How to Reap the Benefits of Last-Minute Holidays

Why Book Last-Minute Holidays?

When you need a break, a last-minute holiday can provide a much-needed escape from everyday life. Here are some of the benefits of an impromptu break, plus some top tips.

The benefits of booking last-minute holidays

• Last-minute holidays can remove the stress of booking. If you’ve chosen a popular, established destination, there’s a greater certainty that it’s welcoming, safe and open for travellers. If you have any concerns, you can check by referring to the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) website for independent travel advice.
• The most expensive times to book a holiday are in July and August. However, if you book outside of these months (the “shoulder seasons”) there should be fewer crowds. So, you should have a calmer and more relaxing experience while exploring your destination.
• Booking last minute offers spontaneity and excitement for you and your travelling companions because you are not counting down the days to your trip months in advance. You may also get more for your money, as unsold accommodation and flights can be cheaper when booked at the last minute.
• Heading for the slopes on a winter escape? Review the snow forecast before booking, to ensure you’ll be guaranteed a good snowfall throughout your break.
• You can book a break easily and on the go, directly from a mobile device or travel app.

Let’s take a look at some last-minute holiday destinations for Autumn sun-seekers…

3 Last-Minute Trips to Catch the Autumn Sun

If you’re looking for a short-haul trip to get away to warmer climes in September or early October, head for destinations just a few hours flight-time away in Southern Europe. With average temperatures ranging from 20°C-28°C, you can take a last-minute trip to bask in the sun before Autumn sets in across the continent.

The Greek Escape

Why not take a relaxing September break on a Greek Island, such as Kefalonia? Relax on the golden sands and swim in crystal-clear water at the delightful town of Skala. While there, visit the Captain’s Bar, which is renowned for its wide range of colourful cocktails. It’s also the bar of choice for film star Simon Pegg, a long-time patron and frequent visitor to Kefalonia.

Experience the azure-blue waters of Myrtos Beach, one of many locations featured in the movie adaptation of Louis De Berniere’s famous Kefalonia-based World War II novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Explore the streets of the fishing village of Fiskardo, with its colourful Venetian villa architecture. You could also take a magical ride across a subterranean lake in the underground Melissani cave. And for a wildlife encounter, come face to flipper with loggerhead sea turtles in the harbour of the island’s capital, Argostoli!

Italian Adventures

Italy’s Amalfi coast is also an Autumnal hotspot. Located on the Sorrentine Peninsula in southern Italy’s Campania region between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, the region’s 50-km coastal road features sun-kissed beaches, fishing villages and stunning cliffside views. From the picturesque, cliffside streets of Positano to the magnificent medieval architecture of Amalfi town, beauty is all around! From the Amalfi coast, head to the seaside locale of Sorrento, on the northern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Here, you can sip a cappuccino in Piazza Tasso square while planning an excursion to the famed sites of Pompeii or Herculaneum, Roman towns destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.  Alternatively, take a boat trip from Sorrento to the scenic, ever-glamorous island of Capri. With its elegant villas, high-end shopping, luxurious hotels, and delicious food and drink, you’ll experience La Dolce Vita – “the sweet life”.

Volcanic Activities

How about taking a trip to Lanzarote? Located in the Canary Islands (an autonomous community of Spain in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa), this is a warm destination all year round. This volcanic island has golden beaches, mountainous terrain and lush palm groves. Renowned for its commitment to responsible tourism, Lanzarote was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993. Try your hand at watersports such as surfing or windsurfing, or just relax, sunbathe and swim. For active holidaymakers, take a hike through the rugged mountains. After your trek, enjoy a crisp, refreshing glass of wine produced from grapes grown in the island’s volcanic soil.

If you’re feeling adventurous, saddle up on a guided camel ride across the Timanfaya National Park lava plains, which were created by huge eruptions in 18th and 19th centuries. Used in TV and film science-fiction productions as a stand-in for alien planets, Timanfaya (“Fire Mountains” in Spanish) offers an out-of-this-world experience! Watch geysers erupt from the ground, blasting mineral-rich water into the air. The underground geothermal heat, which emerges from vents in the lava is even hot enough to cook chicken!

