Don't Panic — Availability Is Better Than You Think

It's a common assumption that leaving it late means slim pickings and sky-high prices. And while it's true that planning ahead gives you more choice, the reality is that tour operators and hotels would rather fill those remaining spaces than leave them empty.

That means there are genuinely good deals still out there — you just need to know where to look and be ready to move quickly when you find them.

This is exactly where a personal travel agent earns their worth. Rather than you spending hours trawling through comparison sites only to find the "deal" has sold out by the time you click, your agent can check availability across multiple providers instantly and hold options while you decide.

Top Destinations Still Available for May Half Term

If you're flexible on destination, here are some brilliant options that tend to have last-minute availability and suit families perfectly:

🇪🇸 Spain — The Canaries & Balearics Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Majorca and Menorca are perennial family favourites for good reason — reliable sunshine, excellent family resorts, great value and short flight times from across the UK. All-inclusive options are widely available, which takes the daily budget stress away entirely.

🇬🇷 Greece — Corfu, Rhodes & Crete Late May is a wonderful time to visit Greece — warm but not yet the peak summer heat, with clear seas and fewer crowds than July and August. Many Greek islands have superb family-friendly hotels with water parks, kids' clubs and pools galore.

🇨🇾 Cyprus Often overlooked but absolutely brilliant for families — Cyprus offers beautiful beaches, a safe and welcoming environment, and excellent value. Flight times from the UK are around four to five hours, making it manageable even with younger children.

🇨🇾 Portugal — Algarve The Algarve is one of Europe's most family-friendly coastlines, with stunning beaches, calm Atlantic waters and a great range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Faro is well served by UK airports, and May is a gorgeous time to visit before the summer rush.

🇬🇧 UK Breaks Don't overlook the brilliant holidays available right on your doorstep. Holiday parks in Cornwall, Devon or the Lake District, and city breaks to Edinburgh, York or Bath can all make for a memorable half term without the airport stress. Perfect if passports are an issue or budgets are tight.

🚢 Don't Forget Cruising

Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a bumper year for cruising, with Mediterranean and Norwegian Fjord itineraries particularly popular. A cruise holiday offers something unique — the ability to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of repacking and hotel-hopping. Wake up in Barcelona, have lunch in Palma and watch the sunset from the deck as you sail towards Rome. PLUS there's some cracking deals out there for May half term!

Our agents have specialist cruise knowledge and direct relationships with the leading cruise lines, meaning they can match you with the right ship, itinerary and cabin for your needs — and often find deals that aren't available anywhere else.

What to Have Ready When You Contact Your Agent

To make the booking process as smooth and speedy as possible, it helps to have a few things in mind before you pick up the phone or send that first message:

• Your travel dates — and how flexible you are on them. Even shifting by a day either side can open up significantly more options.
• Departure airport — and whether you're willing to travel to an alternative airport if it means a better deal.
• Budget — a rough guide per person or total helps your agent narrow things down quickly.
• Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves — is a pool non-negotiable? Do you need a kids' club? Is all-inclusive important? The clearer you are, the faster your agent can find the right match.
• Passport validity — check everyone's passports now. Many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates.
• Can you book immediately - if your agent finds you the perfect holiday for you, be prepared to move fast. Prices are live and can change in the blink of an eye, or you could lose out on your favourite hotel when room availability is tight.

Why a Personal Travel Agent Beats Last-Minute DIY Booking

When you're under time pressure, the temptation is to just book something — anything — on a comparison site and hope for the best. But rushed online bookings are where mistakes happen: misread dates, overlooked baggage fees, poorly located hotels that looked great in photos.

A personal travel agent brings three things that a website can't:

Experience. They've been to these destinations, or know agents who have. They know which hotels look good online but disappoint in person — and which hidden gems are worth every penny.

Relationships. Our agents have direct relationships with tour operators and can sometimes access availability or rates that aren't visible on the open market.



Accountability. If something isn't right, your agent will sort it. That's a promise no algorithm can make.

The ABTA & ATOL Reassurance

When you're booking last minute and moving quickly, it's more important than ever to ensure your holiday is financially protected. Every holiday booked through The Good Travel Agent is fully ABTA and ATOL protected, meaning your money is safe and your trip is secured — however close to departure you book.

Act Now — The Best Spaces Fill First

If you're reading this and half term is looming, the best thing you can do is get in touch with one of our personal travel agents today. The sooner you reach out, the more options you'll have — and the sooner you can stop worrying and start looking forward to some quality family time.

Our agents are available seven days a week, at times that suit you.

👉 Find your personal travel agent at thegoodtravelagent.co.uk