travel tips

Travelling with a Pet? These 8 Things May Save Your Sanity!

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By Cheryl Therrien 

My husband and I have always had pets. In the past, we have boarded our pets when we traveled. In recent years, we have found that we prefer to take our pets with us.

This means that in addition to planning for ourselves, we must also plan for them. We have learned a lot through trial and error. Things that should have been obvious, we learned the hard way.

In this article, I have put together some information that I hope you will find useful. Our travels involve driving and no air travel, so the following does not apply to air travel.

Pet Necessities

We try to pack light when we travel. We have a pet bag just like people with children have diaper bags. Here’s what goes inside:

  • Rugs to use as pet beds rather than bringing the usual plush cushions.
  • Silicone collapsible bowls for food and water. They are easy to clean, take up very little space and add almost no weight.
  • Pet seat belts, both for their safety and ours. They hook right into your seat belt latch, and then you attach the other end to their harness. With pet seat belts we are never concerned about them leaving the vehicle before we have their leashes on and are ready for them. It also alleviates the worry of injury if we must stop suddenly.
  • Stock on waste bags. You can never have enough of them. Even though your pet or pets are with you, they will still be stressed, which typically means more waste to collect and dispose of.
  • Reflective leashes for evening walks. Just as with runners, wearing bright reflective gear makes our pets more easily seen.
  • Medication for car sickness or agitation when riding. Your vet may give your pet travel medication, just like with humans.
  • Up-to-date documentation for pet vaccinations.
  • Identification tag on the collar. For our pets, the tag notes our last name on one side and our phone number on the other side. Should our pet(s) get lost, those who find them can always reach us.

Plan for Bathroom Breaks

When you plan for bathroom breaks, you need to be strategic. The places you plan to stop must have grassy areas for pets to do their business. Not every gas stop will have a place for your pets to relieve themselves.

If you travel along interstates or highways, many times you will find a rest area that has nothing but a place to park and lots of grass. It’s not great for us, but it works great for our pets. We do get to stretch our legs while they relieve themselves.

Do not leave your pets in a hot vehicle even for a few minutes. We know what happens to children. It’s worse for pets because they have fur coats.

Bathroom breaks are also a good time for them to be offered a drink of water. Those collapsible pet dishes come in very handy for a quick drink.

Pet Friendly Accommodation

There are many hotels that accept pets. There is usually an additional pet fee that must be paid, and they typically restrict you to two pets. The last hotel we stayed in with our pets had no carpet, and our room was on the ground floor with a grassy area right outside our door. It was perfect.

Once we know the route to our destination, it is as simple as Googling for pet friendly hotels near that location. When we make our reservations, we are certain to ask if we can have a room on the lower level with easy grass access. If you don’t ask, you cannot count on getting a suitable location.

If you use a service like AirBnB, you can filter your search for pet friendly places. Again, we have found that most will require an additional deposit and limit the number of pets.

If you are RV travelers, then you will want to scope out those RV parks where you plan to stay and check the pet regulations. Some have off-leash areas where pets can play.

Many do not allow you to erect temporary fenced-in pens as many RVers like to do. Most require you to keep your pets on a leash. I have even seen places where they want you to walk your pets outside of the RV areas.

If you are boondocking, then everything is dependent on that location: Walmart parking lot versus grassy knoll.

Bathroom Accidents

If for some reason your pet does have an accident inside your accommodation, we find that OxiClean works great for cleaning up. We always have plenty of this around at home so we take some with us just in case it is needed. We have never had to use it, but we want to be prepared.

Emergency Vet

If you plan to take your pets with you when you travel, then it will be important to know where the nearest emergency vet is located. Anything can happen. Remember to take all the necessary documentation with you.

It is not enough to show their rabies tag or provide the phone number of your vet, especially if it is after hours and your vet is probably closed. We put together a folder just for our pets with all of their documentation so we are prepared for any possible situation.

Our stress level has decreased considerably since we decided to take our dogs with us when we travel. We don’t have to worry about how they are doing, and we are all much happier to be together. With a little extra planning, we can all enjoy our vacation.

Do you travel on vacation with your pets? What things do you always pack when travelling with your pets? Please share your tips below!

Essential digital safety tips for your summer holiday

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By Virgin Media Edit

When we’re on holiday, we’re often relaxing in unfamiliar surroundings. This makes a lovely change of pace from the daily grind, but it’s also the perfect environment for losing devices – whether you accidentally drop your phone in a pool or are unlucky enough to be targeted by pickpockets in a piazza.