Here are a few more last-minute destinations you may want to experience throughout the year…

6 Top Destinations to Book for a Last-Minute Holiday

Budapest, Hungary

Hungary’s capital, Budapest is a beautiful place for a last-minute city break in autumn or spring. With numerous historical sites of interest, from the 16^th-century Turkish Ottoman Rudas Spa to the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament building, there’s a wealth of culture to experience. Be greeted by warm hospitality, and enjoy a relaxing natural bath while being pampered within one of Budapest’s spas (there are 123 thermal water springs to choose from). After a day admiring Budapest’s amazing architecture and magical castles, sip hot goulash soup, one of Hungary’s traditional dishes.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a great European city for a last-minute holiday via Eurostar. A river cruise or coach holiday is also a treat, as you admire the Dutch tulip fields and grand gardens. If you’re in Amsterdam for a weekend, book a relaxing canal boat ride through the city to drift past iconic merchant houses – or capture them on camera on foot. Enjoy browsing around art museums? Spend a day at the famous Van Gogh Museum, which commemorates the life and work of the celebrated artist. Love flowers and gardening? Visit Keukenhof Park, also known as the “Garden of Europe” for a garden tour.

Ireland

Thinking about last-minute holidays for you and your partner? Try Ireland, the “Emerald Isle”. You could book a last-minute spa break or wellness retreat that’ll provide many benefits in County Kerry, Mayo, or Donegal along the coast. For a slice of “the Craic”, experience Ireland’s true character by visiting Dublin to watch live music in a traditional Irish pub.

France

During last-minute holidays in France, you could stay in a caravan or go camping. Spend time in the carefree countryside of Normandy in the northwest, or head along the south coast for a break in a holiday park. If you have children, many of these family-friendly sites feature kids’ clubs, splashing water parks, cafes and/or restaurants. Either rent a tent/caravan or bring your own! If you have arrived in France at Calais via the car ferry, you may decide to stay in Pas-de-Calasis, which is only a 28-mile drive from the ferry in Calais.

Northern Europe

Visit a Baltic country in northeast Europe. If you like to avoid sweltering temperatures and prefer “coolcations” in milder climates, these may be just the ticket. Situated around the Baltic Sea, potential destinations include Denmark, Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Germany. Each one has something unique to offer an adventurous traveller!

Step back in time while wandering around one of Poland’s 2,500 palaces. Alternatively, explore one of four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Lithuania, before taking a dip in one of 200 lush lakes. To immerse yourself in the natural world, set foot in Estonia’s dense forests, where you may spot rare wildlife such as the lynx. Finland and Denmark also provide opportunities for photographers to capture more magical sights, from Finland’s Taiga (snow) forest to the fairytale village of Odense in Denmark. Germany is another Baltic country that welcomes enthusiastic visitors – for fun, folk music and countless ales, why not visit Munich in October for the legendary Oktoberfest festival?

We’ve given you a few amazing trips to think about, but here are some essential points to be aware of when booking your travel insurance…

The Rise in Natural Disasters and Travel Insurance

If you book a last-minute trip, check that your insurance policy provides protection for any claims that may result from an unexpected natural disaster. Also, if the FCDO has advised against all or all but essential travel to your planned destination and you still choose to go there, you will require specialist insurance, as most policies will not cover this.

A natural disaster is an event such as one (or more) of the following:

• Avalanche, Blizzard, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Forest Fire, Hurricane, Lightning, Storm, Tornado, Tsunami, Volcanic Eruption

If your holiday was booked last-minute and is a package holiday, you should have the greatest protection if something unforeseen happens. Package holidays with flights should have ATOL protection. Package holidays without flights (and cruises) should have ABTA protection. Therefore, be wise and check that the travel provider provides either ABTA or ATOL Protection before you book.

If your holiday is an all-inclusive holiday or package trip, legal protection will be provided. Plus, any “flexi flights” or “open tickets” can be changed or cancelled post-purchase. Look out for any small fees you may have to pay.

