A holiday company ceasing trading after 44 years is taking customers on one last trip - a trip down memory lane, by showing off its decades-old brochures

Siesta Holiday in Middlesbrough has been operating coach holidays around Europe since 1980 - long before cheap flights and Airbnb transformed the travel industry - but revealed last week it will cease trading at the end of 2024 amid financial pressures.

The holiday provider organises trips to France and Spain, excursions to Disneyland Paris and other European destinations.

After announcing the closure the firm has given customers one last trip, down memory lane instead of on a coach, by digging out decades-old travel brochures.

The booklets give a fascinating glimpse into package holidays from the 1980s and 90s.

Among the breaks advertised, one of the most popular budget offers in 1982 was an all-inclusive 17 day trip for just £69 – the equivalent of £250 in today's money.

A 17-night trip away for just £69 was on the front of the 1982 brochure.A 17-night trip away for just £69 was on the front of the 1982 brochure. (Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS/SWNS)

Children under 19 also travelled free while a one-week break cost just £49 with a fortnight costing from just £69.

The holiday, which included all travel and accommodation, took tourists to the south of France, the Italian Riviera and Spain.

Siesta Holidays' 1983 brochure. Siesta Holidays' 1983 brochure. (Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS/SWNS)

In 1989 the firm took holidaymakers further afield, including around the former Yugoslavia and Austria.

Trips went further afield in 1989.Trips went further afield in 1989. (Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS/SWNS)

As well as travelling by ‘super coach’, tourists could also whizz through the French 
countryside on the new SNCF ‘Holiday Express’.

Despite the firm's success,  bosses announced they would be closing at the end of the year as a result of financial pressures.

A brochure from 1994.A brochure from 1994. (Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS/SWNS)

Even in the summer of 1999 breaks were available starting at £49 for a week,Even in the summer of 1999 breaks were available starting at £49 for a week, (Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS/SWNS)

Director John Harrison said: “We have decided to close due to a number of factors. 

“One of the reasons is we struggled as a result of Covid which shut us down completely for two years and meant we couldn’t afford to spend on marketing. 

“Another reason is Brexit has made it more complicated to get across the Channel which adds to the costs and time it takes to go on holiday.

(Image: SIESTA HOLIDAYS)

“Young people were more likely to travel via low-cost airlines to mainland Europe than by bus.

"Another reason is that our client base has gotten older and maybe one or more of the party can't travel anymore for health reasons.”

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Despite the company closing, John said customers had fond memories of coach trips to the continent.

He said: “When we announced we were closing, we were inundated with past and present customers telling us how much they had enjoyed going on holiday with us.

“The brochures show just how vital we were in providing affordable trips to the continent for families to make life-long memories.”