Exclusive 10% off Bookings

 Exclusive 10% off Bookings

If you're looking for a Great Britain Getaway this October/November that combines history, architecture, fun, beauty and intrigue then it sounds like you need a dose of Edinburgh. With 10% savings to be had on Edinburgh accommodation with our Hotels.com deal, all that's left to think about is which bobbly hat to pack.

With hotel prices starting at £89 and our Hotels.com discount code, a trip to Edinburgh is not as expensive as you may think. If that doesn't persuade you, perhaps our round up of highlights will...

For those bright and brisk Autumnal days, a ramble around the Royal Botanic Gardens is an absolute must. You can always dash into one of the hothouses if it gets a little chilly. Points of interest include the T'ing and Chinese Hillside. 

You can't come to Edinburgh without a gander at the Castle but before you start Googling entrance fees, consider a tour instead. In the spirit of Halloween, an after dark tour is the perfect way to learn a bit of history and get thoroughly spooked at the same time. You won't forget it. Try Mercat Walking Tours or City of the Dead Tours.

If you're planning ahead, New Year's Eve in Edinburgh is something you really should experience at least once. Less hectic than fireworks in London but equally as epic, Edinburgh Hogmanay is arugably the world's best New Year Party. It's four incredible days of exciting cultural highlights and celebratory events drawing crowds from all over the world. Have a few Scotch's and wrap up warm! 

Grassmarkets is nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town and offers visitors one of the most picturesque and vibrant areas of the city. Grassmarkets is the cultural hub of Edinburgh with a range of independent retailers, oustanding restaurants and quirky pubs steeped in history, traditional ale and music. 

If you're looking for fine dining, Edinburgh won't disappoint. There are four Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. In Leith we have Restaurant Martin Wishart and Kitchin, more centrally there is Castle Terrace Restaurantand in The Balmoral Hotel, Number One offers diners the wonderful expertise of Jeff Bland. 

If you suspect you might have a Scottish heritage then definitely visit the Edinburgh Old Town Weaving Co. Here you can find out your clan history and buy your very own Tartan. 

Another Scottish tradition equally as important is knowing your malts from your blends. Enthusiasts should embark on a history tour of the national tipple and learn what it is that makes Scottish malts so darn good. 

Tempted? Visit our Hotels.com discount code page for a great deal....

Photo by iStockphoto

Half Term Get Aways

Half Term Get Aways

School may only just have started but the rush is on for half term get aways. Travel experts are predicting a sell-out October half term as one travel site reports a 23% increase in searches compared to 2011.

If you're thinking of a autumn get away top of the list for autumn sun is the Canary Islands, though searches to the luxe end of the market (Dubai) are up by 96%. That said Tenerife followed by Lanzarote, Majorca, Gran Canaria and Red Sea resorts look to be where most families will be  heading. City break searches are also up with New York scoring highly at 66%, and European favourites Lisbon, Barcelona and Rome also featuring. 

Fancy sticking closer to home and doing something more kid friendly well you can't go wrong with  Butlins who have a range of half term breaks across their resorts with lots of spooky goings for kids for Halloween with pumpkin making, arts and crafts, and trick or treat trails. Not to mention waterparks, funfairs and numerous shows for adults and kids. Prices start from just £36pp. There's also the chance to stay at Butlin's new Wave Hotel in Bognor Regis (above) with some pretty cool family apartments and family rooms available. We're loving the fact that for a hotel there’s a separate children’s room in each family room featuring bunks each with their own built-in TV!

If camping/glamping is more of your thing check out Go Glamping which has a range of half term holidays on offer from bell tents on the Isle of Wight to Camping Pods in Cornwall. Prices start from £99.00 for a 3 or 4 night short break.

For working parents who can't get time off and/or older children who want a parent free break  (kids aged 7 to 17 years) brilliant activity holiday specialistsPGL have some great offers on half term 7 night, 4 night multi activity breaks starting from £189.00. Activities include abseiling, kayaking, mountain biking, trampolining, zip wires and many more.

So what will you be doing this half term? Let us know.

Penny's Picks: Winter Sun

Penny's Picks: Winter Sun

If you feel like jetting away from the dreary British weather, there are some excellent winter sun deals to be found this month. As long as you’re prepared to invest a little time in your search, you should be able to make some real savings.

