Holiday Booking Guide

It is holiday booking season! Horeeey!
Here at Review Centre we have gathered some useful information to help you organise your holiday.

Research your destination

The first thing you need to decide is what type of holiday you are looking for? Once you have decided what you want from your holiday, be it sun, relaxation, adventure, shopping or historic and cultural sightseeing, it will be easy to pick your destination. And once you have decided where you want to go, do your research! It is important to know the local currency and the exchange rate, local customs and weather patterns. Also don’t forget to plan your time well, so make sure you research as much as you can on things to see and do, local attractions, food to taste, etc.

Research your accommodation

It is very important that your accommodation is clean and tidy to guarantee you a pleasant stay. Before you book, research the hotel, hostel or villa you are planning to stay with and check their website for more information including room pictures.

Hire a car

If you plan to hire a car making it easier and convenient to move around, make sure you know everything about car insurance, roads and the license required in the country where you are staying. Before you leave, research different car hire companies and compare their different packages. Look into our Car Hire FAQs as you may find answers to your car hire questions. Check your car insurance to make sure you are covered and think about breakdown cover abroad too.

Compare holiday packages

There are hundreds of travel agents and holiday sites all claiming they are offering the best holiday deals. Make sure you check out a few online or visit some high street travel agents and compare their offers. Check low cost airlines but don’t forget that sometimes other airlines offer better prices. If you want to organise your activities beforehand, research tour operators as well. Beware of scam websites and make sure you book with an authorised travel agent and tour operator.

Booking terms and conditions

If you are booking online the most important thing to remember is to check carefully whether the passengers’ names and passport numbers are spelt correctly. One wrong letter or number can cause great problems and stress. Also read carefully the terms and conditions of your booking. In the unexpected case of change in plans you better know what the cancellation and refund policy is before you commit to paying.

Financial issues
It is very important to financially protect yourself and your holiday expenses. Something to always consider while booking your holiday is whether your holiday will be ATOL protected. Always check whether your travel insurance includes airline failure insurance. If you are booking online make the payment with a credit card. Also bear in mind that if you book your flights and hotel separately and there is a cancellation or one of the companies goes bust you might not be covered for your whole holiday.

Finally, don’t forget to take with you:

	Sun lotion- if you are going on a beach holiday and plan to expose yourself to the sun, you surely don’t want to get burnt and spoil the rest of your stay. Buy a lotion with a high SPF and research different cosmetic brands.
	Insect repellent- exotic holiday destinations, as beautiful as they are, expose us to danger of rarely known insects and respective diseases. If you are planning to visit a country where you could run the risk of infection, don’t forget to buy proper and efficient insect repellent.
	Travel guide- they provide maps, local information, important addresses and phone numbers so get to the closest bookshop in your area and get one for the country you are visiting.
	Camera- you would definitely want to capture all the beautiful scenery and unforgettable moments, so don’t forget your camera.
	Chargers- we need chargers for everything- our digital camera, our mobile phone, laptop, even toothbrush; make sure you pack all your chargers in your suitcase.
	Adaptor- different regions use different sockets so adaptors are the only way to guarantee full use of any electrical appliance you may need while you are on holiday.
	Medicine you take regularly- don’t forget any of these! The country you visit will probably offer something quite similar, but if you have special needs, your medication should be your first priority while you are packing.
	Copies of your insurance documents and telephone numbers for emergencies such as the international number for your bank. Also remember to keep a separate record of your passport, insurance and travel details with a close friend or relative in case of emergency.
	Your European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) which will give you access to reduced cost medical treatment whilst you are abroad.
	Sports equipment (for skiing and adventure holidays)- If you are going to practice any of your favourite sport activities like skiing, fishing, golfing, canoeing, etc., get the essential part of your equipment in your suitcase. Hiring sports equipment may be very expensive especially in resort areas and may not be as comfortable as your own.

Enjoy your stay!