Mini breaks – or long weekends – are a great way to experience a destination without using too much of your precious holiday allowance. But if you only have about three days to take it all in, there’s a knack to making the most of it.
So whether you’re considering a last-minute escape or heading out on a meticulously planned weekend getaway, make sure you’re prepped to see – and do – as much as you can. Here are our essential tips to maximising your mini break.
1. Optimise your travel
Mini breaks might be, well, mini, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot out of them. So whether you have two, three or four days available, planning your flights strategically is key. Aim for a flight that lands late the day before the holiday starts, or early on the first day. The departure times filter in Skyscanner’s flight search allows you to see these options easily, displaying landings and departures within certain time brackets. You can also filter the return flight results to land as late as you’re comfortable with, ensuring you get a good day (or even half a day) to tick off those last-minute activities before you leave.
2. Pick the fastest route
There are multiple ways to get to a destination – direct flights, stop overs, airport switches. But when it comes to mini breaks, speed is key. Find the fastest flights to your chosen holiday spot by filtering the results via journey times, so you can see which flights will get you there the fastest. The speediest options will jump to the top of the page, making it easy to pick the most efficient option for you.
3. Find an airport near you
As soon as we’re off the plane, it’s time to get into holiday gear straight away. Pick a destination airport that’s as near as possible to your chosen accommodation. Most major European cities have multiple airports, so chances are you’ll be able to disembark somewhere convenient for travelling on to your holiday pad. Do the research before you book, then use the airport filter when searching to see which flights work best.
4. Be flexible on destinations
Unless you have a specific location in mind, keeping your options open is a great way to keep your mini break at the right price point. Select the ‘explore everywhere’ option in the destination box when using Skyscanner flight search to see a whole host of tempting destinations alongside their lowest flights fares. Select the drop down arrows to see which cities you can fly into, as well as various accommodation suggestions.
5. Be smart with your holiday allowance
Holiday days are precious, so it’s important to save as many as you can by utilising bank holidays where possible. Look up where the public holidays fall this year, then search for flights either side of those dates. Make sure to try various date combinations to maximise your options. For example, if it’s a bank holiday Monday, search outbound flights for Friday night, Saturday morning and even Thursday night (with returns on the Monday evening) as prices may vary. Take a look at our ‘how to maximise your annual leave’ article for more tips on getting the most out of your hard-earned holiday days.
6. Use loyalty points to save money
If you’re a member of any travel loyalty schemes (such the British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors or Emirates Skywards) chances are you’re sitting on some valuable points just waiting to be used. Log in and check your balance to find out which airlines or hotels you can redeem them against – as well as how far they might take you. Most points cover multiple airlines and a plethora of accommodation types, so you could cut your costs significantly, or even bag the trip for free, by using them.
7. Travel light: pack hand luggage only
For some of us, heading on holiday with only hand luggage is a big ask, but packing light is worth it. Without sizeable suitcases, there’s no need to queue to check in bags, or wait around at baggage reclaim after landing – it’s as simple as walking off the plane and heading out on holiday. Check your airline’s baggage restrictions so you’re not caught out at the airport, then pack smart. Check out our guide to packing to make sure you’re taking everything you need in the least possible space, then enjoy that speedy airport experience.
8. So, where to?
Europe is a goldmine when it comes to culturally rich, gastronomically diverse and architecturally elegant destinations. But the best bit? A lot of them are less than a three-hour flight from the UK. With so many great places to chose from, the options can be overwhelming. Here are a few places to start.
- Italy’s floating jewel, Venice, experiences a comparatively low level of footfall in the spring, making it the perfect time to marvel at its architectural wonders, saunter along the winding canal paths and soak up St Mark’s Square’s ambience
- Prague, with its many museums, riveting history and picture perfect skyline, is a vibrant city suited to a couples retreat, family break or solo escape
- Alternatively, if your idea of a holiday is to kick back and do absolutely nothing, the Algarve has balmy year-round temperatures, scenic coastlines and attractive accommodations making it a fantastic mini break destination
Ready to go?
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