Break of dawn, Majorca, Spain by David Petty

Here are some of the best ways you can save money on a trip to Majorca.

Flights

Comparison websites are the best way to check out your flights. They do the legwork for you, finding the cheapest deals on your selected dates. Travel Supermarket, Expedia and Cheap Flights all offer a useful service.

Contrary to popular belief it can pay off to book flights early. Particularly during the popular months there may be a late rush to buy tickets. Avoiding peak times, such as the school holidays and weekends may also help to cut costs.

A good tactic is to sign up to email alerts from your favourite travel sites. Then you don’t miss out on any ticket sales. This article by the Guardian offers expert advice on bagging cheap flights.

Food

The key to eating on the cheap is to avoid the major tourist spots. You will often pay a premium to dine where the masses want to go. Instead find out where the locals recommend. Not only will you save money, but you will get a real feel for native life and cuisine.

The best tactic is to dust off your Spanish, and talk to shop owners or the proprietors of your hotel. If you want to establish what’s out there before you depart, you can find useful lists of expert recommended restaurants online.

Playa de Muro, Majorca, Spain by PRINSOTEL HOTELS

Activities

Majorca’s warm climate means that there are plenty of activities you can do that won’t break the bank. The island is strewn with beautiful beaches like Playa de Muro, a never-ending stretch of golden sand and turquoise sea.

Adrenaline junkies can get their fix with Experience Mallorca and their range of instructed activities, such as scuba diving for around sixty pounds.

Accommodation

Just as with flights the key to getting a deal on your accommodation is to do your research and compare. Sites like Hotelopia offer hotels in Majorca for as little as 15 pounds a night.

You can get deals if you book last minute or out of peak season. The best thing is to subscribe to emails from travel sites to get alerts about sales.

Palma de Majorca, Spain by Cristian Bortes

Extra Tips

If you fly with a budget airline you are likely to pay extra to store luggage in the hold. Instead try to minimise how much you take and pack it as hand luggage.

Many travellers also overlook the fact that most credit cards add a 3% cost to the exchange rates banks themselves get. The Halifax Clarity credit card has no foreign exchange rate fee anywhere in the world. Using one just for spending overseas can save you money, as long as you make sure to pay it back in full to avoid interest.

A holiday in Majorca doesn’t have to break the bank. In comparison to many destinations you can find very reasonable deals. A little extra legwork could mean that you can enjoy a great family holiday for a great price. Do you have any money saving tips to share?

The post How To Do Majorca On A Budget: All The Fun Less Of The Cash appeared first on Europe Explored.

If you are one of those people who have been converted to the cruise holiday and you are looking for your next lavish voyage, you may just want to visit https://www.ie.cruise.co/ or a similar comparison website before you sign on the dotted line. These comparison sites have just about everything you need to know about cruises, including reviews from other passengers, as well as galleries prices and timetables.

Huge cruise ships by Stephen Birch

Another important thing you need to think about before you book your cruise is what type of berth you will require. The choice of cabin can make a big difference to your overall experience, so it’s always wise to carefully think about what kind of accommodation would best suit your needs. Below we will have a quick look at some of the various cabins to give you an idea of what is available.

Balcony Cabins

A cabin with a balcony is a bit more expensive than some of the other cabins available on a ship, but having that extra space with a view does make a considerable difference. If you prefer to spend time in your own private space rather than in the public areas on deck or by the pool, the balcony cabin could be the right choice for you. Before you book, it is best to check the weather on your itinerary to make sure you will get the most out of your personal outside space.

Cruise ship balcony cabins by Roger Wollstadt

Inside Cabins

An inside cabin is the cheapest of accommodations available and is a good option if you tend to spend most of your time in the public areas or out on deck. These cabins are of course very comfortable but they would not be so suitable for someone who may like to spend time in their own space. Therefore, if you are the outgoing, always out and partying kind of a person that only really needs a place to sleep, an inside cabin could be for you.

The Suite

Suites vary from ship to ship but you can always be sure of getting a very lavish room with some excellent room service. A suite will cost you considerably more than a cabin but most people that book them think they are well worth the extra expense. In these luxury cabins you will get everything you would expect from a top quality hotel, with many even offering butler service to serve your meals and drinks. These are really for people that want to splash out and have a complete luxury experience.

Cruise ship swimming pool by Robert & Pam

Location

If you suffer from the occasional bout of seasickness a cabin lower in the ship and central could be the place to book your accommodation. Cabins situated in this part of the ship tend to experience less sway and roll, which could make all of the difference to a sensitive passenger.

