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With only a few weeks left until the children break up for their six-week summer break, families' thoughts are turning towards the all-important holiday. Unfortunately, there's no getting away from the fact that holidays during the school six-week holidays are expensive, but Hays Travel have a few tips for making them more affordable. Don't leave it until the very last minute. Holiday prices are based on demand. If you are lucky enough to be able to travel out of peak season, you'll often find last minute deals but in the school holidays, they are scarce. The last-minute high demand for family holidays means that they come at a premium and you're more likely to pay more, rather than less if you leave it too late. The last few available holidays in the school holidays are usually to rowdy resorts or even involve the tour operators putting together mismatched flights out of one airport and back into another the other side of the country. It happens every year! If you are travelling with more than two children, you'll find it particularly hard to find accommodation to sleep you all, so you would be wise to book as soon as possible... Consider travelling from Scotland. The Scottish school holidays are different from those in England, so if you live in the North you may benefit from driving over the border. Demand for holidays out of Scotland in August is much less than it is in England, so you're much more likely to get a good deal. Yes, it's a bit of a long journey but you could save upwards of £100 per passenger. Book your airport parking in advance and you'll find it's surprisingly affordable. Go all-inclusive. This is especially advisable if you are travelling within the Euro zone. The cost of an all-inclusive holiday might seem high, but all those ice creams and cold drinks add up and a self-catering holiday will almost certainly cost you more in the long run. Try something different. Demand to the obvious beach destinations is high meaning the prices are steep, so consider doing something different. Low-cost airlines will allow you to enjoy a surprisingly cheap city break. Children love exploring museums and galleries and are welcomed with open arms in most European cities. Spain and Eastern Europe are very geared-up for families and most cities have an abundance of green space for them to run free in on hot summers days. If you don't fancy going abroad, the UK weather has been good this year (so far!) so consider following the 'staycation' trend and enjoying a lodge, holiday park or camping holiday on home soil. Stay out of the Euro Zone. Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Morocco are all great choices for affordable holidays, thanks to their position outside of the Euro zone. Many are put off Turkey and North Africa because of the blistering heat, but it is no more unbearable than in Greece and Cyprus during August. Good hotels are air conditioned and offer plenty of pool space to cool off in - just ensure children are kept in the shade during the midday sun and make sure you take plenty of sun cream. It is worth noting that it is Ramadam in the Muslim countries of Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco from 11th August 2001. It's respectful not to eat in public during this time, but it will be acceptable in most tourist resorts and hotels. Be flexible. Wherever there is less demand, prices are lower. Night flights are inconvenient for most people, but that makes them less popular and much more affordable (up to £500 less for a family of four.) If you have very young children, will they sleep through a night flight? Will this be easier than having to entertain them on a boring daytime flight? Find out if you can book an extra night or late checkout room at your hotel to avoid having to hang around for too long on your last day. Are you bothered about being right in the centre of a resort? In the peak season especially, this can be far from relaxing. You're far more likely to get a good deal staying at a small guest house half way up a mountain in Greece, for example, than at a huge complex in the resort centre. Hiring a car and visiting traditional, local tavernas for your evening meal will probably work out much cheaper (and more relaxing) than dining with the masses on the main strip. If you insist on a top notch, beach front hotel and daytime flights, expect to pay a premium. Check out Six Week Summer Holidays Bargain Deals. Hays Travel have been established for 30 years and are the UK's largest independently-owned travel agency, ideal for getting the best six week summer holidays. Hays Travel can search tour operators or tailor-make your perfect holiday, in the UK or abroad. Hays can also arrange all the extras that make your holiday complete - from airport parking and hotels to car hire and insurance. Visit Hays Travel
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