Hopefully, neither of those things will happen. But implementing some extra security measures before you go will help limit the damage if the worst happens. Here are some steps to consider: 

Back up your devices. Even if your phone or tablet does go walkabout, backing up means you can restore your treasured photos, messages or music collection on another device. Back-up methods vary depending on device, but are rarely tricky – a quick online search for your model of device and “how to back up” will give clear instructions.

Lock all devices, including e-books, with a password, passcode or passphrase. If your device allows it, a passphrase is harder to crack than a simple word or collection of numbers. Think of a simple run-on sentence (eg “I love Ibiza”), then throw in some special characters and different cases (eg “i L0v3Ib1£a”).

Approve all pending software updates. Yes, even those you’ve been snoozing for a month. They often include fixes to security issues, so you’ll be getting the best possible protection.

Turn off functionalities you don’t need. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and NFC should be switched off when you’re not using them, especially in public places. Leaving them on may make your device more vulnerable to hackers.

Remember, less is more. If possible, don’t pack all your devices: the fewer valuable items you have to protect and remember while you’re on holiday, the better. It also means that if something goes wrong, you’ll know you have a device at home where you can easily access all your accounts and data.

Be sensible on the socials. This is particularly important if you’re leaving lots of precious items at home (which you probably are). Holiday periods often see spikes in burglaries, because criminals know homes are sitting empty while people are away.

We’re not saying you should go off-grid, but it’s worth thinking twice before posting that you’re about to head off to the beach/mountains/coast. Consider only sharing holiday details and photos once you’re home – and avoid adding your location to posts while you’re away.

Beware public devices. Steer clear of using public computers and tablets in hotels, airports, and libraries if you can – you just don’t know who used them previously or what viruses or malicious software might be lurking on them. This is particularly important to bear in mind if you want to log into important accounts such as online banking, email or social media.

If you have to use a public device to check personal accounts, remember to log out of everything and clear the online browser history before you leave. When you next have access to a secure device, consider changing the passwords for the accounts you used in risky places. A password manager will make this process much easier.

Take care where you connect. If you sync your phone in a rental car to use features such as music or hands-free calling, be aware that the rental company (plus any subsequent drivers) may then be able to see your contacts and other synced information. That’s just one example of why it’s important to think carefully before connecting or charging your devices on holiday.

When connecting, pay attention to the warnings on your mobiles and tablets asking if you want to allow syncing of your contacts and photos. Feel free to say no!

Use the internet less. It’s safer not to connect to public Wi-Fi if you can avoid it. If you’re holidaying in Europe, it’s preferable to use mobile data, which is more secure than public Wi-Fi networks. Most mobile carriers still allow customers to use UK minutes, texts and data in the EU at no extra charge. Just check your contract before you travel.

Have fun. Remember, digital security shouldn’t make your life harder or your holiday less enjoyable. You don’t need to be paranoid and hyper-vigilant about the risks to your devices; in fact, it could spoil your trip.

But by taking these simple steps ahead of time – and paying attention to the digital devices and services you use while you’re away – you’ll be able to properly relax, safe in the knowledge that you’re as protected as possible. Have a good trip.

What went wrong with Booking.com?

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How scammers successfully targeted guests of the world’s favourite place to book a hotel.

by Trevor Baker of Which

It took less than 15 minutes to list a holiday home on Booking.com. 

We didn’t need to provide proof of who we were. And, unlike if you put your house on Expedia’s Vrbo – or on Airbnb the last time we tried – there was no request to see a driving licence or passport. This speed and convenience for owners might be part of the reason that Booking.com is now a global behemoth, not just for hotel bookings but for small holiday lets, too, with more than a billion reservations each year. 

Unfortunately, it might also be one of the reasons why so many people have been defrauded on the site. 

In the summer of 2024 we searched Booking.com reviews for the word ‘scam’ and found hundreds of people from the past few months complaining that they’d paid for accommodation that didn’t exist. As part of that investigation, we sent 52 of these ‘scam’ listings to Booking.com. It removed most of them, but told us that most weren’t real scams – just owners who had neglected to switch off availability when accommodation had closed down or was temporarily shut. 

