The new year brings new resolutions and the chance to plan my travel and loyalty goals.
31.12.2024 - 14:09 / lonelyplanet.com
Dec 30, 2024 • 10 min read
We’re all feeling the squeeze of the cost of living crisis, and that extends to travel. Holidays to much-loved destinations like Greece and Spain are now 15-20% pricier than they were before 2020, and the cost of accommodation and dining in popular hotspots isn’t doing us any favors either. The silver lining? Things are beginning to stabilize, and with a bit of savvy planning, you can still soak up the beauty of Europe without sacrificing the joy of your trip.
Flexibility is key. Flying mid-week and opting for the “shoulder seasons” (May to June or September to October) can help you save on flights and avoid the peak crowds. Likewise, skipping third-party booking platforms and going directly to hotels can sometimes nab you a better deal, as can using a credit card without transaction fees. Once you’re on the ground, there are plenty of small adjustments you can make to offset those rising costs without feeling like you’re pinching pennies every step of the way.
To help you get the most out of your holiday without blowing the budget, we’ve tapped into local insights from colleagues in destinations including Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal. They’ve shared tips and tricks to help you travel smarter, so you can focus on what matters most: having a great time.
Laura Hall is a travel writer and journalist based in Copenhagen, Denmark
If you plan to travel by train, book on DSB, the national rail website, and look out for the limited, heavily discounted Orange tickets that offer reduced prices outside of rush hour. The tickets get released two months ahead of travel, so be sure to book in advance to score them.
There are still a handful of free museums in Copenhagen - The David Collection, which shows Islamic art, European 18th-century art and Danish early modern art – is one of them.
For a fun way to explore Denmark's cities from the water, book ahead and grab a Green Kayak for free. All you have to do is gather some litter while you explore. The kayaks are available in locations including Copenhagen, Aalborg, Aarhus and Odense.
The country's open-air floating harbor swimming pools are free and in use all year round. Just pack a swimsuit and a towel. They're a great place to meet local people and make friends. Some cities also have floating saunas you can rent by the hour, too. You'll find one in every Danish city.
Looking for a cheap lunch? Ask for a boller med ost, a cheese roll. Every bakery serves them, though they might not be visible on the menu, and there's even a healthy competition between bakeries about which serves the best version. A fun Instagram account seeks out the best and rates them.
Julien Marsault is a reporter, writer and photographer from Rennes, France
When it
The new year brings new resolutions and the chance to plan my travel and loyalty goals.
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