| For many people, their preferred method of booking a | | | | familiar-looking shops and fast food chains, the |
| holiday, whether abroad or in Britain, is to wait until the | | | | frequent traveller can occasionally become jaded. |
| summer and then book a last minute holiday, either | | | | Choosing a last minute holiday gives you an element of |
| online or through a travel agent. This has several | | | | uncertainty and excitement. Have you ever wondered |
| benefits, which allows you to benefit from last minute | | | | what the south of France is like? Well, you're flying out |
| discounts, but on the other hand, the available choice is | | | | in 48 hours, so better start reading up! |
| often limited, so you may have to settle for a different | | | | Booking a last minute holiday is easy. The best place |
| destination. However, provided you're prepared to be a | | | | to do this is online - the ease and convenience takes |
| little flexible, booking a last minute holiday can often be | | | | all the stress and hassle out of what can be a tricky |
| cheaper than reserving many months ahead. You may | | | | decision. There are any number of websites out there |
| have to visit Jersey instead of Normandy, or take the | | | | dedicated to finding you last minute deals on flights, |
| sun in Morocco rather than that hotel in Jamaica you | | | | hotels, or fully integrated holiday packages. Some cater |
| had your eye on, but you will be saving money. | | | | for single travellers and couples; others specialise in |
| Let's take a look at an example of how you might | | | | family deals at suitable resorts and locations. You can |
| book a last minute holiday. Having decided that you're | | | | use last minute holiday websites to book a short break |
| going to try and get away in springtime for some | | | | in the Highlands or Jersey, or organise a two-week |
| sunshine abroad, you can wait until the week before | | | | holiday in the Canary Islands. Alternatively, you can |
| you're planning to travel and then get onto the Internet | | | | simply get a last-minute flight to Italy or Germany and |
| or visit a local travel agent. The travel agent may not | | | | make your own way from there. |
| be able to offer you anything in Jamaica, as you'd | | | | So long as you don't turn up in a tourist hotspot in the |
| hoped, but they do have a deal on flights to Morocco, | | | | middle of the high season expecting to find a room in |
| which means you can holiday there for far less than | | | | the first hotel you visit, you should find there's plenty of |
| you'd have expected. | | | | excitement in choosing your destination at the last |
| Ordinarily, you'd want to book well in advance to get | | | | minute. You can also book a last minute holiday by |
| the best deal, but by leaving it so late, you take | | | | going to a travel agent - certain companies will |
| advantage of cancellations and spare capacity. Airlines | | | | advertise late deals and can organise a getaway for |
| and hotels have a choice of leaving seats and rooms | | | | you in just minutes. |
| empty, or offering them to customers at hugely | | | | Just as certain people actively seek out a last minute |
| discounted rates. They will normally plump for the latter. | | | | holiday for the thrill and uncertainty of visiting a new |
| They are able to reduce their losses, and you get a | | | | place at short notice, so it should be noted that a last |
| great deal. | | | | minute holiday is not necessarily for everyone. If you're |
| Of course, we don't always book a last minute holiday | | | | the sort of person that likes everything planned well in |
| through choice. Sometimes we're not sure in advance | | | | advance, or requires a certain type of accommodation, |
| exactly when we're going to be free to travel, perhaps | | | | then a late booking may not be for you. Similarly, if you |
| because of work or family commitments. The same | | | | have your heart set on a particular destination, you |
| benefits apply, though; by waiting until just before your | | | | should be aware that choice is necessarily limited the |
| date of travel, you reduce your options, but open up | | | | later you book. Most of us wouldn't mind if instead of |
| excellent deals on late flights and hotels, which wouldn't | | | | Jamaica we had to make do with Morocco - but you |
| otherwise be open to you. | | | | may feel differently. If so, perhaps you might prefer to |
| However, it's not just the financial benefits that attract | | | | be booked well in advance. |
| many people to booking a last minute holiday rather | | | | Whatever your personal preference, there's no doubt |
| than planning ahead. Some people positively enjoy the | | | | that there are great benefits in booking a last minute |
| uncertainty of not knowing where they are going to be | | | | holiday. In just a few minutes, you could be on your |
| spending the weekend. Modern travel is not always as | | | | way to... well, who knows? |
| exciting as it might be; from the hassle of flying to the | | | | |