package

Package holidays have become the go-to option for many Brits, but the first package holiday in 1841 was worlds away from a sizzling trip to Spain – and passengers only travelled 11 miles from home

As the festive decorations are packed away and Brits brace themselves for a dreary, rain-soaked January, many will be planning their summer getaways. When it comes to chasing the sun, Brits have long loved the ease of a package holiday.

ABTA data reveals that 62% of people who ventured abroad last year opted for a package holiday, bundling together flights and accommodation with extras from coach travel to car hire and dining packages.

The surge in package holidays has gone hand in hand with the rising popularity of overseas destinations. So, you might assume that first package breaks involved jetting off to sunny Costa Blanca or the chic south of France.

However, the origins of the package holiday are far more modest, and there’s one man to thank next time you’re basking in an all-inclusive in Alicante or lounging in Lanzarote, reports the Express.

Thomas Cook and the birth of the package holiday

The first package holiday in 1841 was a rather tame event. A Baptist preacher named Thomas Cook chartered a train and organised a trip for his fellow temperance movement members, advocates of abstaining from alcohol.

For a mere shilling, passengers could journey the 11-miles from Leicester to a temperance rally in Loughborough, complete with a cup of tea and a ham sandwich to enjoy on the train.

It may have been a modest start, but spurred on by the sale of 485 tickets, Thomas established Thomas Cook & Son, which became a household name in package holidays for many years. The entrepreneur recognised that railway companies offered discounts for bulk bookings or charters, and the public appreciated the ease of booking a package with everything organised for them.

Following his whirlwind journey to Leicester, Thomas Cook expanded his offerings with further trips across the Midlands, before branching out to London for the Great Exhibition. In 1855, he ventured overseas, leading tour groups to Belgium, Germany, and France, and in 1863, he introduced the first tour of Switzerland.

Opening up the world

Given the popularity of his European excursions, Thomas Cook presented his most ambitious itinerary yet in 1872. For 200 guineas, roughly equivalent to £25,000 today, travellers could embark on a 222-day tour encompassing the USA, Japan, China, India, and Egypt.

Around this time, Thomas also pioneered the use of circular notes, later known as traveller’s cheques, making it easier for holidaymakers to spend money abroad.

By 1888, Thomas Cook & Sons had established a global presence with offices worldwide, including three in Australia and one in New Zealand. By 1890, they were selling tickets to over three million travellers annually.

Previously, travel was a luxury only the wealthy could afford, but many of Cook’s new clientele were from the burgeoning middle classes. France, Germany, and Switzerland were popular destinations, and packages often included cultural excursions to museums, theatre and opera visits, in addition to outdoor pursuits like mountain climbing.

Fast forward to 1949, when the first modern package holiday, as we know it today, was introduced. Vladimir Raitz, a Moscow-born businessman who had relocated to London, was holidaying in Corsica when a business associate challenged him to attract more Brits to the island.

Vladimir calculated that for £35 per person (equivalent to around £1,100 in today’s money), he could charter a plane and offer British holidaymakers two weeks of sun-soaked bliss on the French island.

Despite facing some hurdles, Vladimir’s offer of a flight, tent accommodation, and twice-daily meals with meat proved irresistible to those still grappling with post-war austerity. The first charter flights took off in May 1949.

Vladimir went on to found Horizon Holidays, the first in a long line of package holiday companies promising sun-drenched getaways.

By 1950, the post-war holiday surge saw a million Brits venturing abroad, and in 1957, the now-obsolete British European Airways capitalised on this trend by offering flights to Valencia, situated approximately two hours north of Alicante. To market this fresh destination, the nickname Costa Blanca was created, encompassing the towns and cities along the 120-mile coastline.

During this period, a quaint fishing village named Benidorm was witnessing a decline in its fishing industry and needed a new income source. The local council, seizing an opportunity, began approving new developments.

In 1956, the General Plan was initiated, which moulded the destination that Brits adore today. While the area had been a tourist hotspot for some time, this plan incorporated more high-rise buildings and large public spaces, completely changing the skyline of the Spanish city.

1950 also marked the debut of the first resort to offer a version of the modern all-inclusive. Club Med launched a resort in Alcúdia, Majorca, where holidaymakers could have all their meals included in the price.

Tourists, primarily from Belgium and France, stayed in tents or beach huts and meals were a communal event, yet it laid the groundwork for a popular style of holiday that persists to this day.

Golden age

In the 1960s, a mix of factors like improved flight accessibility, increased wages and more paid holidays led to Brits swapping their local getaways for foreign adventures. Many embarked on their first overseas journeys, basking in the sun-soaked climes of Spain, Greece, and Italy, immersing themselves in diverse cultures and sampling exotic cuisines.

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Fast forward to today, and not much has changed with package holidays. A week or two under the sun remains the summer highlight for many Brits.

While new destinations have emerged, early favourites like Costa Blanca and Majorca continue to draw crowds. And even though the internet has opened up a world of travel opportunities, the continuing popularity of package holidays shows that sometimes all you need for a great holiday is a bit of sunshine and a comfy sunlounger.

