Holiday for less
With the soaring cost of the euro, air travel getting costlier by the day and tour operators starting to enforce fuel surcharges, holidays are becoming more of a painful financial headache than a holiday. However, there are still plenty of ways you can have a holiday without being left financially bruised. Aside from the obvious advice - shop around for cheap car hire, airport parking and a good rate on your foreign currency - here are a few other ideas of ways to save money and holiday for less.
Top budget holiday tips
Pick a package deal
Though you may have always avoided high street travel agents and package holidays, now may well be the time to change your thinking. Tour operators, who block-buy rooms, have the means to secure good deals. Grab a package and get yourself a bargain.
Go all-inclusive
The concept of all-inclusive holidaying can promote two trains of thought - lush resorts on tropical islands with sophisticated holidaymakers sipping cocktails on sun loungers by the pool, or, groups of loud loutish youths on the Costas, drinking the "free" booze until they pass out. But you can go all-inclusive in style, even in Europe. So, if you choose wisely you can snap up a real bargain in comparison with today's prices, and you can find some up-market gems to best suit your tastes. Remember - the price you pay includes all your food and drinks so sit back, relax and enjoy!
Choose a cruise
For the ultimate in all-inclusive holidays, why not try a cruise? Cruise lines set their prices even further in advance, so there are bargain rates to be had if you book now. Cruise companies are also keen to attract younger couples and even families, so if you shop around you should be able to find all sorts of offers - from upgrades to free places for kids. The popularity for cruises has risen of late - with more flexibility and deals on offer than ever before.
Holiday at home
If holidaying abroad is simply not an option this year you could always stay on home shores. This allows you to minimise travel costs, reduce travel time and enjoy the beauty of Britain at a reasonable price. There are plenty of websites offering cut-price hotel and self-catering deals for around the country and you may find somewhere you had never thought to visit. The only real risk you take is on the British weather.
Every little helps
Holidaymakers who really like to keep a tight check on their spending can visit www.sleepinginairports.net which rates the kip-ability of airports worldwide and isolates the best spots for snoozing to avoid airport hotel costs.