First of all, have a think about likely destinations. Read up on locations using travel guides and blogs, and check average weather conditions for the times you hope to visit using guidebooks or sites such as Weather2Travel. It’s good if you can be flexible about countries you’d like to visit, so you have a wider choice.

Package Deal?

Next, have a think about whether you’d prefer a package holiday, or a holiday you put together yourself by booking flights and hotels separately. It’s often cheaper to go DIY for shorter breaks in less-common locations, but you tend to find the biggest bargains among the late availability package deals.

Always check the small print, and when buying a package deal make sure you know whether airport transfers and meals are included, and what the hotel arrangements are going to be. Some packages allocate you a hotel on arrival, so at least get some idea of what the hotel’s minimum star rating will be, and decide whether that’s acceptable to you.

To save the most money on a package deal, it pays to shop around: there could be several agents offering the same holiday, and prices may vary for the same thing. Places to start include TeletextHolidays and TravelSearch.

You could try your hand at haggling too, or look for voucher codes and special offers. Travel sites like easyJet Holidays and lowcostholidays.com often have great voucher codes and discounts available on package bookings.

Joining the mailing lists of various agents is another handy way to keep bang up to date with the latest offers.

Flight Only Bookings 

When looking for flights be flexible about times and days, and don’t assume that budget airlines will automatically give you the best deal. Be especially careful to read the small print to avoid hidden costs such as booking fees, check-in fees, overpriced refreshments and taxes. Since many airlines charge a small fortune for suitcases and excess baggage, stick to hand luggage only if possible.

Check online travel sites like On the Beach and Opodo as they offer low cost flights and great last minute deals all year round. Keep your eyes peeled for special winter flight sales or cheap upgrades deals that are definitely worth checking out before you book. Comparison sites like Skyscanner and Fly.comcan be helpful too.

Hotel Only Bookings 

For helpful overviews, visit comparison websites such as Trivago andEasyToBook. If you have a specific hotel in mind, visit their website or phone them as this regularly gives you the greatest savings. It’s also worth checking whether breakfast is included in the price of any deal, since buying it separately at the hotel is often costly.

If you want luxury-for-less, voucher codes are a great place to start, with lots of online travel agents offering discounts on bookings. Other deals to look out for are room upgrades and flash sales at Expedia and Hotels.com.

Wherever possible, cross-check your hotel booking with an independent hotel review site such as TripAdvisor to find out if it’s as good as it looks, and whether standards have recently fallen or improved.

Budget Rent a Car: 20% off Advanced Bookings

Budget Rent a Car: 20% off Advanced Bookings

Though a holiday is a great time to kick back and relax, it's also a great time for adventure. Bus tours are OK, but there's nothing like hiring a car and creating your own. With 20% off advanced bookings at Budget Rent a Car, driving to where memories are made won't have to cost the bank.

Organised tours are all well and good, but there's nothing like getting out there on your own. With great prices available at Budget Rent a Car and 20% off from ourvoucher codes page, forging your own way around a holiday destination won't cost as much as you think. Check out our recommendations for self-made adventures below.

New Zealand is a beautiful country to drive around. With room for 5 people and plenty of space for luggage a Ford F150 is ideal for taking in the sights of the glorious North Island. Visit the quietly stunning beach at Piha, take in the Auckland skyline from Davenport and breathe in the sulphurous smells of Rotorua (it's beautiful as well - but don't say we didn't warn you about the smell). They also drive on the same side of the road as the UK - winning!

Alberta, Canada is an awesome place to create your own adventure, and memories you'll treasure forever. Between December and March, there's the chance to see the stunning Northern Lights, and you can take in some truly sensational scenery all year round. The Toyota Prado 4x4 is just the vehicle for a trip to Alberta.

If you're keen to stay a little closer to home, the South of France is a really lovely part of the world. Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles, top up your tan in St Tropez and mingle with the rich and beautiful in Monaco. Small and nippy, the Renault Twingo is ideal for whipping round on the continent. 

So where will you be driving off into the sunset? Wherever you visit, don't forget that making your own adventures is much more fun than sitting on a bus tour. Visit our Budget Rent a Car voucher codes page to see what's on offer now!