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.

Amazing Railway Journeys

As luxury travel goes, there's nothing like sitting back on a train and watching stunning scenery pass you by as you travel on your way to your destination. Here we feature some of the best railway journeys from around the world. Whilst tourists jump on a plane and cross continents in a matter of hours, great travellers have always identified the journey as the adventure. Planning a route via rail is a great way to appreciate the landscape, and many offer hop on/off options that navigate a number of countries – simply check you have visas where needed, that travel insurance covers all locations and you cash appropriate currency to cover multi-country trips.

Indian Narrow Gauge Railways
Installed by the British almost 100 years ago, there are thousands of miles of narrow gauge tracks in India, many of which journey to and between old colonial hill stations, and a few still run on steam.

Travelling to some of the highest stations in the country, the three famed hill routes are the Darjeeling Himalayan, the Kalka-Shimla, and the Nilgiri, all of which have been declared by UNESCO as world heritage properties.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Journey

Kalka Shimla Railway Journey

Nilgiri Steam Railway (India) Journey

Trans-Mongolian Railway
Traversing the entire breadth of Russia, through Mongolia to China, the Trans-Mongolian Railway crosses the Gobi Desert, the plains of Mongolia, and skirts the edge of Lake Baikal - UNESCO world heritage site and largest freshwater lake in the world.

Whilst the entire journey can take up to 10 days non-stop, there is the option to hop on and off, plus all manner of vodka related entertainment should you ever tire of the huge vistas.


Trans Mongolian Railway

Japanese Bullet Train
A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without a trip on a bullet train – travelling at speeds up to 300kph, the network connects all major cities on the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū. The Tokaido-Shinkansen route, which links Tokyo to Shin-Osaka, travels along the south coast edge of Honshū Island and is the most heavily travelled high-speed rail route in the world.

Stopping at Yokohama, Shin-Fuji and the temple city of Kyoto en route, the line totals 515.4km and is covered by high-speed services in 2 hours 25 minutes.

Japanese Bullet Train Journey

Orient Express
The Orient Express was laid to rest in December 1999, but its reputation as one of the most famed rail routes in the world lives on.

Opened in 1883, the original route ran from Paris to Vienna, with passengers chartered for Istanbul picking up an additional train and ferry to reach the Turkish capital – in 1889 the first non-stop train left Paris for Istanbul.

Over the years the route changed to encompass Northern Italy, Austria and Greece. Once simply a long-distance passenger train, the Orient Express eventually became associated with luxury travel and immortalised in all manner of popular culture.

Journey on Orient Express

Chinihuahua al Pacifico Railway
Traversing the Sierra Madres of Mexico, the construction of the Chinihuahua al Pacifico Railway took 100 years to complete and connects Chihuahua with the port at Topolobampo.

Climbing in excess of 8,000 feet above sea level, the track covers over 400 miles, travels over 36 bridges, through 87 tunnels and forest, mountain and canyons.


Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway Journey

A Guide To Choosing A Suitable Travel Cot For Your ‘Staycation’

With the UK continuing to gradually move out of recessionary times, many parents will be starting to estimate whether they will have the money to spend on travel during their summer holidays.  Going abroad with a young child on a budget can often be considerably more strenuous than travelling on your own in the same situation, so for many young families booking a ‘staycation’ in and around England, Scotland or Wales may be the most logical plan for the summer months.

For any family planning on travelling with their baby, a travel cot is a very sensible investment.  Yet, for those staying in the UK for summer, they can be more than worthwhile especially if you plan on being away from home for longer than you might have been if you had gone abroad.  So where does one start when it comes to choosing the right travel cot?

Although travel cots vary significantly in price, their basic design often consists of the same key attributes, including: lightweight frame, carry bag and soft side panels often made from mesh.

 However, despite the key benefit of purchasing a travel cot being that it is easy to carry around, the actual weight of some models can vary quite significantly with mid-range models weighing in at around the 13-15kg mark, and those that are as light as 8kg being available at a slightly higher cost.

Weight may not be the only thing to consider when browsing available travel cots.  Although cheaper models are satisfyingly practical and simple, those that cost upwards of £70 typically boast a number of extras that might tempt the travelling parent.  Many can act as both a play pen and travel cot, while others include a cot top changer, saving you the need to take a changing mat with you. 

