People thinking of planning a holiday for 2012 will no doubt be aware of the need to keep an eye on the cost of it all. It is still possible today to holiday abroad on a budget, and some of the most popular destinations needn't cost the earth. One of the most popular family breaks in summer are holidays to Spain, and by booking a family holiday for a week during half term rather than during the summer holidays, there are savings to be made, both on the cost of the flights as well as on accommodation.
When it comes to accommodation there are a number of choices that need to be made. The all-inclusive options are traditionally more expensive, but find a hotel that offers a winning package inclusive of activities for kids, and you could save quite a lot of money in the long run. The kids will be happy if they have lots to keep them entertained during the break and you will save a lot of money on food and drink.
If you are a traveller who prefers to try out different things when abroad, then self-catering, or half board will probably appeal more, as this provides the freedom to travel around during the day and visit places of interest. Staying in a hotel that offers self-catering is obviously cheaper than with all-inclusive, and these savings can be used on days out, as well as on food in restaurants and bars within your resort. A top tip is to explore beyond the main parts of the town, as the restaurants and bars away from the main tourist through-paths are cheaper than those in the town centre.
If you are a ‘beaches and bars’ kind of tripper, then a holiday to one of the Balearic Islands may be just the thing for you. There are very reasonably priced flights available through easyJet to Majorca, and the savings you make on the flights can be spent in the bars and on good food throughout your break. The best time of year to travel to Majorca is between May and October when the temperature very rarely falls below 20 degrees Celsius during the day.
Maybe the more relaxed Canary Islands are more your style, and cheap Los Cristianos holidays are sure to appeal to people who like the sound of a more relaxing trip. The town of Los Cristianos is situated on the south coast of Tenerife, and despite it being more relaxed than the Balearics it is still lively enough to offer a number of tourist attractions, such as world-class beaches and a number of British owned bars and restaurants.
English is widely spoken in the town and as a result, a holiday there can provide a comfortable familiarity. Because of the increasing popularity of the town as a holiday destination there are a number of holiday accommodation options available, and because the food and drink is relatively inexpensive when compared to other major holiday destinations, it is advisable to stay in the town on a self-catering basis.
When holidaying in the United Kingdom there are a number of other tips that can help you to save money include shopping around for last minute deals on hotels, or even staying in cheaper more intimate guest houses or in privately owned properties. Flights between UK cities are reasonably priced, and house swapping is another option that will save a lot of money, especially when travelling with kids. The National Childbirth Trust provides a house swap register for families living in the UK.
Holidays needn't always cost a fortune, and shopping around for the best deals before you go and for the best places to eat and drink when you are there, can help you save a lot of money.
