Beach Holidays on a Shoestring

For us Brits our yearly trip to sunnier climates is one thing we just can't do without. Heading off for a week or two in the sun not only gives us something to look forward to during the cold winter but also gives us precious time off work to spend with out family or friends. So in today's credit crunch you will be pleased to know that whatever your income, affordable holidays can be found.

Independent travel usually works out cheaper than booking a package deal. Budget airlines now travel to many European holiday destinations such as Palma in Majorca, Ibiza, Alicante in Spain and Rome in Italy. Booking you travel and hotel also allows greater flexibility with dates and the number of night you wish to stay. If a whole week is out of the question the 4 of 5 nights many be better for you or if a week is just not long enough the 8 or 9 nights can be booked. This is something that you usually can not do with package holidays. Hotels also tend to be cheaper this was and you are not paying a "middle man".

Self catering- self catering used to be a very good idea if you were on a tight budget. Cooking for yourself provided a cheaper alternative to eating out every night or booking meal in with your trip. Today though the exchange rate means that eating out has become rather expensive and the supermarkets are certainly no cheaper than at home, so you may be better off booking all inclusive of half board.

These options certainly provide value for money and mean that once you have paid for your holiday there is very little expenditure once you get there. All inclusive typically includes non alcoholic and local alcoholic drinks for most of the day and evening as well as full board meals and some snacks such as ice cream, burgers, chips and sandwiches. Some hotels even offer 24 hour all inclusive and all inclusive room service. This option really comes in to its own if you have children as there is no need to worry when they ask you for a snack or another drink as they will usually be included.

If you don't like to be in the grounds of your hotel all the time then don't worry, all inclusive packages often include picnic lunches or sandwiched which can be taken with you. All inclusive hotels also tend to have excellent entertainment and activity programs which are also included. Even non motorised water sports can be enjoyed at not extra cost.

All inclusive holidays often look a little expensive on paper but you really do need little if any spending money. It is possible to not spend a penny once you arrive at your resort which makes the holiday excellent value for money!

If you like more flexibility then half board may be a better option. Breakfast and dinner will be included with this option meaning that you can cook for yourself at lunch time or just grab a snack while you are our and about. Drinks will not be included though and even water will have to be purchased so you will need a reasonable amount of spending money. However the breakfasts served up are very good and varied and can really fill you up till dinner and the evening meals are usually very good quality too. Overall it tends to work out cheaper to go half board now than to eat out each day in an averagely priced European family restaurant.

If you do prefer to go self catering them remember that prices will have gone up recently due to the exchange rate and so eating out in particular is expensive now. The supermarkets tend to be a little more than at home but not much, so you can do a weekly shop as you would at home and make use of your self catering facilities. This option does give you the greatest flexibility as you can eat whenever you choose rather than at set restaurant times. You can also choose where to eat. Your apartment, balcony, the beach, or a sandwich at the poolside the choice is yours.

Most hotels have play parks for children which are free of charge and evening family entertainment. You may need to pay for the kids clubs but they are usually inexpensive and are great fun for the kids. Of course the pool and the beach cost nothing either and are great places to spend you days soaking up the European sunshine.