Visit Europe!

Being a student in the UK can be more difficult than people realise. After all, with mounting student debt, all those essays and exams, and the issue of finding a graduate job afterwards, your life can get somewhat emotionally and financially stressful. However, one of the main luxuries afforded to students – a luxury that is rarely available again in life until retirement – is the benefit of long holidays. If you’re a student, it’s important to take advantage of your holidays and take the opportunity to travel while you can.

It’s all too easy to spend those long summer holidays at home, working during the day and catching up with old friends and family at night. However, if you spend the first half of your holiday working solidly and saving up your hard-earned cash, the best reward possible will be to spend the second half of your vacation travelling abroad – and the number of opportunities available to you are endless. For instance, you could take a six week backpacking holiday in India, China or South East Asia to discover some of the world’s most exotic and historic locations.

Alternatively, take some time out to travel around the United States. While taking a holiday in the USA is guaranteed to strain your finances more than a holiday in a developing country might, there are various ways you can save money. For example, if you choose to travel by coach during your American summer vacation, you could save a lot of money and limit your carbon footprints by not taking a flight. A coach journey from New York to Chicago might seem like a long and daunting prospect, but you’ll also be able to see much more of the country than you’d otherwise be able to.

Even if you feel you can’t afford to take such long haul trips, rest assured you’ll still be able to travel. Flights and trains to Europe can be expensive, if you don’t book early enough, but many coach providers provide services to the continent for much cheaper fares. This way, you’ll be able to get to Paris, Berlin or any other top destination in Europe conveniently and easily, while giving yourself the luxury of being able to survey the European countryside while you travel.

Or why not take the coach to one of many top destinations in the UK for a weekend trip that won’t break the bank. For instance, if you’re at university in Leeds and you’re planning to visit a friend in Cornwall, you’ll be able to take the coach to the sunny south-east with no problem at all. Or, opt for overnight coach travel from London to Edinburgh on a Friday night; you’ll arrive in Scotland’s stunning capital bright and early on Saturday morning, ready for a top-class weekend before having to return to your classes on Monday morning. Moreover, many UK coach travel providers offer student or young person’s discounts.

So, wherever you’re planning to travel to, rest assured that coach travel is likely to be your cheapest option. Just don’t forget to put those long holidays to good use while they last!

If you’re going on holiday this year then there may be a temptation to skimp on cheap travel insurance in a bid to cut corners and save money. With the worsening economic situation, it is understandable that travellers want to make cutbacks and not shell out on unnecessary extras.

Cheap travel insurance is one thing you cannot afford to skimp on however, especially with as many as one in three Brits claiming on their travel insurance after going on holiday. If you are prepared to shop around then there are some excellent deals to be found and quality cover on the cheap. Travel insurance is needed on most holidays abroad, but for these three holidays it is absolutely essential:

Prague, Czech Republic

Tourism to Eastern Europe has been growing in popularity steadily for a while now but the Czech Republic has probably got more of a boost in tourism than other surrounding countries. The capital Prague offers some stunning gothic architecture at the Prague castle which includes the St Vitus Cathedral.

Unfortunately, the darker side of Prague is notorious for petty crime, particularly pick-pocketing. Cheap travel insurance is an essential for a holiday in the Czech Republic but in Prague in particular, in case your wallet is stolen. Holidaymakers are also advised to take travellers’ cheques with them instead of large sums of money.

Colorado, USA

If you’re worried about the depreciating value of the pound against the euro but can’t give up on the adrenaline rush of skiing, then Colorado is about as good as it gets. Your cheap travel insurance is well warranted here though, as is a crash helmet.

The Crested Butte resort was voted one of the most dangerous mountains in the US, and with extreme runs such as Body Bag it’s not difficult to see why. For extreme winter sports like skiing and snowboarding cheap travel insurance is a pre-requisite.

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is the back-packers country of choice and for those travellers on a budget provides an excellent snapshot of Asia. Bangkok is an unusual blend of simple elegance and awe-inspiring extravagance. The Grand Palace is about as opulent a marvel as you will ever see but it’s set against a backdrop of vendors selling succulent street food.

Thailand also dominates the travel insurance claims in the UK: from illness, to injury, to missing luggage or traffic accidents. Bangkok itself is responsible for some of the most numerous and varied travel claims on the planet, making cheap travel insurance a necessity for travellers visiting the Thai capital.