Traveling can be expensive, especially when exotic destinations are among the dream destinations. But an unforgettable trip does not always have to be associated with high costs. Without much effort, a few tips can be taken to heart that make a cost-effective trip possible. A trip that, despite the lower budget, does not have to be any less memorable.

1. Booking and travel time

The classics for saving budget are the right time to book or travel. After all, flight and hotel costs are considered a fluctuating matter, depending on aspects that are partly opaque, but also partly predictable. The high season is typically more expensive than the low season for destinations. Anti-cyclical booking of hotels and flights, away from the tourist peak, is therefore a reliable method of saving money. It doesn’t have to be a completely different season, many prices fall just a few weeks outside the high season. At the same time, traveling in the off-season – depending on the destination – can offer completely new and unexpectedly beautiful holiday experiences. But this is only the beginning: Because not only in the high season, but also on weekends, many flights are more expensive. So if you have no problem flying on Tuesday or Thursday, you can expect budgetary advantages. Coupon codes, discounts and coupons also allow percentage savings opportunities.

2. Stay in Germany or Europe

Not every trip has to lead to the breathtaking landscapes of Canada, Australia or Japan. A sunny holiday experience is not only possible in the Caribbean, but also on the Mediterranean. And when a warm summer in Germany is announced, Lake Constance or the North Sea also have their charm to show. If you are planning with a tight budget, you should consider destinations in Europe, perhaps even in Germany. After all, there are also many insider tips and exotic destinations in Europe that make an unforgettable holiday experience possible. At the same time, it can make sense to stay flexible with the selected destination. If the dream destination is just too expensive, a neighboring country may be able to offer a similar yet cheaper charm. On the Adriatic Sea, for example, lies not only Italy, but also beautiful Croatia with its coastal landscapes worth visiting. The dream goal can often be realized even later. Maybe even the Caribbean.

3. Local transport instead of rental cars

There is not good local transport everywhere. But if you book your holiday destination wisely in a city or conurbation that is well connected by local transport, you can do without a cost-intensive rental car, which not only takes up rental costs, but also fuel costs. Although hotels in and around a city are not necessarily cheaper than in the countryside, if you book wisely in the vicinity of metropolitan areas, you can combine historical sightseeing with a visit to the beach and evening events, depending on the city, without ever having to get into a rental car or taxi. A cheap local transport ticket in a well-connected metropolitan area is a good way to save hundreds of euros on your trip.

4. Nature and sightseeing instead of expensive events

Concerts and events are unique experiences, but usually require expensive tickets. But not everything costs money. Hikes through nature, an afternoon on the beach or the sight of famous architecture are sometimes associated with little or no cost. Especially the natural and cultural scenery of a destination is usually the most beautiful places to visit on vacation. In many cases, without the necessary admission ticket.

5. Cook for yourself instead of daily restaurant visits

Restaurants in the vicinity of popular destinations are usually expensive, and not always the best way to enjoy regional specialties per se. Many travel destinations have markets with fresh and regional delicacies. A tour to the local specialty market is a highlight in itself in many cases. Cooking together also allows for moments that weld together. If you shop this way and cook together, you can save the budget for more expensive restaurants. After all, a home-cooked and freshly cooked menu has the potential to be one of the most beautiful memories of a trip. It is not necessary to give up the restaurant every evening. But cook together two or three times – and you can save a lot of budget. And already a new and much more personal insight into the specialties of the travel destination is gained. If you still don’t want to miss out on restaurants, you can alternatively rely on cheaper drinks from the supermarket instead of those from the hotel’s minibar.

Annual leave is the most important time for many people. During this time, no destination is too far away and exotic destinations are always firmly in sight. If you want to travel abroad, you have to be optimally cared for on the road. There are a number of factors that need to be considered abroad. Because in other parts of the world, many things work very differently and you would do well to take a little precaution just in case.

Where do you want to go?

That is a weighty question. Quite a few take the opportunity and choose exotic and distant destinations . Many a dream holiday takes place in distant lands, but of course the home country also has some very beautiful regions to offer. The further away from home the holiday takes place, the more precautions must be taken. Only those who are also perfectly cared for abroad can really enjoy their holiday. Abroad offers not only beautiful sights and cultural highlights. Often everything is a little different here and everyone has to take that into account. It starts with small things and ends with the important things that should not be ignored when planning your trip. The following sections should therefore take a closer look at the most important points and provide a kind of guide for the perfect dream holiday.

Health insurance and vaccinations are very important

An accident can quickly happen abroad and even there no one is immune to an illness. That’s why it’s all the more important that health insurance is also valid abroad. International health insurance is mandatory and enables optimal health care in the event of an emergency. To prevent this from occurring at all, a whole range of vaccinations are recommended. These are sometimes even mandatory in the countries and those who do not have proof of vaccination cannot enter the country at all. In Germany, the RKI regularly issues recommendations for travel vaccinations. In addition, the Federal Foreign Office can provide more detailed information and clarify the topic from a legal perspective. Nothing is more annoying than when the journey has to be interrupted due to inadequate vaccination certificates. That’s why prevention is absolutely necessary here in order to be able to enjoy the dream holiday.