When we checked again, in November, we found exactly the same problem – 36 properties with hundreds of negative reviews pointing out that the accommodation was a scam. Angry guests we spoke to were incredulous at the idea that these weren’t really scams. They’d paid for accommodation, didn’t get to stay, and didn’t get their money back until we intervened. The idea that they hadn’t been ‘scammed’ seemed bizarre. 

If you contact Booking.com to complain you’ve been scammed, it will chase your money but it won’t necessarily refund you itself.

We warned in 2024 that Booking.com scams were among the most dangerously convincing we’d seen

Scam listings – live for months on Booking.com

To stop scammers, Booking.com told us that it restricts new hosts before they can accept payment bookings. It’s true that we weren’t able to accept prepayment for the listing we set up; we’d need to have some bookings and reviews first. But that’s not insurmountable for a scammer. 

Hiding bad reviews 

One obvious lesson is to always read the reviews, but Booking.com even made this much harder than it needs to be. Click on a holiday let in the centre of Podgorica, Montenegro, and you’d be reassured by the 6.4 rating, which Booking.com summarises as ‘pleasant’. The first two reviews you’re shown describe it as ‘superb’ (9/10) and ‘good’ (7/10). However, you’d need sharp eyes to notice that Booking.com is showing you reviews it has inexplicably decided are the ‘most relevant’. 

Switch your settings to look at ‘newest’ and you’ll see that 10 of the last 12 reviewers are furious. They describe it as a ‘con’, a ‘scam’ and ‘a nightmare’. (The other two, suspiciously, give it 10/10.) We highlighted the problem with ‘most relevant’ reviews in August, but Booking.com figuratively shrugged and said that people can always switch to ‘most recent’ if they want to. 

However, in December, following our pressure, it emailed its users to say that it was going to change its system to give recent reviews more prominence.

Dangerously convincing scams

Booking.com has tools that make life easier for anybody who wants to set up as a host. Unfortunately, they’ve also made life easier for scammers. If you’re a fraudster who wants to set up a listing on Booking.com, you don’t even need to speak English. Its algorithm will write a listing for you in terms, it says, that are ‘proven to attract guests’. It will then accurately translate it into 25 different languages. The fact that listings – both genuine and nefarious – could be written using the same Booking.com algorithms, rather than by owners personally, makes it hard to tell the difference between a genuine listing and a scam. It’s not the only way scammers have learnt to use Booking.com’s own tools against it.

When we investigated Airbnb frauds in 2017, we felt confident telling people they’d be safe as long as they only communicated inside Airbnb’s messaging systems. That isn’t the case with Booking.com. If its hotels and hosts have been hacked, it can be very difficult to know if the message you receive is genuinely from the hotel or a scammer. 

Another problem is that some users we spoke to were sent external links through Booking.com messages. This is despite Booking.com confirming that it can block links entirely if it wants to. It only does this if it’s already seen signs of suspicious activity, but it would be better if it simply banned all external links unless it’s clear that they’re harmless.

Booking.com’s failure to block malicious links, remove ‘scam’ listings and – until recently – mandate two-factor authentication for hosts suggests a carelessness towards users’ security. And its decision to show the supposedly ‘most relevant’ reviews instead of ‘most recent’ was bizarre. Booking.com told us that if it’s alerted to issues with listings, it investigates immediately, removing them if necessary. It said it’s using new technology to identify suspicious behaviour and block malicious links. There’s also a cybersecurity hub, with advice for hosts and guests. We accept that it’s safer than it was last year. But in our view it’s been too slow to spot how easily its tools have been adapted by scammers to steal money. When things do go wrong, it’s been far too slow to refund customers. It still needs to make it much harder for its platform to be abused.

The Canary Island resorts pulling out all the stops

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Looking for a luxurious getaway to the Canary Islands? Aside from year-round sunshine, the Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa promises otherworldly landscapes and sparkling seaside activities. You’ve got plenty of stunning options! Here are 2 top picks:

At the Alua Suites Fuerteventura, find yourself just moments from the fine golden sands of the Corralejo dunes and surrounded by luxe facilities. Dine in one of four lovely restaurants and delight in a choice of six chic bars – serving your favourite summer cocktails. Alongside an impressive total of eight sparkling pools, you’ll find a wellness centre, gym and dedicated kids’ club at your disposal. Lose yourself in this Mediterranean haven, perfect for sun-seekers and families alike.

