Staycations

What does the word ‘holiday’ mean to you? Sun soaked Spanish beaches? Exotic, far flung destinations? Or airport delays and grappling with foreign menus?

Although many of us love to travel abroad for our break, for an increasing number of Brits, 2009 looks like being the year of the ‘staycation’ – holidaying at home.

A combination of the weak pound and the recession means that more people than usual have booked a UK break this year. Visit Britain says it has seen a significant rise in interest from people who want to holiday at home, while bookings at campsites were up by almost 40% for the last week in May.

So, if you’re used to jetting off abroad but are opting for a staycation this summer, here are some tips on planning for a UK getaway.

Make sure you’re covered
Many of us take out travel insurance if we go abroad, but tend not to think about it if we’re holidaying in the UK. Although you’ll be covered for medical treatment by the NHS, there are other elements that need to be insured, such as cancellation of your holiday, or your luggage being lost or stolen. 

If you’re staying somewhere like a campsite, it’s advisable to lock valuables away (preferably in the boot of your car or in the caravan) if you can’t keep an eye on them at all times.

If you already have an annual travel policy, you should check the cover for holidays in the UK, there may also be a clause stating you should book at least two nights’ accommodation in advance.

Book a bargain
If you’ve not already booked your British break, you may still be able to get a bargain deal. If you don’t know where to start, go to the websites of the tourist office in the area you want to stay in and search for ‘special offers’.  Some sites highlight them on the front page, others don’t.
If you want a city centre break, several of the major hotel chains are running three-for two deals. And even if there’s no special rate advertised, it’s always worth trying to haggle.

Holiday off-peak
If you have school-age children you probably won’t have much choice about when you take your holiday, but you may still be able to avoid the busiest weeks with some careful planning. The last two weeks in July and first two in August are normally the busiest for resorts and coastal destinations, but city centres are often quieter then. If you are keen to head to the coast, try the last two weeks in August as they tend to be the quietest of the school holiday.

Holiday for free
According to research for M&S Money, around 80% of holidaymakers bring back unused travel money when we return from an overseas break, so why not use the money to pay for your holiday in the UK?  Many bureaux de change will change foreign notes back to sterling commission-free, no matter where you originally bought them.