How to enjoy a low-cost self-catering break
Holidays might involve spending money, but that doesn’t mean you have to fork out a fortune if you want to enjoy a sunny getaway. There are countless ways to keep costs down when you travel, and choosing self-catering accommodation is a great way to start.
Whether you’re taking a couples’ break or a family vacation, a holiday let can get you even more for your money than cheap holiday packages. With the money you’ll save on accommodation, you can spend more doing things and enjoying your destination. Here are some money saving tips for your self-catering break:
Fit your accommodation needs to your budget
There’s no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to rental accommodation. You’ll be able to find something that matches your needs so that you’re paying for what you want, and nothing more.
If you know you’ll spend your days out and about, you can just look for a comfortable space to sleep. You won’t be over-spending on unnecessary extras. Furthermore, with holiday rentals, don’t worry about charged fees for small conveniences like a safe or wifi access. You can make sure everything you need is paid for before you go.
Choose your location wisely
Before you go on holiday, you might already know how you’d like to spend your time. Want to lounge on the beach all day? Choose accommodation within walking distance of the sea so there’s no need to pay for public transport. Likewise, if you’re going to go out at night, staying near bars and nightclubs will save you the cost of a taxi home.
Dine in
The biggest advantage of a holiday rental is that you don’t need to have expensive restaurant meals every night. With a little bit of organisation, you could even plan some meals to cook and bulk shop when you arrive. This will make it easier to keep track of how much you’re spending.
Cooking in your villa and dining in doesn’t have to be dull, either – you could experiment with local ingredients and recipes, or indulge in all your favourite dishes. It’s a particularly good option for families, for whom eating out is a pricey option, especially if the kids are picky eaters.
Plan ahead
Bargain holidays definitely aren’t boring holidays. If you research and plan activities ahead of time, you’ll find lots of little savings and discounts. Often, buying tickets for attractions online will save money – and cut the time you’ll spend queuing.
In lots of destinations, you’ll find discounts on entry and activities at certain times or on specific days. In Tenerife, for example, museums are free on Sundays. Furthermore, self-catering you can plan your itinerary without worrying about whether it will fit with hotel breakfast and dinner times.
Enjoy drinks at your villa
You can still treat yourself and enjoy some local flavours on a self-catering trip. Instead of going to a bar for drinks every night, you can have pleasant night in. You could enjoy Portugal’s finest wine in the Algarve, sangria in Costa del Sol, or experiment with cocktail recipes, all in the comfort and privacy of your rental home.
By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her writing tends to have a family-focus, and she is in the midst of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.