Holidays in Spain have been popular since the advent of jet travel made overseas holidays possible for the masses, and turned small villages like Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol into the concrete jungle it is today – the worst excesses of tourism are over now thankfully, and the Spanish authorities have strict controls on what can and can’t be built in popular holiday resorts along the Spanish coasts.

Tenerife is a prime example of how tourism has changed a holiday destination. From the 1960′s onwards Tenerife became a popular destination with winter holidays becoming much more in vogue due to the island’s all year round good climate, allowing Tenerife’s tourist industry to prosper with year round tourism compared to some areas that have a six month season. New hotels and housing developments were built without much thought for the environment, but now Tenerife has introduced planning rules that will protect her from future excesses. The island was once a premier holiday hot spot amongst the elite, but a lack of investment caused it to fade off the holiday destination map. Tenerife is making a comeback as the place to be when you want the perfect holiday.

Another Spanish holiday island that is doing well despite talk of a recession is Majorca – popular with European holidaymakers for over 50 years now, and still attracting new and returning tourists who might have been able to get a cheaper destination from their travel agency. Also known as Mallorca, the island really started to develop as a tourist hot spot as far back as the 1920s. Today, Mallorca sees more than six million visitors each year, yet ninety-five percent of vacationers concentrate in only five percent of its territory. Mallorca is known as the Mediterranean Lady and it offers a little something for everyone.

Many people actually prefer the slower paced winter holidays to the hustle and bustle of the busy summer holiday season. Temperatures in the winter season range from 6 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius. These mild temperatures help make Mallorca the perfect wintertime destination for those who enjoy cooler temperatures and mild winter weather – after all not everyone wants to spend their holidays just sunbathing, though plenty do!

Water sports and golf are very popular in Majorca, and Majorca golf holidays in themselves are a niche travel market. Some local businesses offer dive or boat tours and diving lessons for those who prefer the Mediterranean to dry land. Some species of tropical fish and marine life exist only in this temperate climate. Crystal clear waters offer a great viewing distance. Local businesses also offer boat and water craft rentals for those who wish to explore the open sea on their own.

Mallorca has a very colourful history dating back to the Paleolithic period. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule, and outside of the peak summer months is an ideal time for those interested in culture, art and history to visit the island. Museums in various villages on Mallorca showcase a wide variety of artefacts from each period of the island’s history. The official spoken languages on Mallorca are Catalan and Spanish, but many Mallorcans are becoming fluent in English and German as well, knowing that the tourist industry plays a major part in the island’s economy.

Travel agents can help you save money, book hotel rooms, and more; but what about online travel agencies? While people worry that Internet travel agencies could deceive you or provide low-quality service, there are actually lots of benefits to choose an online travel agency.

First and foremost, with an online travel agency, you can work with the place that has the lowest prices despite geography limits. In other words, you have more options! By contrast, with travel agency in an offline setting, you are limited to companies that operate in your neighborhood, or at least within a reasonable distance. People who live in major cities might especially be affected by the high prices of brick and mortar travel agencies. Online, there are not proximity limits.

The increased number of choices does not just help you save money. It also means that you have countless possibilities to travel. The travel agencies in your areas probably can book dozens or even hundreds of different trips, but there will be limitations. Online, you can find a family or an individual who has been there and will plan an amazing vacation for you. There are some places in the world where you can’t travel if you work with an online travel agency.

Another good point of working with an online travel agency is that you can order your vacation package any time. Brick and mortar business usually close soon after the end of the regular business day, and many are not open for long hours on the weekend. The Internet is open 24 hours a day. This is especially handy for parents who need to plan after the kids are in bed, people who work odd hours, and those living in rural locations where the nearest travel agency office is a fairly far drive.

One of the often-overlooked benefits of an online travel agency is the control you have to make your own choices without outside influences or pressure. When you visit an office, many travel agents have the same tone as used car salesmen. So, you might feel pressured to book a trip when you are not done exploring your options or upgrade certain aspects, even though you do not have the money. Online travel agencies typically take a more hands-off approach. Most are more than willing to answer questions via email or over the phone.

Also, when working with an online travel agency, you have more payment choices. Today, some offline travel agencies offer payment plans, credit card payments, and so on. When working online to plan your vacation, however, you can always find a type payment that will work for you. Some even have payment programs that allow you to earn points for every dollar you spend, which can be gift certificates or future trips.

Really there are still scammers posing as online travel agencies, and what you need to do is always to read the fine print of any website where you make a purchase carefully. However, online travel agencies are places to book a vacation savingly, easily, and conveniently .