Now that my children are older and their care is split it is easier for me to get out and go travelling, and I’m loving it! It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and never managed before, but in the last two months alone I’ve been to Amsterdam, Naples and Prague and am keen to keep it up in 2022.
The only downside is of course the cost; as previously mentioned we are going through airmiles at a rate of knots and soon it just won’t be viable anymore to jet off for a weekend. This is why I’ve started looking at ways that I can make the city breaks a little cheaper, and maybe even bring in a bit more cash to finance my new obsession!
Making city breaks cheaper
Obviously the easiest way to make city breaks cheaper is to go out of season and look for bargain vacation rentals, which is why we hit Prague the weekend before the Christmas markets opened. Although I’d like to see them, I’m not sure the crowds would have been fun and the hotels were so much cheaper just a few days before hand.
Airmiles have helped us massively; my partner travels a lot for work and has saved them up and now that COVID restrictions have loosened, we are getting a chance to use them. Not everyone has this luxury, but being savvy and flexible with flight times and locations can massively affect the cost of your break.
Airport parking is another big cost that people forget to take account of; it can cost another £100 for a few days if you forget to book in advance. Sometimes special offers are available, so it’s good to sign up to newsletters etc. Public transport options are often much cheaper and it is worth seeing what is available if your flights are during the day. Failing that, offering friends cash for a lift has worked for me in the past!
Another way to make city breaks a little less of a strain on the pocket is to look at different options for accommodation.
Hotels can be expensive, but there are alternatives that can work out slightly cheaper such as an airbnb managed by GuestReady, where you can stay in someone’s property while they are not there. These offer a nicer experience as you have free range of a whole flat or house rather than just one hotel room. This makes it a good option for people travelling with friends or as a family.
GuestReady manage properties in Porto and Lisbon as well as Paris, which are all places I’m very keen to visit. You can book directly on the website and be confident that the property is going to be well looked after and clean, and ready for your stay.
GuestReady also offer airbnb management services, so you can rent out your own property while you’re travelling, even if it’s only on an occasional basis.
What does ‘airbnb property management’ mean?
GuestReady take a fee from the guest’s payment, and in return they will do everything, from setting up the listing for your property with professionally taken photographs, to managing the check in and check out process so you don’t have to get involved, which is great if you happen to be on the other side of the world!
They ensure that their properties are cleaned between guests, and will do basic property maintenance while you’re away. They’ll even add little touches like fresh hotel-quality linens and toiletries to give your guests a little luxury and ensure they will come back again.
In the UK they currently offer airbnb management services in London. I don’t have a property in London (chance would be a fine thing!) but my friend owns a wonderful two bedroom flat in a private gated property which I have stayed in often. She spends her life travelling for work, often for long periods.
Putting in her details to the site I found that she could earn £2,970 per month, +/- 20% for between to 60 and 300 days per year, by letting out her property while she’s away – although then I guess it wouldn’t be empty for me to stay in, so maybe I won’t suggest it!
I can’t wait for my next city break, and to share it with you!
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