Survive the credit crunch
OK, so you might be feeling the effects of the credit crunch but you still want to take the family on a summer holiday, right? Package tour prices during the school summer break can be steep but there are other more affordable options. So, if you don't want to end up crammed into your mother-in-law's spare room this summer, read our suggestions below.
Go Camping
Banish all thoughts of soggy tents in muddy fields and long queues for a single shower because camping has gone posh. You can hire fully equipped tents complete with real beds dressed in linen, ovens, fridges and all the furniture you need at numerous sites across Europe. Best of all, many provide swimming pools and lots of activities such as tennis courts, cycle hire and horse riding plus kids clubs to keep the children entertained. Eurocamp has 7 nights in a tent at a site in La Vendee, France, from £677 for four people, including a Dover to Calais return ferry crossing.
An even cheaper option is to borrow all the equipment and just book a pitch. Eurocamp Independent charges.£286 for a pitch for 7 nights at a site in the French Dordogne.
Stay in a youth hostel
No, these aren't just for “youths”, they are open to anyone and many are geared towards families, providing large bedrooms with en-suite facilities. Hostelling International has some fantastic properties in amazing locations all over the world. Rooms are basic but comfortable and hostels often have gardens, play areas and even swimming pools.
A week in a family room sleeping 4 in the Hostal de l'Alquer, right on the beach in Alghero, Sardinia costs just €560 (£440) including breakfast — and no, you don't have to do the washing up.
Do the cooking
Stay in a hotel and you could end up spending a small fortune on food and drink, so consider a self-catering villa or cottage instead. Cut out the middle-man by booking direct with the owner and you'll pay less. Websites like holidaylets.net has some great bargains, such as a 2-bedroom villa with a private pool in Cyprus for just £650 for a week in August. Other sites to try include cheznous.com, ownersdirect.co.uk and clickstay.com.
Get free travel
Inflation isn't all doom and gloom you know. Your weekly food bill might have gone up but if you're one of the thousands of Nectar or Tesco Clubcard holders at least you'll be earning more loyalty points which you can cash in for free travel. OK, it's not much of a consolation, but you've got to look on the bright side! It's worth noting that Tesco Clubcard points are worth four times more if you spend them on travel and other services, rather than in the store.
If you take out an American Express/MasterCard Duo account through Lloyds TSB you'll earn Air Miles which can also be cashed in for free or cut-price travel. Using the Amex card will earn you considerably more Miles than the MasterCard, by the way.
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