How to afford a holiday in 2010

Pick the bargain weeks If you aren’t tied to school holidays, then June is the best month to travel to the Med. Prices can be less than half those in August, the resorts are quieter and the weather is just as good. If you have school-age children and can’t avoid high summer, check prices for […]

Pick the bargain weeks

If you aren’t tied to school holidays, then June is the best month to travel to the Med. Prices can be less than half those in August, the resorts are quieter and the weather is just as good. If you have school-age children and can’t avoid high summer, check prices for the last week in August. These are usually a good 10 to 20 per cent lower than the rest of the month.

Book for half-term

Another way families with children can get around the summer peak prices is to book a week in the May half-term. The weather will be hot in all the main Mediterranean destinations and prices are a good 25-30 per cent lower than in high summer. A great destination at this time of year where good weather is almost guaranteed is Crete. Get inspired with one of our travel guides on Crete.

Go for Turkey…

The strong Euro means that holidays in Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Portugal are about 15 per cent more expensive than they were in 2008. The good news is that compared with this time last year, the pound sterling has strengthened slightly against the Euro. However, of all the Mediterranean destinations, Turkey – which is not part of the Eurozone – still looks like excellent value. The Italian lira has weakened against the pound sterling in the last year and the local cost of living is low. For inspiration, see Guide to the Turkish Riviera.

…or the USA

The U.S. dollar too is currently weak – down nearly 10 per cent against the pound in the last 12 months. It is an expensive country to get to – but once you are there, you can relax and enjoy the good value. See our top-rated guides for the best holiday ideas.

Pick cheaper regions

If the classic holiday destinations of the Eurozone – Italy, France, Spain, Greece and so on – still appeal, you can make your holiday more affordable by choosing carefully and avoiding the better-known (and more expensive) areas. Instead of Tuscany or Umbria, for example, how about the next-door region of Le Marche or the Pyrenees instead of Provence or Naxos instead of Corfu?

Book flights now

Most no-frills and scheduled airlines have now launched their flight programmes for 2010. To be sure of getting the lowest fares for summer departures, book now – prices will only rise from now on. Find the best flight deals.

Time your departure

Whatever your destination, flying midweek rather than at weekends will be cheaper (and less crowded).

Book late for hotel savings

The cheapest rates for hotels are available within a week or less of arrival. Find the best hotel deals.

Cheaper travel insurance

A good insurance policy bought from a specialist agent will nearly always be cheaper than anything sold through a tour operator or travel agent. Find the best travel insurance deal

Travel light and pack your own lunch

The extra charges for baggage, checking-in, paying by credit or debit card and a sandwich on board, can now easily double or even triple your airfare. Travel with hand baggage only (maximum weight is usually 10 kg, but check on the airline’s website) and take your own sandwiches and you will make significant savings.

Hire a diesel car

If you are doing a lot of driving, a diesel engine is more economical – and in some countries, France, for example, diesel costs less than petrol.

Avoid the motorways

Motorway driving in France can be extremely expensive because of the tolls – nearly 100 Euros to drive to the south from Calais, for example. The old system of “bis-routes” – traffic-free, country roads where you can average a good speed – is no longer promoted, but you can still plan a good route by sticking to the “D” roads, which the old bis-routes used to follow.

Buy a city pass

Not all passes aimed at tourists are of good value, but if you want to do a lot of sightseeing and use public transport, they are worth investigating. One of the best value passes is the Vienna Card, which costs 18.50 Euros and gives you unlimited use of public transport for 72 hours, as well as discounts at over 200 museums and sights, theatres, shops and restaurants.

Eat like the locals

Locals know that fixed-price menus or the dish of the day offer the best value and often the tastiest cooking compared with dishes ordered a la carte. Look for the plat du jour menu in France, the menu del dia in Spain and the menu fisso in Italy. And remember that lunchtime menus are much cheaper than evening ones – so enjoy your main meal at midday and indulge in a siesta to sleep it off.

Drink like the locals

Locals also know how to keep the cost of drinking down. With meals, regional wines will be cheaper, better quality and better suited to the menu and nearly always better value than those imported from outside. A “carafe” of tap water will cost nothing, while bottled water might be four or five Euros. Meanwhile, a beer (or coffee) at the bar rather than sitting at a table will be at least half the price, and even cheaper if you order draught rather than bottled beer.

Think money

Rates of exchange and charges made by card companies vary hugely. But follow two main principles when paying for things abroad and you are likely to get the best deal on currencies and minimise charges: – use a credit card for as many purchases as possible (though this only works efficiently if you pay off the balance each month) – use your cash point or debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs.

Source: uk.travel.yahoo.com.