About the Author:
Cruise Ireland is one of the world’s leading agent of a wide range of holiday cruises, family cruises, and more from top and luxury lines all over the world. For more details, check out https://www.ie.cruise.co/.

The post Choosing a Cruise Accommodation to Make the Most Out Your Holidays at Sea appeared first on Europe Explored.

Many people do plan to spend a bit more while they are on holiday so that they can enjoy themselves, and thus buy Euros in abundance, but before you do so, you might want to consider a few savings strategies.

It’s perfectly possible to enjoy a great vacation while still remaining on budget if you know what you’re doing.

Funny Euro money picture by Images Money

Let’s look at some ideas to consider.

Choose Your Areas Wisely

First, it may sound obvious, but some places in Europe are far cheaper to visit than others in terms of tourist attractions, food, drink and general day to day activity. Choose wisely if you are on a budget and save money almost instantly.

You’ll want to focus on going to areas such as Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece and Spain– prices here are generally a little less steep than other European countries.

Areas where prices are renowned for being on the expensive side include Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, as well as Luxemburg.

If your heart is set on a particular place, there are other ways in which you can cut costs.

Avoid Summer Travel

Summer is the peak traveling time for those visiting Europe, so if you want to save money, you should be avoiding going at this time.

If you travel during the summer season you can expect almost all prices to be higher, so aiming to go either before May or after September is a good option.

Fly Wisely

Yet another way to save money is to choose your flights wisely. Rather than flying into one of the more popular and populated cities, consider flying into a less popular city and then taking the train to your destination. The airport from which you travel can also make a difference to the final cost.

Package deals can give you great discounts, but often leave you with no choice. Piecing together bits of the holiday yourself – such as flights and hotels, can give you free will to shop around for the best deals.

Consider Your Accommodation

While you may have your sights set on staying in one of the luxury hotels that Europe has to offer, if you’re looking to stick with a budget, you’ll want to refrain from going to these.

Instead, consider staying in an apartment for bed and breakfast, especially if you’re going to be there longer than a night to save on costs.

Often you can rent condo’s or apartments by the week, so this could also be something you want to look into

Avoid Money Exchange Fees

Finally, try to buy your Euros before you leave home to avoid having to use your credit card for purchases, exchanging money in the process.  This can rake up the fees considerably and can put a dent in your budget.

Additionally, you may want to look into buying Euros online instead as this is a very quick, hassle free and convenient way to secure money and it can often be delivered directly to your door.

Taking the time out to shop around and research the above areas could make the holiday you thought you couldn’t afford, a real possibility.

The post Europe on a Budget appeared first on Europe Explored.

Etretat cliffs, Normandy, France by Amanda Slater

Avoid visiting France from July to August. This is the highest tourist season of the country and it will be quite difficult to find cheaper accommodation. Plan your trip way ahead of time and search the internet for the special bargain offers. If you make a booking in advance most of the hotels give very attractive discounts. Take the full advantage of this and you will be saving tons of money.

If the main expectation of visiting France is admiring and enjoying the art it is best that you visit in the month of September. Because of the European Heritage Day many private and public institutions open their doors to the public. This enables most of the museums and art galleries to be free of charge or charge a very nominal fee as the entry fee. Hence this is a great opportunity to enjoy the classic art.

When you travel in Europe it is quite easy to travel by train and also it can be cheaper as well. Again if you book your train seats in advance you will come across special train ticket rates that can be a real money saver. Prems is a special form of discounted tickets that are issued 3 months in advance only from the relevant website. In addition there are many other websites where you can buy cheaper train tickets. Another advantage of travelling by train is that you get the chance to see the country and its people. Watching people is a very interesting way of getting to know the culture and the people of any country. When you travel by air within the country you will be totally disconnected from the day to day life of the people.

Having the accommodation arranged at a youth hostel is a very sensible idea if you are planning to travel to France. In addition to the cheap accommodation most of them have a common kitchen where you can bring your own groceries and make a meal for yourself. That whole process can be a special experience where you walk into a supermarket in a foreign country and buying the groceries and making  a meal for yourself.  But do not forget to dine in France as one has to try out all the delicious French food. But if you travel on a budget stay away from the restaurants that serve a la carte and always go for the restaurants that have a fixed menu. That way you can control how much you are spending for your meals.

Never make the money as an obstacle to visit the places you love to visit. Always there are ways you can cut corners and still enjoy a good holiday in any country in the world.

