Travel Tips to Grab a Bargain Holiday

As winter draws in and we prepare to see in the New Year, there is no time like the present to secure a bargain break for summer 2012. With several low-cost airlines announcing new destinations and schedules for next summer you’d be mad not to at least have a look at the offers available during the festive downtime.

There’s nothing better than booking early and ensuring you have something to look forward to, with the silver lining being that you will have ample time to save. Here are three foolproof tips to securing the trip you really want on the lowest possible budget.

1. Be decisive

While many are open to the adventure of booking a holiday to a far-flung destination as far away as their money will take them, this isn’t necessarily the best strategy to have in mind when looking for the best deal as you may find yourself overwhelmed by options.

It is essential to formulate a rough idea of where you might like to go before you begin comparing prices. Even if you’ve just got a continent in mind, this coupled with a loose travel date will narrow down the results considerably.

2.Window shop

Although quite a basic concept, shopping around and visiting price comparison websites is at times the last thing on your mind when you perceive that you have found a steal. Generally if a price seems too good to be true, it often is.

By utilizing sites who make it their business to know about the best deals to be found online you’ll save a surprising amount of man-hours and will be able to make a balanced and informed shortlist. Once you’ve seen what the Internet has to offer, remember to have a quick glance at some of the older resources that many tech savvy people overlook: Teletext, travel brochures and even high-street agents where you can discuss your ideas free of charge.

3.Do your homework

Nothing is more important than researching your destination before you book. While cheap holidays in Egypt and other exotic climbs such as Israel and Morocco sound like a dream come true, ensure that the resort or town in which you might potentially stay has all of the amenities you are looking for on a holiday.

If you’re an active person, look out for water sports, treks and the opportunity to take lots of excursions. You might even want to consider a summer ski break in the Southern Hemisphere, if you’re truly looking for an active adventure.

So what if you’re a beach bum, wanting to escape the stresses of city life? A lazy fortnight of sun and sangria, could be just the ticket for you. Look for accommodation within a short walking distance of a beach. Spain is the ideal destination for a relaxing trip of this variety, with Majorca holidays often providing the perfect combination of sun, sea and sand (and culture if you want it) at a reassuringly low cost.

Decide whether you’d be better suited to an all-inclusive package deal, a bed and breakfast or basic self-catering. Those who organize their own meals will benefit from the freedom and flexibility this affords, as in some cases it can be a pain traveling back to your hotel every few hours for lunch and dinner. Also, depending on your destination, you may actually save money buying food locally. Better yet, you’ll also be able to sample the local delicacies each and every day.

Wrap-up

Once you’ve established what you’re interested in for your holidays in 2012, you can cross reference this with the offers you’ve shortlisted and the best deal will instantly jump out. Once you’re certain your travel party will be happy with the arrangements, don’t waste time and get booking before prices have a chance to increase. Also, look out for special offers and reductions that may become available if your party size increases. Now you can relax and do the fun part: plan what you’d like to do and daydream until the date your bargain holiday arrives.

[Photo @ flickr by Brandon LLW]

What other travel tips of your own do you have? Help other travelers by sharing them with us in the comments section below, and please share this post too if you think others might find it useful.

Category: Advice & Downloads