Sunshine Escapes and Budget Breaks

Everyone needs a little sunshine from time to time. But the good news is that even if you're counting the pennies and your holiday fund is virtually non-existent, there are still plenty of ways to get away without breaking the bank.

Let's say you're hoping to book cheap holidays from Ireland. First off, get online and start searching for holidays to your favourite holiday destinations. You'll soon get a feel for which locations are the most affordable, and it will also help you to start sizing up the various deals on offer. You'll probably notice that if you search for holidays departing within the next few weeks, they're typically cheaper than those advertised a few months in advance. Furthermore, try to look for holidays departing outside of the school holidays. It's true that most hoteliers and travel agents hike their prices during the school holidays, so do your best to travel outside of half-term and summer holidays. Furthermore, try to travel at the beginning or end of the season. Peak season holidays in June, July and August are usually more expensive.
 

Also, be mindful of those destinations that are traditionally cheaper than others. It's obvious that a trip to the Caribbean will cost more than a jaunt to Spain - but sometimes it's not always the length of flight that comes into it. For instance, Turkey is a traditionally low-cost holiday destination, and its affordability has as much to do with currency exchange as it does with popularity. Turkey is currently outside of the Eurozone and the cost of living is generally much more affordable than those locations that are in the Euro. Furthermore, you can book Turkey holidays at direct holidays - and booking direct is another useful way of saving money.
 

So, it's all about doing your homework and checking out a wide range of possibilities to find those that best match your holiday wish list and your budget. Do that, and you'll be several steps closer to finding your ideal sunshine escape.