Yet to truly travel in style, and to increase the chances that you’ll be able to get a peaceful night’s sleep yourself – an increasing number are hitting the market with in-built night-lights and music-playing mobiles to lull your baby asleep, and to ensure that ‘staycation’ was really worth the money.

Cheaper Petrol Makes for Cheaper Holidays at Top European Destinations

New research published by Post Office® shows that petrol and diesel prices have plummeted in Europe – making certain holiday destinations even more enticing as the UK weather continues to disappoint.

As the pound continues to make gains on the euro, many holidaymakers still considering a last-minute trip abroad will welcome news that fuel is cheapest on the continent. Switzerland came in as cheapest for petrol at just 91p per litre. Additionally, Austria proved the cheapest for diesel at just 83p per litre – having fallen 18 percent year on year.

Post Office® Report Finds Massive Cost Variations at Top Summer Destinations

Beach Barometer 2009*, the latest report by Post Office® has shed new light on the prices UK holiday-makers are likely to be paying for ‘must have’ items this summer. The research shows wild variations in the cost of products, such as beach towels and lilos, from country to country.

The research shows that despite the fact that almost half of UK tourists are looking for ways to reduce their holiday costs, families heading to resorts abroad may get stung by hidden costs – and this is something they may be even less prepared for as the pound slowly rises in value.

New Post Office® Research set to make Last Minute Trips Abroad even more enticing

As if the perpetual rain isn’t enough, Post Office® research published last month has given UK holidaymakers another reason to consider travelling abroad last minute this summer. Alongside the growing strength of pound sterling against the euro, the report found that the cost of car rental, holiday resorts and fuel on the continent is making a trip overseas just that bit more tempting.

Post Office® examined car hire costs in 20 countries with the USA showing some of the highest prices – especially for unleaded vehicles. By comparison, Portugal has seen a 21 percent year-on-year drop and now boasts the best value for hire cars, with Greece and Sweden close behind.

This means that at around £101, Portugal’s overall average unleaded motoring cost is just 38 percent of the amount in France – which averages £264.10.

The cheapest place for unleaded petrol is Switzerland at just 91p per litre. Yet, Austria and Spain are better value overall due to the cheap price of diesel in each. In Austria the average price of diesel is just 83p per litre – and Spain isn’t far behind.

By comparison, the UK proved to be the only country where diesel costs more than petrol, even though fuel has dropped by 19 percent over the last year.

If this is seen as a positive point for ‘staycationers’, Sarah Munro, holiday and travel insurance specialist at Post Office® reminds holidaymakers of other abroad bonuses. "This year’s report shows more evidence of price cutting activity to boost tourism in popular European summer holiday resorts. The huge drop in car hire costs in both Portugal and Greece is great news for UK tourists and is another factor that should be taken into consideration when choosing a holiday this year.”

However, Munro also offered some advice for holidaymakers considering driving abroad, she said: "While motoring tourists can make great savings by choosing destinations with lower fuel or car hire prices, they should remember to buy their travel money in advance of their trip. By no means all petrol stations accept credit card payment and so it is wise to carry foreign currency purchased in the UK where the exchange rates are likely to be lower than at an ATM overseas."

A travel money card is great!

Since the birth of the travel money card and its increased availability as another method to pay for items when abroad, the global economic crisis has plunged sterling into a state of impressive weakness and the travel industry into uncertainty as to whether any UK holidaymakers will even bother going abroad this summer. So could the travel money card be the saving grace for those who want to hit the Eurozone this August?

April saw a trend amongst banks that quickly became reported in the national press. Amongst others, both The Northern Echo and The Independent outlined the introduction of bank charges on credit cards used abroad - ranging from 0.81 to 2.99 percent of the transaction value from names such as Nationwide and Thomas Cook Financial. The moves were seen as a direct response to the tumultuous economic climate and the ongoing need to make a profit wherever possible.

Travel money cards are increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to credit cards because of a number of reasons. Unlike standard credit and debit cards, travel money cards do not incur charges when used (provided your card is allocated to the correct country, region, continent), yet are still allowed in the same shops and outlets that any Visa and Mastercard would be used.

