Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
DIY holidays Craft your ideal getaway with these handy tips
Craft your ideal escape by following these tips
when it comes to holidays, there is no one-size-fitsall. From city tours and adventure escapes to spa retreats and luxury river cruises, everybody has different needs when it comes to the style of travel and destination – even within a family. That’s why it makes sense to tailor your next holiday exactly how you like it and know you’re getting the best deal. Here’s how to do it.
CHOOSE FLEXIBILITY
Looking to explore a new destination but not sure where to start? Look for a tour company that offers guests lots of flexibility. Collette offers more ways to customise your tour with features such as arranging pre- and post-night stays, as well as different optional excursions that are included in the price of your tour. On select days, every tour offers a collection of optional excursions carefully selected to provide you with a different perspective on your destination. Two great itineraries are the ‘Bluegrass Country & the Smoky Mountains’ – a nine-day venture taking travellers
through the heart of Appalachia to experience the best of what Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina have to offer – and the nineday ‘Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice’ tour, where you’ll experience Iceland’s unique mix of scenery, cuisine and adventure. These are just a couple of more than 150 tours offered by Collette across seven continents. gocollette.com.au
KNOW WHEN TO BOOK
If you can be a little flexible on what day and time you can fly, you can save big bucks. There are apps that can do all the hard work for you. Download Hopper and get updates on the best prices on any given date, as well as suggestions as to the cheapest time in the week, or even which day, to book. The app analyses historical pricing data to identify flight bargains. Similarly, the Kayak app features a Watchlist, which you can use to create price alerts sent via text or email. All you need to do is select the route you wish to fly and you will be notified when there’s a drop in fares. hopper.com; kayak.com.au/mobile
LOOK AT ALL THE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS You’ve drawn up your holiday budget, now to find suitable accommodation that’s within your means – and there’s now an array of choices on land and on sea. Beyond staying at someone’s private home using airbnb.com.au or homeaway.com, there are options such as house sitting and pet sitting via trustedhousesitters.com. Of course, if you prefer your room made up and all the mod-cons of a hotel, sign up to your favourite brand’s newsletter now and then look out for sales where you can save a considerable amount of money. Do you want your food, entertainment and accommodation package all in one? Consider taking a cruise around the destinations you’d like to visit – it could work out to be a cheaper option.