Looking at advanced bookings first, there are actually some great deals on at the moment as a result of the credit crunch. Ferry companies are trying to encourage people to book their places on ferries now to ensure that they have revenue coming in and can continue with services. You can book summer tickets now if you choose at a discounted level so you may want to look around. Of course, if you book your tickets in advance then you are assured of your place and can be sure that you will be able to travel to your selected destination on the day of your choice. However, you do run the risk of not being able to afford to travel and thus being left with tickets that are of no use to you. As long as you check whether the tickets are refundable or not, or even transferable to another date, you can cover yourself for this. It does give you a little time to save your money as well though so you know how to budget in advance.

Booking ferry tickets at the last minute, on the other hand, offers exactly the opposite pros and cons. In terms of the pros, you can often find cheaper tickets that are designed to fill ferries. They are usually non-refundable but then that will not matter if you intend to travel right away anyway. However, you do run the risk of not being able to travel on your desired day or even to your preferred location. Furthermore, all car spaces may have already gone. That said, you will know whether you have enough money or not and won’t have to bother with checking the refund policy.

It is totally your decision as to whether you choose to book tickets now or further down the road but either way you should be happy with your choice. Some people panic if they do not have plans set in stone whereas others look at the whole process as an adventure. Similarly, you may not want to tempt fate by booking tickets or have them in your pocket so you know you will get a chance to relax in the summer months. Whatever you decide, a self drive via a ferry is one of the cheapest holidays you could choose so make the most of it!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

The British Pound was being exchanged like for like with the Euro a few weeks ago, meaning that travel companies were offering one Euro for one Pound. That is a major problem for holidaymakers heading abroad because you have less to spend than in previous years and will find it difficult to get value for money purely and simply because some European countries are far more expensive than the UK. Take France and Italy for example. If you head to city centres or more rural tourist areas in either of those countries then you will find that accommodation, food and items you may like to buy will cost you a lot more than they would here, and even more than they would there this time last year as well. I should know. I went to Italy in September and found that items were already more expensive then and the exchange rate was nowhere near as bad as it is now.

However, it is really important to remember that Europe is going through a recession the same as the UK is at the minute so you will find that many shops, restaurants and hotels are offering discounts. It is literally just a matter of knowing where to go. If you know the areas of the country to head to for a cheaper holiday then you could make the most of your money and still see a little of the world instead of staying at home!

When doing your research to determine where the best places to go for value for money are, the Internet is a vital tool. There are websites that will list discounts and sales that various European cities are featuring at the moment. These are invaluable because you can get all the information you need to plan a holiday that is worth every penny. Similarly, be sure to use currency converters to find out how much various hotels are if they charge in Euros. Comparison sites are good for spotting bargains in terms of travel too.

Holidays to Europe will need a lot more planning than in recent years if you are watching the pennies. After all, the pounds are not taking care of themselves these days so you absolutely must budget and stick to it. Watching the exchange rate and doing what you can with it will benefit you in more ways than one!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

Let’s start with the former. If you have not booked your holiday as yet then these self drive tips may help you:

• Compare prices for all of the ferries crossing over to your destination. Some are seriously discounted at this time of year, whilst others do not offer certain crossings as a result of a reduced demand. Do not leave booking until the last minute because you could miss out.
• Choose your destination wisely because some areas tend to close down for the holiday season. These are generally areas that are not in high demand at that time of year, but also those that you may want to stay in. Do a little research and you will find this out.
• Plan ahead. Always plan ahead because you will find the whole trip a lot less stressful if you do that. Plan everything down to the last detail… including who you are taking, whether you are taking presents and where you are to get fuel! 
• Do not skimp on the insurance. If you are travelling over the Christmas period then make sure that you are adequately covered should something go wrong. Car crime will be higher if thieves believe that you have presents in your vehicle so be aware of that.

If you have already booked your self drive holiday for Christmas then bear these hints and tips in mind:

• Plan out you fuel stops if you are going close to Christmas. Some service stations on the Continent or even in the UK may not open on certain days so make sure you know when they will and will not be open. There would be nothing worse than breaking down on Christmas Day in the middle of nowhere and having no means of getting petrol. 
• Take only what you think you will need. Over packing for the Christmas season is a nightmare because you will weigh your car down and leave yourself open to crime. 
• Never underestimate the popularity of going away for Christmas. Many people do it so make sure that you are prepared for crowded resorts. Planning activities in advance is a must. If you have chosen a smaller location then you may avoid this but doing a little research will let you know either way.