Located in the sunny La Oliva region, Corralejo is a charming former fishing village, home to cobbled streets, a quaint harbour and traditional seafood restaurants. Explore the mesmerising landscapes and towering dunes of Dunas de Corralejo Nature Reserve, just three and a half miles from the resort. Stroll the Corralejo Pier or visit the traditional markets at El Campanario, which are a ten-minute walk away. The soft sands of Vistas Lobos beach sit a mere 250 metres away, too. Fuerteventura Airport is 26 miles from the resort.

Simple and comfy one- or two-bedroom suites embody a warm minimalistic style. Modern furnishings are complemented by an earthy colour palette or soft blues. All accommodation comes complete with luxury in-room amenities and a private fully furnished balcony or terrace. You’ll find all rooms looking out across the resort’s glorious greenery, brimming with native flora. Upgrade to a My Favourite Club suite for luxe add-ons including a smart TV, a stocked welcome minibar, pillow menu and complimentary plush bathrobes and slippers. You’ll also enjoy access to an exclusive restaurant, a special area in the main buffet restaurant, as well as the My Favourite Club lounge and two pools – one with complimentary hydromassage loungers.

Experience the epitome of relaxation at AluaSoul Costa Adeje. This serene adult-only oasis beckons you to unwind at the refreshing outdoor pool, lounge on the golden sandy beaches nearby and sink into a state of bliss at the spa’s sauna and indoor pool. Don’t miss the three restaurants – one of which cooks up Canarian cuisine with a side of sunset views and visit the two on-site bars for top-tier cocktail menus. To upgrade to the ultimate getaway, cocoon yourself in My Favourite Club accommodation, which offers the VIP treatment with an exclusive My Favourite Club lounge and Rooftop Terrace with swoon-worthy ocean views.

Pinned to the south-western coast of Tenerife, AluaSoul Costa Adeje sits in the heart of a buzzing seaside resort and spoils you with Atlantic Ocean views and close proximity to fascinating sights. The postcard-pretty marina, Puerto Colon, and its glimmering cobalt waters with bobbing boats and sprouting palm trees are only half a mile away, while the coveted golden sandy beaches of Playa de Torviscas and Playa de la Pinta are just 300 metres away. If lively vibes are calling, Playa de las Americas is only four miles away and hosts a myriad of bars, tapas restaurants and plenty more sandy-beach galore. Meanwhile, Tenerife South Airport is 11 miles away.

The hotel’s aesthetic is unapologetically chic. As you enter the rooms, you are met with creamy coloured walls, which complement a muted olive-toned feature wall and coffee-coloured curtains, plus modern pine furniture. Pristine white bedding also takes centre stage and stripey hessian-hued pillows decorate the beds in a quirky boho-esque style. Meanwhile, My Favourite Club rooms honour the Insta-worthy Tenerife sunsets with a fiery orange feature wall and a terrace with cobalt blue ocean views. My Favourite Club accommodation also spoils you with exclusive access to the My Favourite Club Lounge, a reserved dining section of Terra and exclusive access to the Rooftop Terrace with Balinese beds and more ocean views.

Central America under the radar

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Central America is hardly a well-kept secret. Costa Rica is jam-packed with eco resorts, expats and sloth-scouting holidaymakers, while the beaches of Belize are littered with yogis. And then there’s Panama with its famous canal and cruises to match. Anyone who’s done a little research on travelling to Guatemala recently will no doubt have come across the same raft of travel bloggers and influencers as the rest of the world. On the other hand, there are a few countries there that still fly under most people’s travel radars.

El Salvador

El Salvador used to be solidly on the “Do Not Travel” list. However, things have begun to look pretty different in the last few years. Since he took office, President Bukele has been making drastic efforts to cut back on the violence. It’s still not exactly a beginner’s holiday, but more experienced travellers can feel confident checking out the country’s Mayan cities and volcanic hikes before the hordes catch on.

When it comes to those aforementioned ruins, there are a good few sites to choose from but if there’s only room for one ancient city in your itinerary, it should probably be Cihuatán. You’ll find quite a few companies offering combined tours of Cihuatan Archaeological Park and the distillery, usually with a stop off in the charming colonial town of Suchitoto as well. While it’s great for a couple of hours meandering through the cobblestone streets and galleries, stick around a little longer to hit the trails, your gateway to serene lakes, hidden waterfalls, and mysterious caves.

Santa Ana is the country’s highest active volcano, whose summit comes complete with epic views over the radioactive-turquoise of Laguna Ilamatepec, the less bio-hazardous-looking Lake Coatepeque, and the surrounding volcanoes.