However, for all their similarities, there are some differences also: travel money cards are not connected to your bank account but are instead charged (or topped up) via bank transfer online, SMS or over the phone - in much the same way as a pay-as-you-go mobile phone.

This top-up method is not only convenient, but is also becoming noted for its added security. Losing a credit card abroad is a massive hassle because if it gets into the wrong hands, your entire bank account is available - however, a travel money card ensures that the rest of your savings are not at risk whilst you are on holiday. Additionally, if your card is stolen and reported promptly any money will be instantly transferred back to your account.

As it becomes increasingly expensive to spend money abroad, and whilst sterling remains at a low compared to the euro and dollar, the convenience and safety of travel money cards seem set to entice holiday spenders into a new age - and one that ensures your pennies go further.

Buy travel insurance, travel money and check foreign exchange rates at Post Office®

Beijing and its attractions

This year the global economic situation is causing UK tourists to consider travelling further afield than the Eurozone on their doorstep. The reason is quite simple, once they have dealt with such necessities as travel insurance and accommodation, few, if any, of their neighbouring tourist destinations is likely to offer much value for money for the weakened Sterling in the wake of the credit crunch. For some who are eager to visit the historical and architectural sights associated with such infamous European cities as Paris, Rome and Venice, such places will now be off-limits. Luckily however, the East has many equivalents, for example Beijing.

Beijing has been described by National Geographic as: ‘An epicentre of tradition with the treasures of nearly 2,000 years,’ and this is by no means an understatement. However, one thing that is a little harder to distil into so few words is the unique wonder of some of its sights.

One example is the Beijing Ancient Observatory in the Dongcheng District, which exists due to the Yongle Emperor’s title meaning ‘Son of Heaven’ spurring a heightened interest in the skies by the astronomers of Ming and Qing. Today visitors can still walk amongst ancient instruments such as the Quadrant and Theodolite and explore the many astronomical exhibition rooms.


For a historic natural attraction focusing on phenomena a little closer to home, Beihai Park is an imperial garden in the Xicheng District and has been there for over 1,000 years.

Beihei translates to ‘Northern Sea’, a name that reflects the fact that more than half of the park’s 171 acres are covered in lakes and ponds. Additionally, the gardens are also noticeable for the abundance of imperial and elegant architecture as exemplified by The Yong'an Temple (Temple of Everlasting Peace, the largest building in the park) and the intricate Five-Dragon Pavilions.


Approximately six kilometres south east of Beihei Park, the Temple of Heaven is situated in the heavily populated Xuanwu District. The Temple (or Altar, as it is known literally) is a Taoist complex dating from the early 1400s and at its heart includes the three-tiered, and circular, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests constructed from wood without the use of nails. The entire structure has been built in strict accordance to philosophical teachings, which is noticeable in its layout and the inclusion of such features as the Echo Wall which stretches for 193 metres but can reverberate a whisper for its entire length.


Alongside Beijing’s many sights, the most intriguing and awesome man-made structure could well be the Forbidden City. This imperial palace complex is the largest in the world, and is located in the centre of Beijing. As an attraction, the Forbidden City is notable for its sheer size and architecture, but it is also now home to the Palace Museum containing numerous artefacts from the Ming and Qing imperial courts throughout the last 5,000 years. Since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the palace has undergone some restoration, alongside increased commercialization which has since been criticized by the Chinese Media.

What Mexico has to offer

Mexico is the most popular tourist destination of the Latin Americas and the eighth most popular place for tourist arrivals in the world. As a consequence of the recession, the country is sure to be at the top of the list for more Brits in 2009 – and is already being included in “tips to save money during the summer” style articles (alongside cheap travel insurance and cheaper plane fares) in the British press (specifically: The Telegraph). So what do The United Mexican States have to offer?

The wonders that are the first thing that come to prospective visitors are Mexico’s historical attractions. Mexico was once home to the Mayan civilization and some architecture, from about 1000 years ago, is still impressively intact. Chichen Itza is a site that has been open to the public for over a century and includes a great number of temples and buildings including the pyramid El Castillo, The Temple of The Warriors and the El Caracol observatory. Additionally, there are more Mayan sites on the Yucatan Peninsula on the Eastern coast, most notably the walled city of Tulum.

