Croatia cycle holidays: Early booking advised for bargain hunters

Brits hoping to book cheap flights for cycle holidays in Croatia this year are likely to find the lowest prices if they plan in advance, according to Skyscanner.

The flight search engine released a report suggesting that the recession has led to a widespread shift from 'early bird' to 'last-minute' bookings.

In 2008, users of the website searched for flights an average of 146 days before their planned departure date.

Last year, this figure dropped to 34 days, a change that was attributed to the economic downturn and the sense of uncertainty it brought to people's finances.

Brits planning Croatia sail and cycle holidays and other getaways this year were advised that they will see the lowest flight prices if they search in advance.

Barry Smith, co-founder and director of Skyscanner, said: "It's almost always cheaper to book flights in advance - prices tend to rise the closer you getto the date of departure."

Croatia sail and cycle holidays are a popular option among adventurous travellers, who might also be interested in going scuba diving or mountain walking in the country.