The accommodation is a major factor in your trip and can even make or break it. The primary factor is that your accommodation choice needs to be safe, both in terms of the building itself being secure, and the area being safe for you to stay in.

Start by only looking at reputable websites when booking your holiday accommodation. You can review each option to see what it can offer you – take particular note of previous reviews to see what other people have said, and also make sure that you read the description carefully.

You also need to conduct your own research into the area to find out what it is really like. This is important for finding out if it is the right kind of area for you, but also to learn about safety and if there are any concerns. Look out for statistics like crime rates as well as seeing how much of a touristy area it is.

Booking a holiday is one thing – being ready to go on holiday is entirely another. You will need to do lots of different things before you are ready to do – and packing is going to be the least of your worries when it comes down to it! Think about some of the things you need to do, and make a comprehensive list. Here are some ideas of things to consider to get you started:

• Check in for your flights. Make sure you have checked in online, or you will have to pay more at the airport. You will be able to print boarding passes, or use them on your phone.
• Have visas ready. If you need a visa to get into a country, make sure you have planned ahead and will be able to get your visa in enough time.
• Tell your bank you are travelling. You don’t want to have your card cancelled due to suspected fraud whilst you are abroad!

Eastern Europe is full of great destinations that you can explore as a family, a couple of a solo traveller. With beautiful landscapes and interesting culture, there is something for every kind of holiday maker. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider visiting Eastern Europe:

• Prices. This is a relatively cheap part of the world to travel to and you will get accommodation much cheaper than somewhere like Spain or Italy. You will also be able to find food and drink that is very good value as well.
• Beautiful scenery. There are some stunning national parks and some great walking and trekking destinations. People who enjoy walking will love somewhere like Bosnia or Montenegro.
• Interesting towns. Europe is full of scenic towns that have interesting sights and lots of interesting culture to explore.
• Good weather. In the summer months, most parts of Eastern Europe will be very hot.

Travelling by bus is going to be one of the cheapest ways to get around. You can save lots of cash when you travel by bus – though not necessarily time. Sometimes though, it can also be the quickest way to travel, depending on your destination. It is always worth looking for a bus route to see if you can travel this way.

If you are going to travel by bus, it is a good idea to check the timetables first. In Europe especially, buses tend to run to very strict timetables and will be very reliable. This is less of the case in other places, especially South East Asia – bus travel is popular and widespread, but not always reliable.

If your budget is the most important thing, then opt for bus travel. This will give you lots of extra money to play with, as long as you are willing to be a little flexible.