Chichen Itza

Far more can be seen within the modern-day cities of Mexico also. Aguascalientes is home to the biggest festival in the country, The San Marcos Fair, and also boasts a wealth of Baroque architecture with the Guadeloupe Church and Government Palace. The capital, Mexico City, is located in the South and boasts the heritage sites, The Historic Centre (including National Palace and the Templo Mayor) and the “Floating Gardens”.

Aside from the many historical and cultural draws, there are a number of resorts popular with tourists in Mexico. Famous spring break destination, Acapulco, is known for its beaches, water sports, nightlife and the picturesque island of Roqueta. In contrast, the isolated Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California peninsula has pristine beaches and rock formations at its Lands End. In the North Western part of the country is Puerto Penasco, a town popular with tourists from Arizona and home to the Pinacate biosphere reserve.

The largely unspoiled country also has many natural attractions which appeal to tourists. La Bufadora is the second largest blowhole in the world and can shoot water up to 80 feet in the air every minute. The phenomenon is more unique due to it being something of a marine geyser, that is caused by sea water flooding into an underwater cave, and suddenly pushing it upwards, accompanied by a dramatic thunderous noise. For those of a less geological and dramatic nature, the Copper Canyon in the Chihuahua region is home to rolling hills and a national park.

Travel Money Tips for summer 2009

At the Airport, on the High Street, or Online? Where to get your foreign currency. As you probably know and are tired of hearing, the pound and the euro are at near parity with each other – a fact that is all the more distressing when we remember that one pound was worth about €1.25 just a year ago.

Subsequently, those of us lucky enough to have the savings for a holiday this Easter will no doubt be most inclined to search around for the best deal on their foreign currency. So what are the pros and cons of buying at the airport, on the high street, or online?

At the Airport:
As a general rule, leaving the purchase of your foreign currency until you reach the airport is not considered good practice if you are hoping to find the best deal.

In a recent article at telegraph.co.uk (3rd April), it is highlighted that the reason for the extra charges incurred when purchasing your travel money at the airport is due to a number of factors: such as the cost of rent, the cost of employing staff, and the price of having money in stock.

Logically then, these costs are likely to be much higher within the competitive and 24-hour bustling environment of an airport – and this is reflected in the price. So, whilst airports might be very convenient, if you’re eager to save on you foreign currency it is certainly best to buy before you get there.

On the High Street:
Alternatively, heading into town and purchasing your foreign currency on the high street can be much better for your pocket – leaving you with more to spend once you reach your destination.

The possible benefits of not having to pay as much for property rental, and not having to employ staff around the clock, no doubt contribute to the cheaper costs on the high street.

You might also expect travel money that is available on the high street would be subject to similar forces that affect other products there – and subsequently driving the costs down. However, this isn’t strictly the case – or at least it isn’t advertised as such. Yet, one of the strongest benefits of buying you foreign currency face to face is that you are usually given the opportunity to negotiate a better price if you can prove that there are cheaper deals to be had elsewhere.

Online:
All the costs associated with shop rental, staff employment, and looking after money are instantly reflected in online prices, and so it makes sense that purchasing your travel money via the internet and checking foreign exchange online can get you the best deals.

Those who consider doing so should not be deterred by worries of not receiving your money in time, as some companies allow you to buy your currency online as late as midnight the day before you fly, then you simply pick it up at the airport before you board you plane. Similarly to the high street, more online vendors are allowing negotiations of a better price if you can prove better deals available elsewhere.

Travel insurance in the UK

Much is being written of how the ‘credit crunch’ is affecting the travel plans for UK holidaymakers this year. For many, the Euro zone is a no go area due to the weak pound in relation to the euro, whilst anywhere further a field may well be considered too expensive in terms of flight costs etc and bigger insurance premiums. However, this is potentially good for the UK tourist board who are anticipating that many of us will stick around for the summer. And whilst this is a positive prospect for the country, many companies are quick to remind holidaymakers that travel insurance is as necessary as it would be if travelling abroad.

Depending on where you choose to visit and how you plan to get there, travel insurance can ensure that you are covered should a flight be cancelled, for example. Of course travelling in the UK does mean that options other than travelling by plane are open to you. But travel will be an important factor to consider at this time, i.e. should you want to save time due to booking a shorter break? Then you might be more willing to fly long distances to do so. If this is the case, it seems very wise to take out insurance for any kind of plane travel during this unstable economic time.

