Booking your first package holiday or city break can be a learning curve for some! With so many options to consider, you can easily feel overwhelmed trying to find the best deal! Don’t worry, we’ve put this ultimate guide together to walk you through the steps you’ll need to take to make the booking process nice and easy – holidays are supposed to be fun right?!
Understanding Package Holidays
If you’re new to package holidays, a package holiday is a pre-arranged holiday that includes flights, accommodation, and often additional services such as transfers and baggage, all bundled together at a single price. The main advantage of a package holiday is convenience – everything is organised for you, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip.They also give you added security if something does go wrong.
Benefits of Booking a Package Holiday
Convenience
With everything arranged for you, from flights to accommodation and transfers, a package holiday eliminates the stress of planning and coordinating different aspects of your trip, who wants to spend time trawling through holiday sites trying to tie together flight times with transfers or endure adding all the additional expenses that are traditionally missed otherwise!
Financial Protection
Booking with Holiday Hypermarket provides you with financial protection under schemes like ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) and ABTA! Meaning if the worst was to happen and we couldn’t continue with your holiday, you’d receive a full refund.
Cost-Effective
Package holidays can be more cost-effective than booking components separately. Tour operators often negotiate better rates for flights and hotels, passing these savings on to you so you can make your money go further. We often offer special discounts and deals to help you find your dream holiday for less! Add-ons such as baggage and transfers can easily stack up against your holiday budget, but don’t worry it’s included on most of our holidays!
Support and Assistance
Our UK-based contact centre is always on hand to assist with any issues or queries about your holiday – giving you peace of mind!
Choosing Your Destination
Selecting the right destination is hard – there’s so many beautiful resorts to choose from! To help you pick, consider the following factors:
Budget
Determine how much you are willing to spend. This will help narrow down your options and ensure you stay within your budget, there’s holidays to suit all sorts of budgets from affordable getaways to lavish 5-star luxury breaks.
Interests
Think about what you want from your holiday, everyone’s holiday perceptions are different. Are you looking for relaxation on a beach, cultural experiences in a historic city, or an adventure of the taste buds? Your interests will be pivotal in finding the right resort from Cancun’s beaches to Greece’s amazing culture and food
Climate
Research the climate of your potential destinations to ensure the weather will be suitable during your travel dates. Some destinations have great sunny weather throughout the year, but popular European destinations do see temperatures drop as we head into autumn and winter.
Customer Service
Consider the level of customer service provided. We always aim to offer excellent pre-departure support and be readily available to assist with any issues during your holiday.
Booking Your Package Holiday
Once you’ve chosen a destination and hotel, it’s time to book. Here’s what to do:
When To Book
Booking early can often secure better rates and more availability, especially for popular destinations and peak travel times, however last minute deals when you’re more flexible on your destination can save you a pretty penny! Keep an eye out for discounts and savings and aim for the best deal.
Flexible Dates
If possible, be flexible with your travel dates. Sometimes, shifting your departure by a day or two can result in significant savings! Months such as May and September out of the school holidays are great affordable options for holidays with holiday traffic being lower than usual.
Payment Options
Check the payment options available! Depending on when you book with us, you can use our flexible payment scheme to pay a deposit and pay the remainder 12 weeks before you fly. Alternatively, you can use a credit or debit card to pay with us, alongside Paypal or ApplePay.
Confirmation
Now you should have your booking confirmation! Make sure everything is correct, with your booking, from names to room types and board basis, make sure to contact us if something seems amiss with your holiday booking.
Preparing for Your Holiday…
With your holiday booked, it’s time to get ready:
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance that covers medical expenses, cancellations, and loss of belongings is essential! Whether you’re looking at multi-trip coverage or just a single trip, this provides added peace of mind should anything go wrong.
Documents
Most importantly, make sure your passport is in date and fit to use! This is your key to travelling the world so don’t let it get damaged or become expired! Next up, make sure you have all necessary documents, such as passports, visas, and any required vaccination certificates. Keep copies of these documents in case of loss! We recommend a small A4 or A5 pouch to keep all important documents together, as you’ll need these whilst travelling (predominantly in airports).
Packing
Pack according to the destination’s climate and activities. Remember essentials such as chargers, adaptors, and any medications you may need. Before packing, use your favourite notes app to create a packing list to help you speed up the process!
Enjoying Your Holiday…
With all the preparation done, you can now focus on enjoying your holiday:
Make The Most Of It!
Take time to relax and soak in the experience. Poolside lounging with your favourite cocktail and snacks or exploring the sights of local towns and villages, the world is truly your oyster when you’re on holiday!
Stay Up To Date
Stay informed about your surroundings, especially if you’re travelling to a foreign country. Be aware of local customs, emergency contacts, and any safety advisories while you’re there – it’s handy to have important numbers such as insurance and emergency services logged in your phone contacts to save you searching for them when you need them most!
Collect Memories
Holidays are all about making unforgettable memories with loved ones, experiencing new things, trying new food and snapping up plenty of photos while you’re there!
Feedback & Reviews
When you’ve made your way back to the UK, share your experience! Whether that’s uploading your favourite pictures to social media or leaving a review with Tripadvisor. Your holiday experience helps to shape other holidays in the future!
Go on, get your first package holiday booked!
Booking your first package holiday doesn’t have to be stressful. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable process, from choosing your destination to basking in the sun. Remember, the key is to research, plan, and prepare – then sit back and enjoy your well-deserved holiday. Happy travels!
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