| With the credit crisis affecting the country it's | | | | So is the answer just to book a cottage and |
| time to start looking at where savings can be | | | | have done with it? Choose carefully and you can |
| made and the family holiday is bound to come | | | | have a nice cottage, with excellent facilities in a |
| under scrutiny. With a trip abroad potentially | | | | beautiful area of the country. But, what are you |
| costing thousands and the exchange rate moving | | | | going to do there? Are you walkers? If so, then |
| away from our favour making costs abroad even | | | | you are unlikely to need to be persuaded into |
| more expensive, what can you do to save a | | | | holidaying at home, instead of abroad. If you |
| small fortune? | | | | aren't then why not give it a try? It's surprising |
| Well, the obvious answer is to not holiday abroad. | | | | how the most complaining of children can suddenly |
| Booking a holiday cottage is simple and easy, it | | | | enjoy a walk when they have been taken out |
| means that you don't have to change currency | | | | and fitted with basic walking shoes and a fleece |
| and there are many more savings to be made. | | | | before hand (buy cheap items, remember this is |
| But with the weather not always on our side, to | | | | money saving). Give each a photocopy of the |
| keep the costs down you must plan ahead. | | | | local map and let them follow the route on the |
| Booking at home has many savings. No airport | | | | map, or maybe appoint one to lead you. They will |
| transfers to worry about can save the cost of a | | | | certainly enjoy that! |
| week's shopping, or the cash be put towards a | | | | Three of four days can easily be spent very |
| couple of pleasant meals out on a holiday. There's | | | | enjoyably in a week with a late start following |
| no travel insurance to pay for, although | | | | making a picnic lunch, a walk of an hour, a lunch |
| cancellation insurance etc are still recommended. | | | | somewhere nice and then a walk back home, |
| One of the biggest savings is not having to | | | | maybe collecting a paper on the way and sitting |
| exchange cash for a foreign currency. Buying | | | | down to relax with a warm drink. Add variation |
| expensive travellers cheques or going to the | | | | into the route and the small amount spent on |
| exchange office for a wad of cash can quickly | | | | boots then seems very little for four days' |
| eat through cash, and you never really know how | | | | entertainment - and you will feel fitter for it! |
| much to take. Don't take enough and you need to | | | | What about the other days? Well, once you have |
| change more on holiday. Take too much and | | | | booked your cottage been on the look out for |
| you're left with a pile of cash to change back. Not | | | | products and offers giving two for one entry to |
| only are you hit with commission, but also the | | | | attractions in the area you are going. If you shop |
| lower exchange rate. So do you keep a few | | | | at Tesco, then consider using clubcard vouchers |
| hundred unchanged for your next holiday - and | | | | for entry to attractions at your destination - with |
| lose out on that cash in the bank? | | | | their 4 to 1 value, this really does make entry |
| Then there's the current poor exchange rates we | | | | cheap! |
| are suffering from making not only the basic | | | | Holidaying without going abroad really can save |
| holiday prices more expensive, but also food and | | | | you a lot of cash. Book a cottage, be on the look |
| drinks when we are away. In real terms, prices | | | | out for cheap entry to local attractions and |
| on my recent holiday were 50% more than last | | | | surpris yourself about holidaying without going |
| time I went abroad - just 2 years ago. | | | | abroad. |