berber taps and antique kaftans, plus a Hamam, a small pool and friendly staff -located near the Dar El Bacha Palace. Double from £ 134 (riadadore.com).
Tallinn, Estonia Of Luton
Depart on February 3 (£ 19.99), and return February 7 (£ 12.99).
Total: £ 32.98.
Where to stay: In the heart of the Cobb Led Old Town, the telegraph is in a former bank and post office, with design rooms and a restaurant serving traditional Estonian/Russian dishes. Double from £ 106 (telegraphhotel.com).
Tirana, Albania of Luton
Still, it is still possible to tackle a bargain, especially if you are willing to drive light with hand luggage – and to drop everything on short notice.
Departure on February 2 (£ 14.99), return 9 February (£ 9.99).
Total: £ 24.98.
Where to stay: The Plaza Hotel near Scander Beg Square has a warmer atmosphere than the concrete outside suggests, plus a spa with a room enclosed in Himalayan salt. Double from £ 133 (Plazatirana.com).
Gdansk, Poland Of Luton
Depart on February 24 (£ 17.99), and return March 5 (£ 8.99).
Total: £ 26.98.
Where to stay: The Gotyk House Hotel dates back to 1463 and is a block with antique and old manuscripts in display cabinets, with chesterfield banks and parquate floor rooms. Double from £ 59 (Gotykhouse.eu).
Iasi, Romania Of liverpool
Departure on March 26 (£ 17.99), and return 31 March (£ 8.99).
Total: £ 26.98.
Where to stay: While staying in Iasi, the third largest city of Romania, in the Unirea Hotel with comfortable, old-fashioned rooms near the Bahlui River. Double from £ 82 (Hotel Unirea.ro).
- Prices correctly as we are going to press
