If you’re already starting to suffer from the winter blues it may be time to give yourself something to look forward to. Start planning your summer holiday now and you’ll be able to beat the last minute rush and achieve some fantastic holiday deals.
During the dark winter months the summer sunshine can seem like a distant memory, so start taking a look at where you’d like to spend your vacation and check out those early booking bargains.
More time to budget
One of the biggest advantages of booking your summer holiday during the winter is that it gives you more time to pay for your vacation. Of course you can pay the entire price in advance but spreading the cost is a way to budget efficiently for your trip. There are also many travel websites that allow you to book accommodation but pay when you arrive at the hotel. Take a look at sunshine destinations such as Greece, Spain, Egypt or the Caribbean and work out how much you can save each month before placing your booking.
More time to search those sales
Travel companies have sales throughout the year and this is the best time to achieve large discounts on that holiday to Greek hotspots such as Paphos or Turkish destinations such as Marmaris. For additional savings, try to avoid the most popular vacation periods. If you can book even a few weeks either side of the high season you’ll benefit from sizeable savings. Another bonus is that popular sunshine destinations during the high season tend to mean crowded beaches — book a low season holiday and you’ll find the pace a little more relaxed.
Early booking deals
The travel industry is highly competitive and will offer good discounts to consumers to start selling those hotel spaces and package deals as early as possible. The other bonus when booking early is that you have more choice of cheap holidays and aren’t hit with the remaining hotel rooms once the last minute summer booking rush begins.
Remember that cruise deal
A cruise means you can follow the sun to Caribbean destinations such as Barbados, to Central American destinations like Mexico or Honduras, or island hopping at the Canary or Greek islands. The bonus with a cruise is that meals and accommodation are normally included in the price. Booking early should mean cheap holidays on the ocean waves.
Merely researching sunny destinations should dispel the winter blues. Remember that the early bird catches the best deals. Research, budget and book in advance to ensure you obtain the vacation you want at a price to suit.
Fiona Kershaw is a globetrotter and bargain junkie and is always planning her next trip. The warmer the destination, the better!
