Summer

If you love the sun then this is the ideal time of year to head off to continental Europe. Any country in Europe is beautiful during summer time. The main problem with travelling at this time of year is that the prices tend to be at their highest level. You can get around this by looking for last minute deals or by checking out self-catering holidays. If you choose to go self-catering then the money you save by cooking in your accommodation might be enough for you to make more of your time there and enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Sunset in Sicily, Italy / Photo by admin

Winter

There is a lot to be said for getting away during the coldest months of the year. For a start, if you head off from the north of Europe to the southern part then you will feel a pleasant rise in the temperature once you get there. Apart from that you can usually get hold of cheaper European holidays in winter. Finally, this is a great time for anyone who is interested in seeing some traditional Christmas markets, going skiing or taking lovely strolls around snowy streets while wrapped up in warm clothes.

Spring

The warm weather comes early in places like the Mediterranean coast, so if you want to avoid the really high temperatures and the big crowds then this can be a fantastic time to head to somewhere like Spain or Italy. Prices are often reasonable during the spring season and it is an especially good time to go camping. If you have a look at a specialist site like Keycamp then you will see the variety of things you can in and around a campsite at this time of year.

Autumn

This is when the summer usually starts to die out in places like the UK, but the sun tends to still be shining brightly in more the southerly countries of Europe.  A smart move can be to soak up some sun at home during the summer and then go abroad to places like Berny Riviere in France, Lake Garda in Italy or Catalonia region in Spain to enjoy even more of the good weather when autumn comes knocking. If you hate the thought of the cold weather starting to bite again then this can be a clever way to extend your summer a little bit longer.

Which European country would you really want to go to and on which season would it be best to go there? Share your thoughts!

The post A European Holiday Can Cheer You Up During Any Season appeared first on Best of European Union.

Going away for a week or two can be quite a stretch to your (already overstretched) budget and your priorities may change whilst trying to find something suitable. Whether you are looking for sun, sea and sand or tracking down an action adventure holiday overseas- everyone is out to find the very best when booking their summer break. Whilst budgeting isn’t usually fun, it has to be done, so here is a rough guide to the best ways to budget whilst you are on holiday.

Elche, Palm capital, Spain / Photo by admin

Determine how much you can afford to spend

Before you start to book anything, sit down and work out how much you can afford to spend. Try breaking this down into flights, accommodation and living costs whilst you are there. It may be cheaper to consider a self-catering apartment rather than a hotel if eating out is going to be expensive. However if you are going somewhere like Eastern Asia, dining out is cheap, cheap, cheap, so your budget will probably stretch a bit further than it would in the US or Europe.

Check out the free attractions

Most destinations will have a variety of free museums, galleries and other attractions to keep you amused during the day. Pick up a travel guide from your local book shop- these will usually tell you what is free and the ones that will blow your budget. Some European countries like Amsterdam or Berlin, have one day a week when all of their galleries etc are free, so be sure to check that out before you go. If you are lucky enough to be a student- remember to take your student cards as many museums and public transport are free to students and young people.

Check out last minute deals

If you don’t mind where you go, but just fancy a few days away from it all, there are plenty of cheap holidays available online, as part of last minute packages. Discounted rates are offered on hotels and flights to fill up spaces still left unsold. If you are willing to take a chance on a lesser-known city, or if you are lucky enough to have flexible working hours- leave it to the last minute and take a look online

Consider travelling at a different time of year

If you are looking to catch some rays whilst you are away, consider going a little later in the year when peak season has died down. Many places will still be relatively warm all the way through to October. Holidays in Turkey for example, will enjoy plenty of sunshine if you are willing to hold off for just a few more weeks. If you go during the summer, you will be faced with paying peak prices, for both your flights and your accommodation, so seriously think about where you want to go and if you can wait until later in the year.

The post How to Holiday on a Budget appeared first on Best of European Union.

Ibiza sunset, Spain by Steven Straiton

That has just told you roughly how old I am now, and to be honest yes I am forcing myself to calm down a bit and start to act my true age, yet I am still going to be heading out there next year.

The main issue that stops some people from going to Ibiza is that they imagine it is an expensive holiday, and in all honesty it can be. Not so much the flights, as there are plenty of budget options, but the costs of the clubs, the accommodation etc.

It really doesn’t have to be that expensive though, the first time I went, I lived on a campsite. This wasn’t my preferred choice, it was just that the hotel my friend was staying at had some extra alert security so there was no way I was going to be sneaking into his room.

Let Me Give You Some Quick Fire Tips To Enjoying A Cheap Holiday To Ibiza:

• When To Fly Out – You will normally get the best deals on flights in either June or September especially if you book as early as possible. Additionally flights are always cheaper if you fly on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. You will also be able to pick up a cheap hotel in San Antonio for around £20 per night.

• Where To Kip – Depending on your budget you can get excellent deals, whether it is for a hotel, villa, apartment or campsite. For example, in August campsites usually go for around $4 per night, the three most popular campsites are in San Antonio, Cala Bassa and Es Canar.

Another tip is to try and find some last minute deals with people offering private holiday homes browse the internet and see what you can find. I once managed to get a booking for me and 12 of my friends a Villa for just £500 for a week’s stay.

• Cheap Grub – If your budget is tight, simply use supermarkets and spread the cost amongst your friends. You could easily eat pasta during the day and supply your own sandwiches during the day for as little as £20 a week each. If your budget allows for more, then there are some seriously nice restaurants in town.

• Getting Around – Don’t be ashamed to use buses, these are cheap and reliable (the UK could learn something here). If your destination is further afield, share a taxi with your friends to reduce the cost.

• Party Time – This is probably the most expensive part of the holiday, the bigger clubs here really are not cheap. This is most likely the reason why you have been scrimping on every other cost, simply so you can afford the clubs.

However, you do not even need to spend a fortune here; there are many free parties around the Island which even have some of the biggest DJ’s. An idea would be to keep an eye on Ibiza forums; this is where free parties will usually be advertised.

So as you can see a holiday to Ibiza doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, there are ways to have a good time without spending the cash. For cheap flights Ibiza is one of those destinations that is right at the top of the list, so start saving for the clubs from the word go.

The post Holidays on a Shoe String – Ibiza appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo by admin

But happily for the rest of us, there are plenty of opportunities for bargain Italy holidays that don’t come with the luxury price tag – far from it.

Take the Neapolitan Riviera for example. Situated around the Bay of Naples, this glorious corner of the world is all pine-clad hillsides, rugged cliff tops and long swathes of golden sandy beaches. These classic holiday ingredients means it fits easily into the package holiday bracket, and with this comes plenty of tasty discounts and last-minute deals.

You can now get an affordable break on the Italian coast with one of many established tour operators, and if you really want to knock pounds off the cost of your holiday, you can opt for one of the many late deals to grab a last-second bargain. Flexibility is key to getting the best deal, so the more adaptable you are with elements such as departure dates, exact location and choice of hotel, the more likely you are to bag yourself a cut-price holiday.

Booking outside of school holidays is another tactic that can help you to lower the cost of your next getaway. Or if you prefer to stay in full control of your holiday choices and like to know exactly where you’re going and when, you may be better off booking well in advance. You can still enjoy great discounts on booking ahead – especially if you’re alert to the launch of new seasons and brochures – and you’ll often find plenty of early bird deals along with the chance to pay off the cost of your holiday in stages.

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