The Santa Ana volcano climb is fairly intense, taking anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, however summits like one of San Salvador’s two peaks will take as little as 30 minutes. The trail up the higher of the capital’s twin peaks still only takes around 1.5 hrs, with the leafy canopies of El Boquerón National Park protecting you from the elements.

Honduras

Another not so well travelled country is Honduras. If it’s beach time you’re after, this is likely where you’ll want to focus all your energy. The Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean off Honduras’ northern coast, have some of the clearest waters around and are renowned for phenomenal diving. 

Roatán is the most popular holiday island there. The village of West End is a lot less busy and might make a good home base if you’d like room to breathe. 

Utila is a smaller island southwest of Roatán, with a party reputation and a huge scuba culture. You can take a water taxi to Water Cay, a tiny uninhabited island nearby. On the mainland, there are a few more spots that are well established on the tourist trail. Firstly, there are the Mayan ruins at Copán Ruinas

The rainforests of Pico Bonito National Park and the nearby Cangrejal River Valley, just inland from the coastal city of La Ceiba are ripe for adventure travel, with white water rafting, hiking trails, and wildlife aplenty. Similarly, Lago de Yojoa is a nature-lover’s paradise, this time with a bonus lake. 

Now, while Honduras isn’t super touristy overall, it’s also not the kind of place we’d recommend getting off the beaten path.

Europe’s quietest beaches

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by Gemma Askham

Arriving at the beach and discovering you have it all to yourself is one of life’s greatest joys. But it’s usually an elusive pleasure – unless you know where to look. Even in the age of social media leaving no stone untagged, it is possible to unearth secluded spots that deliver sapphire waters without a carpark tailback. From wild dunes and oil-painting coves to shallow, swimmable seas, these 5 beaches bring the goods – but few of the people.

FRENCH ATLANTIC COAST, BORDEAUX

Bordeaux and beach sound like an unlikely pairing. Which explains why a magnificent 200-mile stretch, only an hour’s drive west, remains largely forgotten even in August. The sand is Caribbean golden, with a long walk out to a slowly deepening sea, and little shelter apart from dunes. Some beaches offer facilities: Hourtin Plage channels a Byron Bay energy, with juice stalls, surf schools and camping. At others, such as Plage de la Jenny, it’s just you and nature.

OROSEI, SARDINIA, ITALY

To define ‘perfect beach’ you need only book a flight to Sardinia, where an eye-catching coastline abounds in every direction. For the quietest picks, it’s an east-west split. The eastern Gulf of Orosei is fantasy-island stuff: seemingly endless strips of amber-hued sand, such as Spiaggia Su Barone and Cala Luna, sit beside vibrant blue waters and deeply perfumed pine trees.

XEROKAMBOS, CRETE

Inside Sitia’s Unesco Geopark, the winding, thyme-scented roads around Xerokambos village lead to a spectacular coastline where untouched nature coexists with shallow, family-friendly waters. North of Xerokambos, Alatsolimni’s fine-sand beach is within walking distance of meze-serving tavernas, yet remains blissfully secluded thanks to its salt marsh.

ILHA DE TAVIRA, ALGARVE

Around 45 minutes from Faro, Ilha de Tavira is a sand spit inside the flamingo-trodden Ria Formosa Natural Park – an estuary landscape featuring spacious swathes of sandy beach and traditional fishing boats, where Portuguese Water Dogs still dive down to retrieve fish from nets

CALA PILAR, MENORCA

TikTok may have rumbled the paradisical beauty of Menorca’s Cala Mitjana and Cala Macarelleta, making towel space on their floury sands an early-bird privilege, but Cala Pilar remains blissfully under the radar. It’s in a marine reserve on the northern coast, so getting here requires some (suitably attired) footwork for the 40-minute forested hike from the carpark. Your reward is the final wow moment when the wooden boardwalk snakes down and the beach suddenly appears.

The 5 cheapest countries to travel to

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According to MoneyWeek

5. COSTA RICA

Costa Rica tops the charts for the best place to retire in 2024, according to the latest index by International Living. The destination might be among the smaller Central American countries, but it has tonnes to offer. It’s a quiet destination with access to both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, jungles to explore, and volcanos to hike.

