With economic doom and gloom never far from the news headlines, we’re more conscious than ever of how we are spending our hard earned cash.
To help you get the most from your holiday, Canvas Holidays have put together some handy tips to help your budget stretch as far as possible whilst on holiday in Europe next summer.
Planning your holidayMake sure you book early to take advantage of special offers. Booking early also means you are more likely to secure your first choice of dates, accommodation and campsites, especially if you are looking to travel to the most popular campsites during the school holidays.
If you are planning a fly-drive holiday, the best deals can usually be found early on as flight prices tend to increase closer to the departure date. It is well worth booking and paying for your airport parking in advance of travel – you can expect to pay up to 50% more if you just turn up and pay on the day. Don’t forget that most airlines have strict rules on baggage allowance and will charge you per kilo for any weight that you are over their limit.
Travel TipsYou will usually find that ferry supplements and flight prices are cheaper if you are able to travel midweek. If you do have to travel at the weekends, it is a good idea to look for an off-peak departure time as this tends to be cheaper.
If you are able to travel outside the main school holiday dates, you can benefit from great low prices on both accommodation and travel, plus you can take advantage of quieter resorts.
Pre plan your meals and snacks for the journey. Why not take a picnic, and make this part of your holiday. Try to buy your drinks and snacks at the airport or ferry port before you board as once en route, a bottle of water can cost pounds instead of pence.
Money AdviceTake time to shop around for the best exchange rate before purchasing your holiday currency. Don’t be tempted to leave it to the last minute and purchase your currency at the airport or on your cross channel sailing – you’ll find that the exchange rates are much higher than on the high street.
If possible, avoid using a credit or debit card while you are away. Most debit and credit card providers will charge commission every time you use your card abroad, so it is advisable to check charges with your own bank before you travel.
If you need to use your mobile phone while you are away, check with your network provider that you are on the correct roaming tariff before you travel. Try to use your phone as little as possible while you are away – you can save money by buying a payphone card to call home. Don’t forget that receiving a text is usually cheaper than receiving a call, so tell your friends and family to text rather than ring.
Eating OutEating out is one of the most pleasurable parts of being on holiday. It’s a great chance to try new dishes and spend some quality time together, plus no one has to do the washing up! Eating out in France has now become cheaper than ever, as VAT cuts have been introduces on food in restaurant and cafés. You can enjoy savings of around 10%, which will help your holiday money stretch even further.
A good value option when eating out is to order the ‘menu of the day’. This is usually a two or three course meal that is cooked using local ingredients, and offers better value than ordering ‘a la carte’. Why not try having your main meal of the day at lunchtime rather than in the evening? Most restaurants offer a fixed price lunchtime menu that is just as good as the evening one, but priced a few euros cheaper. It’s also worth staying away from the main tourist attractions in most towns and cities and looking for restaurants that are hidden away down side streets.
If you are ordering wine with your meal, ask for the house wine. It is generally of good standard and will be cheaper than buying a named bottle. It is usually decanted into a glass bottle or jug, and served in quarter, half or full litres. A quarter litre usually works out better value than ordering one or two glasses. If you want water to accompany your meal, ask for a jug or glass, which is usually free and better than paying for expensive mineral water.
and Eating InA self-catering holiday is already one of the most budget friendly holidays; so make use of the excellent cooking facilities in your accommodation. You will find that the larger local supermarkets have a great range of products, and as at home, often have special offers and two for one deals. Many also have a good café, ideal for a relaxing cup of coffee. Like at home, it is cheaper to buy multi packs, so buy large items such as bottled water in bulk. If you are taking your car, why not take essential items such as tea, coffee and washing up liquid with you from home?
Visit the market for buying your local produce. It makes a free, fun day out for the whole family, and don't forget that you can always try your hand at bartering! Try eating seasonal fruit and vegetables, and buy local products whenever possible. It is worth stocking up on your favourite foreign products before you travel home. Items such as cheese and wine are usually much cheaper than in the UK supermarkets.
Activities and Days OutBy booking a camping holiday with Canvas, you can take advantage of the wonderful on-site facilities on offer. With fabulous swimming pools, local beaches, excellent sports facilities, onsite entertainment, plus our free children’s clubs, you can entertain yourself and your family for your whole holiday for free, without even leaving the campsite.
If you are planning on city sightseeing and visiting museums while you are away, make sure you buy any available city passes or museum passes, which give discounted entry to museums, attractions and public transport. Some attractions offer a discounted rate if you but your tickets on line before you leave home – it is worth doing a bit of research and booking in advance if possible. Don’t forget that we also sell tickets to some of the best theme parks in Europe. Not only are they cheaper or the same price as public entry prices, but you will also save time queuing to buy tickets when you arrive.
If you are having a family day out remember to take a picnic. It’s better value than eating in a restaurant and a great way to spend some quality family time together.
Getting AroundTry to avoid buying your petrol and diesel on the motorway. You will find that it much more expensive than in the towns. Supermarket petrol stations usually offer the cheapest option for buying fuel. Make sure that you use the self service option if it is available. Many local stations will charge a few cents extra a litre if the attendant fills your car up for you.
For more information or to book a camping holiday with Canvas Holidays, visit canvasholidays.co.uk.
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Canvas Holidays 2012
