Make the break

LAST year, the number of Britons travelling to Europe fell by seven per cent, as we tightened the purse strings and settled for holidays at home.

This year things look to be changing. By the end of January, flight-comparison website Skyscanner.net had seen a 275% rise in flight searches for the Easter period. Plan carefully or consider some lesser-known destinations, and you’ll find there’s a city or beach break that won’t bust your budget.

Splash out on...Barcelona, Spain
Beautiful Barcelona earns its place as a favourite city break destination with an enviable collection of architectural wonders – like Gaudi’s famous Sagrada de Familia – stunning views, an expansive beach, top-class nightlife and outstanding food. However, its popularity can push prices up, especially during the European high season, from around the middle of June to mid-September. Avoiding these times, especially August, will save you cash, and when searching for accommodation, check out hostales instead of hotels. They generally offer the same level of accommodation, but are usually smaller, family run and cheaper.

Save on...Pula, Croatia
For a seaside break with a bit of history, this sleepy town in the northern region of Istria offers ancient ruins, foodie delights and breathtaking views over the Adriatic – for a fraction of the price of other coastal towns. A port town, like Barcelona, Pula has a history of winemaking and fishing. There are prime sun-bathing spots on idyllic smooth-pebbled beaches; or go sight-seeing to the towering Arena, the sixth-largest surviving Roman amphitheatre. Often overlooked in favour of Dubrovnik and Split, you can get inexpensive flights direct to Pula, or take the bus from Italy.

Splash out on...Venice, Italy
There’s no denying the splendour of this city, with its idyllic bridges spanning hidden canals and the winding cobblestoned alleyways. But, it can be expensive – if you don’t keep your savvy traveller’s hat on, that is!

You may have visions of a romantic gondola ride after dusk with your loved one, but be aware that the base rate for a gondola ride after 7pm climbs to €100 (and that’s if your gondolier doesn’t get creative with his prices). Know what you’re prepared to pay and, if you want to ensure you get a good rate, get your hotel concierge to do the negotiating for you, or split the cost with other tourists (up to six people can fit in a gondola for the same price). Alternatively, skip the gondola ride altogether and opt for the picturesque (and much cheaper) ferry ride over to the pretty lagoon islands of Murano, for free glass-blowing demonstrations, and Burano, where admiring the local lacework and colourful rows of fishermen’s houses won’t cost you a penny.

Save on...Hamburg, Germany
Germany’s second-largest city has one of the world’s largest harbours and a network of streams, rivers and canals crossed by even more bridges than Venice. Often overlooked by Brits, and consequently one of the cheaper destinations to fly to (Lufthansa, Ryanair and easyJet fly here), Hamburg is astoundingly rich, both architecturally and culturally. A steady stream of (mostly German) tourists come for the theatres, festivals, museums, countless music venues, and for the fabulous shopping. Visit the historic retail arcades of the Alsterarkaden, inspired by Venetian architecture, and the grand church St Michaelis, with its 132-metre-high baroque spire.

Great British days out
If you’re holidaying at home there are still loads of fantastic things to do and see for less than you might think…

Royal Ascot (June)
One of the world’s most famous horse-racing festivals runs over five days in June. The Thursday is Ladies’ Day, and you might even catch sight of the Queen!

Taste of London (June)
Regent’s Park becomes a foodie haven with top restaurants and producers offering samples of stunning dishes. Events also held in Birmingham and Edinburgh.

National Eisteddfod of Wales (July/August)
Tracing its roots back to 1176, the Eisteddfod today is one of the most varied cultural events to be found anywhere in the world. Visiting areas in both the north and south of the country, it includes music, visual arts and many different types of activities for all.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August)
In the famous shadow of Edinburgh castle, this storied event brings together performers from four continents to put on a show of passion and artistry.

More great travel savers

•   Go online

Save money from the very start by booking your flights and accommodation online. For example, round trips departing within three months booked online via easyJet are £15 cheaper than those booked via their call centre. Price-comparison websites such as Skyscanner.net can save you money, too.

• Book early, or late

Either book your flights and accommodation early (airfares generally increase as seats are sold) or, if you don’t mind leaving things last minute, take advantage of late deals.

• Be flexible with your travel times

It’s cheaper to fly at off-peak times, usually after 12pm Monday to 12pm Thursday, and after 12pm on a Saturday.

• Shop around for currency

Look in advance online in order to get the best exchange rate. Some Travel Money providers offer commission-free foreign currency at competitive rates if you order early.

• Don’t get stung by check-in fees

Some airlines will charge to print out your boarding pass if you don’t have it with you. Print them out, for all legs of your trip, before leaving home.

• Take out an annual travel insurance policy

If you take more than one trip per year, this can work out cheaper than multiple single-trip policies. Annual multi-trip insurance policies often cover unlimited trips in a year – although the maximum duration of each trip may be limited – and you could also get a discount if you apply online.

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