When times are tough it’s more important than ever that you get away to have a break from it all. Recent figures show that people are concerned that they cannot afford to take a holiday this year but this need not be true. One upside to the recession is that the travel industry has to offer real value for money to part cash from potential clients. Apart from shopping around to get the best bargain, we have some useful tips for you to help you stretch your euro on holidays, at home or abroad.
Book early
By booking early you can take advantage of early deals and promotions. You will also be protected from rises in prices closer to the date of travel. Booking well in advance will also give you the time to do research into your destination so that you can seek out the best value hotels and amenities and plan a budget for your break.
Book late
If you are flexible with where you will travel to and able to leave at short notice, booking late is a great way to snap up the bargains. The principle of supply and demand operates here, and holidays with many places left will often be significantly reduced in the run up to the departure date. Be careful to check why there is a special offer. Bargain breaks to exotic destinations during monsoon season are not an urban legend.
Booking online
The best way to get your value for money holiday is to go online and do plenty of research. Travel review websites will offer fellow travellers’ opinions and advice on your destination. Compare and contrast flights, accommodation and resorts. Sign up for travel agents and tour operators’ newsletters so that you can get the best deals delivered to your inbox. Special online promotions are a common occurrence and there may be deals for booking flights and accommodation together.
Rent a car
Many people perceive renting a car as an expense they can afford to go without. What seems an expensive extra can actually save you money over the course of your holiday. Taking into account all the occasions you use paid transport - airport shuttle, excursions, taxis to restaurants, a modest car rental can work out cheaper. An added bonus is the flexibility of having transportation at your disposal. Check online for discount codes for extra savings (Literally Google hotel/rental car company name and ‘discount code’) You may be pleasantly surprised!
Refill your water bottles
It may seem a penny pinching choice, but the cost of buying water throughout your stay quickly adds up. Take for example a family of five in Rome touring the city for a week. Two bottles of water a day at €1 a bottle means your wallet is €10 a day and €70 euro a week lighter than it would be if you opted to refill at one of the many public fountains.
Save money on dining
Feeding yourself on holidays need not cost a fortune. This is an area where substantial savings can be made. Shop in the local supermarkets for your breakfast instead of visiting a café. Prepare and eat your lunch in your hotel room or look out for special lunch deals. Early bird or set menus can offer great choice and value for an evening meal. An inexpensive but delicious bite can be found by looking for what the locals are doing for dinner. If a pizzeria or kebab shop is bursting at the seams with native clients, chances are you are on to a winner in terms of value and taste.
Travel outside the tourist hot spots
If you can brave the path less taken by tourists, you can make substantial savings. Less tourism means less inflated prices as the locals will not be able to afford to fork out what travellers can. Countries that are less developed will be cheaper than the more established destinations, Croatia compared to Italy for example. Take a chance on broadening your mind while holding on to your euros by travelling to a resort that is not hugely popular. A more authentic and pleasant experience can be had in the less than buzzing resorts.
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Tags: holiday ideas, money saving tips
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Bob Admin’s - how about a piece on hotels and where the best deals are ? My family and I are staying close to home this Summer because of that crushing Euro rate (we’re in the North) but sure’y that’s a good thing for all the Dubliners reading this site. There’s plenty of cheap hotel deals going in Belfast at the minute as they’re all screaming for business.
I know for a fact that a nice little spot called the Crescent Townhouse is doing great overnight rates on the weekend of 50 quid for the room and it’s well located in the centre of the city. We’ve stayed there in the past instead of getting a taxi home on a night out !
Great site by the way - D.
I am heading on a cruise in a few weeksin Europe, just wondering does anybody know what the best value holiday travel insurance
Why not consider a home exchange holiday. Just swap you home with someone in another country. This way you have no accommodation bills - just the air or ferry fare involved. Have to declare an interest as we run HomeLink at.www.homelink.ie