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If you’re looking to book your summer getaway for next year then look no further, as the cheapest holiday destination has been revealed and it’s a stunning Spanish region

A popular Spanish region with white sand beaches and pristine blue water has been named as the cheapest summer holiday destination for 2026.

As we look to book our summer getaways for next year, Which? has compared the prices of 5,393 package holidays from Jet2holidays and easyJet Holidays to reveal the most affordable options. This was based on a seven-night stay, including flights, departing around August 2, with two people sharing a room with various board types.

Following their extensive research, the experts found that Costa Blanca, along Spain’s Mediterranean coastline, was the most budget-friendly option for a holiday deal next year. For a stay in Costa Blanca during the height of summer, Which? discovered that it would cost, on average, £864 per person for a seven-night package.

This is partly due to its popular and affordable seaside resort of Benidorm, which has often been dubbed the ‘New York of the Mediterranean’ or the ‘Spanish Las Vegas’. Benidorm is undeniably appealing with its sprawling golden sand beaches and turquoise waters, while its cheap drinks, lively nightlife, family entertainment and towering buildings only add to its unique allure.

In its research, Which? found that Benidorm offered some of the cheapest holidays from £535 per person for a week’s self-catering at the two-star Playamar apartments. Meanwhile, an all-inclusive option at the four-star Flamingo Beach Resort, featuring three outdoor pools, would cost £886pp with EasyJet Holidays.

But there’s much more to Costa Blanca than Benidorm, with quieter Spanish areas away from the tourist crowds. One option is the charming and picturesque hilltop town of Altea, offering sensational views over the Mediterranean, with room-only options available for £ 1,033 per person at the luxurious five-star SH Villa Gadea.

Costa Blanca was the only destination Which? found to be less than £900 for a week’s stay in August. Elsewhere in the research, the second most affordable package holiday was revealed as Tuscany, nestled in the heart of Italy.

Tuscany is renowned for its rolling hills, Renaissance masterpieces, and iconic cities such as Florence, Siena, and Pisa. A week-long stay in this captivating Italian region would set you back £929 per person, inclusive of flights and accommodation.

Coming in third on the list of budget-friendly summer escapes is the breathtaking Agadir coast in Morocco, famed for its expansive sandy beaches and status as a prime resort destination. With an abundance of accommodation choices along the coastline, centred around beach days, a stay here would amount to £946pp.

According to Which?, six of the top ten cheapest holiday destinations for 2026 are located in Spain, with Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria among them. Additionally, Zante in Greece, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, lush landscapes and vibrant nightlife, also secured a spot in the top 10.

Here are the cheapest package holiday destinations for 2026, as outlined by Which? The results show the average price, per person, for a seven-night package stay.

1. Costa Blanca, Spain – £864
2. Tuscany, Italy – £929
3. Agadir coast, Morocco – £946
4. Dalaman area, Turkey – £1,048
5. Tenerife, Canary Islands – £1,073
6. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – £1,119
7. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – £1,121
8. Costa Brava, Spain – £1,125
9. Costa Dorada, Spain – £1,133
10. Zante, Greece – £1,142

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The cheapest destinations for package holidays in summer 2026 have been revealed, with five Spanish getaways making the list, with a seven-night stay starting from £864 per person

As we near the end of 2025, there’s no better time to think about booking your sun-soaked getaway for next year, and some popular holiday hotspots have been revealed as the cheapest.

Whether you’re dreaming of a well-deserved trip under the Mediterranean sun on a golden sand beach or time spent wandering around European streets soaking up a city’s vibrant culture, there’s a bundle of desirable holiday destinations on offer. In a bid to help you choose your next getaway, the experts at Which? have revealed the 10 cheapest destinations to book for a package holiday for the summer of 2026.

For the results, they compared the prices of 5,393 package holidays from Jet2holidays and easyJet Holidays. This was based on a seven-night stay, including flights, departing on or around August 2, with two people sharing a room with various board types.

The winner

With its white-sand beaches and sprawling resorts, Which? found Costa Blanca along Spain’s Mediterranean coastline as the cheapest option for a package for next year. Known as the White Coast, it boasts popular resorts like Benidorm, Alicante, and Altea, each offering its own unique allure.

For a stay in Costa Blanca during the peak of summer, Which? found that it would cost, on average, £864 per person for a seven-night package. This was the only destination they found to be less than £900 for a week’s stay in August.

The second-cheapest package holiday was to Tuscany in central Italy, famed for its rolling hills, Renaissance art, and cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa. A week’s stay in the gorgeous Italian region would cost £929pp per week, including flights and accommodation – what’s not to love?

This is in stark contrast to the Italian region of Sardinia, which would cost around £1,508pp for the same stay, saving you a whopping £579. Tuscany is said to be more affordable due to its wide range of accommodations available, from self-catering to bed-and-breakfast, room-only, as well as all-inclusive and full-board packages.

Ranked as the third cheapest for a summer getaway was the stunning Agadir coast in Morocco, known for its sprawling sand beaches and as a major resort destination. With plenty of accommodation options along the coast, with beach days at its core, a stay here would cost £946pp.

