By Sarah Bridge
11/7/2024
Let’s make 2024 the year of travel! You don't need me to tell you why most of us are more in need of a holiday than ever before. Research shows that even the slightest break from the work treadmill can be hugely beneficial, avoiding burnout, giving you a fresh perspective on life and opening your mind to new opportunities – who hasn’t returned from a holiday without a new zest for life and full of new ideas?
Travel has so many benefits that it’s a shame not to make the most of opportunities when we can, but it doesn’t have to be all about splashing the cash for those once-in-a-lifetime trips. Some of the best cheap holidays 2024 has to offer can be found right here at Savoo!
Don’t know where to start? Here’s a round-up of seven amazing holiday ideas and how to do them cheaper, to make 2024 the year where travel really made a difference.
Contents:
- Discover your local area
- Group travel and solo travel
- Family-friendly holidays
- City breaks
- Adventure holidays
- Learn a new skill
- Volunteering home and abroad
1. Discover your local area
Short breaks, mini-breaks, staycations or nights away: whatever you want to call them, sometimes just travelling just a short distance away can open up a whole new world of experiences to explore, and means that you return fully-refreshed without having to cope with airport queues or jet lag.
Make travel fun again by exploring somewhere totally new – but staying local. It’s amazing what you can discover just a short drive or train ride away (check out Trainline.com for easy connections). Staying overnight and embracing your inner tourist means you can have a really refreshing break without the hassle of overseas travel, as well as enjoying some of the many cheap holidays the UK has to offer. Hotel chains such as Travelodge and Macdonald Hotels have some great destinations for overnight stays, and can be a fab affordable option for those on a budget.
Or why not check out the boutique hotels and B&B on Secret Escapes, while Rural Retreats has more than 720 self-catering holiday cottages around the UK.
Have a look at our article on the top UK seaside staycations for more ideas. Once you've settled on a location, have a look at our rankings for the best affordable cities and towns in the UK to get inspired for your excursion.
2. Group travel & solo travel
Avoid travel hassles and make new friends with Omega Breaks, National Holidays or JustGo coach holidays which will take you everywhere from London theatre breaks to the Northern Lights. And don’t let the lack of a partner to travel with hold you back. Singles holiday deals for solo travellers – whether you’re single, can’t co-ordinate diaries with your partner or just want to do different things – are extremely popular and means you’ll get to meet some interesting people as well as discover some memorable locations. Companies such as do single-specific holiday companies such as FlashPack or Solo Holidays.
A must for single travellers are TUI deals on their Solo Breaks & Holidays. Save up to £200 on your solo travel plans when you spend £800, and make your travel plans even more budget-friendly thanks to TUI's last-minute holiday deals.
If you’re travelling alone and aged between 18-35 years old, check out breaks by Contiki: specialists in affordable travel experiences for young people.
3. Family-friendly holidays
Family-friendly holidays don’t get much easier than with Eurocamp or Canvas Holidays which have parks all across Europe. Stay in lodges, caravans or tents and enjoy its epic waterslides, kids clubs, entertainment and sporting activities. Getting there is easy, either by ferry with P&O Ferries or choose a flight with websites such as Skyscanner, Net Flights or Budgetair. If you’re looking for sun, sea and sand, then check out the all-inclusive and package holidays with Jet2 Holidays or Club Med or try somewhere new with Balkan Holidays, tour operator for Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Romania.
Of course, we all know all-inclusive holidays are a must when it comes to feeding and entertaining a large group for less; particularly those which require a low deposit. Check out our previous article on the most affordable all-inclusive destinations which include Gran Canaria, Spain, multiple destinations in Turkey, and a number of the Greek Islands.
You should also stay on the look out for family travel discounts designed to make your getaway kinder on the budget. Some recent deals listed on Savoo have included £150 off single parents travelling with children (TUI), £100 off single parents and £50 off children on bookings over £800 (easyJet Holidays), family holidays starting at £280pp (First Choice), and £60 off select single parent holidays (Jet2 Holidays).
4. City breaks
With cheap European flights still available, a European city break is a great budget option for those who want to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Check out combined hotel and flight options which could be your solution to planning cheap city breaks in 2024, or make the most of travel websites such as Lastminute.com, Booking.com and Tripadvisor to compare prices, read reviews and offer free cancellation if plans change. Hotel chains such as Apex Hotels, Citizen M provide excellent value options while Roomzzz offers self-catering aparthotels for greater independence.
You can book attractions, tours, museums and activities in 30 cities with GoCity or really discover a destination with GetYourGuide or if you’re in London, visit LW Theatres for tickets to the top musicals and West End shows. EatingEurope runs an excellent range of food tours which are informative, entertaining and a great way to get to know the history and geography of many European cities including Amsterdam, Lisbon, Florence, Prague and Berlin.
Holidays don’t have to be just about relaxing on a sun lounger or hitting the pool bar, but can broaden the mind and give you a renewed sense of well-being. Volunteering breaks, active holidays or educational retreats have soared in popularity in recent years, meaning your body and mind can both try something new and enjoy a real break from ‘real’ life.
5. Adventure holidays with a touch of luxury
Make 2024 the year you try something completely different with unique holiday stays both in the UK and abroad. How about sailing around the Turkish coast in a traditional wooden sailing yacht with luxury sailing company SCIC Sailing? (pronounced ‘chic’). Or indulge your love for Tokaj sweet wine with a wine tour of Hungary with wine specialist SmoothRed? Or explore the most remote parts of our planet with Norwegian adventure cruise line Hurtigruten which has epic trips to both the Antarctic and Arctic, including Svalbard, Jan Mayen Islands, the Falklands and South Georgia.
6. Learn a new skill
Skyros Holidays has been welcoming guests to its stunning Greek island retreat for 43 years, with guests coming back year after year for its mixture of relaxing, mindfulness and learning new skills. Each week throughout the summer, Skyros offers different courses on everything from yoga and improvisational comedy to dancing, writing, paddle-boarding, art and singing. Closer to home, Skyros has a base in the Isle of Wight which offers similarly life-changing classes.
Alternatively, try Warner Leisure with its 15 adult-only hotels across the UK with activities such as Nordic walking, bowls, dancing, falconry and rifle shooting. These are wonderful options for adults looking for a break during the Easter Half Term and Summer Holidays that aren’t affected by school break price surges!
7. Volunteering home and abroad
Have a break with a purpose by signing up for a volunteering holiday. Not only is this a great way to get to know the community and culture of a new locale, but you’ll often be able to trade your labour for free food or more affordable lodging.
Travel experts Trailfinders has a range of volunteer holidays ranging from a fortnight to several months. WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunties on Organic Farms) has been going for 50 years and offers people the chance to work on farms in the UK and around the world in exchange for food, lodging and a unique experience.
Once booked why not have a read of our holiday wardrobe tips by fashion expert Alexandra Fullerton to make the most of that suitcase space?