Author’s Bio

Teresa Kent was graduated at the University of Nottingham. She loves to write and she is a part time geologist. She is a traveller. She writes articles using her own travel experiences. Currently she is writing about her own experiences in Flights to Dubai from UK and New Zealand.

The post Visiting France on a budget appeared first on Europe Explored.

Ski holidays tend to require a bit more planning than a lot of other types of vacation, which may just be a case of booking flights and accommodation. On top of your travel and living arrangements you need to consider whether you need to shire ski equipment, what specific ski passes or lift passes you’ll need, the specific facilities the resort you’re intending to stay at offers, and which ski schools are best for your kids. Below is a more specific look into each factor to help make each step of the planning process a little easier.

Resort

Whilst there are many great skiing locations in the world, the resorts in the French Alps are some of the best. Places such as Les Arcs, La Plagne, Tignes and Val D’Isère are fantastic for both beginner and experienced skiers. These resorts also offer great accommodation and facilities for you to relax and kick back after an exhilarating day on the slopes. Each one is a little different, so be sure to do a bit of research into each before choosing which one takes your fancy.

Val D’Isère, France by Andreas Bjärlestam

Accommodation: Communal or self-catered?

Like with any holiday, finding the best accommodation for the best price is half the battle. With ski holidays, the particular resort you’re planning on staying at may dictate the type of accommodation you can book. However most resorts, particularly in the French Alps, have a variety of accommodation types to choose from. Catered accommodation with communal dining may be a great way to meet other families on holiday, and allows you a break from the everyday cooking for your family you do when you’re at home. However self-catered chalets offer a bit more privacy and you may find this suits you a bit more.

Equipment Hire

If this is your first time booking a ski holiday, you won’t likely have your own set of skis. You may however be a seasoned pro, and are planning your kids’ first outing on the slopes. Either way, you’ll want to consider hiring equipment once you’re at the resort. Be sure to do your research into this prior to setting off on your vacation, as once you’re out there you may panic and hire the first set of skis you can find, opening yourself up to a potentially bad deal. Booking this in advance can save you a lot of trouble and give you peace of mind that you don’t need to worry about it once you arrive.

Ski Passes/Lift Passes

So you’ve chosen the resort you like the look of, booked your chalet and organised the hiring of equipment. But you’re not done yet! Don’t forget that if you’re planning on doing any skiing while you’re at the resort, you’ll need ski and lift passes. Do a bit of research into the resort you’re staying at, and make sure you know which areas your passes give you access to.

French Alps by genevieveromier

Ski Schools

Family ski holidays can be great fun, but if you’re a more experienced skier you might get a little bored hanging around the nursery slopes while the kids learn the basics. Some resorts have a few really good ski schools available for kids, where they will enjoy learning on the easier slopes, and can meet other kids their age. More importantly you get the freedom to spread your wings and try your hand at some of the tougher and more exciting slopes in the resort. Again whilst there are some great ski schools out there, not all of them are top class, so be sure to research them, read reviews etc. before committing.

Author Bio
This post was written on behalf of Rental Republic: a ski and snowboard hire company operating in a number of resorts in the French Alps. Their team of experts deliver the ski and snowboard equipment right to your chalet, and also provide free fitting.

The post Tips for Planning Your Family Ski Holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Getting There

Europa Park is situated close to the A5 Autobahn 39 km north of Freiburg. It is a hassle free drive from the channel ports but if you wish to fly the park can be accessed from Basle and Karlsruhe airports both of which have shuttle buses to the park. Europa Park has a dedicated exit from the motorway and plenty of parking and so you will rarely be delayed on arrival in the area.

Layout

The park is ranged in areas themed on European countries and is beautifully landscaped. Each area features rides, attractions, restaurants and shops with something to please everyone in the family. The food is generally excellent, an uncommon occurrence in theme parks, and prices are surprising low for the quality of the food. There are plenty of places to relax and watch the world go by and a scenic lake in the centre of the park affords the opportunity for a pleasant walk when the rides have become too much!

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Highlights

There is truly something for everyone at Europa Park. If you want peace and tranquillity you can explore gorgeous gardens with dancing fountains, beautiful woodlands or take a spin around the lake. There is an area dedicated to rides and attractions for small children and family favourites like the log flume and Fjord Rafting.  Serious roller coaster enthusiasts should check out the magnificent steel coaster Silver Star, the launch coaster Blue Fire and the incredible new woodie, Wodan which has the best queue line ever! If that is not enough thrills then there is also a bob sleigh ride, a coaster in the dark and the Matterhorn Blitz, a wild mouse ride with a unique twist at the start. Finally you will not believe Poseidon a visually stunning ride which is a roller coaster and water ride all in one. The best thing of all is that this park runs with relentless efficiency. The queues move quickly and the rides never seem to break down.

