Do you find yourself longing for a holiday but dreading the thought of breaking the bank on expensive accommodation and dining out every night?
Look no further than self catering holidays! Not only are they budget-friendly, but they offer countless benefits for travelers seeking flexibility, comfort, and autonomy.
From cooking your own meals to enjoying more space and privacy, discover why you should consider self catering holidays for your next getaway.
Benefits of a Self Catering Holiday
If you have never gone on a self catering holiday before, then you might have gleaned from the title what that actually entails. But, before you book yourself on one of these holidays – it is essential that you know the great benefits they offer. If you need more convincing!
You can save money
When you book a hotel room, you are often paying for extras that you may not use, such as the hotel restaurant and bar. With a self catering holiday, you only pay for what you need.
You have more control over your holiday
With a hotel, you have to deal completely with the hotel staff. If they don’t like something, they can make your holiday a misery.
You can be more flexible with your accommodation.
With a self catering holiday, you can stay in apartments, villas, log cabins, or even rent a whole house! There is a lot more variety which can mean that each time you book away you can try something new.
You can experience local culture more easily
Staying in a hotel means that you are usually staying in an area that is geared toward tourists. With a self catering holiday, you can stay in a residential area and experience everyday life in the country or region that you are visiting.
Flexibility in Meal Planning
Self catering holidays offer a great deal of flexibility when it comes to meal planning. With no set mealtimes or menus, you can eat whenever and whatever you like.
Cooking for yourself also allows you to cater to specific dietary needs and preferences.
Instead of being fed what the hotel/other accommodation has to offer, you can choose the food you want to eat.
Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or have any other food intolerance/allergies, you can properly attend to them without having to tell places ahead of time.
Self catering is also classed as cheaper than the alternative of eating out on holiday. Even if you splurge on some nice ingredients for your home-cooked meals, it’s still likely to be less expensive than dining out regularly.
It also gives you the option of trying local delicacies rather than only eating what the hotel has to offer. You can find some great food deals at local markets instead of going to restaurants. Meaning that you get to save your money for other things you want to do.
Variety of Accommodations
As we mentioned before, there are a wide variety of accommodations available for self catering holidays. Each option has its own unique benefits that make it ideal for different types of travelers.
For example, apartments are typically more affordable than other options and offer easy access to amenities like pools and gyms.
Villas offer more space and privacy, while cottages provide a cozy home away from home feeling. Camping sites are great for those who want to be close to nature.
Tips for Planning a Self Catering Holiday
1. Decide on your budget. This is probably the most important step. There’s no point in booking a luxury villa if you can’t afford the associated costs.
2. Choose your destination carefully. Not all locations are suitable for self catering holidays – make sure there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby in case you need anything.
3. Book early. Self catering accommodation can get booked up quickly, especially during peak season. If you leave it until the last minute, you may not be able to get the property or dates that you want.
4. Consider your group size. If you’re traveling with a large group, make sure the property you’re considering has enough beds and amenities to accommodate everyone comfortably.
5. Think about what kind of activities you want to do while on holiday. If you’re looking for a relaxing break, then a rural location with plenty of walks might be ideal.
However, if you want to be able to go out and explore different towns and cities, then somewhere more centrally located would be better suited to your needs.
Conclusion
It is pretty obvious why self catering holidays are becoming popular. The amount of positives about what they offer is very appealing to many people.
The flexibility of self catering holidays means that everyone in the group can enjoy a truly unique experience – whether it is exploring local attractions or just relaxing by the poolside. With all this taken into consideration, why not give self catering holidays a try?