Average daily cost: £94

Average accommodation cost per person: £48

Average daily meals cost: £20

4. HUNGARY

Budapest is a beautiful historic city with lots to offer at affordable prices. The countryside is home to picturesque villages and beautiful valleys, rivers, thermal baths and mountains to enjoy. If you’re looking for a city break, there’s plenty to do with the capital broken up into two parts to explore – Buda (the quieter side of the city filled with sights to see) and Pest (an area filled with tourists and more hustle and bustle). 

Average daily cost: £55

Average accommodation cost per person: £27

Average daily meals cost: £14

3. THAILAND

Don’t be put off by expensive flight costs. If you’re looking to travel east, the lower cost of accommodation and meals in Thailand can make up for pricey flights. The country is known for its jungle temples, tropical beaches, delicious food and bustling cities. Again, Thailand offers the best of both worlds – you can find city life and night markets in Bangkok and Phuket, but if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down, its islands are a must including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. 

Average daily cost: £67

Average accommodation cost per person: £29

Average daily meals cost: £14

2. INDONESIA

Bali regularly ranks as one of the best places to visit in the world, but with over 17,000 islands Indonesia has plenty to offer – from orangutan colonies to volcanoes to beautiful beaches, all of which you can enjoy for low prices. For a more city vibe, its capital Jakarta offers culture, museums and lively evenings. 

Average daily cost: £48

Average accommodation cost: £26

Average daily meals cost: £13

1. LAOS

This destination in southeast Asia remains the cheapest country to visit. Despite being landlocked, Laos boasts more than 4,000 islands to visit. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched, and visitors can enjoy tasty local food, jungle treks, and temple visits as well as waterfalls in the mainland.

Average daily cost: £12

Average accommodation cost: £5

Average daily meals cost: £5

One-bag packing hacks to change the way you travel

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by Jacks Flight Club

If you’ve ever tried flying anywhere on a budget, you’ve no doubt run into low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air or easyJet. With fares that are often dirt-cheap, it’s hard not to be lured in…

But when it comes to actually booking your flight, you quickly find out that these prices come with seemingly endless additional fees for things we used to take for granted. Sitting with your travel companions, having a drink (even water!), and—their top moneymaker—bringing a regular-sized cabin bag onboard can apparently be classified as true luxury these days.

That’s where so-called “one bag travel” comes in. More than just a logical way of being tight-fisted and sticking it to the man by refusing to pay up, it’s become a whole way of life with a passionate online community. In fact, many travellers prefer the one-bag life, even when they don’t have to pay extra for a checked bag

how on earth are you meant to pack for anything longer than just a couple of days using only a “personal item”?

The community of minimalist packers over on One Bag Travel has most of the answers you could possibly want.

Their example packing lists for different lengths of trip and destination are good for inspiration, but it’s the Carry-On Travel Backpacks section that is worth its weight in gold (or would be, if it weighed anything). It’s basically a comprehensive database of backpacks suitable for use on different airlines, including dimensions, capacity, user reviews and links straight to Amazon.

Rummaging around the site, I also spotted an ‘ Ultimate Guide to Packing for Carry-On Only Travel’. There are lots of handy pointers there to get you thinking practically before you pack, especially when it comes to being selective about the clothes you bring. That said, I personally draw the line at the suggestion of only bringing one pair of underwear!

Check out these budget items from Temu

The single supplement—the bane of every solo traveller’s budget!

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For anyone who isn’t familiar, it’s a charge that anyone travelling alone may have come up against when booking hotels or cruises in particular—especially if the room you book is designed for multiple occupancy. To make up potential losses from one less person in a room, guests have traditionally been expected to pay extra on top of the standard rate.

These days, hotels tend to be priced by the room regardless of how many people are occupying it. On top of that, it’s much more common to find single-occupancy rooms at lower prices. The same goes for cruises, with cabins designed for solo seafarers commonplace on newer ships.

When it comes to booking tour packages, there are also quite a few operators that won’t charge you double for going it alone. In fact, there are now so many companies that specialise in running tours for solo travellers that we would likely be here all day if we tried to list them.

That said, getting a private room is not a given if you join a solo tour. As anyone who’s ever booked a hotel will know, the cost of a single-occupancy room is rarely half that of a double. Many operators keep costs down by pairing you up to share a twin room with another traveller, unless you choose to pay a little extra for a private room.