 As you can see, the moral of the story is plan, plan and plan some more. If you do and consider all aspects then your Christmas may be the best one yet!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

So how do you know whether you have chosen an eco-friendly hotel or not? Well, when you know the signs then you will have no trouble telling the eco-friendly hotels from the impostors that are just looking to part you with your money. The points below will help you to do just that:

• Check the website for an environmental policy. If they have one on there then it should feature the local environment and the local people as well. If the hotel in question does not yet have a website then it should still have a written policy. If it does not then stay away because they are likely to be scamming people.
• Check out the local activities or centres that the hotel promotes. If they really are eco-friendly then they will offer a range of activities that promote the local community and preserve the local environment at the same time.
• Check out the features of the hotel. These are very good tell tale signs because truly eco-friendly hotels and places to stay will advertise solar panels, conservation areas and other similar features. They may post pictures of these as well. Those that skip over such credentials are not as reliable and trustworthy.
• Phone the venue and ask whether their foodstuffs are procured from the local area and whether they also employ individuals from the local area. This is, of course, important because any eco-friendly hotel should help to support their local communities.
• If they have any awards or accreditations on their website or advertised in brochures then do a little research. It will be easy enough to find out whether or not they are real or completely bogus. Many awarding bodies will have a website that confirms the venues that have been given awards and if the hotel is not on the list then the hotel is being completely dishonest.

All of the above points are important because nobody going on a self drive break or travelling to stay in a green hotel should take it for granted that the hotel is telling the truth. An eco-friendly hotel will be happy to provide you with as much information as you need to reassure you whereas non-green hotels will not. Ask questions and you will soon get the answers you need!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

The hints and tips below will give you a good idea of how you can save money on your petrol when on a self drive break. At the moment, that would probably be your greatest cost if you were looking to travel. The information here will give you a better idea of how much you should budget and watch the litres as well as the pennies!

1. Firstly, shop around. You have heard of comparing financial products, shopping items and holiday prices but maybe not comparing petrol. Well, you should most definitely shop around for it. Check out all of your local petrol stations and fill up at the cheapest one before you go anywhere.
2. When you reach the port, or at least get close to it, check how much petrol you have left and top up your tank. Always stop around 30 miles before you reach the port where prices are unaffected by its proximity.
3. Sign up for emails and find websites that list daily petrol prices. These will give you a better idea of where you should stop and where you should avoid like the plague.
4. Do a little research about the petrol in your destination country. The petrol prices in Europe tend to be lower than those in the UK so you will probably find that you save a lot of money anyway when you’re over there. However, you should still make sure that you know how much you are looking at. There are also websites for European petrol prices so use it well. Of course, you probably will not be able to check every day but you will have a good idea of where to go.
5. Finally, and this applies everywhere you go, never ever stop on the motorway to fill up your tank. In any country, this will definitely cost you more!

Of course, you can be more economical with fuel as well as use the tips above to save money. Making sure that your car is as light as possible and has fully inflated tires will always help you to save money on petrol but it never hurts to save those few extra pennies at the pumps!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

The health benefits associated with flying are non-existent. There are actually many side effects that are underestimated. For example, all women out there will know that your skin feels dehydrated after they alight from the plane at their destination. The skin is only dehydrated because the body is. At altitude, the body has to use more water to keep the organs working perfectly. This will also affect fluid retention as your body has to retain it in order to function, which may explain why your ankles may be puffy on landing.

Similarly, flying can also be bad for your circulation. It is no coincidence that DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is associated with flying. The high pressure your body is put under will undoubtedly cause problems and research has shown that flying is directly linked to it. However, there are more common ailments associated with flying as a result of the air conditioning and lack of fresh air. If you think about it, if someone has a cold and is sneezing then those germs are going to be recycled over and over. As such, if you have a cold a few days after landing then the likelihood is that you have caught it via someone else on the same flight through the recycled air on board.

On the other hand, travelling via ferry is much better for your health. The air on board is fresh as a result of the open vents and access to the deck. You can go outside as much or as little as you like. Similarly, the fact that you are at sea level means that the air pressure is less and so you will not suffer any circulatory or blood pressure issues. As the air is moist, dehydration is also out of the question. All in all, it is much more healthy to travel via ferry than plane. The worst illness you could expect is seasickness, which is simply down to the motion. All in all, ferry is a much healthier way to travel no matter what time of year you go on holiday!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

Travel insurance is a necessary expense despite the fact that it is not compulsory. You can easily travel without travel insurance these days if you do want to save money but rather than thinking of how much it would cost you and that you probably won’t need it, you should be thinking of how much it will save you instead. Believe me, good travel insurance can save you an awful lot of money.

Thinking it will never happen to you is a mistake. That one time that you do not have travel insurance will undoubtedly be the one time that you car is broken into and all of your stuff is stolen. It will also be the time that you misplace your expensive camera. It will also be the time when you cannot find your passports and cash in your bag because you have been pick-pocketed. As such, it is absolutely essential that travel insurance be on your priority list because it will cover all of the above instances. If you do not have insurance then you would have to cover the cost of all of the above and it could actually cost you hundreds of pounds. However, if you do have travel insurance then all you would have to pay is the excess, which is minimal on some policies. There are some policies you can choose to have no excess on but they do tend to be a little more expensive.

