PARTY holiday brands Club 18-30 and 2wentys are going head-to-head this summer to attract the up-for-it clubbing crowds. With gig tickets, blissed-out boat parties, bargain prices and free holidays with group bookings, it's a tough choice. VICKY LISSAMAN gives you a run-down of what's new this summer with the brands that like to have it large.
CLUB 18-30 is going upmarket this year with a host of exclusives for sunseeking revellers.
It's club class all the way, with VIP properties and top-notch resort accommodation.
Plus there are exclusive gig tickets, chilled-out sunset boat parties and a new Full Moon Party in the mix for this year's party crowd at resorts all over Europe, Egypt and Turkey.
All guests will be treated like celebs in the new Club VIP Paloma Studios in Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Guests staying at this resort are invited to weekly pool parties, given a free Club ticket, a NAPA VIP vest and priority drop-off at their hotel.
Five new Club Class units are opening this summer.
Fedra in Ayia Napa, Majestic Spa in Zante, Guler resort in Turkey, Honolulu in Mallorca and Pisces Park in Ibiza are upmarket three and four-star resorts with air-conditioning, gym facilities and most are all-inclusive.
Each Club 18-30 resort runs its own programme of activities such as club nights and themed parties, but one of the most popular is the boat party, which is available at all resorts. In Ibiza, for example, Club runs a daytime boat party as well as a sunset cruise.
Rock These parties on the water offer the chance to sail around the coastline, chill out or go wild to the music played by the onboard DJs.
The new Full Moon parties give ravers the chance to don neon face paint and suck up Thai-style cocktails straight from buckets across Club's resorts including Zante, Ayia Napa and Faliraki.
Many of them have DJs flown in especially for the event each week. The Silent Arena is another popular night where two DJs go head to head in a battle as the guests decide who they want to listen to.
Partygoers receive a headset with two channels to select their music choice for the evening.
In one corner they can be rocking out to indie while a conga line can be taking place in the other.
Meanwhile Geek Chic is a night all about the old skool.
Guests can dust off their school uniforms and geek glasses and party to some old skool classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s, while games and entertainment really get the night going.
DEALS
IBIZA: Stay for a week of self-catering at the two-star-plus Sunshine Apartments in San Antonio from £213, flying from Gatwick on June 20.
BULGARIA: A week self-catering at the three-star Mariner Hotel in Sunny Beach is from £253. Fly from Manchester on June 25.
MALLORCA: A week self-catering at the two-star Coconut Studios in Magaluf is from £409, flying from Gatwick on June 26.
ZANTE: Seven nights' room only at the two-star Mariana Hotel in Laganas costs from £408. Fly from Stansted on July 1.
To book all Club 18-30 holidays, call 0844 879 8308 or visit club18-30.com
2WENTYS 2WENTYS
A WHOLE summer of fun and plush hotels with funked-up decor at bargain prices - that's the promise from 2wentys.
It is offering cost-effective group deals as well as money-saving incentives, such as block-booking excursions, to save cash.
2wentys' unique Price Promise means customers won't find cheaper club tickets or excursions.
One offer too good to miss is the 2wentys group holiday offer. This means that when five or more mates book together, one friend goes free.
Guests can even fly out from different airports and take as many mates as they like.
New to the 2wentys programme for the summer is the classic party favourite Playa De Las Americas in Tenerife.
During the days, sun-lovers can chill out on one of the resort's six beaches where there are heaps of water sports.
Or they can hang out at Siam Park - Europe's biggest waterpark. By night there are three different party strips to choose from - The Veronicas, Starco's, and The Patch, and each has a huge selection of bars and clubs to choose from.
There is also a new range of properties on offer called Plush Hotels which offer top class accommodation around the Med.
Activities and excursions are what make these holidays and with 2wentys party people can go back to the old skool with the School Disco night or find their sea legs on board HMS 2wentys on one of their legendary booze cruises.
Those with a wedding on the horizon can celebrate their last nights of freedom with 2wentys stag and hen packages in rocking resorts such as San Antonio in Ibiza or Magaluf in Mallorca.
And to relive the 2012 summer of fun, holidaymakers can get down to Butlin's in Skegness for a 2wentys Naughty Reunion in the autumn.
Here 6,000 2wentys revellers descend for a weekend of more than 60 DJs, chart acts and shows in five separate arenas.
DEALS
CRETE: Enjoy a week self-catering at the 2wentys three-star Ilios Malia from £199 per person. Price is based on three people sharing, and includes flight from Manchester on June 5.
KOS: A week self-catering at the two-star Daphne & Blue Pool Apartments costs from £165. Price is based on two sharing and includes flights from Birmingham on June 13.
TURKEY: Stay for a week self-catering at the two-star-plus Central Apartments from £299 per person. Price is based on four people sharing, and includes flight from Birmingham on July 2.
TENERIFE: A week self-catering at the 2wentys two-star plus Hacienda Del Sol Apartments in Playa De Las Americas costs from £299 per person, and includes flight from Gatwick on September 11.
To book a 2wentys holiday visit a Thomson travel shop, click on thomson.co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.