Planning ahead — the advantages of booking early
With the travel industry booming now more than ever, it’s a good plan to book your holiday as early as possible. There is no reason for you to wait, especially when booking conditions often now include a variety of cancellation options. This gives you ultimate flexibility if you find you need to change your plans.
Lock in better deals and secure your visit
One of the best reasons for booking your trip earlier rather than later is that you can often find excellent deals. You can usually secure cheaper flights to destinations like Brindisi or Alicante if you manage to grab a flight during promotional periods, such as around the new year, or through Black Friday deals. Airlines do have a lot of competitors, so the further out you start searching for your flight, the more time you have to shop around for the best prices. You can also set Google searches to notify you of price changes for any flights you want to track.
When booking attractions, it’s also useful to book in advance. Sometimes this is for the simple reason that popular museums or experiences can sell out for peak travel dates. For example, if you’re looking to explore the beautiful city of Florence, you will likely find that seeing Michelangelo’s David is quite difficult without advanced booking. Similarly, visiting The Vatican while in Rome is very popular, with long queues around the walls of the city during peak periods. So to make sure you can see what you want to on your trip, proper research into ticket booking and availability is highly preferable to missing out.
Plan your itinerary
With the knowledge that you have a trip planned for the future, it makes planning your itinerary much less stressful. While some people prefer to simply go with the flow and not plan anything in advance of arriving at their destination, others may find a plan preferable.
Waiting until the last minute can mean that you miss something from your itinerary that you’d like to have seen. Planning is about research and highlighting the things that you really want to do while away. Then perhaps create a list of potential filler items that you’d happily do, but that wouldn’t ruin your trip if you didn’t get around to them. It could be an organised excursion, or seeing a piece of art in one particular museum, but having some form of plan is a great idea.
That is not to say that leaving free days for any last-minute items you may want to squeeze into your trip, or simply enjoy a lazy day, is something you should avoid. Having flexibility within your itinerary in case you fancy a slower-paced day is a great idea. Sticking to a plan the whole time can prove extra tiring, and can make a trip feel stressful and less than relaxing.
Sourcing accommodation can be tough
Last-minute holidays do have their place in the travel industry. However, when it comes to organising your own trip, making sure you have suitable accommodation booked is key to a successful trip. This is especially true if you’re travelling with a large group of friends, or extended family. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your travel party is scattered across a city. Or worse, you might find you can’t secure enough accommodation in your chosen location whatsoever.
There is a range of booking sites for accommodation these days, with Airbnb and booking.com probably at the top of sites that people use. When you source accommodation, on the whole, there is a much wider range of availability the further out from a trip you start to search. Sometimes you’ll even find the best discounts when you book early. And, if you’re trying to stick to a budget, then shopping around well in advance will help you stick to the price bracket that fits your situation.
Finally, if you’re planning on attending a large-scale event such as a music festival or sporting event, booking accommodation well in advance is a must. This is definitely true for the annual Oktoberfest, the Monaco Grand Prix, and most definitely the Superbowl. Accommodation providers are known to increase their prices around key events such as these, and it can mean that people are completely priced out of being able to attend the event itself. Sometimes, accommodation is so scarce, that you’ll have to look further afield than you’d like to.
How about airport parking?
In addition to securing your flights and accommodations ahead of time, another savvy travel tip is to book your airport parking well in advance. Planning every aspect of your trip ensures a smoother and stress-free experience, and this includes making arrangements for your vehicle while you’re away. By booking your parking spot in advance with services like Parkos, you not only guarantee a convenient and secure parking space but also often avail yourself of exclusive deals. This proactive approach not only saves you from the last-minute hassle of finding suitable parking but also helps you manage your travel budget efficiently. So, whether you’re embarking on a leisurely getaway or a business trip, don’t overlook the importance of reserving your airport parking early for a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
