Summer is almost here! Is your mind turning to getting away for a holiday? Use the hacks below to make choosing, booking and preparing your break easy.

Capsule wardrobe

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That’s right; a capsule wardrobe is one of the best holiday hacks out there. A capsule wardrobe is a set of clothes and accessories that all match with each other, creating lots of different looks from only a few items. Check out this guide for some more information. Capsule wardrobes are great for travelling for many reasons. The first is that they save space, reducing the baggage allowance you will need.  Secondly, it is highly likely that the place you are travelling to has weather quite unlike the place that you live in for the rest of the year. That means you will have to buy climate appropriate clothing. Using a capsule wardrobe can help you reduce the cost of this.

Book online

Does anybody go to the travel agents office anymore? I’d make a guess that most people at least research their holiday destination online, if not book it that way too. Booking online has so many advantages. Comparing different offers online can save you time and money. One of the most important benefits of online booking is that you can read the honest reviews of others that have stayed at your resort or hotel. For example, how do you know which of the resorts in Zanzibar is the best? Of course, you’d take a peek online. Then read some info from people that had stayed there, compare the prices and what’s included and then make your booking. Services such as these make it so much easier to choose your resort and hotel and trust your booking. Many booking providers also have real-time availability and secure online payments.

Mobile phone provider

We use our electronic devices a lot, and being without them for over seven days can be a bit of a shock to the system. So before heading off into the sunset, it is worth checking out your mobile phone provider rules on using your devices abroad. The worst thing to arrive home to after a fantastic holiday is massive phone bill!  For a list of other things to think about before you depart, check out my post here..

Change your currency before you go

You are going to need some currency, even if you are going on an all inclusive trip, for things like tipping the waiter and paying for taxis. It’s also a good idea to have a little cash on you for emergency situations. So, the best idea is to change some money before you get to your destination. Why? Well, airport and hotel bureau de change don’t offer the best rates. The best rates can often be found by either online providers or institutions such as the post office  in the UK.

Other options include travellers cheques and holiday only debit cards. Travellers cheques are great because they can be easily refunded if lost or stolen. Holiday only debit cards can be prepaid before your trip, and allow you to use electronic payments as you would in your own country. This is great because many places have card machines now. You can also check and top up your balance online during your stay, so it’s easy to keep an eye on your finances.