How to holiday on a budget

Heading off for a well-earned break can be as expensive as it is relaxing so it’s worth taking the time to research ways in which you can save money here and there so that you don’t make too much of a dent in your savings account when enjoying your holiday. There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the cost, such as:

Shop around
Package deals may seem fantastic at first glance but be sure to check the alternatives. It’s often the case that you can get a cheaper deal by booking the flights/hotel individually. Also use comparison sites wherever possible to check that that great deal you’ve found can’t be beaten elsewhere.

Be flexibile
Where possible, don’t have a concrete set of dates in mind as you are likely to find a more favourable deal if you can go from midweek to midweek. It pays to be open-minded where possible – especially if you can stomach the thought of booking time off work but not knowing your destination until close to your departure time as you can find yourself some serious last-minute bargains.

Sign up for airline mailing lists
Get your name on as many of these lists as you can – you’ll be the first to find out about cheap flight deals and may just steal a march on others when it comes to bagging a bargain.

Take other costs into account
While flights and accommodation are clearly major factors in deciding your destination, you should also factor in general costs for while you’re away. If you’re planning to hit the town as much as possible while on holiday, for example, then be sure to research how expensive the average meal and/or drinks prices in your destination city are

Travel during off-peak times
It’s a fairly obvious one, but the most popular holiday months tend to be the most expensive as prices scale due to demand, so if you can manage to book your holiday towards the end of the summer or at some other, less popular, time of the year then it stands to reason that you’ll be in good shape to secure a reasonable deal.

Pre-book as much as you can
It pays to be prepared, so sort out your foreign currency, airport parking, car hire, etc. in as far advance of your trip as possible. All of these things will be significantly cheaper if you pre-book rather than just turning up on the day and paying the advertised price.

Travel light
Many airlines will charge for extra baggage, so don’t take what you don’t need. Also make sure to take full advantage of your carry on allowance to reduce the risk of going over the weight allowance with your checked-in luggage, which would otherwise incur a further charge.

Las Vegas: How To Have A Good Time Without Spending A Cent In The Casinos

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas then the chances are that gambling is pretty high on your priority list. Sin City, after all, is most famous for its numerous casinos and the games contained within: poker, blackjack, roulette, slot machines and so on – all designed to separate you from your money.

But while huge hotels and mega casinos dominate the Vegas skyline, there are plenty of other activities to seek out if you know where to look. So, once you’ve got the boring stuff out of the way – buying travel insurance, changing up some foreign currency, that kind of thing – you can start planning what other activities you’re going to get up to ensure you get the most out of Vegas. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Flip out
With more than 150 playable tables dating back to the 1940s through to modern day machines, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to preserving classic gaming for future generations. The best bit? Most tables only cost 25c to play and all profits go directly to the Salvation Army.

Pinball Hall of Fame

Catch a ball game
If you’re into your sport, then Vegas has more to offer than first meets the eye. Cashman Field plays host to minor league baseball’s Las Vegas 51s, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, while the Las Vegas Wranglers play professional ice hockey in the Easy Coast Hockey League. Neither sport’s season runs for the whole year so be sure to plan accordingly.

Spend nothing
Despite the city’s reputation for extravagance, visitors on a strict budget can still find more than enough to keep them entertained on the cheap. In fact, there are some must-see Vegas attractions that cost nothing at all. The famous Bellagio Fountains display takes place at least every half hour between midday and midnight at the weekends – wait until it’s dark to catch them at their magnificent best. And if you venture out to see ‘Old Vegas’ be sure to stick around for the Fremont Street Experience, a truly stunning overhead multimedia show that takes place on the hour from dusk onwards.

Bellagio Fountains

Head to the big top
There are a huge number of shows vying for your attention in Vegas but your top priority should be to catch a breathtaking Cirque du Soleil performance. There are currently five Cirque shows in permanent residence on the Strip – from aquatic masterpiece O to the Beatles-themed Love. Best of all, though, is Mystère at Treasure Island.

On a final note, if you’re looking to get your Vegas travel money, looking to buy cheap travel insurance for your trip or even sort out your UK passport then visit the Post Office ®.

Post Office ® was recently voted best travel insurance company and foreign exchange retailer by the British Travel Awards 2009.

Gower: UK holiday destination for 2009?

With research recently published by Post Office® warning of the costs of ‘must have’ items for UK holidaymakers, it might be that ‘staycationers’ will need to save money on other areas of their holidays. Travel is likely to be a big cost to some, but the Gower Peninsula in Wales is conveniently located to get to efficiently and cheaply from many parts of the UK, yet is far enough away to offer a uniquely new experience – and it is beautiful to boot.

The research published by travel insurance specialists, Post Office®, shows that in order to keep summer car journeys peaceful and stress-free, parents are set to spend hundreds of pounds on travel toys, neck pillows and iPods – leaving little money left over for the travel itself. However it is fair to say that the journey to the Gower Peninsula is anything but boring. If the kids aren’t awe-struck by the three-mile long Second Severn Crossing, then they may well be impressed by the impressive southern Welsh countryside and the hard-to-pronounce town names.

Sun Safety on Holiday

You're off on holiday at last! There are so many things to remember, not least your travel insurance and your sun cream. Once you've got your trip covered, here's how to cover up in the sun...

Soaking up the sun can be really relaxing, but sun damage can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. Even in the short term, sunburn can ruin your holiday - no one wants to cover up all week with painful, lobster-like skin.

