Budgeting for winter sun
Although taking a sun shine break in the summer time may increase the odds of getting a suntan but to many it’s a winter holiday that takes priority, providing a vital respite from the prospect of a long and chilly winter in Blighty.
No longer considered a reckless extravagance, holidays have long been recognised as essential to both mental and physical wellbeing, add to this the obvious of benefits of escaping harsh winter weather and the question soon becomes ‘where shall we go’, not ‘should we go away this winter?’
Although the UK is still officially in the midst of a recession and the continuing unfavourable Euro / Sterling exchange rate has pushed up the cost of a holiday to Europe by around ten percent, the real price of long-haul holidays has come down. Airlines may have drastically cut the number of flights but it won’t necessarily mean that a winter break will be more expensive. You may pay more for flights, plus the introduction of increased air-passenger duty but many hotels are offering substantial discounts, particularly in exotic long-haul destinations making some room rates up to 25% cheaper than last year. Check out travel agents such as Kuoni or Hayes and Jarvis who are offering up to fifteen percent off holidays to Mauritius.
Currently the best value and most popular winter destinations are the established favourites; Mexico (swine flu is no longer a problem but prices are still low!), the Indian Ocean and of course Thailand (despite the unrest experienced last year) due to their incredible scenery, sunshine and low cost of living, making them the top choice destinations to unwind, warm up and even save some money!
However next year a second more substantial passenger duty tax will be introduced in November which could make taking a long-haul holiday less of the bargain that it is today. So what are you waiting for – now how many Bahts are there to the pound?!
When enjoying worldwide travel particularly to more exotic locations which may have excellent facilities but may not offer the same level of health care, it’s important to make sure you have the necessary travel insurance. Staysure.co.uk travel insurance provides comprehensive cover for medical emergencies, repatriation and also accommodation for the travelling companions should the policy holder require hospitalisation. Check out our low worldwide prices and find out which type of policy would be suitable for you.