Here are our top recommendations for tour operators that won’t charge you a hefty single supplement, if at all:

  • Intrepid Travel – More than half of travellers taking an Intrepid tour are going it alone, so you can decide whether to buddy up and share a room or pay a “small extra charge”. Trips range from exploring the streets of Budapest and Transylvanian castles to a gruelling trek to Everest Base Camp, and they run tours catering to various demographics and budgets.
  • G Adventures – Another one that receive rave reviews for their solo trips. They also work with the “modest additional fee” approach to private rooms for anyone who wants their own space. Around 40% of their guests are solo travellers, with ages anywhere from 20s-60+. They also offer tours for all kinds of travel styles, be it 18-35, wellness or a spot of luxury.
  • Flash Pack – Specialising in solo travel for those in their 30s-40s, 98% of Flashpackers join trips alone. They focus on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so you can generally expect these trips to be a bit fancier and more expensive than other companies. They’re big into the social aspect of their tours, and take great care to pair travellers with a roommate they’ll mesh well with. Once again, single rooms are available upon request for an extra fee.
  • Jules Verne – Unlike the rest of the pack, JV negotiate special “No Single Supplement” dates on over half their group tours, where single travellers can actually get a room to themselves for no additional cost. They also run solo-only tours, so you can be sure you won’t be surrounded by couples or groups of friends who already know each other.
  • One Traveller – These trips cater exclusively to the mature solo traveller, with most travellers in their 50s-70s. All their trips prices are based on single-occupancy rooms with ensuite facilities, so you won’t have to worry about sharing at all. They’re based in the UK, but offer trips all over the world.

It is also worth checking out: https://solotravelerworld.com/solo-travel-deals/

Planning a holiday? Watch out for these scams

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It’s the time of year when we might be planning our summer vacation and looking to treat ourselves to a well deserved camping trip/seaside adventure/tropical getaway. So, let’s take a look at common holiday scams and top tips to protect your money this summer.

Holiday booking scams

Looking for the perfect getaway? Then searching online seems like the ideal place to start. But first things first – is the website you’re looking at what you think it is?

Criminals will set up fake websites offering deals that are ‘too good to miss’ so you need to do some research to make sure that you’re not sending a fraudster on the trip of a lifetime.

  • Check the URL. Is someone trying to impersonate a legitimate company? Make sure the company name is spelt correctly and check the domain; retail sites rarely use .org for example
  • Make sure you have a secure connection. Check the address starts with https:// and ensure the padlock symbol is shown next to the URL
  • Look out for spelling/grammatical errors or links on the page that don’t work. Genuine companies will make sure there are no silly mistakes on their sites!
  • Don’t click on links sent to you by unsolicited emails. This is a big red flag.
  • Check reviews. Sites such as Tripadvisor or Trustpilot will tell you if people have had a good experience with a company. Watch out for fake reviews though; if multiple comments were posted at the same time or have similar content, this could indicate they’re not real
  • Thinking of a package holiday? Make sure it’s ATOL protected. This means that if the company collapses, you’ll get support and financial help. Find information on how to check if your holiday is protected on the ATOL website

Fraudsters will also use social media to advertise non-existent flights and holidays. Just because a social media profile or post has lots of followers and positive comments, it doesn’t mean it’s legitimate, so it’s of utmost importance to thoroughly research any companies advertising deals on Facebook, Instagram or other sites. Look for the company’s website using the above tips and never send money by bank transfer to a company you’ve not investigated.

Accommodation booking scams

There are numerous legitimate websites that list properties available for holidaymakers to rent. Scammers may post fake listings on sites like this, so make sure you follow the guidelines on the company’s website. Sites like Airbnb will often direct you to their own payment platform, so use this to take advantage of the protections they have in place.

Holiday cancellation refund scams

In the unfortunate event that your holiday or flight gets cancelled by the provider, be cautious of anyone approaching you offering to help you with obtaining a refund. Make sure you deal directly with the company you booked with originally as criminals may contact you in the hopes of getting hold of your personal details.

When you’re abroad

So you’ve finally made it to your dream destination… but criminals never rest! Continue to protect your money by ensuring you:

  • Don’t let your card out of your sight, especially in bars and restaurants
  • Never give out your PIN, even if someone tells you they’re the police
  • Cover your PIN when making any purchases or withdrawing cash
  • Make sure transaction notifications are turned on in the app. If you don’t recognise any payments, lock your card straight away
  • Keep your bank phone number handy and let them know as soon as possible if your card or phone is lost or stolen.