In these tough economic times many of us are tightening our belts, but surprisingly most families see their yearly holiday as a necessity rather than a luxury.
With nursery fees, household expenses and grocery bills to pay, holidays could be seen as an unnecessary expense. However, as a recent Telegraph article explains, scientific research has proved that getting away from it all is good for your health and can in fact help to reduce stress, which is why most of us still feel that getting away from it all is a must.
However, with this in mind there are still ways of economising when planning your next break and a little research and consumer savvy can help you make that holiday cash go a lot further.
Pre-purchase excursion tickets
There are numerous family friendly attractions throughout Europe but tickets can be expensive, especially if you’re a family of three or more. Destinations such as mainland Spain offer a wealth of sightseeing and daytrip options and savvy holidaymakers book their attraction tickets before they set foot on the outbound plane. For example, no trip to Spain’s Costa Dorada is complete without a day or two at the awesome Siam water park. Siam Park tickets can be pre-purchased online through websites such as Attraction Tix which offer exclusive savings to UK customers on single entry, seven or 14 day tickets. It’s much cheaper than paying on arrival.
Consider flying with budget airlines
While travelling first class is definitely a great way to travel, money conscious travellers may want to consider flying with a low-cost airline. Often a fraction of the cost of their up-market rivals, you can save substantial amounts, and if you’re travelling to destinations with a relatively short flight time such as Spain, the Canary Islands or Balearic Islands, flying budget needn’t hamper your holiday.
Holiday in Europe
We’d all love a fortnight in the Caribbean or the Maldives, but let’s face it – Europe offers some pretty spectacular beaches, has ample opportunity for sightseeing and will cost you less in terms of flights and accommodation. Consider mainland Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearics which offer the perfect combination of beach life and culture. You’ll also find that eating out in destinations such as these is relatively affordable, plus there are plenty of day trips and excursions to keep the family entertained.
Go self-catering
Self-catering apartments give you the option of cooking your own meals and this also means that you’re not tied down to the set meal times of a hotel. What could be better than heading to the local supermarket and stocking up with fresh local salads, cheese and wine, packing a picnic and heading off for a day of exploring? Self-catering gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and you’ll also save money in the process.
Book last minute
Last minute holidays can offer great savings for those willing to be flexible on destinations. While some families who need to fit in around the kid’s school holidays may be reluctant to do this, if you’re willing to consider a variety of destinations then booking a late availability deal can save you lots of money.
Time away is precious and the benefits of getting away from it all are well documented, so instead of giving up your yearly getaway, travel smart and find ways of economising without compromising.
CC Manuel Acebedo
