5 Things To Keep In Mind Before Booking A Holiday

May 24, 2019May 28, 2019 cheerfultrails

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Holidays or weekend breaks, planning a much awaited trip builds up a lot of excitement of sojourning and exploring a destination. So, if you are on the thoughts of planning a trip, check out the 5 things you should consider before booking a holiday.

We look forward to holidays like few other things in life. We dream about the beaches, close our eyes, imagine the views and our mouths water at the thought of exotic cuisines. And once the waiting is over and we arrive at our destination, we never want our holiday to end. But in order for our trip to be as relaxing and wonderful as our dreams tell us it will be, we have to book and plan our holiday meticulously. And sometimes that can be an altogether more stressful experience.

To help make the process a little more relaxing, here are five key tips to keep in mind before booking a holiday.

Relaxing on the beach - Booking a holiday — Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

Bargain Hunting

Travel has never been more popular. In 2017, it contributed $8.27 trillion to the global economy. And that was not just on holidays – we travel more than ever before for work too. 39% of millennial and generation Z workers say they wouldn’t accept a job that doesn’t let them travel. And 30% of workers would accept lower salaries in exchange for more business trips.

And in response to that incredible demand, travelers have never had more choice. There are now a myriad of apps and websites that will ensure you can find the very best deals for your trip. So don’t be afraid to use them! Compare your holiday across a series of websites and providers because you will often find a huge variation in price. It pays to do your research.

Look Before You Leap

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Holidaymakers turning up at their five-star hotel only to find it isn’t anywhere near the pristine white, sandy beach they saw in the photographs and that its rating is actually only three-stars. These days there’s no excuse for not knowing what you’re going to get when you arrive. Review sites help travelers to research their destination and trust the holiday they are booking is what has been advertised. And we would encourage you to do the same. Read reviews, and lots of them! Do your homework and ensure that when you go on that holiday of a lifetime, it lives up to all your expectations and more.

Last minute? No problem!

There was a time, many years ago, when we booked our holidays what seemed like years in advance. These days, technology means we could, if we choose, book in the morning and fly in the afternoon. Millennial’s, in particular, are increasingly viewing travel more spontaneously than previous generations; as a spur of the moment adventure that could happen at any time. And, in response to that, travel companies can respond just as quickly. So, don’t rule out a trip that might come out of the blue. As long as you have a few hours set aside to find the best deal and do your research, there’s no reason you can’t be on your way to the airport a few hours after you book.

Think Smart, Think Mobile

The way in which we book our holidays has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. There was a time when we would walk into a travel agent, thumb through a multitude of brochures and sit across from a sales representative as they tapped away on a keyboard. But these days we are addicted to our smartphones and increasingly we are using them to book our trips abroad. With 48% of smartphone users in the US now comfortable planning and booking their trip on their phone, maybe it’s time you tried it too! Even more incredibly, 70% of US travelers now say they always use their smartphones whilst traveling. Whether it’s to research attractions, read restaurant reviews, or simply to find your way around, smartphones can be an incredibly useful tool to have by your side in whatever new destination you find yourself in.

Be Adventurous

Travel is a gift: it enriches us and gives us memories to look back on for the rest of our lives. And while it can be tempting to go back to the tried and tested favorites, there’s nothing quite like stepping into the unknown and discovering something new and unforgettable. So be brave and consider something completely different the next time you book a trip.