Holidays On A Shoestring

The ongoing credit crunch has forced many of us to watch where we put our money and what we spend it on. For many of us, with spiralling food prices and rising costs of bills, the last thing we can afford to think about is a holiday. However, with an abundance of late deals available to destinations at home and abroad, you can still potentially have an enjoyable holiday on a budget. If the thought of cheap holidays springs to mind images of dingy caravans and holiday parks full of screaming children, it might be worth shopping around – for you might be surprised by what’s on offer. Travel agencies will offer a range of last minute bargain breaks around this time of year. If you can potentially avoid travelling during the school holiday period you can save yourself some time, money and hassle. And it doesn’t have to be abroad either, for as much as we want to escape the dreary weather of the British Isles, there is still a wide variety of attractions tucked away in the most unlikely places – from theme parks to watersports centres to quaint little museums. Here are a few handy hints for getting the most out of holidays on a shoestring: Don’t be picky about destinations – sure we’ve all got our favourite places to go, but taking the chance to go somewhere you’ve never been before (especially if there is a package holiday on special offer) can add that little bit of excitement to your trip. Stay local – if you’re unable to splash a bit of cash on a trip abroad, look into attractions in your local area, you may be surprised at what you find. Shop around - the internet is an excellent source for research material, but also check your local paper for upcoming events, you may find something you fancy attending. Be wary of your spending if you go abroad – half-board or all-inclusive holidays can save you money on food, but local restaurants will always try and tout you for business anyway. If you’re short on cash, make your apologies for not bringing gifts back in advance if you have to in order to avoid any unnecessary spats with ungrateful family and friends. Don’t discount the holiday camps – taking a short break during the off-season can be a nice way to relax without having to be surrounded by screaming kids. City breaks can be a nice way to get away for a short time, but you don’t have to look to Paris and other seemingly expensive cities – many budget airlines will now fly to destinations in the Balkan states, whose quaint little cities are becoming more popular with tourists. With a bit of careful planning and by taking care not to splash out on souvenirs, holidaying on a budget can make for a surprisingly pleasant holiday experience.