Most of us save our money and wait all year to go on vacation, which is frequently costly and time demanding to organize. However in preparation for your holiday there are several tips to consider which will ultimately help you get the most for your money whatever your budget by helping you plan and get most enjoyment on your holiday safely.
1. Get to know your destination
Most of us know what our vacation spot provides, after all something must have attracted you to go there in the first place. However if it is the first time visiting your holiday destination it is a really good idea to take time and get to know what it offers. Learn about the surrounding areas before you depart and you might discover there is much more besides the local pool, restaurant and bars. You might discover a hidden gem tucked away in a nearby village or a deserted beach offering a little more peace and tranquillity than the local beach resort. Moreover you often find resorts often cater to holidaymaker’s tastes and to taste the true authentic flavour of the local cuisine and culture you will have to travel further afield.
2. Prepare your holiday extras in advance
Now that you have planned what things you want to do and places you want to visit, now comes a time when you must consider how to get around and how to insure yourself against accidents. You don’t really want to be rock climbing, swimming in unmanned waters, or driving a hire car without insurance. The travel market is a competitive market so finding a cheap deal on travel essentials and extras such as insurance or car hire shouldn’t be difficult but make sure you get quotes on like for like packages to know that you are getting a fair price. Many of the pricing touted by travel agencies are less favorable than they first seem. Most companies will bundle things together so if you get a quote on car hire with insurance from one company, make sure the other company include insurance costs in their quotation.
You must also ensure you get yourself vaccinated and have the correct visas if you are travelling outside of Europe. You may want to contact your doctor and look at official tourist boards to get medical advice on the place you want to visit Lastly, if you plan on driving to the airport you should pre-book parking in advance to get the best deals. Some companies such as Airparks offer up to 60% cheaper prices for people who pre-book than those who pay on arrival. They offer East Midlands Airport parking in the UK starting from £2.50 per day. Which means your car can be securely parked for under £20 for one week.
3. Travel out of season
Okay, most of us would prefer to travel during the summer months when the weather is warmest but if you can delay your holiday until the busiest seasons end you will get more for your money. If it is possible to travel outside of school term time and before or after the summer season you can expect prices on flights, hotels and even car hire to drop. Though this isn’t feasible for people with families you should take full advantage of cheaper prices if you have a limited budget and do not travel with family.
4. Read reviews
The most valuable information gained about your holiday location can be from reading online reviews. What other way can be better than learning from someone else that has already has experience of the places you intend on visiting. However you should take and use these reviews wisely, remember that a large number of tourists travel each year and only a small percentage of people write reviews. And of those who decide to write a review are often people who want to complain about something. Therefore try a few different websites that host trusted reviews from real people. You might want to buy a recommended guide book written by a trusted publisher such as Lonely Planet. These books can warn you of dangers and recommend must things to do and see. They can be a real life saver as well as helping you enjoy your holiday to the max.
5. Keep all important documents together
Desperate to get on the beach to bask under the sun and sip sangria can leave you easily forgetting about the importance of storing your important documents away securely. Spend a little extra and pay for a room with a safe or take a secure padlock with you to secure things such as your passport, travel insurance and cash cards safely. You should also make copies of such documents to leave with some people back home and also keep with you in case you lose them. This can save you a big headache trying to retrieve anything that gets lost or stolen. Your holiday should be relaxing!
