Brits heading to Spain, Italy and Greece urged to change summer holiday plans

Jon Macpherson & James Rodger

12 June 2024 at 7:19 am·2-min read

UK sun seekers are being urged to rethink their usual seven or fourteen-day jaunts to Mediterranean hotspots like Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy.

Travel expert Karen Williams, from Eurocamp, is recommending Brits shake up their vacation routines, explaining: "There are lots of holiday providers which don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates."

Furthermore, she advises: "Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices."

Karen also underlines the noticeable financial gains in exploring alternate transport options, highlighting: "Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings."

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On top of this, Karen suggests joining forces to trim expenses, as BirminghamLive reports. "A great tip is to split the cost of your accommodation with your mates or nearest and dearest as this can save you a fortune," she said.

She continues: "Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person."

Williams shared a savvy tip for slashing holiday costs: opt for stays of unconventional lengths. By avoiding the standard seven, 10, or 14-day vacations, travellers can snag cheaper flights and accommodation rates.

"Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down," she advised. For families with school-aged kids, Williams suggests targeting the tail end of the summer break, just before September, when prices typically dip below peak season rates.

She also recommended considering the climate of your chosen destination if booking during these shoulder months. "For those travelling with children, look for the latter weeks of the school holidays running up to September which tend to be cheaper than the main part of the school holidays.

"When travelling during these months, think carefully about the destinations. If you're looking for sunshine, southern Europe is slightly hotter than more northern regions so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors even during off-peak months."

To further economize, Williams proposed a dining hack: "You don't need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead taste some local delicacies from the comfort of your own holiday home. You can even pack and bring your own food to your holiday home to ensure that the kids have all their favourite snacks."

Ending her travel tips for potential holidaymakers, she advised: "For the super organised, many travel providers will be bringing out their 2024 holidays over the coming months, so keeping an eye out for these can also help you save for next year too."

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