2009 holidays – Splurge or save?

As the recession continues to cast its shadow over the UK’s financial stability, UK holidaymakers are desperate for a touch of variety says Martin Chiazza, founder of go4travel.net. With a fantastic array of great value budget busting deals and alluring luxurious five-star packages, the world is at your feet with go4travel.net in 2009.

Istanbul, Turkey: Immerse yourself in the exquisite architecture and rich cultural heritage that is the inimitable metropolis of Istanbul. Situated on the banks of the Bosphorus, the city is a vibrant mix of ultra-modern urban design and old-world charm Byzantine Mosques, art galleries and museums are weaved seamlessly amid a pulsating nightlife of chic cafes and colourful bars.

Splurge: 5 Star Byotell Hotel. Prices from £151 per double room, per night, including breakfast.
Save: 3 Star Pianoforte Istanbul. Prices from £60 per double room, per night, including breakfast.

Cape Town, South Africa: Cape Town provides the perfect opportunity to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of one of the world’s most exciting holiday destinations. Featuring a multitude of iconic attractions such as Robben Island, Table Mountain and the magnificent beaches of Camps Bay, a trip to the South African ‘Mother City’ is a must at this time of year.

Splurge: 5 Star Mandela Rhodes Place Studio. Prices from £100 per double room, per night, on a room only basis.
Save: 3 Star Mandela Rhodes Place Studio. Prices from £67 per double room, per night, including breakfast.

Melbourne, Australia: Travel down-under and experience the dynamic cultural landscape of Australia’s most multicultural city. Overflowing with character, Melburnians take life at a leisurely pace, content to stroll through the leafy boulevards, relax in stylish cafes or tour the beautiful city streets on their bikes. Featuring the cutting edge in Australian architecture, art, music, fashion and cuisine, a trip to Melbourne is one you will remember forever.

Splurge: 5 Star Westin Hotel. Prices from £170 per double room, per night, on a room only basis.
Save: 3 Star Ibis. Prices from £76 per double room, per night, on a room only basis.

Budapest, Hungary: Nestled on the gentle bend of the river Danube, Budapest provides a cosmopolitan city feel reminiscent of the capital’s neo-classical past. Brimming with a unique sense of Eastern European romance, the city is alive with attractions, chic cafes, culturally rich museums and relaxing Turkish baths. A visit to Budapest will capture the imagination and captivate the mind.

Splurge: 5 Star Kempinski Corvinus. Prices from £121 per double room, per night, on a room only basis.
Save: 2 Star Happy Apartment Hotel. Prices from £45 per double room, per night, including breakfast.

St Petersburg, Russia: Known to many as “the Venice of the North”, St Petersburg has continued to grow in popularity in the last few years. Including an array of popular sights, such as the Winter Palace and the awe-inspiring St Issac’s Cathedral, visitors can also enjoy cruises along the vast network of canals or even take a trip down-town to one of the many underground clubs featuring the best bands in bohemia.

Splurge: 5 Star Grand Hotel Emerald. Prices from £224 per double room, per night, including breakfast.
Save: 2 Star Old Nevski House Hotel. Prices from £69 per double room, per night, including breakfast.

For more information and bookings, log on to Go4travel.net.