The type of holidaymaker you (and your travel companions) are can have a big impact on the kind of getaways you’ll enjoy. If you’re the type to pore over endless reviews, book everything in advance and use a spreadsheet to tick off every detail, you’ll have a very different experience to the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of traveller, who prefers to just grab their passport and see where it takes them, carry-on in hand.
Or perhaps you’re more the flexible type, who likes to plan a few things in advance, but leaves space for spontaneous fun? Or maybe you’re the one who breathes a sigh of relief as your super organised friend hands out colour-coded itineraries at the airport?
We gathered together some of the holiday heroes that bring getaways to life to find out how they do it – and to discover some of the clever ways Barclays can help your holiday go even further, whichever group you belong to.
The chief holiday officer
‘I create a visual itinerary for every trip,’ says Sian Downes, 36
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Over the years, I’ve organised girls’ trips, multigenerational family holidays and surprise getaways. As the founder of an events company, I’m a natural organiser. I enjoy finding bargains, and I don’t mind taking on the planning. In fact, I love it.
I wasn’t always like this, but after a few holidays where nothing was planned and we had a terrible time, I realised it’s better to know exactly what you’ll be doing in advance. There’s nothing worse than traipsing around looking for a restaurant when you’re hungry, and when you’re busy with work and family, you want to maximise your holiday time. Being organised is the best way to do that.
My holiday organisation can get a bit extreme, but it’s always worth it – I love looking things up on maps and working out the most affordable way to get around. I generally pay for as much as possible in advance, from accommodation to drinks packages, and put everything on my Barclaycard Rewards card* so I can take advantage of rewards such as cashback, then ask people to pay me back.
I’ll also draw up an illustrated itinerary, so everyone can see our plans at a glance. The first time I presented my husband with one, he didn’t know what to make of it. He’d never seen a holiday itinerary before, but I think it makes a trip special, and it’s a great souvenir, too. I certainly won’t be hanging up my chief holiday officer mantle any time soon!
*Representative 28.9% APR variable. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply.
The holiday free spirit
‘I use word of mouth to guide our getaways,’ says Jessica Shaw, 49
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When I was growing up, my mum liked to choose a country, book a place to stay, then see where it would take us. We once went on a package holiday to Egypt, but she still chose to take public transport to the pyramids!
That approach has definitely rubbed off on me. When I go on holiday, I like to let things unfold naturally – I don’t pre-book excursions or restaurants. Luckily, my partner is incredibly laid-back, and all the friends I’ve travelled with have the same spontaneous outlook. Perhaps that’s because my travel style reflects my approach to life in general – my creative training business is all about embracing the power of play, and that naturally seeps into other areas of my life.
It’s certainly led to some memorable moments. During a recent holiday to Greece, we were asked if we wanted to join a snorkelling trip. If we’d had plans, we would have had to say no – but instead, we had the most incredible day swimming in clear blue waters.
The secret to keeping holidays adventurous is to be prepared for any eventuality. I have annual multi-trip insurance, and make sure I take enough money to cover any emergencies. You should also be ready to chat to locals and fellow travellers and ask for their recommendations. I’ve discovered some beautiful places that way, from hidden waterfalls to beaches surrounded by snow-capped mountains. When you exchange stories of your adventures, you never know what you might discover.
The holiday harmoniser
‘I take a 50-50 approach to holiday planning,’ says Furrah Syed, 57
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I love travelling – with my friends, my husband, or alone – but as time is limited during each trip, I want the best of both worlds, planning some things but also embracing unexpected adventures. I’ll do my research beforehand, and will book tickets in advance if an attraction is very popular. I learned that the hard way, after a visit to Rome – as an artist and educator with a focus on colour, I was desperate to see the Sistine Chapel, but it was impossible as I hadn’t booked.
One of the things I always book is a walking tour. Getting a local’s perspective uncovers places you won’t find online. It also helps you to spot the restaurants filled with locals, which is always a good sign. Another tip is to travel by road wherever possible, as it takes you through so many different landscapes and allows you to see people’s day-to-day lives. You don’t get that on a plane.
When I’m budgeting for my holiday, I always keep some money aside for spontaneous adventures – the last thing I want is to come home regretting not being able to do something unexpected. I’d say my approach overall is 50% planned and 50% go-with-the-flow, and that works really well for me.
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