Lost luggage is a problem that can occur on any kind of journey, and it is certainly sensible to have it covered. Holidaymakers who are travelling within their own country are typically inclined to pack more luggage, particularly if they are taking their own vehicle. The same goes for expensive equipment and gadgets, such as laptops and iPods which are more likely to be included in luggage for a UK-bound trip, and if so, each policy should be checked to make sure they offer suitable cover for such items.

Finally, the notion of repatriation might seem a little strange considering I am writing about travelling within your own country, however when it comes to travel insurance, it is a factor to consider if visiting other parts of the UK – even if you are staying on the mainland. Specifically, if you are considering skiing on the Scottish Cairngorms due to the recent snow, it is a good idea to insure yourself (and check whether winter sports are included in your policy) just in case you need to fly (or take another method of public transport) home before the end of your stay. This is also important if you fall ill during your holiday.

Travel insurance is certainly not the most fun part of planning your holiday, but making sure the correct insurance is in place is important even if you are staying in your home country. And at least you can be safe in the knowledge that premiums are likely to be cheaper for a UK holiday than they would be for a long-distance trip.

Cure for Jet Lag?

A new cure for jet lag could be on the market in the next few years after trials show a pill can reset the body's natural sleep rhythms.

Tasimelteon works by shifting the natural ebb and flow of the body's sleep hormone melatonin.

In trials, published in The Lancet, the drug helped troubled sleepers nod off quicker and stay asleep for longer. Experts said the drug would be a welcome alternative to addictive sedatives like benzodiazepines.

Commenting on the work, Dr Daniel Cardinali from the University of Buenos Aires said the findings would be welcomed by millions of people - "shift-workers, airline crew, tourists, football teams, and many others."

Body Clock Trickery

The hope is that if you have shifted your body clock and you've slept well, then you should perform well the next day, said lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Klerman at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.

In trials on 450 people who went to bed five hours earlier than normal to replicate crossing into a different time zone, those who took the drug enjoyed between 30 minutes and nearly two hours more sleep than volunteers who received a dummy pill.


Top Tips for avoiding Jet Lag

• Top up on sleep before you travel
  
  
• Shift your watch to your destination time zone as soon as you board the plane
  
  
• Avoid alcohol
  
  
• Spend plenty of time outdoors in the daylight
  

Natural melatonin - the darkness hormone which peaks at night - is a popular treatment for patients with body clock-related sleep disorders.

But the researchers say the potency, purity, and safety of melatonin pills is unregulated. Also, there are mixed results about whether they work in shift-workers and people with jet lag.

The US team says more work is now needed to check that their drug, which works on the same receptors in the body as melatonin, actually improves daytime performance and alertness without any carryover sedative effect.

Don't Eat?

A new discovery of a "mealtime clock" in our brains suggests that a short fast from eating could allow people to cope with jet lag and nightshift grogginess.

This food-related clock, which was found in mice, is similar to our body's primary timekeeper called the circadian rhythm, so scientists think the finding could apply to humans.

While the light-driven circadian rhythm is in charge most of the time, the researchers suggest in the May 23 issue of the journal Science that the mealtime clock takes over when food is scarce. By changing animals' behavior patterns so they don't snooze through an opportunity to eat, this newly discovered clock may be crucial to survival. And it could also ward off jet lag in humans.

Clifford Saper of Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and his colleagues discovered the food clock by running experiments in mice that were missing a key biological clock gene. The team restored the gene's function in one part of the brain at a time to see which cells responded to food.

"We discovered that a single cycle of starvation followed by refeeding turns on the clock," Saper said, "so that it effectively overrides the suprachiasmatic nucleus [the circadian clock] and hijacks all of the circadian rhythms onto a new time zone that corresponds with food availability."

In addition to keeping animals' bellies plenty full, the clock has implications for travelers and shift workers.

For example, if you travel from the United States to Japan, your body needs to adjust to a 13-to-16-hour time difference. "Because the body's biological clock can only shift a small amount each day, it takes the average person about a week to adjust to the new time zone," Saper said. "And, by then, it's often time to turn around and come home."

By changing your eating schedules, a traveler might be able to rev up this secondary clock and adjust more quickly to the new time zone.

