Saving Money on Your European Odyssey

Aug. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- With the British summer proving a predictable let down there is still time to head to sunnier pastures. Thankfully you don't have to travel so far, there are many locations nearby on short haul flights, offering some glimpses of sunshine, without having to spend an arm and a leg.

The pound is no longer so puny, offering you slightly more Euros for your British sterling. There are also many great ways to save on holiday costs.

Here are some tips for cutting costs on your sojourn to the continent:

Visit cheaper countries
A study by the British Post Office revealed Portugal to be the cheapest country for such travel  products as sun cream and beach equipment, also revealing itself to be very reasonable for family meals. Other cheap destinations are Spain and Bulgaria, while Croatia came in at fourth place.

Cost of Petrol
If you plan on driving a lot visiting a country with cheap fuel costs will certainly help in cutting down your expenses. Spain tends to be the cheapest country for petrol due to its low tax rate and you can currently get a litre of petrol for about 94p. For fuel Norway tends to be the priciest with a litre coming in at about £1.45.

Cheap transportation by train
Italy is Europe's country of the train. With extensive rail lines and very reasonable fairs, if you wish for a destination where you can travel from city to city with fast efficient transport, Italy is the destination for you.

Car Rentals, go for Diesel
If you are renting a car it generally pays to ask for a diesel. In many countries you can knock up £5 of your daily car rental and generally speaking it is much cheaper to buy diesel than unleaded fuel.

Rent a House or Apartment
All over Europe vacation rentals have really caught off. This will allow you plenty of Space to stretch your legs, plus a kitchen allowing you to offset the costs of eating out all the time. Spain may be the best country for holiday rentals, Spanish villas have long since been a holiday staple, making it a competitive market with much to offer.

Admissions Cards
If you are planning on hitting a number of museums on your trip abroad, many cities offer discount cards that will allow you in for cheaper prices. Check out the local tourist information centre to see what's available. Many of these cards expire after a few days making them perfect if you wish to see a number of museums in a small amount of time.

Have your main meal at Lunch
In almost all restaurants, lunch is a much cheaper option. Many eateries offer a three course meal, with wine and coffee included for a set price which is usually under ten Euros.

Prepare a budget
It will help to prepare a budget before you travel, allocate a certain amount to food, fuel and drink.

Vacation rentals from around the world, direct from the owner at http://www.vacationrentalpeople.com.

Try some of the beautiful Spanish villas available at VacationRentalPeople.com: http://www.vacationrentalpeople.com/vacation-rentals.aspx...