Spain is the number one destination for Brits with 17.8 million trips made in 2023. But travellers are being advised to think outside the box when it comes to their holidays
British holidaymakers planning to jet off to Spain are being urged to ditch the usual seven, 10 or 14-day breaks. As UK tourists gear up for their summer getaways, they’re being encouraged to reconsider the conventional length of stay in European Union countries.
Spain reigns as the top holiday spot for Britons, with a whopping 17.8 million visits recorded in 2023. France, Italy, Greece and Portugal round out the top five favourite destinations for UK travellers – all nestled within Europe. However, those taking to the skies are now being prompted to think more creatively about their holiday durations.
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Travel expert Karen Williams from Eurocamp advises: “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.”
She further suggests: “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.”
Ms Williams also recommends exploring alternative transportation options for potential cost savings: “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.”
To cut costs even further, she advises: “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,”.
Ms Williams endorsed the benefits of hiring holiday homes, saying: “Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person.”
She further suggested that opting for less conventional durations of stay could be more cost-effective than sticking to the usual fortnightly, weeklong, or ten-day bookings, reports Birmingham Live.
She added that considering alternative times during the season could also reduce expenses: “Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down,” she advised.
For those journeying with youngsters, she highlighted that the later weeks of the school break leading up to September often offer more affordable options than the peak holiday period.
In terms of deciding when to travel, Ms Williams said: “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.”
She also encouraged tourists to embrace self-catering: “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.”
For forward-planners, Ms Williams pointed out an upcoming opportunity: “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.”