Money Saving Tips for your Family Holidays
The thought of an annual family holiday is sometimes the only thing that gets us through the bleak, dismal start of a British new year.
Picturing ourselves on a sun lounger beside a sun drenched swimming pool whilst the children play is exactly what we need when faced with dark nights and cold commutes to work.
With the current economic climate as unsettled as it is, you could be excused for thinking that a family holiday would be low on the list of most people’s priorities. However research by TravelSupermarket.com has found that more of us plan to get away in 2012 than we did in 2011, with 96% of us aiming to take at least one break this year.
The deciding factor for most of the UK in 2012 won’t be the weather or the location of the holiday but instead how much it costs. Frugality and money saving are high on everyone’s agendas at the moment and booking a holiday is no exception.
Here are some tips to help you get the best value for money on your family holiday in 2012:
Choose Your Destination Wisely
Choosing the right destination can result in you saving a massive amount on the cost of your family holidays. 2012 will be a great year to visit Spain and its surrounding islands. Not only are tour operators providing great deals to family favourite resorts on the mainland such as Benidorm and Marbella but both the Balearic and the Canary Islands will be doing all they can to entice holidaymakers to their shores this year.
Holidays to Tenerife are a great option for families, with all year warm temperatures, family friendly resorts and fun days out; including the islands famous water park ‘Siam Park’ and zoo ‘Loro Parque’ there is plenty to keep the young ones occupied.
Whilst British favourite Spain might be doing all they can to make us Brits fall in love with the destination all over again, a great family holiday does not necessarily mean leaving the country at all.
We often take for granted what we have here in the UK but there are some wonderful holiday destinations. Jumping in the car and heading to family favourites like Devon, Cornwall or the Lake District can be a fun and cost effective holiday for all ages.
All Inclusive vs Self Catering
Both all inclusive and self catering holidays can provide excellent value for money on a family holiday. Which is best for you depends entirely on the type of holiday you and your family plan to have, and a little thought about this before you go can save you hundreds on the cost of food.
If you are the type of family who enjoys lounging by the pool, engaging in the activities the hotel has to offer and making full use of the resort, an all inclusive holiday might be the best option for you. Being safe in the knowledge that the children are catered for and every extra drink or ice cream they want doesn’t dip into the spending money can be a huge relief.
Alternatively if you are the type of family who enjoy getting out and exploring the area around you an all inclusive holiday will more than likely not be suitable. You don’t want to pay for meals that you don’t end up eating because you are always away from your accommodation.
Instead choose somewhere that has its own kitchen facilities and visit local markets for great cheap produce that you can make your own delicious meals from.
Taking a packed lunch or picnic with you in the days you are away from your accommodation can save money on expensive lunches and snacks in restaurants.
Be Savvy with Holiday Extras
With any holiday those little extras that we just can’t go without can soon increase the price. You need to factor these in to any holiday budget before you go or you could leave yourself out of pocket.
Something that you should never holiday without is travel insurance. Whilst it might be tempting to not pay travel insurance for the whole family it will end up costing you more should anything go wrong whilst you are away if you aren’t covered. There are great family travel insurance policies available (usually covering two adults and up to 4 children) that can be cheaper than buying individual policies. Shop around and use price comparison sites to get the best deal for you.
If you are planning to go overseas you will need to think about your holiday money before you go. Waiting until the last minute to arrange your holiday money can cost you a lot more than if you do it in advance, Bureau De Changes at airports for example will often give you a much less competitive deal than the high street.
When it comes to holidaying, like most things, a little planning in advance can result in you saving a great deal of money. Freeing up that extra cash to spend on what matters most – enjoying some time away with your family.
This article was written by Charlotte at TravelSupermarket.com. To compare great deals on family holidays visit TravelSupermarket today.
