| Have you been planning a vacation or a quick | | | | holiday. The lower the season is, the higher your |
| getaway? If you are, it is obviously important that | | | | bargaining chances. |
| your holiday is perfect. For this, the right planning is | | | | 4. Selecting an all-inclusive tour package |
| the first step. If it's a known destination, you could | | | | Unless you are going camping and backpacking, get |
| do with planning yourself. However, if it's an unknown | | | | an all-inclusive tour for yourself. This has two |
| venture, you must take the help of a professional, | | | | advantages: if you book with all inclusions, you're likely |
| who has the right resources and expertise to help | | | | to get a cheaper deal, since separately, various |
| you. Herein we provide some tips on how to plan the | | | | elements like transfers and meals tend to cost more. |
| perfect getaway without paying enormous bills. | | | | Also, a pre-planned trip takes the load off your head |
| 1. Hiring the services of an expert | | | | when it comes to securing inclusions. I recommend |
| As mentioned above, unless you're an expert on the | | | | packages that at least include transfers, some |
| destination, it would be a great idea to hire the | | | | sightseeing and breakfast. |
| services of a travel agent or travel company. With | | | | 5. Save money on hotels |
| the increase in the number of OTA's, you would | | | | You don't always have to stay at a five-star hotel - |
| actually be spoilt for choice. With their domain | | | | there are a huge number of 3 star hotels too that |
| knowledge and expertise you might actually be able | | | | provide great service at really affordable prices. An |
| to save some money. Sign up for their newsletters, | | | | alternate to this would be staying at a service |
| mailers and travel alerts so you are the first one to | | | | apartment that comes with good rooms, a |
| know on any special offers that come up. A number | | | | kitchenette and even the services of a butler. |
| of travel companies also provide special deals and | | | | 6. Research online |
| discounts on using a certain credit card - so check | | | | This is best done by logging on to travel websites |
| out on those before you book. | | | | that often feature deals and discounts. If you're |
| 2. Planning ahead | | | | booking a hotel, you could also research on the |
| This one is kind of tricky. How early is enough? I'd | | | | hotels own website - they often have lower deals |
| say that you should start planning at least 2 months | | | | than most OTA's. Not just the price, I recommend |
| in advance. This is especially important if you are | | | | checking up on the user ratings and reviews posted |
| planning to travel in the peak season or your kid's | | | | by actual customers as well as photos of hotels and |
| summer holidays. Start doing your research online and | | | | rooms. |
| check out on rates available. The earlier you book, | | | | Budget travel must never be a horrid experience. |
| the better your chances of bagging a cheap deal! | | | | When done through the right channels, they actually |
| 3. Travelling during off-season | | | | turn out to be really memorable experiences. With |
| Unless imperative, skip the actual holiday season and | | | | some simple tips and tricks, you can actually save |
| travel when it is low. Alternately, travel to places that | | | | enough to spend on really meaningful things - such as |
| are not likely to be thronged with tourists during your | | | | shopping or a nice meal for the two of you! |