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