How can I protect myself from sun damage?

Choose loose, cool clothing that covers you up. Wear sunglasses with UV protection and a hat to protect your face and neck. Take regular breaks in the shade and ideally keep out of the sun from 11am to 3pm.

Make wearing sun cream part of your routine. Cancer Research UK recommends a minimum of sun protection factor (SPF) 15 for most people. You don't have to buy the most expensive brand but check that your cream blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Use generous amounts, reapply after going in the water or sweating and if you're near the water, take extra care as you'll burn more easily.

When do I put my sun cream on?

Put your sun cream on at least 20-30 minutes before you go outside and reapply after 20-30 minutes in the sun and then every two hours. Always put your sun cream on before your moisturiser and make-up and don't forget the areas that are most commonly missed: your hair parting, your ears, nose, lips, feet and skin around the edges of your clothes.

Who's most at high risk from skin cancer?

People with fair skin, red or fair hair, light eyes, or a lot of moles or freckles need to take extra care in the sun. The same goes if you have a family history of skin cancer or a previous bad experience of sunburn. You might want to cover up, stay in the shade or wear sun cream that's SPF25 or more. If you notice changes to your skin or moles, speak to your GP.

Do children need extra protection?

Children have sensitive skin and need extra protection from the sun. Use SPF25 and reapply every two hours and after they've been in the sea, the pool or playing with water. Put them in loose clothing with long sleeves, preferably cotton and check shoulders, backs and necks are covered.

Hats are a must, ideally with a wide brim or a flap that covers the neck, as are sunglasses with UV filters. Babies under 12 months need to stay in the shade.

Can sun cream go off?

Eventually. Sun cream lasts for 2-3 years but check the expiry date on the bottle - you won't be protected if it's out-of-date. Keep your sun cream cool and out of direct sunlight as this can damage it.

For the ultimate relaxing holiday, get your travel insurance sorted before you go.

Buy cheap travel insurance from Post Office�; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.

How to get the right Travel Insurance

Travel insurance doesn't just cover lost luggage and cancelled flights. When accidents happen, it's a financial lifeline. Forgetting your travel insurance, or going for the cheapest option, might end up costing you thousands - so how can you get the peace of mind of knowing you're properly protected?

Get cover for the unexpected.

When Caroline Brown fell off a banana boat on a Greek island, she was concussed and lost her memory for 9 hours - but fortunately she hadn't forgotten her travel insurance. After 3 visits from the doctor, Caroline was back on her feet. And thanks to her insurance she claimed back all the medical expenses.

If you fancy trying something new on holiday such as horse riding or bungee jumping, make sure your activities are covered. And even if you're not planning anything quite so adventurous, it's still vital to have the right travel insurance.

Avoid a financial headache.

Accidents and sudden illnesses affect thousands of travellers every year, and the costs of medical treatment or flying a loved one home can run into thousands. Inadequate travel insurance could mean the added worry of a huge financial burden.

When something goes wrong on holiday, the right travel insurance really shows its worth. Cheaper policies may pay partial costs - but exclusions and excesses can leave a shortfall that you or your family will have to bear the brunt of. So when choosing your travel insurance, check that the policy really covers you for what you need.

Know what your luggage is worth.

When you add it all up - outfits, shoes, digital camera, MP3 player, phone, jewellery, designer sunglasses - there could be thousands of pounds in a single suitcase. And if you're into golf, scuba diving or skiing, that figure could rise even higher.

We all know that sinking feeling when you reach for your phone or camera and find it missing. But if you're not insured, you'll have to foot the bill yourself, and that's enough to ruin your holiday. Work out what your luggage is really worth, and check you're fully covered.

Buy cheap travel insurance from Post Office�; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.

What to pack for Holiday?

Not so much an art as a science, perfect packing can make all the difference to your trip. Trust me, you'll never look back. Here are my top holiday packing tips...

Go for half measures
No, I'm not talking about your well-deserved first beer of the holiday... I'm suggesting you lay out everything you want to take on holiday - and then halve it. Literally. And no cheating!

If in doubt, leave it out
Everyone wants to look their best on holiday. So if you're slightly undecided about an item of clothing, take it out of your suitcase. Chances are: if you don't love it, you won't wear it.

Coordination, coordination, coordination!
Be ruthless - every item of holiday clothing, footwear and jewellery must coordinate with at least two other items in your suitcase. If not, leave it at home.

Share and share alike
If you're travelling with a partner or friend, you bring the suncream and get them to bring the aftersun, you get the shampoo and they get the conditioner, and so on. If your tastes are similar, you can also share books and magazines - making each bag lighter.

A case of the right bag
Cases with wheels and large backpacks are much handier than old-fashioned luggage. For the ultimate easy packing, choose a bag or case that can be laid flat and fully opened. One with lots of inner compartments and side pockets is ideal.

It's all in the detail
Remember to: put heavy things at the bottom of your case, use all the gaps, fill the insides of your shoes with underwear, jewellery and tights, and roll - not fold - your clothes so they don't crease.

Lists, wonderful lists
To be an �ber-packer, you'll need three lists. One for everything you need to take (don't forget your toothbrush), one for anything you didn't wear or use - so you don't take it next time, and finally, one for anything you forgot.

Remember the basics, like travel insurance
Packing light is great, but don't forget the basics, like your passport and travel insurance.

If you are looking to buy cheap travel insurance then try the Post Office�; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.