If you are unable to go to your planned destination due to an unexpected natural disaster and/or a sudden change in FCDO advice, your travel operator will be able to recommend which last-minute holidays are still available to replace your holiday.

If you have Free Spirit Travel Insurance, you can change the dates and destinations on your policy – if no claim was made – after booking a new trip.

What Cover Does Free Spirit Travel Insurance Provide for a Natural Disaster?

• Curtailment Cover (section D): £1,000 Standard / £3,000 Super / £6,000 Super Duper if your pre-booked accommodation was damaged by a natural disaster and alternative accommodation was not provided.
• Unrecoverable costs are covered: If you’re forced to cancel your trip before it starts or curtail your trip after you leave home, due to one of the following happening, which could not have been foreseen: fire, earthquake, storm, flood, riot, or civil unrest in the country you’re travelling to.
• Extended Journey Disruption Cover (section I – Super & Super Duper only) if any of the below happens: You’ve had to move to another accommodation on arrival or at any other time during the trip because you cannot use booked accommodation due to a natural disaster, landslide, or an outbreak of food poisoning.
• A Free Spirit (Super Duper) policy will pay up to £1,000 for additional accommodation (room only): Plus, transport costs incurred up to the standard of your original booking that you can’t recover from any other source.

Now that you’re up to speed on these key insurance benefits, here are some top tips on booking your last-minute trip…

How to book last-minute holidays

Follow these 7 steps to book a last-minute holiday…

Step 1: Do your research

Visit package holiday websites and comparison sites. Note the most competitive offer on the market for a last-minute package holiday and how much it would cost to book flights and accommodation separately.

Step 2: Sign up for discounts

Once you’ve found the company offering the cheapest package holiday, sign up for their newsletters to receive up-to-date discounts when available.

Step 3: Check flash-sale sites

When you’re ready to go and can travel within 48 hours, visit websites like Holiday Pirates, Travelzoo, and Secret Escapes to find a bargain. Some of these holidays might not appear on comparison websites.

Step 4: Be flexible

Don’t just refer to what you see in today’s newspaper or what’s sent to you via email. Consider calling a tour operator or travel agent directly. They should know which last-minute trips will be available throughout the year. Also, search for dates around the holiday you want. This way you can find the cheapest and change the filters, such as full or half-board and star-rating.

If you have the option to be flexible by 1 or 2 days around your planned trip dates, you can often find even better discounts. You could also be a flexible traveller by staying in quieter destinations like Rimini instead of Rome because it might not be as busy. Plus, there may be more offers for this destination. Also, lesser-known holiday destinations enable you to gain a fresh insight into a country’s culture and character.

Step 5: Read customer reviews

Refer to online reviews that past customers have written about the hotel or resort you may stay at. This will reassure you that you’re booking into highly commended accommodation.

Step 6: Know when to book

Book a last-minute break at the end of a season, outside peak travel times, or go for a mid-week flight to source the best deals.

Step 7: Haggle

Once you’ve found and chosen your holiday, call the travel agent directly to start haggling. Although this is getting harder,  if you don’t ask, you don’t get! On the other hand, you could ask a sales-savvy friend/relative to help you. Alternatively, refer to the Money Saving Expert for tips on haggling and a list of travel agents to call.

Last-Minute Package Holidays

Are last-minute holidays cheaper?

Booking a last-minute package holiday (inclusive of accommodation and flights) can be cheaper than a single last-minute scheduled flight. Prices will usually come down closer to the departure date, so it’s worth making the time to do your research. Also, if you book a last-minute package trip, you can be confident that all your legal protection will be included when you purchase your trip.

Travel Tip: Always book last-minute all-inclusive holidays or a package trip because all your legal protection will be included when you purchase your trip.

As a UK customer, when you purchase a package holiday with flights, the travel company is legally required to hold an ATOL license. In the unlikely event, that the travel company goes into administration with ATOL protection in place, you’ll be protected and shouldn’t get stranded abroad or lose any money.