So what is worth knowing before booking a trip?
Last-minute offers are not always the cheapest
As stated by Inga Aukštuolytė, head of public relations and marketing at Lithuania’s largest travel organizer “Tez Tour,” one of the most popular myths is that the best prices can be found at the last minute.
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Practice shows that it depends on the travel period and destination. When traveling during school holidays, holidays, or summer months, the most popular hotels are often booked well in advance. In such cases, waiting for last-minute prices may not be as attractive as expected, and the selection is much smaller or there may be no availability at all.
This is also confirmed by travelers’ habits. The latest surveys show that more than half of travelers plan their holidays not at the last minute: 26% purchase their trip 2-3 months before departure, and another 25% – 3-6 months before.
“Our experience shows that those travelers who plan their holidays in advance usually benefit the most. Early booking not only provides a wider choice of hotels and rooms but also more opportunities to choose exactly the trip that best meets expectations. This is especially relevant for the most popular destinations and highly rated hotels, where places are first reserved by travelers who plan ahead,” says I. Aukštuolytė to the 15min portal.
It’s worth vacationing not only in summer
Although survey data shows that as many as 40% of people prefer to vacation in summer, experienced travelers know that it is especially worth traveling during the so-called “low season,” the off-peak season.
At the end of spring or in autumn months, Turkey, Greece, Italy, or the coasts of Spain enjoy summer-like weather, the sea is pleasantly warm, and there are fewer people in resorts. This allows for a more peaceful holiday and often a better price-quality ratio.
Sometimes it is more important to choose the right region rather than the country
When choosing a trip, people often say “I want to go to Turkey” or “I want to go to Greece,” but different regions of the same country can offer a completely different experience.
For example, in Turkey, Bodrum and Antalya have different atmospheres, and in Greece, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, or the Peloponnese each have their own character.
Equally distinct differences are revealed in Italy: the Emilia-Romagna region attracts with lively seaside resorts and the Italian lifestyle, Tuscany enchants with cultural heritage and unique landscapes, Sardinia is famous for its stunning beaches and blue waters, and Calabria allows discovering a quieter, less touristy southern Italy.
Therefore, before choosing a country, it is worth thinking about what kind of rest is expected – active or peaceful, exploratory or focused on relaxation by the sea.
Winter can be one of the best times to travel
For Lithuanians longing for sun and warmth, winter can be a good opportunity to change the environment, even if only for a short time. Egypt, Madeira, or Tenerife allow exchanging gray days for sunny beaches and pleasant climate. And for those who want to experience the magic of winter, the Austrian Alps with snowy mountains and ski slopes are an excellent choice.
Winter allows choosing between two completely different holiday formats – sun and beaches or active rest in the mountains.
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The number of hotel stars does not tell everything
Many travelers still compare hotels only by the number of stars. However, hotels of the same category can differ greatly.
Experienced travelers pay more attention to the hotel’s location, room interiors, the range of entertainment and services offered, variety of dining options, and reviews from other guests. These criteria often determine the overall quality of the stay more than the official category.
The best trip is not necessarily the most expensive
“Remember – the greatest satisfaction often comes not from the most expensive offers, but from those that best meet the traveler’s expectations. For a family with children, the most important may be a sandy beach and good infrastructure, for a couple – a quiet environment and a quality hotel, and for active travelers – a convenient location for exploring the country,” says the “Tez Tour” representative.
Therefore, when choosing a holiday, the most important thing is not maximum luxury, but how the chosen destination and hotel meet individual needs. When planning a holiday, it is worth being guided not by myths or short-term trends, but by your needs and travel goals.
15min subscription – a chance to win not only trips
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Additionally, exclusively for 15min subscribers, you get all the content from Žmonės.lt, as well as the opportunity to watch more than 1000 films on the “ŽMONĖS Cinema” platform.
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The prize can be used however the heart desires
The winner of the 10,000 euro “Tez Tour” prize will have the opportunity to use it in various ways – at any time most convenient for them and not necessarily all at once. They can travel alone or with company, or, for example, decide to gift the entire amount to someone.
The trip can be chosen from the entire colorful “Tez Tour” catalog – whether it is sightseeing routes, exotic experiences, or the opportunity to relax peacefully in luxury resorts in the farthest corners of the planet. The winner will also decide whether to choose one big trip for the entire 10,000 euro amount or prefer several smaller adventures.
I received the prize – 10,000 euros for trips: scenarios of what can be traveled and experienced for that amount
“This prize opens up very wide possibilities. The winner is given the freedom to choose how to realize their dream trip vision. It can be an opportunity to go on a long-planned trip, visit dreamed-of destinations, share impressions with family and loved ones. We believe that the best investment is in experiences that give impressions, emotions, and memories that last a lifetime,” says I. Aukštuolytė.