Organize your luggage properly and don’t take anything forbidden with you

Almost everyone knows the rule about Bibles in North Korea. Anyone who introduces such a book on a trip to the country will certainly not spend a nice vacation, but rather end up in a local penal camp. But even seemingly harmless products can have serious consequences. Of course, the bans are not limited to North Korea. Many of the products and utensils allowed here are simply not allowed to be imported in other countries, or are subject to a high customs duty. These include, for example, the CBD products popular in this country in all variants, or other medicines. Here, information before the start of the journey is vital in the truest sense of the word. The Federal Foreign Office is a useful partner here and provides travellers with all the important information about permitted and prohibited items. The embassies of the respective country in Germany can also be used to obtain information and are willing to provide information in this regard.

Cleaning the laundry: often forgotten, but always up-to-date

Nobody wants to bring dirty clothes back from vacation. But sometimes the hotel’s cleaning service is just too expensive, or there’s no washing machine on site. This is where good old hand washing helps. In the past, this was the standard, but in the course of technological development, this art was increasingly forgotten. It should never be forgotten that hand washing can be easily done anywhere. All you need is a little water, soap or washing powder and strong hands. Almost everyone has them and even if the laundry may not be 100 percent clean, it is definitely more pleasant to transport. Many forget about hand washing and think that a washing machine is automatically available abroad. But this is not the case in practice!

Enjoying your dream vacation is of course the most important thing!

The planning is complete and all preparations are complete? Then you can start right away! After proper preparation, nothing stands in the way of the holiday of dreams and it should be as pleasant as desired. Good provision is half the holiday and always saves a lot of trouble. It starts with health insurance and ends with something as mundane as washing powder. By the way, this is often not allowed to be carried on the plane, but a bar of curd soap can always be taken along. Alternatively, of course, a normal body soap can be used, or simply a little washing powder can be obtained on site. It is important that everyone feels a little at home on holiday. Because without this feeling, the most beautiful holiday is only half as pleasant. That’s the way man is! He wants to wander far away, but the best place to do it is within his own four walls.

Conclusion: Good preparation is indispensable

Within the European Union, holidaymakers have it comparatively easy and can insist on the rights of EU citizens. The situation is different, however, if distant countries are the destination. Especially in countries of the so-called Third World, the conditions are often quite different, although tourist areas have a high degree of civilization. Nevertheless, everyone should take a little precaution and obtain the necessary information during the planning phase. The Federal Foreign Office and the embassy of the respective country are always good contact addresses and enable very uncomplicated and up-to-date information procurement. The first stay abroad is always a bit complicated to prepare, but once you get used to the processes and specifications, the rest comes all by itself. The effort is worth it in any case and is indispensable. There is a lot to do from washing powder, foreign accident and health insurance, as well as the necessary vaccinations. But once the first step has been taken, the rest is easy and everyone can spend the vacation of their dreams in the country of their dreams. Relaxation and fun are guaranteed!

Hotels are rated with stars in the international area, with 5 stars corresponding to the luxury class. “Far too expensive,” say some, “that’s standard,” others know. There are situations in life where you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best. This is especially true for dream vacations, because there is a considerable difference between 3 and 5 stars. Here are the best reasons why it can be luxury on holiday.

What 5 stars really mean

An Iberostar 5-star holiday sounds good, but what does the classification actually mean? We all know that 5 stars is the highest achievable class, but what amenities does that bring? Contrary to popular belief, the star rating has nothing to do with the cleanliness of the rooms, which should always be the case with a 2-star hotel. Instead, they are features of the hotel that vary depending on the star class.

5 stars at the reception – this is the luxury holidaymakers can expect

Already at the reception in the 5-star hotel, holidaymakers notice the difference. Staff is available at the reception around the clock, so late check-in is standard. In order to guarantee a smooth process, the staff at the reception are at least bilingual, but mostly multilingual. For the convenience of check-in, several bellhops are available, and the wagon master ensures that the car of the arrivals ends up in the parking lot.

If you are exhausted after the strenuous journey, you can sit down directly on one of the seats in the reception hall and take advantage of the beverage service. Of course, a smile is automatically put on the face of the holidaymakers, because the 5-star service also includes a personal welcome.

In the room – that little bit of luxury for relaxation

When the travelers finally arrive in their room, the luxury continues. Room service can be used around the clock to serve drinks and food. Of course, there is a minibar in the room, which is replenished again and again. Valuables are provided by a safe, which is mandatory in the 5-star hotel.

Don’t feel like crumpled clothes out of your suitcase? No problem, because the ironing service is also one of the requirements for a 5-star hotel. During the shoe shine service, a shiny pair of shoes can then be provided.

5-star hotels are regularly scrutinized by anonymous test persons to ensure that the service actually lives up to its promises. In terms of facilities, such a luxury hotel must be at the top, even to a 4-star hotel there are still differences. Flowers in the room, toiletries and a small gift for newcomers are standard.

Conclusion: It can also be luxury

No doubt, the cost of a 5-star hotel is higher than that of a 2-star campsite. Nevertheless, the hotels are almost always fully booked, because the guests appreciate the service. It is not the price itself that is decisive, but the price-performance ratio. The higher costs for the night in a luxury hotel are compensated for by the services. Dirty rooms or lack of comfort? Holidaymakers don’t want to deal with such annoyances. And that’s why it can be a little “relaxation and luxury” at a very special time of the year.