Accommodation

You will need more than one day to experience all of the attractions on offer and so an overnight stay will be required. Europa Park offers 5 beautiful themed hotels on site. The newest option is the Bell Rock hotel a masterpiece of New England styling with rooms that feature real wooden floors, oak furnishings and beds for children in the shape of boats. All of the hotels offer excellent dining, bars and entertainment. If the on-site hotels are beyond your budget there are numerous privately run local hotels which are very reasonably priced and are walking distance from the park.

Europa Park, Germany / License: Image author owned

Give it a try!

If you like theme parks and you haven’t visited Europe Park then give this place a try. I know of no other park which is run so well and offers such a fantastic range of attractions for everyone to enjoy. The hotels are superb and the prices very reasonable, there really isn’t a reason not to go.

Sally Stacey is an enthusiatic blogger and theme park fan currently writing on behalf of National Furniture who supllied the fantastic oak furnishings for her new bedroom inspired by the Bell Rock Hotel.

The post The Best Theme Park In Europe? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cruise ship with pool by Michael R Perry

Here are 4 reasons why you should go on a cruise for your holiday:

Prices: the prices are very reasonable and you can get all types of cruises available throughout the year. You can get amazing accommodation and entertainment on a cruise at prices as low as $ 150 a day. A variety of cuisines can be enjoyed and dinners are lavish and extravagant at low prices. If you are going to get some time off from work, you might as well spend a little money and enjoy yourself and take your family and friends with you, too. Do a little research and you can get amazing discounts and prices and enjoy extravagant cruises.

Getting pampered: throughout the year you have to go running through markets and shops, get home and cook and prepare your foods for yourself. You have to spend hours to ensure you have everything you need. Well, when on a cruise (or as the Danes call it krydstogt) you need not worry about that. The first-class services on cruises, regardless of the prices, are remarkable. You can spoil yourself by getting a comfortable massage or just sink into a Jacuzzi on board. If you are going to spend some money on going on a cruise, let them take care of you while you relax.

Activities: one can enjoy different activities when on a cruise. Go for swimming in the swimming pools on board. Live-a-board diving is very popular in certain parts of the world such as the Maldives. Live-a-board diving is an activity whereby divers dive off a ship at different points to enjoy the waters and the marine life. You can play golf at the dock or enjoy the casinos that some cruise ships offer. Enjoy other such relaxing activities with your family and friends when on board!

Satisfaction: you would definitely have a good time on a cruise enjoying different activities, spoiling yourself and going on cruises at a reasonable price. You can enjoy different and new horizons. Not much packing is required either and so you do not have to worry about losing any of your clothes or luggage. In addition to this you and your family would have a good, stress-free vacation on a cruise.

These are just some of the reasons you should go on a cruise for your holiday. If you want to get some peace of mind and have a good time, go on a cruise!

The post Top 4 reasons to go on a cruise for your holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

To volunteer is becoming an increasingly popular way of not only seeing the world, but physically taking part in building a better and brighter tomorrow. And there is no better way to find cheap travel that still will take you to parts of the world that you would only dream about being able to visit.

Volunteer travel by Visions Service Adventures

A cheap travel does not have to correspond to having a cheap experience. Quite the contrary is true regarding volunteer work. There are so many areas were your help would be appreciated, such as lending a hand in the building of a school in the village of a developing country.

Or why not help these children to learn how to read and write, an effort that will prepare these children for an increasingly globalized future, making them more adapt to correspond to the demands of their future. This is a win-win situation if ever there was one. A cheap way to travel, but the feeling of accomplishment you will take away from the trip will be a source of joy and fulfilment for the rest of your life.

So you are just a cheap travel away from changing the lives of so many children and their parents. People that have been left in the backwater, struggling with poverty, everyday is a constant battle of doing their best in order to simply stay alive. You can work with building projects, in health care or education. Just take your pick and make a difference.

Volunteer work also involves a lot of environmental issues, and efforts to protect endangered species of animals.

It is the cheapest way to travel, especially considering that food and accommodation is included in the amount you pay to the volunteer company organizing the trip. Testimonials given by previous volunteers are all ranting and raving about this unique opportunity of seeing the world and at the same time changing it. One brick at a time. One English lesson at a time. One flu-shot at a time.

