If you are like me and usually leave the packing and organising till the last minute you can be sure something will be forgotten or misplaced. This is usually something quite useful such as sunglasses or sandals for the beach. You may even forget to buy travel money.

If you take time to look at all the holiday insurance deals at the moment you can save loads on travelling as an individual, or with a family. You can even get annual insurance at a better rate than for a one-off holiday - remember to check if there are any destination restrictions or if you are likely to be participating in any extreme activities. You can also get cheap travel money before you fly.

If you pack your things early you can ensure you meet all the weight limits for your luggage plus you may remember other items you may wish to take. Making a list also helps. These days it certainly pays to plan ahead.

If you do a search on flight comparison sites at the moment there are a number of top European destinations which you can fly to for under £50 including taxes. One of these is the Latvian capital city of Riga.

There are also a number of affordable youth hostel options to save on your accommodation costs. The city boasts an assortment of cheap hostels allowing you to concentrate the bulk of your holiday money on what you will do when you get there.

As if Riga doesn’t sound appealing enough already, once you get there you will find a thriving nightlife, plenty of restaurants plus activities such as skiing, AK47 shooting, go karting and much, much more.

This blog title post may seem a little bizarre at first glance, but if you consider that most of the scenery shot during the filming of Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy was taken predominantly on the South Island of New Zealand it seems a little more reasonable.

The South Island is the bigger of the two main islands that make up New Zealand, and yet it is not as densely populated. This allows for miles and miles of the most breathtaking scenery on earth. Due to the fact the country is influenced by a temperate climate, this was the location of choice for the setting of Middle Earth.

You can now travel this beautiful island by hiring an affordable campervan and move around the island at your own pace.

It was always the popular notion that going away for a short break in Europe was instantly more affordable than a long-haul flight to Egypt or Dubai, however research published by Hayes and Jarvis has now suggested otherwise.

The commercial director of the luxury tour operator, Niel Alobaidi has explained that many discounts can be found at many luxury hotels situated in exotic locations. He said:

“2010 could also be the year when a long-haul holiday can finally prove cheaper than a European trip.

“We are currently selling holidays for spring and early summer where couples can get away to a high-quality resort for a little over £1,000 for two, which obviously helps to explain the boom in luxury long-haul trips.”

There is no other place on earth that captivates peoples’ imaginations quite like Las Vegas. The city in the middle of the Nevada desert continues to attract people from all over the world every year.

It is impossible to describe in one article how much there is to see and do in Vegas. There is affordable accommodation for every budget leaving you to focus on the entertainment options. If you are considering going to Vegas this year it is fun trying to explore the possibilities of your trip. Here are a few ideas in addition to its fantastic casinos:

Shows and events

There are numerous shows and events held every year from some of the world’s biggest music and performing artists. Be sure to take in the astonishing Cirque du Soleil or “LOVE” at the Mirage which pays tribute to the Beatles.

Attractions

The fine Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is a top aquarium to visit while the X-Scream on Stratosphere Tower is an excellent theme ride.