If you are planning a holiday to Mallorca, there are a number of things that you can do to make your holiday special without breaking the bank. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed and saving money is certainly enjoyable these days. If you are headed to Mallorca and want to save money on your trip, here are a few things that you should keep in mind:

1. Book your trip well ahead. By booking ahead, you can take advantage of many savings opportunities. Most airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts for those who book their reservations at least six weeks ahead of schedule. While you could always wait until the last minute and hope that you snag a deal, it simply makes better sense to book as far ahead as possible and know without a doubt that you are saving money.

2. Travel during off peak seasons when possible. Most tourist destinations are a bit more expensive to visit during their peak seasons. Summer is normally when people take holiday with the family so if you have the option of travelling in the spring or fall, you can still enjoy the beautiful Mallorca weather and enjoy a bit more cash in your pocket as well.

3. Always avoid travelling on the weekends if possible. Mallorca is a popular holiday destination and most visitors travel on Saturday and Sunday. If you can, book your flight on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Not only will you save money on your flight, you will avoid the rush of incoming visitors as well.

4. While in Mallorca, check out free attractions. There are a number of sights that you can see without having to pay a dime. Natural beauty is everywhere in Mallorca and the only thing it will cost you is transportation fare. Depending on where you are staying, you may even be able to walk to many sights and avoid the cost of transportation altogether. Do a bit of research before you leave to see what sights are close to your hotel. Take in these sights and spend a day or so simply walking around and looking at the area.

5. Finally, pack lightly. Most airlines charge additional fees for additional luggage. If you do not need to pack five or six suitcases, then don’t. If you are staying for a week or so, find out what laundry facilities are located on or close to your hotel. Washing your clothing is going to be cheap compared to paying the fare for additional luggage.

This article was written by Hotel Sis Pins, one of the most charming hotels Pollensa offers.

Saving money is important when you are moving, no matter where you are moving to. It becomes a bit more important when you are moving abroad. In order to cut down a bit on the stress of moving, you need to learn ways of saving money and having fewer things to actually take with you when you go. Here are a few tips that will help you to make the most of your move while taking the least possible from your wallet:

1. Minimize what you are taking with you when you move. This can help you to save money on the actual move and to reduce your stress of ensuring that all of your belongings make it safely abroad. You can also cut down significantly on the time that it takes to pack and unpack your belongings. Consider having a garage sale and get rid of anything that is not essential in your life. You can make a bit of money from selling off your old belongings and save on the cost of moving at the same time.
2. Ship your belongings to your new location. By shipping several boxes ahead, you can save yourself the aggravation of actually travelling with them and you can track your shipments and ensure that they arrive safely. This will also help to cut down on moving expenses if you are planning to use a moving company.
3. Do a bit of research to find the best rates. International moving companies are virtually everywhere and a quick online search will help you to find one that offers lower than average rates. When doing your research, be sure that you are choosing a legitimate and trustworthy company. Compare rates from companies that have good reviews and choose the one that offers the best price for your move.
4. Talk with others who have made the same move. There should be people who have moved from your general location to a city abroad. Speak with them and learn what they spent on their moving costs and how they helped to bring those costs down. Someone with actual experience in a similar move could help you to determine the best way to handle your move with the least amount of money.
5. If you are really looking to make a life change, you can sell all of your belongings and enjoy no moving costs whatsoever. Of course, many will disregard this tip simply because many people have items that they cannot part with for sentimental reasons. If you do not need your house full of furniture however, you can sell it all off and avoid moving costs. Once you arrive at your new destination you can purchase new furnishings that match your new home.

This article was written by Robinsons removals, one of the shipping companies in UK.

Being Prepared Can Make All the Difference!

No recreational activity in the world can surpass the thrill and excitement of travelling. Not that I want to kill the romanticised aspect of it, there are certain things that one needs to know before starting a trip. I have a lot of travelling experience and I keep learning new things, which help me in my prospective travel plans. My first foreign trip was a completely spontaneous plan, and was flawed to the core since it lacked planning. From catching flights to arranging itinerates, I was unfamiliar with a number of important aspects of travelling. These planning flaws cost me a lot of money, time and energy. I’m highlighting these factors below so you could learn and benefit from my experiences:

Deciding on what to carry luggage in

I have travelled more than six months in one go, and I really would have liked if somebody could have told me whether a suitcase or a backpack is a better option for me. In my experience, a backpack is much easier to get around with when I’m travelling for more than six months. It zips open easily and provides the kind of access that no suitcase can. However, when I’m travelling for just a month or two or perhaps even less, it is better to opt for the suitcase with wheels. Nonetheless, carrying an additional item itself feels like a burden to a lot of people, including myself, which is why my first priority is always a backpack.

