Experts Reveal The Best Time To Book Your 2025 Holiday
With the fun of the festive season long behind us, and sub-zero temperatures and a particularly blue January ahead, a little escapism is exactly what many of us need right now. It's no surprise, then, that thoughts naturally turn to holidays, and filling the coming year with as many bucket-list destinations, culture-packed getaways and fabulous new hotels as humanly possible.
But in travel as in life, planning ahead makes all the difference – so if you want to secure the very best rentals and rates, it's high time you start turning those half-baked holiday ideas into concrete plans. In fact, according to the latest research by Vrbo, January is actually the ideal time to book an Easter 2025 holiday, while if you're dreaming of spending the summer in a fabulous villa somewhere sunny, you'll want to have a property pinned down by the end of February at the latest. Leave it until April, and only around 30 per cent of homes will still be available; even fewer in popular beach destinations like the Balearics and Portugal. For these, a January booking is best.
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'It’s a mistake to treat holiday homes like hotels,' explains Melanie Fish, a spokesperson for Vrbo. 'With space for only one group at a time, there’s more competition to book homes, especially those with standout amenities in top locations. When you find that dream house – beachfront, game room, bunk beds, and a pool steps from the ocean – don’t wait. A week or two can make the difference between being just steps from the beach or on the other side of town.'
Of course, it can be tricky for even the best-intentioned of us to get their acts together – and group of friends in agreement – so early in the year. For those who need a little longer to decide, summer staycations present a far less time-pressured option: Vrbo recommends book-by dates of March 24 for properties in Cornwall and Devon, April 7 for Norfolk and May 5 for North Yorkshire.
Those who can't resist the allure of a good saving, meanwhile, should consider an October getaway. As rates drop after the high season, this is the month that sees the lowest average daily rental prices – despite the weather in many destinations still being seriously nice. Indeed, October has long been a favourite of in-the-know travellers seeking the last of the summer sun, without the usual tourist crowds. It's worth noting, too, that longer stays often trigger discounts, so opting for a week or more as opposed to a quick weekend break could be more affordable than you think. Full month of 'working' from Ibiza, anyone?
To help you make your 2025 holiday dreams a reality, we've selected a few of our favourite Vrbo properties that are still available to book – for now...
Golden Meadow, Devon
This seven-bed modern villa is perched above one of south Devon's most beautiful stretches of coastline, and boasts stylish interiors, epic views, and easy access to a number of South Hams beaches as well as Dartmouth.
Can Beteigeuze, Ibiza
We can't imagine a much better way of spending the summer than with a group of friends in this lovely Ibizan villa, that's surrounded by a pine forest, located just 600 metres from Cala Vadella beach, and sleeps six.
Marbella, Spain
With its year-round sun, glamorous beach clubs, iconic hotels and buzzy nightlife scene, Marbella is a must for lovers of luxury. Treat yourself to a stay at this sprawling villa to experience the destination at its very best: it's right in the heart of the action, situated on the prestigious Golden Mile and a short drive from Puerto Banus.
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