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How to save money on last-minute flights | Cheap flights | Fabulous travel guide

How to book a round-the-world trip

[ 1 ] July 20, 2010

Getting itchy feet? Desperate to travel? Book a round-the-world trip and get away from the doom and gloom of England’s debt problems and rainy winters!

1)  Where do you want to go?

Whether you want to swim with sharks in South Africa, laze away the days on white sand beaches in Thailand or hike the Inca Trail in Peru, there’s never been a better time to book a life-changing trip.

Once you have decided what you want to achieve, it’s important to do your research. You may feel like booking the first flights you see, but, trust me, DON’T. There are loads of good deals to be had, and you won’t gain anything by rushing into it.

Phone up travel agencies that specialise in round-the-world flights and have them talk you through the different options. I compared STA Travel, Round the World Experts and Travel Nation.

Round the world flights | Round the world trip | Fabulous travel guide

Round the world flights - Fabulous travel guide

2) Weigh up the pros and cons

Once you have quotes from all the agencies you’ve visited, weigh up the pros and cons and ask yourself these questions:

* Is this a reputable agency?
* How much do they charge to change flights
* Will I be able to speak to an English-speaking person if I have problems when I’m away?

Once you have decided on a company to go with, tell them about the different quotes you’ve been offered. You never know they might be able to cut you a deal! This is also the time to ask all those niggling questions – however silly you may think they are!

3) Finalising dates

TOP TIP: When you are finalising the details of your trip, allow yourself a day or two to do some research.

* Go to the library and get out the most recent edition of the Lonely Planet and read up on the places you’re visiting. You might find there’s more to do than you’d originally thought – or, perhaps not enough.

* Make a list of what you want to do in each place, jotting down how long you think you’ll need to stay.

* Buy a diary and pencil in the dates – this will give you a clearer view of how much time you have.

When you’re happy, go back to the travel agent and start booking those flights. If you are covering vast areas of land – such as South America, it might be worth considering internal flights as this will save you time and money in the long run.

Next: How to get the best exchange rates>>

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Vintage Warehouse - Nottingham - image - fashion-stylist.net

Nottingham – shop ’til you drop

[ 1 ] July 19, 2010

Love vintage fashion? Jump on a train to Nottingham. From huge warehouses to tiny back-street boutiques, there are hundreds of stores simply bursting with bargains.

Vintage Warehouse, on Lower Parliament street, is packed full of beautiful vintage clothes, from 50s flapper dresses to embellished jackets and oversized cardies. There’s even a ‘£1 pitt’, where you can rumage to your heart’s content. It may smell a little musky, but with all those bargains to be had, who cares?

Vintage Warehouse - Nottingham - image

Vintage Warehouse - Nottingham - image

Cow, on George Street, is another little gem. It’s slightly more expensive than Vintage Warehouse (and smells a LOT better), but it’s UBER chic. Leather bags can be snapped up for a tenner and 50s-style skirts are in abundance. Get in there early to snap up the bargains as they’re unboxed (usually by the till).

Cow vintage clothes store - Nottingham - wearecow.blogspot.com

Cow vintage clothes store - Nottingham - wearecow.blogspot.com

Looking for more city breaks? Check out these boutique hotels in Brighton. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/fabtravel for more news and travel advice.

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Elbow Beach - Bermuda

Bermuda on a budget

[ 2 ] July 6, 2010

Bermuda is a little slice of paradise that seems to have slipped off the radar here in the UK.

Okay, it may be a little pricey, but with dramatic coastlines, crystal clear waters and pink sand beaches, surely you can’t blame the locals for hoicking up the prices? And honestly, it’s worth it. It’s clean, refreshing and utterly ravishing. Flowers tumble over garden walls, tiny white sails flutter on the horizon and painted stone cottages nestle into the countryside…

The best part is, it’s only 6 and a half hours from the UK. So you can arrive fresh faced and bushy tailed and dive straight into the sea. Bliss.

Bermuda | Elbow Beach | Fabulous travel guide

Elbow Beach - Bermuda

Where to stay

While we can’t all afford to stay at Elbow Beach, like the celebs, there are still a couple of other options to tickle your taste buds:

Dawkins Manor is a little gem, just minutes from Elbow Beach. The apartments are a little on the frilly side (think floral bedlinen and heavy curtains) but they are set in pleasant grounds right on the beach.

Best of all they offer self-catering facilities (great if you’re short on cash), a fresh-water swimming pool and air-con. A one-bedroom apartment starts from $250 (£164) per night during the summer months.

Dawkins Manor | Bermuda | Budget accommodation | Fabulous travel guide

Dawkins Manor - Bermuda

The Paraquet apartments are perfect for those looking for a no-frills bargain break. Don’t expect too much from these little rooms – they are basic and slightly old fashioned. But they are super-clean, have a kitchenette and terrace, and are just a stone’s throw away from Elbow Beach.

There is a nearby supermarket and even an American diner on the doorstep (slightly strange but worth a peep inside). Twin rooms cost from as little as $176 (£108) per night to $220 (£135) with self-catering facilities, including kitchenette and fridge/freezer.

Paraquet apartments | Bermuda | Budget accommodation | Fabulus travel guide

Paraquet apartments - Bermuda

Next: How to get the best exchange rates>>

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