Discover how to access the best airfares and most sought-after accommodation and experiences with these tips from our travel insiders.
Seeing everyone you know posting about their 2023 European summer and wishing it were you? Make sure you don't miss out on next year's European summer adventures by being one step ahead of the crowd and locking in your plans for 2024 now.
No matter if you're longing to experience the sun-kissed isles of Greece or the romance of Paris, we asked the best of the best to explain the advantages of booking your European adventure as early as possible. Get ready to take notes.
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You’ll be able to access better rates on flights
The first place to start when booking your 2024 European adventure is securing the best flight rates.
"Fly out of Australia and into the UK, but end your trip by flying home from a different country," says Hayden Wallace, Luxury Escapes’ Flights Program Manager. “This will keep costs down as UK airports have some of the highest departure fees and taxes in Europe. Zurich, in comparison, currently has some of the cheapest departure taxes. Savings can be as much as A$200 per person (depending on airfare fluctuations). For the best choice of airfares for travel in June 2024, the optimum to book is between now and September this year.”
You’ll have your pick of hard-to-come-by accommodation
'The early bird gets the worm' is the one piece of travelling wisdom to take to heart when picking the accommodation worthy of your dream Europe vacation.
“For families, it's particularly important to book early, as there are often less family room options,” says Dean McCullagh, Luxury Escapes’ Head of Partnerships, Europe. “Especially once Europeans look to book their post-Christmas stays. Keep a close eye on beach markets in Greece and Spain, as they book out early for the next summer season."
Plus, with many European destinations such as Venice, Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast implementing caps on the number of visitors permitted per day next year, accommodation will be even more scarce once Christmas is over.
Got Paris on your itinerary? Bear in mind the 2024 Summer Olympics are happening between 26 July to 11 August 2024, so accommodation will book up quickly. Try travelling either side of peak season for the best availability.
You can secure bookings for the most sought-after restaurants and attractions
Wanting the perfect Italian setting to pop the question next year? If you've got your heart set on Grotta Palazzese or any other hotspot restaurant or hotel, lock it in as soon as possible – otherwise you risk losing out.
The same goes for big-ticket experiences including tours of the Vatican and Colosseum. Securing your place early will avoid disappointment on arrival. Dream, research, book.
You can start telling everyone, 'I'll be summering in Europe next year'
“In Australian winter, Europe is most certainly the place to be,” says Luxury Escapes’ Head of Influencer Talent, Eugene Loane. “Social feeds are awash with influencers living the European dream. The hottest destinations of 2023 so far have to be Milos and Paros in Greece; Capri, Sardinia or Taormina in Italy; the Algarve region of Portugal; Paris, France and Menorca in Spain.”
Take your cues from these trends and head into the second half of 2023 knowing you've already locked in some, if not all, of your own European itinerary. You'll be able to coyly drop your travel plans into conversations at end-of-year functions and reserve your New Year's resolution for something else.
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Images courtesy of: Holly Lyle @_hollyt