"A period of fasting with no food at all for about 16 hours is enough to engage this new clock," Saper said. "So, in this case, simply avoiding any food on the plane, and then eating as soon as you land, should help you to adjust."

The research was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service.

Post Office® Foreign Exchange and Travel Insurance popular as ever

The Post Office� has been named Britain's Best Foreign Exchange Company at the 2008 British Travel Awards - for the second year in a row.

The UK's largest bureau de change provider beat off competition from several major competitors to secure a third* of all votes in the category.

The Post Office� was also voted Best Travel Insurance Company for the third year in a row.

The British Travel Awards is the largest of its kind in the UK. This year more than 90,000 votes were cast by consumers and industry professionals across a range of categories.

Helen Warburton, Post Office� head of travel services, said: "It's an honour to be chosen as the people's favourite travel money provider and travel insurer again this year. We have the largest bureau de change network in the UK handling 14 million transactions annually and issue over one million travel policies every year. We continually review our services to ensure they meet customer needs."

Lorraine Barnes Burton, CEO, said: "The British Travel Awards are highly regarded within the industry and the Post Office� has once again proven that it is a leader amongst travel insurance and foreign exchange providers."

The Post Office� is the largest bureau de change provider in the UK, offering over 72 different currencies with 0% commission on all foreign currency and travellers' cheques. The Post Office� pre-paid Travel Money Card offers customers a secure and convenient way to carry their holiday money.

The Post Office� Credit Card charges 0% commission for all purchases made overseas and also offers customers the flexibility to pay for two large purchases at any time at a discounted fixed rate - ideal for splashing out on holiday!

Customers can buy currency over the counter at over 8,000 Post Office� branches nationwide. The full range of currencies is available on demand at 1600 branches, euros and US dollars are available on demand at more than 2,500 branches and 3,800 branches sell euros over the counter. Customers can pre-order currency for next day collection at any Post Office� branch in the UK.

To find your nearest Post Office� bureau de change branch call 08457 223344 or visit postoffice.co.uk

Travel Deals from Recession Fears

If there?s one upside to a downturn, it?s that the consumer suddenly has new power: it?s a buyer?s market. Paradoxically, the eve of a recession might be just the time to consider that long-promised long weekend away because now, more than ever, those hard-pressed hotels want your business. So, in this season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and monetary meltdown, hunt around for a bargain.

Luxury hotels may not slash their rates by half, but there will be special seasonal offers and they?ll often reduce their guests? bills in other ways such as free room upgrades, free meals or free spa treatments. The mantra is: Don?t Hesitate to Negotiate.

Many of Luxique?s selection of 60-odd luxury Paris hotels, for instance, have special offers and packages. Le Meurice, which has a fine location on the fashionable rue de Rivoli, has a range of special offers including honeymoon and family deals as well as a Da Vinci Code package. This includes a private visit to the Louvre Museum with expert guide, a gift book about the Da Vinci Code and free access to the hotel?s sauna and fitness centre.

At another of the luxury Paris hotels, the Plaza Athenee - located between the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower - there?s a string of special offers. They include a festive winter trip that features ice skating and a tour in a horse and carriage. Fans of Sex And The City will know that part of the last TV episode was shot at the hotel, so it?s no surprise there?s an SATC package, promising a Carrie cocktail, a chocolate shoe made by the hotel?s renowned pastry chef and a ?must have? shopping booklet.

Even the smaller boutique hotels Paris are urging you to enter their elegant portals. The Hotel de Vigny, part of the Relais & Chateaux group, just wants you to wallow in the romance of it all. Its special offer is for a one-night stay with champagne, flowers, buffet breakfast, gourmet dinner for two and ?a prestigious jewel.?

Visit the Luxique website for a great selection of Luxury hotels http://www.luxique.com

By the way, one of the great attractions of Paris is a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, about ten miles from the city centre. It?s been undergoing a refurbishment and the latest section to be restored is the Petit Trianon, the mini-chateau where Marie Antoinette escaped for some rest and relaxation.

The neo-classical building has been renovated to recreate its intimate atmosphere. Curators said their intention was to avoid a stuffy museum feel, making it seem instead as though the 18th century queen and her entourage had ?just stepped away for a moment.?