| Going on holiday can be expensive, but it doesn't have | | | | meal, but it's cheap and easy and you can eat outside |
| to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of ways | | | | enjoying some people watching. If you find little local |
| for people to book and plan their holidays cheaply, but | | | | delis, you can also make it a bit special. Imagine a brie |
| what about when you're actually at your destination? | | | | and baguette picnic with a bottle of vin rouge in Paris, |
| Things can easily get very expensive very fast, what | | | | for example. Yum! |
| with travel, activities, eating in restaurants and staying in | | | | Research: If you do your research ahead of time, you |
| hotels. But it doesn't have to be so bad - there are | | | | can find out which restaurants and bars locals prefer |
| many ways to reduce the impact on your wallet. Here | | | | and hopefully which have the lowest prices. Local |
| are some various ideas, suitable for all kinds of | | | | knowledge is really important if you want to save |
| holidaymakers. | | | | money, because otherwise you are unlikely to find |
| ACCOMMODATION | | | | places unless you stumble right across them. In addition, |
| Youth Hostels: Despite the name, many youth hostels | | | | I've always found that the best places are usually |
| have family rooms! If you imagine grotty, cramped and | | | | tucked away and you'd need someone to tell you they |
| noisy accommodation, get those ideas out of your | | | | are there! |
| head. Youth hostels are definitely no-frills, but if you do | | | | Go veggie: Vegetarian options may sound like a drag |
| your research ahead of time, you will find many clean, | | | | for some, but you have loads of choice these days. In |
| well-located and at very least with good sound | | | | addition, they are always cheaper than meat menus |
| proofing! | | | | and sometimes even come in much more generous |
| House-swapping: This system have been around for a | | | | portions! |
| while now and there are many sites set up to cater | | | | Shop at sundown: It depends on where you are, but |
| for those who would rather switch houses with other | | | | many shops will sell food cheaper at the end of the |
| travellers than fork out for a hotel room. Make sure | | | | day, particularly if it is on or past its sell-by date. Baked |
| you choose who will swap with you based on good | | | | good also generally come down in price. Have a look |
| reviewers and trust your gut feeling. | | | | and see. |
| Couchsurfing: Fantastic for the single traveller, not so | | | | ATTRACTIONS |
| much for families. Couchsurfing is a relatively new | | | | Coupons: Have a look online before you go and see if |
| phenomenon. The idea is you get to know people | | | | there are coupons available to sights or attractions you |
| through the website and they will offer you | | | | want to visit. If so, make sure you use them! Also |
| accommodation in their home. Usually it is free, | | | | check out prices to see if there are age-related |
| although sometimes people exchange services or gifts | | | | discounts or loyalty schemes. |
| in exchange for sleeping arrangements! It is also | | | | Go free: In many cities, you will find free attractions |
| possible for couples to find accommodation, although it | | | | everywhere. For instance, in London, most of the |
| is more tricky. | | | | museums don't charge. Particularly in Summer though, |
| Budget hotels: They are certainly not a romantic or | | | | it's easy to have an entire vacation without having to |
| special option, but if you plan to use your hotel room | | | | go the paying attractions. |
| only for sleeping, then why pay extra? Big hotel chains | | | | Check your timing: particularly for events such as |
| often have locations in many countries across the | | | | plays, show and concerts, timing is an issue. Ticket |
| world and offer very cheap rooms. | | | | costs vary wildly. Matinees are usually a good bet and |
| Haggle for hotel rooms: Try calling a hotel to ask about | | | | cost a fraction of the evening price. Otherwise, find out |
| room availability. Then leave it a few weeks and call | | | | if standing or cheap tickets are sold on the night. This is |
| them again - if the room is still available, there is a | | | | the case with many theatres and opera houses, |
| strong possibility they will be willing to haggle. You can | | | | although if you get standing tickets be prepared for it |
| also do this by email if you hate talking on the phone. | | | | to be hard on the knees! You can also try hanging |
| EATING | | | | around the location just before the show begins - you |
| Picnic: This is the easiest, but probably the most work. | | | | will often find people trying to offload their tickets due |
| Just head into any cheap local shop and buy food you | | | | to an emergency or change of plan. |
| can prepare easily. It will definitely not be a gourmet | | | | |