heading abroad this summer have been urged to stop booking week-long and 14-day stays. When it comes to getting the best deal on breaks to countries including , Portugal, Italy and Greece, holidaymakers should think outside the box, argues Karen Williams, travel expert at Eurocamp. The holiday pro has a whole host of tips ideal for people looking to keep their costs down, including being as flexible as possible with the length of your trip.
"There are lots of holiday providers which don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates," she said. "Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices. Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings.
" She also said it could be cheaper to book less traditional stays, and opt away from fortnights, seven days or ten days. That way, you could fashion yourself a niche - and make some serious savings on your flights as well as shaving off money from hotel bills. Karen offered a similar bit of advice for when it comes to when is best to travel.
"Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down," she advised. "For those travelling with children, look for the latter weeks of the school holidays running up to .