The inspiration that you will get from the people there will be as beneficial to your own personal progress as your help will be beneficial to their community. Here you are not only crossing a country, going from one place to another in a restless hunt for new adventures. This is your chance to truly gain some insight in to what the true nature of life really means for people in developing countries.

So if you are looking for that ultimate combination of a cheap travel that is rich in experience, there is hardly a better way to do it than signing up for a volunteer program. To live with a host family is unbeatable if you truly want to get under the skin of a different culture, if you want to learn about its weaknesses, its strengths, and its idiosyncrasies.

Author Bio: Carlita Morandi is experienced traveller. She like to write about the different tourist places she has been. Her favourite destination is the Caribbean (as the Danes say Caribien).

The post Volunteer- A Cheap Travel, Rich In Spirit appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by gaudiramone

Now I assume that you have noticed that Paris is a desired tourist destination for millions of tourists all over the world. The reason for this is the fact that the city has a lot to offer to everybody. It is great during any time of the year.

Now a few words about Halloween in Paris… well, first of all you need to start with finding the proper accommodation. Of course there are literally hundreds of hotels in Paris but the question you need to ask yourself is whether is worthy to spend a small fortune on accommodation rather than spend the same amount of money for fun. This is why I can offer you to rent a Paris apartment. I know it may sound silly but believe this is the best decision. Anyway you should know that they can be a little bit more expensive than Apartment in Berlin or even apartment in Rome but the investment is worthy. After finding the best you can afford you should go and take a walk on the city.

You will see many interesting things. Even some of the buildings are decorated. It is great because the city transforms into one amazing place and even if you are currently living in Paris you will have troubles recognizing the places you walk through daily.

Anyway like every major festival in a big city there are some troubles. For example crowds. So my advice to you is, if you don’t like crowds, to avoid places like downtown because they are pretty crammed up. Plus you might become a victim of pickpockets and believe me festivals like those are the perfect time for crime. Not that the police is not doing its job but you can imagine what it is to protect thousands of people dressed in different costumes.

As a whole Halloween in Paris is one great experience and if you have a chance you should certainly go and spend a few days there. The atmosphere is really great and I’m pretty sure that you will have a great time there. Enjoy your stay!

The post Paris at Halloween – unusual experience | France appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by agaw.dilim

The key to planning cheap city breaks, is to first identify what the major costs may be. These are normally to be found in transport, accommodation, and activities. By choosing the most economical way to go about each of these things, weekend city breaks anywhere in Europe become more affordable.

Airline Fares: Landing on the cheapest options

Depending on the destination, the cost of flights can quite often be the most expensive part of a weekend city break in Europe. There are several ways that one can go about reducing the cost though, and all that is needed is a little time and effort. The well-known budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet all have websites that can be browsed through, and from time to time, they also run worthwhile deals. Websites that compare the prices of different airlines can also be helpful in tracking down a cheap flight. Examples of such sites are skyscanner, Opodo, Expedia, Spa Travel, fare compare,etc.

Accommodation: Getting the best deals

After the flights, accommodation can be the next most expensive part when planning weekend city breaks in Europe. Fortunately, the internet can again be of assistance, and it is possible to both view and book hotels for a cheap city break in Paris online. Many hotels will offer some form of discount if staying more than two nights, and so the overall cost per person per night can be reduced.

Activities: Cheap and Cheerful things to do

The French capital has a wealth of things to see and do, and there are several ways to do this in the most economical way whilst not compromising on seeing the attractions themselves.

The first thing to do, is spend a little time in researching Paris, and visit those sites that are grouped together in order to avoid zig-zagging all over the city. Saving travel costs on taxis or other public transport goes a long way to make a cheap city break in Paris. Another idea is to pick the best day to see each attraction. Sundays in particular are a good time to see some places, as the Louvre is free one Sunday per month, and the Sunday organ recital at the Notre Dane Cathedral adds another dimension to the experience there. Paris also has many free museums, such as the Modern Art Museum, Fine Arts Museum and the Paris Fashion Museum. The Rodin Museum is also free on the first Sunday of every month.

Perhaps the most helpful piece of advice when planning cheap city breaks in Paris, or indeed any other city in Europe, is to be flexible. Whilst weekend city breaks might be the most desired choice, it is actually a lot less expensive to travel between Monday and Thursday than it is during the weekend. Early morning flights can also be cheaper than mid morning flights, and occasionally, leaving booking flights and hotels until the last minute can lead to price reductions.

Dave writes for Spa Travel an online travel agent dedicated to offering the cheapest Spa Breaks, flights, hotels and holiday packages for the UK outbound Traveller.

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