With the economy as it is, a fancy holiday may seem depressingly out of reach. But here are 10 tips for bagging one on the cheap:
1. Check exchange rates to see which destinations will offer you the best deals.
2. Be prepared to go out of season. July and August are outrageously expensive times to travel. If you’re not bound by school holidays, book your holiday for September or October – the weather in Europe’s still warm and you can bag some great deals.
3. Travel at short notice. You can get some stunning last-minute deals, particularly from upmarket package companies. Try the offers pages of Western & Oriental, Kuoni, Mark Warner and Mr and Mrs Smith for discounts on luxury breaks.
4. More and more travel sites are springing up offering discounts on luxe trips. Try Jetsetter, Living Social Escapes, Voyage Privé and Secret Escapes.
5. Use credit cards to build up air miles, which you can then offset against the cost of flights.
6. Consider a house swap. If you live in an expensive area like London, you’ll be able to trade your modest pad for something pretty swanky elsewhere, particularly if you’re prepared to travel over the Olympics. For more info, visit Homeexchange.com.
7. Or stay in a B&B. The new breed of B&Bs, such as 40 Winks, are posher than many hotels but offer much better value for money. To find out more, visit Unique Home Stays.
8. If you’re on honeymoon, always ask tour operators and hotels what deals they can offer you. In fact, it’s always worth asking for an upgrade anyway – they can only say no.
9. Consider cutting the length of your trip. Five nights in a luxury hotel is better than none, and much cheaper than 14.
10. If you’re flying with a budget airline, book your tickets as early as possible. And fly on a weekday. Though do remember that, if you travel very early in the morning or late at night, you’ll have to factor in the cost of a cab.
{Image: jeehon}
