| We all have a dream holiday we want to go on for | | | | 5. Travel light: Almost all airlines have massively |
| our next trip, but sometimes the costs involved can | | | | reduced the number of bags you can take in recent |
| be just out of reach. However, if you're willing to | | | | years, and many of the smaller carriers will charge |
| make small sacrifices here and there, you can make | | | | you a fee for every bag you take. Make good use |
| almost any holiday destination fit into your budget. | | | | of your hand luggage and keep your checked |
| Here are 10 Top Money Saving Tips that will help you | | | | luggage to a minimum to save on those annoying |
| go the furthest on your next holiday. | | | | extra charges. |
| 1. Consider cheaper accommodation: If you're | | | | 6. Skip the expensive attractions: Not everybody |
| splashing out on a faraway destination, why not cut | | | | needs to pay top dollar to see the same sights that |
| back on your accommodation bill by skipping that | | | | every other tourist sees - this especially applies if |
| fancy hotel. You could stay in a local hostel - most | | | | you're visiting a city you've been to before. Think |
| are more modern and comfortable than you think | | | | alternative - find the less-visited parts of your |
| nowadays. Or buy a copy of the Lonely Planet and | | | | destination that are often free, which will give you a |
| look alternative accommodation options that may not | | | | more unique perspective on the place you're visiting. |
| be found in your collection of brochures at home. I | | | | Again, Lonely Planet is great for this sort of |
| have travelled the world on Lonely Planet and | | | | information. |
| personally trust what they have to say. I used to | | | | 7. Travel off peak: It may sound obvious, but prices |
| stay at a great 2 star hotel in Paris across from the | | | | are of course much lower if you travel in Spring, |
| Louvre. The catch was walking up the 5 flights of | | | | Autumn or Winter. Many places do not require |
| stairs to my room, there was no lift. But it meant I | | | | scorching sunshine or massive crowds to be enjoyed, |
| could spend more money on glorious French food and | | | | and you'll benefit from shorter lines at the airport and |
| shopping. | | | | fewer crowds in general wherever you go. |
| 2. Take the simpler forms of transport: You can save | | | | 8. Consider a last-minute deal: There are some great |
| a lot of money by not renting a car or catching taxis, | | | | bargains out there for anyone willing to book their |
| and depending on where you're going, you might see | | | | trip just a week or a few days in advance. As long |
| more of the scenery by taking a bus, coach or train. | | | | as you're not too picky about your exact destination, |
| Many countries offer discount cards especially for | | | | hotel or flight time, you'll probably find you can get a |
| tourists - this way you can travel around for days or | | | | very special holiday for a very low price. And most |
| weeks at a time for one low all-inclusive price. | | | | last minute sites allow you to book up to a month in |
| 3. Stick to the local produce: Wherever you go, it's | | | | advance. |
| usually the case that the local food and drink is less | | | | 9. Leave your phone at home: The prices involved in |
| expensive than the import variety. Skip your | | | | using your mobile phone abroad varies from country |
| favourite beer for a week and you'll be surprised at | | | | to country, but one thing you can guarantee is that |
| how many tasty alternatives you'll come across on | | | | talking to your friends and family at home will cost a |
| your next holiday. Another good way to limit food | | | | fortune. International roaming is one of the most |
| spending is to buy your breakfast and lunch at the | | | | underestimated costs of travel. Thankfully, modern |
| local supermarket instead of visiting restaurants twice | | | | technology means you won't be out of touch while |
| a day. Bakeries offer a great insight into local food | | | | on holiday. You can email your friends instead of |
| and local markets give you a fabulous local | | | | calling - this also helps with the time zone changes - |
| experience. | | | | or you can use services like Skype and Google Talk |
| 4. Bring a water bottle: It may seem obvious, but | | | | to make cheap calls from your laptop or an internet |
| water is free almost anywhere you go. Invest in one | | | | cafe. |
| water bottle that you can refill at the water fountain | | | | 10. Take a free holiday: There's a new and growing |
| in the museum, park or other attraction, and you'll | | | | genre of holiday out there known as voluntourism - |
| keep yourself hydrated and healthy without spending | | | | sign up to work in a local farm or charity during your |
| a penny. But first, please make sure you can drink | | | | next trip, and your food and lodgings all come for |
| the local water. I have found water to be one of the | | | | free. Best of all, you'll return home with a happy glow |
| greatest daily travel expenses in some places, | | | | knowing you've done your small part in making the |
| especially peak season in Europe. Expect to pay | | | | world a better place. |
| around $10 in some places. | | | | |