Loading ...It’s getting harder to pay the mortgage, the weekly food costs are through the roof, and it’s costing a fortune to keep your SUV running.
So, no holiday this year, it looks like. You’ll just have to stay home. But wait a second – you’re working harder than ever and deserve a break.
The good news is that you can have that break. It may not be a world cruise or a penthouse suite at the far-flung exotic island resort, but if you’re willing to lower your expectations a bit and do some exploring, you’ll find many ways to keep the costs down and find a destination that meets your needs.
In spite their belt-tightening at home, large numbers of Australians are determined to continue on with overseas holiday plans. Their dollar is strong compared to many other currencies – for now.
So how do you get the best value for your money?
Travel experts recommend looking for all-inclusive packages that can be pre-paid in Australian dollars and to make your plans, book the holiday and pay for it a year in advance. This will allow you to take advantage of special offers and significant early-payment discounts.
The end of October is the best time to lock in trips for the coming year, as this is the time when tour operators announce the next year’s prices. This is particularly true for European destinations, as other destinations are often announced early in the year for the entire calendar year.
Aussies tend to be quite independent and often favour DIY self-drive itineraries. With fuel prices soaring, tour operators are recommending coach tours instead.
In the UK and Europe, motorists are finding that a tank of petrol is costing almost as much as a night at a hotel. When travelling by coach, the diesel costs are spread over 40 or more passengers.