The initial cost of travel insurance is not particularly high. You can get a good policy to cover a family for very little outlay. If you do want to save money and will only go on one trip next year then choose a single trip policy rather than an annual policy as that will cost you less. When that is in place then you can most definitely go away with peace of mind that if anything does go wrong then you will not find it a financial strain! Anything that offers minimal financial strain is, after all, a blessing at the moment!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

With self drive breaks there are absolutely no expensive flights or hotels to pay for so it fits into the average budget much easier. Of course, it also helps that you can control the amount of money you spend when on holiday as well. The tips below highlight that and point out the areas that you have to look at to save money and effectively budget for your self drive holiday: 

1. Look at fuel economy – On a self drive holiday, fuel is usually the one expense that costs individuals far more than they may have originally planned for. A heavy car obviously uses more fuel so the further you travel with your luggage, the more you will end up paying. As such, always estimate how much you think you will use and double it. This allows for any extra expense without causing you problems.
2. Watch your mobile phone charges – An easy rule here. Just don’t use your mobile phone abroad. It costs a fortune to call your mum, for example, and let her know you’re OK, or even take a call from her. Take advantage of add ons that are offered by the networks or just take your mobile for use in the event of an emergency. Just think twice before you pick it up!
3. Choose from the many ferry deals out there – There are hundreds of ferry deals available for you every year. They are incredibly cheap and excellent value for money so shop around so you can save money where possible.
4. Practice food economy – Eating in restaurants is really nice when you’re on holiday. Trying out all of the beautiful French or Italian restaurants and eating the local delicacies are usually high on the list of priorities. However, this isn’t something you want to be doing if you’re trying to save money. Instead, find sandwich shops for lunch or, better still, find the local supermarkets so you can prepare your own food.
5. Choose camping instead of a hotel (if you already have the equipment) – Hotels are more expensive than campsite fees and so if you have the camping equipment, it is worth it. However, if you do not have camping gear or are unable to borrow it then you would be better of in a hotel because the outlay could be huge. You have to weigh up the expenses before committing either way.

If you bear all of the above in mind then you will find that you save money when on a self drive. As such, this may well put it within your budget next year.

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

Never fear though because you could still book a week away for you and the family if you go on a self drive break. Self drive holidays are most definitely the way forward if you give them a chance. If you go on self drive holidays regularly then all of the six reasons to choose one in 2009 below many strike a chord with you. If you have never been on one before then take note:

1. A self drive holiday is much cheaper than a package holiday overall. The flights are heavily taxed and the prices look set to rise as well with fuel going up. As a result, you would pay infinitely more than you would for the ferry over to the Continent.
2. You can choose where to stay on a self drive break so you could wind up with cheap bed and breakfasts off the beaten track. This is often more of an experience too.
3. Self drive holidays are better for the environment as a result of the lack of pollution of a plane. Aeroplanes are far less eco-friendly than cars or ferries so you can do your bit for the environment.
4. The deals on ferries are extremely competitive so a late deal is infinitely possible. With so many providers and so much space on board you can literally book the day before if necessary.
5. You can mould your self drive break into whatever kind of holiday you want. You can camp, explore the local area and see much more than you ever would at a resort.
6. You can easily control the finances of your holiday because you determine where you stay, the places you visit and the transport you take. As a result, you can literally get away from the UK for a few days on a shoestring budget.  

All of the above reasons are excellent for considering a self drive holiday in 2009. With the economy the way it is, things will get worse before they get better and many families, couples and individuals will be priced out of a holiday. The self drive holiday is a viable option and one you can control financially as well as in terms of your itinerary. If you do want to consider it then start planning now. Look at how much money you can save and how much you will need. Remember, everyone needs a break sometimes and a self drive week or weekend break will certainly help you financially and mentally in 2009.

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

There are many reasons as to why cutting back on your luggage on a self drive is important, with the main one being that it will save you a lot on your fuel bills. Carrying extra weight will really put a strain on your car and will hinder its movement, thus using more fuel and making your holiday much more expensive than it should be. However, there is one more reason that you should bear in mind. Carrying the bare minimum will make you more responsive to the environment. This may sound a little absurd but it’s completely true. For example, you will think to keep your rubbish in your car because you will have room for it.

No matter where you go on a self drive though, travelling light in terms of your personal luggage will also leave you enough space for those things you need but do not necessarily think about. For example, you should ensure that you have all of the safety equipment required by law in your destination country. For example, you will need a reflective vest and a warning triangle in case of an accident. You will also need a spare wheel and the equipment to fit it if need be. Extra luggage will take up the room that this equipment should occupy.

Travelling light may also improve the way you drive when abroad and make you a little more careful on the road. Under no circumstances should your luggage ever block your rear view mirror. This is one of those things that us Brits seem to ignore when on the move but you should always have a clear view behind you so that you are fully aware of what is going on around you.

Finally, one thing you should never forget when travelling light is all of the relevant documentation. Your passport, travel insurance documents, driving license and car insurance/ownership papers should always accompany you. Keep them in your dashboard compartment when you are travelling but always be sure to take them out whenever you get out of your car. Even if you are just going into a rest stop, take your papers with you. You never know who’s watching!

Guest Article by Louise Crowley