Summer is now officially upon us, this is the season of beautiful sunny weather, long warm evenings and vacations at home and abroad. On average, people now take three holidays a year, with the age group taking the most holidays being those between 25 and 34 years old and those with young families.
There are many reasons to go on a trip, whether it’s exploring a new place on a city break with friends or relaxing at the beach on a romantic coastal getaway. Holidays give us a chance to reset and take a short break from day-to-day life.
While it is possible to book a break and go away anytime of the year, summer remains the most popular season and there are a number of reasons why:
Benefits of choosing to holiday during the summer months
The sunny weather
One of the most obvious benefits for travelling in summer is the gorgeous weather, in many parts of the world summer is when temperatures rise and the chance of rain decreases. This is particularly important to those who enjoy participating in outdoor activities without disruption on their holidays.
If you are into watersports, hiking or cycling then the summer months offer more certain weather for enjoying these pursuits.
More to see and do
Summer is considered to be the tourist season, particularly in Europe. This is when hotels and entertainment providers expect there to be more people visiting, therefore they hire more seasonal workers and plan more events.
If visiting outside of the summer months, you may find many of the bars and shops in coastal towns closed and hotels open with reduced facilities and fewer entertainment options.
What is the cheapest summer month to go away?
Inevitably, going away in the summer is going to be more expensive than other seasons as holiday prices are linked to consumer demand. However, with the right planning and making use of deals and offers you can try to keep costs down.
For the best prices during summer break, you will usually need to avoid travelling in July and August entirely. These months are school holiday times for many in Europe.
Instead, May, June and September are your best bet. During these months the weather should still be reasonably warmer, and you are likely to face fewer crowds at popular tourist attractions.
These months are popular with couples, retired people and families that don’t have school aged children.
Different holiday options to change up your usual holiday
All-inclusive hotel breaks are by far the most popular type of summer holiday, however when doing this year-on-year you can sometimes feel as though you are missing out on new adventures.
Luckily, there are many other holiday options where you can still experience the glorious sunshine and visit somewhere new, but avoid the usual hotel stay.
Whether you are planning a last-minute break for this summer or thinking ahead to next year, here are just some other types of holidays and accommodation options to consider:
Yacht Charter
Chartering a yacht or catamaran has never been easier, with online marketplaces like Borrowaboat.com booking a yacht or boat to stay on is a simpler and more affordable process than you might think.
You can charter vessels in many countries across the world. You can sail around the islands of Greece or Italy, relax off the southern coast of France or experience the beautiful natural sights in Croatia.
There’s no better way to explore France than sailing around it’s Southern Coast.
If planning to go further afield, you can also arrange sailing breaks in places such as Thailand, the Caribbean and the British Virgin Islands. You do not even need sailing experience as it is often possible to hire a Skipper and crew as well.
Chartering a yacht gives you the opportunity to explore different islands and spend time out on the water.
In the daytime you can visit in-land tourist hotspots or enjoy scuba diving from your boat. At night, you can return to your vessel for a restful sleep on the ocean waves.
Cruise
While perhaps not the best option for those who experience seasickness, cruises are the optimal to travel between countries and enjoy an entertaining break. Cruise ships have everything you could possibly need, from a choice of restaurants and cabaret shows to pools, waterslides and spa facilities.
When the cruise ship stops off at a location, you are free to go out for a day and explore the tourist hotspots before returning to the ship to sail on to the next destination. If you are looking for a longer break and have a good budget to arrange a holiday, a cruise can be a luxurious and fun option.
Staycation
Perhaps you travel abroad every summer to enjoy a break in a warmer climate. However, by doing this you are missing out on all the wonderful things that there are to see and do in your home country.
Why not do some research and find out where all of the interesting cultural and historical sites are and plan to visit them all during the summer months?
Camping
Lastly, camping can give you more freedom to choose where you want to go and can help to keep costs down. This option allows you to explore more of nature and take a break from modern comforts such as televisions, internet and phones and enjoy uninterrupted time with family and friends.