Making health-related preparations

After my first travelling experience, I made a habit to check for travel health tips on Foreign and Commonwealth Office website since it provides a wealth of knowledge. I learned to get adequate travel insurance in order to avoid a huge medical bill in case I needed a treatment. I was eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) of which I had no idea the first time I travelled. Using this card, I am entitled to get discounts or free healthcare services as long as I’m travelling to a European country.

Once I travelled to India during the summers, and caught malaria because of the great number of mosquitoes hovering around me in the evenings. I hadn’t had any vaccinations or preventive measures against any such disease so I could only thank God that it was just malaria. It very easily could have been dengue as well!

Every time I have to travel now, I visit my GP who updates me on all the diseases that are unfamiliar in the UK but are prevalent in other parts of the world. He then lets me know whether I need vaccinations or follow other preventive measures.

Doing Plenty of Research

It helps a huge deal when I do research on the do’s and don’ts of the particular place I am planning to visit. I explore the transportation options in advance as well as the culture and weather so I could pack my outfits accordingly. If I have to visit a slightly conservative country, I make sure I’m familiar with the local customs so I don’t offend the native people. I remember when I visited the Middle East once was frowned upon since I was not dressed appropriately according to the customs. You don’t want that happening to you!

Checking ATM Cards

The first time I booked a inexpensive flight abroad, I only took cash along, which I ran out of very quickly. I hadn’t planned well so I had to have my friend transfer me some money through a money transfer service, which was very expensive. Learning from this mistake, I always call my bank before leaving and let them know that I’m going to be travelling overseas for a certain period of time. The bank then advises me on which credit or debit card will work whilst I’m abroad. I usually take a mixture of money now including debit card, credit card as well as cash.

James Sampson wrote this post on behalf of cheap flights. For deals on flights from UK airports we recommend visiting cheap airline deal site cheapflights.co.uk

You’ve saved your hard-earned cash. You’ve bought the Lonely Planet guide books. You’ve got a wish list of all the places you want to hit when you’re away on your great adventure. But now you have to make a big decision: do you go it alone? Do you buddy up with pals? Or do you take your partner?

This is no easy decision to make, and it’s one you should consider carefully as it will strongly affect the kind of holiday you have. Here are some pros and cons to consider for each option…

Travelling alone

Pros

Going it alone holds a certain allure for many. You’re unencumbered, pleasing no one but yourself. There are no arguments about who misread the itinerary, no negotiations about when or where to go. In the great tradition of finding yourself while on the road, the journey is yours to chase however you wish – popular choices for solo backpackers include treks across Europe, south-east Asia or South America.

Cons

Loneliness. The cold hard fact is, if you’re travelling solo, while you do have the opportunity to meet fellow travellers in hostels, none of these people know you like a friend, family member or partner does. Additionally, you’ll lack that second opinion that can sometimes be invaluable when travelling – making decisions that much easier.

Travelling with a partner

Pros

There’s no better way of getting to know your partner than going travelling with them. You’ll learn new things that you didn’t know before, even if you’ve spent a lot of time getting to know each other online dating or working together. The things that make you strong as a couple will also make you strong as travel buddies.

Couples might like to opt for romantic hotspots such as Paris, New York or Venice, but look for the lesser-known places that might bring some romantic magic too: for couples dating Adelaide, Edinburgh or Dubrovnik are often overlooked yet truly distinctive travel destinations.

Cons

Pressure can certainly be intensified on the road, especially in a backpacker situation. You might find that minor disagreements can be taken personally, or that competing interests (should we go to the museum? the beach? shopping? to the pub?) might cause tension. And if you’re staying in hostels, your ‘together time’ will be seriously reduced.

Travelling with friends

Pros

Your mates are the family you get to choose – they know you best and share your interests and activities, dreams and hopes. Backpacking with friends can be a 24-hour party – especially if you go to somewhere that likes to party hard, such as Berlin, Ibiza or LA.

Cons

No matter how well you get along with someone in daily life, travel can reveal surprising things. You may discover that you’re keen to be active but your travel buddy wants to lie on the beach – and that can lead to friction.

You might now have a clearer idea of what each travel route might bring you, but the main thing to remember is to have an open discussion with any travel companions about what you want from your trip and to be honest with yourself about whether you would prefer to travel alone, with a friend or with a partner – or a combination of all three!