Travel

Things to think about when booking a holiday:

Destination – What sort of things would you like to do when you’re on holiday? Just relax, or take a bit of time to explore? It’s always a good idea to spend a bit of time researching possible destinations so that you can be sure you won’t be disappointed when you get there. For example, if you know you want to go Scuba Diving, find out what destinations are especially good for it. Lonely Planet is a particularly good resource for this.

Package or DIY Holidays – Are you looking to book your holiday in one lump, or purchase your flights and accommodation separately? Some people will already have their preferences, but Money Saving Expert offers some good advice when considering this.

How do I get there? – The most popular method for travelling to non-UK destinations is to fly. Use Money Saving Expert to find the best flight comparison site for you, and to compare flights and find the best offers.
Alternatively, if you are staying in the UK, you may wish to drive yourself. In this case, it might be worth thinking about Breakdown Cover, or even Car Hire, to ensure you get there without any vehicle malfunctions. Getting a Ferry, travelling by Rail, or even Coach, are all viable options depending on your destination as well.

Accommodation – When you have found a possible place to stay, try and find some reviews of other holiday makers that have stayed there previously. Trip Advisor and Holiday Watchdog are especially good for this.

Board Basis – Do you prefer to eat out at a different restaurant every night, to cook for yourself, or are you happy with the convenience of hotel catering? Checking out reviews are especially important if you are planning on opting for hotel food...you don’t want to pay for this service to then find out that the food isn’t up to standard, so be sure to visit the websites mentioned above

Location – If you are banking on a quiet, relaxing holiday, you don’t want your hotel right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. On the other hand, if you’re a lively kind of holiday maker, a hill top location probably isn’t for you. Also, if you are wanting to eat out every night and enjoy a few drinks, be sure to check that there are plenty of restaurants nearby. World Travel Guide offers a comprehensive resource for finding a mountain of this information all in one place.

Local Currency and Exchange Rates – How much is your holiday going to cost you once you are there? Check out how much local currency you can get for Sterling, and outweigh this with how much the actual holiday is going to cost you. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. The XE Currency site is a good tool for this.

Local Costs – How much do things generally cost in your chosen destination? To try and gauge how much spending money you’ll need to take, it’s helpful to assess how much common things cost in comparison to the UK. For example, how much does a three course meal cost? How much is a local pint of beer? And how much are possible excursions going to set you back? Lonely Planet is just one place that offers this kind of practical information within their travel guides.

Climate – What is the weather likely to be like when you are there and will this suit you, and the activities you have planned? To check out general climate trends and weather forecasts just before you go, visit The Met Office

Transport – When you are there, how are you planning to get around? Check out what you are going to want to do and possible transport options. For example, would it be worthwhile you hiring a car, or is the public transport up to scratch. All of the Travel Guides mentioned above, such as Lonely Planet and World Travel Guide, have information on this.

Airport Transfers – How are you going to get to your chosen UK airport, and how are you going to get to your accommodation once you have landed? Most package holidays have transfers to your accommodation included, but be sure to check this when you book. Airport parking and local taxi costs, along with Airport Hotels may be something to consider.

Insurance – You can pick travel insurance up for a few pounds these days, so it really isn’t worth the risk to go away without any. You never know what could happen, especially if you’re planning on doing some adventurous activities, so make sure you’re covered! Why not try the Confused.com Travel Insurance Search to try and find the right cover for your needs.

Top CashBack Holiday Checklist:

• Accommodation
• Car Hire
• Flights and Tickets
• Holidays
• Rail, Ferry and Coach
• Transfers and Parking
• Currency
• Travel Insurance
• And of course....your Passport!!