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Within modern-day society, booking either a European or long-haul holiday online is now undoubtedly more accessible than ever before. Because of that, there are also numerous deals online that can be explored to ensure a cost-effective holiday to popular destinations, such as the Mediterranean. With that being said, the vast array of travel promotions that are digitally available can, however, make it somewhat problematic when seeking to budget for a much-needed break. So, let’s take a look at some cost-effective methods to save money when booking a holiday to one of the 23 countries that make up the Mediterranean.

Being Flexible on Departure Dates, Months and Times

Fundamentally, one of the biggest money-saving tricks when planning a holiday is to be open-minded over departure times. Interestingly, studies suggest that the best time to book flights for an upcoming holiday is on any given Sunday in January. However, while a weekend just after New Year may not be appealing or plausible, it’s also advised to consider booking flights in September. The autumn month can provide some on the best deals for European travel, including to France, Croatia, Greece, and other well-visited Mediterranean countries. Crucially, the worst time to book a holiday is during the peak summer months; however, for those looking to catch the start of the warmer weather, May is a cost-effective time of the year to book a break, as fewer people typically travel in the final month of spring.

Aside from being flexible on what month to travel in, considering a mixture of different flight departure times is another way of budgeting for a Mediterranean break. For example, booking return flights on weekends are likely to come to a higher total than midweek alternatives, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays widely regarded as being the cheapest days to travel. Moreover, using connecting flights can also be a cost-effective method of travelling that is undoubtedly worth considering.

Furthermore, flying at times that are commonly considered as anti-social can be another effective way of saving money. While fares will, of course, vary depending on the airline, evening departures generally come in at lower costs than other peak times. Being flexible on departure times is arguably one of the best ways to ensure that your budget stretches further and you get the most out of your Mediterranean holiday.

Checking Last-Minute Offers

For many years, there has been a belief that, in order to receive the most cost-effective deal when scheduling a holiday, any booking must be made well in advance. Although this is still a plausible route to adequately budgeting for a break, it’s becoming increasingly advisable to instead search for last-minute offers as they can provide some of the cheapest deals on the market. Whether you’re looking to travel as part of a bigger group or independently, scouting the internet for last-minute deals heightens spontaneity and increases the prospect of making considerable savings.

Even now, there are still many last-minute holiday offers available that are ideal for those looking to dip their toes in the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Trips to European destinations like Spain are some of the most popular among those seeking a last-minute break. This is primarily due to the fact that Mediterranean locations experience higher peaks than long-haul destinations, which ensures that the money-saving potentials are considerably more lucrative.

From a budgeting standpoint, there are many benefits to taking advantage of last-minute holiday deals. The money that is saved across accommodation and flights, for example, can be put to one side for another break later down the line, or instead used to enjoy your holiday to the maximum by fully immersing yourself in the local culture of your chosen Mediterranean location.

Consider Package Deals

Across many money-saving elements of travel, flexibility is at its very core, especially for those working on a more limited budget. Because of that, compromise can ensure a much-needed break to a country of choice that is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea.

Following the rise of digitalisation, the number of tour operators has reached new heights, with each now battling to offer prospective travellers competitive and cost-effective prices on various holiday packages. While the initial cost of an all-inclusive package may be steeper than traditional deals at the booking stage, they are likely to, over the course of the break, result in financial savings. This is because many of the necessities, such as activities, drink, and food, are already covered.

Given that many factors are already included in the price, the total cost of a package holiday is more transparent from the offset. Crucially, this allows for more refined budgeting to take place throughout a Mediterranean break as there is less uncertainty over the cost of numerous elements, such as meals.

The overriding purpose of a holiday is to have a break from the stressful realities of life, and that’s precisely what package deals offer. Not only do they often represent better value for money, but they also help to take a lot of the stress out of budgeting and planning. Again, however, flexibility is required to save the most money through these types of deals, as there may be a slight need to compromise on accommodation, for example.

Methods of Budgeting While on Holiday in the Mediterranean

Generally, because of the free-spirited nature that surrounds the experience of going on holiday, it’s easy to get caught up in the spontaneity. In order to reduce the chances of this, creating a written holiday budget in list form can reduce the chances of unnecessary impulse spending.

While it may sound somewhat simplistic, one of the ways to budget when on holiday is to make a list of the essential items that you’ll need to buy throughout the duration of your trip. For example, if you’ve decided against an all-inclusive package, pre-plan how much food and other necessities will cost. By doing this, it ensures that the remainder of your pre-allocated budget can be spent on fun activities, evenings out, and various forms of immersive entertainment.

Additionally, due to the coastal settings that are common across the countries which border the Mediterranean Sea, there is also the possibility to save money by soaking up the sun on many of the scenic beaches. Not only is this a cost-effective way to spend your time while away, allowing for some of your budget to be spent elsewhere, but spending time at the beach also comes with a number of health benefits. Along with relieving stress, sea waves aid in relaxing both the mind and body, while the freshness of the air is thought to boost our immune systems.

Being Flexible and Browsing the Latest Last-Minute Deals Can Stretch a Budget

Ultimately, flexibility is integral to efficient budgeting both before and during any holiday. By considering alternate flying dates and times, in addition to potentially compromising on specific elements like accommodation and the distance to the coast, it’s now more than plausible to stretch a budget further than ever before on a Mediterranean break. Furthermore, pre-allocating can also ensure that there is money left over to enjoy your trip to the full, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your highly-anticipated holiday.