| For many people, their preferred method of booking | | | | from the hassle of flying to the familiar-looking shops |
| a holiday, whether abroad or in Britain, is to wait until | | | | and fast food chains, the frequent traveller can |
| the summer and then book a last minute holiday, | | | | occasionally become jaded. Choosing a last minute |
| either online or through a travel agent. This has | | | | holiday gives you an element of uncertainty and |
| several benefits, which allows you to benefit from | | | | excitement. Have you ever wondered what the |
| last minute discounts, but on the other hand, the | | | | south of France is like? Well, you're flying out in 48 |
| available choice is often limited, so you may have to | | | | hours, so better start reading up! |
| settle for a different destination. However, provided | | | | Booking a last minute holiday is easy. The best place |
| you're prepared to be a little flexible, booking a last | | | | to do this is online - the ease and convenience takes |
| minute holiday can often be cheaper than reserving | | | | all the stress and hassle out of what can be a tricky |
| many months ahead. You may have to visit Jersey | | | | decision. There are any number of websites out |
| instead of Normandy, or take the sun in Morocco | | | | there dedicated to finding you last minute deals on |
| rather than that hotel in Jamaica you had your eye | | | | flights, hotels, or fully integrated holiday packages. |
| on, but you will be saving money. | | | | Some cater for single travellers and couples; others |
| Let's take a look at an example of how you might | | | | specialise in family deals at suitable resorts and |
| book a last minute holiday. Having decided that you're | | | | locations. You can use last minute holiday websites to |
| going to try and get away in springtime for some | | | | book a short break in the Highlands or Jersey, or |
| sunshine abroad, you can wait until the week before | | | | organise a two-week holiday in the Canary Islands. |
| you're planning to travel and then get onto the | | | | Alternatively, you can simply get a last-minute flight |
| Internet or visit a local travel agent. The travel agent | | | | to Italy or Germany and make your own way from |
| may not be able to offer you anything in Jamaica, as | | | | there. |
| you'd hoped, but they do have a deal on flights to | | | | So long as you don't turn up in a tourist hotspot in |
| Morocco, which means you can holiday there for far | | | | the middle of the high season expecting to find a |
| less than you'd have expected. | | | | room in the first hotel you visit, you should find |
| Ordinarily, you'd want to book well in advance to get | | | | there's plenty of excitement in choosing your |
| the best deal, but by leaving it so late, you take | | | | destination at the last minute. You can also book a |
| advantage of cancellations and spare capacity. Airlines | | | | last minute holiday by going to a travel agent - |
| and hotels have a choice of leaving seats and rooms | | | | certain companies will advertise late deals and can |
| empty, or offering them to customers at hugely | | | | organise a getaway for you in just minutes. |
| discounted rates. They will normally plump for the | | | | Just as certain people actively seek out a last minute |
| latter. They are able to reduce their losses, and you | | | | holiday for the thrill and uncertainty of visiting a new |
| get a great deal. | | | | place at short notice, so it should be noted that a |
| Of course, we don't always book a last minute | | | | last minute holiday is not necessarily for everyone. If |
| holiday through choice. Sometimes we're not sure in | | | | you're the sort of person that likes everything |
| advance exactly when we're going to be free to | | | | planned well in advance, or requires a certain type of |
| travel, perhaps because of work or family | | | | accommodation, then a late booking may not be for |
| commitments. The same benefits apply, though; by | | | | you. Similarly, if you have your heart set on a |
| waiting until just before your date of travel, you | | | | particular destination, you should be aware that |
| reduce your options, but open up excellent deals on | | | | choice is necessarily limited the later you book. Most |
| late flights and hotels, which wouldn't otherwise be | | | | of us wouldn't mind if instead of Jamaica we had to |
| open to you. | | | | make do with Goa - but you may feel differently. If |
| However, it's not just the money saving benefits | | | | so, perhaps you might prefer to be booked well in |
| that attract many people to booking a last minute | | | | advance. |
| holiday rather than planning ahead. Some people | | | | Whatever your personal preference, there's no doubt |
| positively enjoy the uncertainty of not knowing | | | | that there are great benefits in booking a last minute |
| where they are going to be spending the weekend. | | | | holiday. In just a few minutes, you could be on your |
| Modern travel is not always as exciting as it might be; | | | | way to... well, who knows? |