Following the research from Which? they found that six of the cheapest holiday hotspots for 2026 were in Spain, with Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria also on the list. Elsewhere, Zante in Greece, with its pristine blue waters, fruity landscapes and lively nightlife, also made the top 10.

Here are the cheapest package holiday destinations for 2026, as outlined by Which? The results show the average price, per person, for a seven-night package stay.

1. Costa Blanca, Spain – £864
2. Tuscany, Italy – £929
3. Agadir coast, Morocco – £946
4. Dalaman area, Turkey – £1,048
5. Tenerife, Canary Islands – £1,073
6. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands – £1,119
7. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – £1,121
8. Costa Brava, Spain – £1,125
9. Costa Dorada, Spain – £1,133
10. Zante, Greece – £1,142

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The Delaware Supreme Court rules in favour of Musk and his $56bn compensation package.

Elon Musk’s 2018 pay package from Tesla, once worth $56bn, has been restored by the Delaware Supreme Court, in the United States, two years after a lower court struck down the compensation deal as “unfathomable”.

Friday’s ruling overturns a decision that had prompted a furious backlash from Musk and damaged Delaware’s business-friendly reputation.

The pay package was by far the largest ever, until Tesla shareholders approved a new, even larger pay plan of nearly $1 trillion in November.

The ruling means that Musk can finally get paid for his work since 2018, when he transformed Tesla from a struggling startup to one of the world’s most valuable companies.

The 2018 pay deal provided Musk options to acquire about 304 million Tesla shares at a deeply discounted price if the company hit various milestones, which it did.

Tesla estimated in 2018 that the plan was potentially worth $56bn, although given the rise in the stock price, the value ballooned to about $120bn by early November. The options represent approximately 9 percent of Tesla’s outstanding stock.

Musk never collected his stock options because, soon after shareholders approved the 2018 compensation, the board was sued by Richard Tornetta, an investor with just nine Tesla shares.

In 2024, after a five-day trial, Delaware Judge Kathaleen McCormick concluded that Tesla’s directors were conflicted and key facts were hidden from shareholders when they voted to approve the plan. She ordered that the 2018 plan be rescinded.

Musk accused Delaware judges of being activists, hostile to tech founders, and he urged businesses to follow Tesla and reincorporate elsewhere.

Dropbox, Roblox, The Trade Desk and Coinbase were among the handful of large companies that moved their legal homes to Nevada or Texas. However, Delaware remains by far the most popular legal home for US public companies.

Tesla’s board has warned that Musk, the world’s richest person who also leads the SpaceX rocket venture and the artificial intelligence startup xAI, could leave the electric car company if he does not get the pay he wants and an increase in his voting power.

In November, shareholders approved a new pay package that could be worth $878bn if Tesla meets targets for self-driving vehicles, a robotaxi network and sales of humanoid robots.

Tesla has taken steps to reduce the risk that a shareholder could tie up the 2025 package in the courts.

The Austin-based company is now incorporated in Texas, which allows Tesla to require that any investor or group of investors must own 3 percent of the company stock before suing for an alleged corporate law violation. A stake of that size would be worth about $30bn, and Musk is the only individual with that much stock.

SNAP up next year’s holiday for less.

Do you spend the long, cold winter nights dreaming about your next holiday? Say yes to summer – and yes to big savings – by bagging up to £500 off a TUI booking with its latest deal.

There are options to buy now, pay later with low or no deposit – and grab free kids’ places. So where do you fancy going?

Greek gifts

You can always depend on the Greek islands. Corfu is a lush picture of cypress trees, olive groves and sun-bleached towns.

Make sure to fit in a trip to Paradise Beach, so isolated it can only be reached by boat.

Alternatively, Rhodes has a breathtaking mix of dazzling beaches and ancient ruins.

Take the ferry to the tiny island of Symi, which has a beautiful harbour and a striking 15th-century monastery on the waterfront.

Spain’s Balearic Islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera – never fail to please. 

Cala Galdana – a cosy, colourful resort set in a lovely cove in southern Menorca – has lots to keep the family entertained.

And of course Ibiza’s non-stop party scene, bohemian vibes and gorgeous sand are rightly legendary.

Choose a cruise

Or save up to £300 off per booking* on a more sedate river cruise. TUI River Cruises runs tours on the Nile in Egypt plus the Rhine, the Danube and the Moselle in Europe with a brand new ship to be launched on Portugal’s beautiful River Douro in Summer 2027.

Long haul or short?

The new year is the perfect time to think about treating yourself to a holiday.

Tempted by some sunshine? Florida enjoys average temperatures of 25C – so hit the beach, tour Miami and visit Orlando’s theme parks.

Or soak up the sun in Mexico, explore Mayan ruins, laze on powder-sand beaches and stay in an incredible seafront hotel.

The Canaries are always a hit, winter or summer, with Tenerife and Gran Canaria as ever-reliable choices.

Agaete – in the north of Gran Canaria – has some great beaches and natural pools, plus a quaint old town with a walled botanical garden.

How to shop the deals