The notion of using an assistant to plan travel itineraries, hotels, flights, car hire, even currency exchange, has been around for decades. It’s such a popular solution that a few of the big travel brand outlets still exist on the high street. However, I recently discovered at the London WTM conference that new advances in AI …
How to spend your holiday money responsibly was high on the agenda at a World Travel conference in London recently. Responsible Tourism was the buzzword coming from many of the stands. And it was evident that holiday companies realise it is now a priority for some of their customers. Unique locations We all want to …
Airport currency exchange facilities in departure lounges are the perfect emergency service for holiday procrastinators. But with 24hr internet access, is there any excuse for wasting your hard earned money by leaving currency exchange until the last minute? Too busy? Procrastination is something most of us have dealt with at one time or another. Usually brought …
I recently walked miles through what could have easily been mistaken for a shopping mall to reach my boarding gate. Boutiques lined my route through Rome’s Fiumicino airport, but not just the standard airport duty-free outlets. Instead, high-end emporiums such as Gucci and Hermes, interspersed with high street brands United Colors of Benetton and Calzedonia …
A road trip is the ultimate way to explore the bewildering beauty of any country. However, after toll charges and rental car fees, petrol costs can be one of the biggest holiday expenses. No one wants to pay more than they have to. So being aware of the fuel prices before you plan your next …
Risking life and limb on foreign high-speed toll roads isn’t the best way to start a relaxing well-earned holiday. It is also an expensive way to burn through your hard-earned budget. In an ideal world, reaching your perfect destination would involve a combination of leisurely meandering, combined with regular stops to admire stunning country or coastal views, and …
As a British national, I’ve got used to the ease of travelling in Europe and the simple exchange rate conversion it brings with it. I’ve happily adopted the one currency that now fits a range of countries as it makes crossing multiple borders so simple. Perhaps it is this ease of conversion that now so …
Have you ever been tempted by an airline scratch card? It’s difficult not to be when you are held confined, bored and restless on a plane for at least an hour. The airlines are fully aware of this too. The sales techniques they employ to hawk their branded scratch cards are very persuasive too. For …
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A hotel based inclusive deal can make as much financial sense as a self-catered holiday. So how can you choose between them? For some travellers, there is an obvious choice. Total immersion in hotel life with wall to wall service is the ideal holiday. That touch of luxury that is missing from most of our …
Unfortunately, the days of eating out at dirt cheap prices in Greece, seem to have vanished. On a recent trip to some popular island resorts I was shocked to discover that on a direct comparison of restaurant prices, the margins between eating out in the UK and Greece are thinner than ever. However, don’t despair if …