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