Six ways to get out of a summer holiday rut

Been visiting the same place for your summer holidays for as long as you can remember but think it’s time to try somewhere new? The Club asked travel journalist Tamara Hinson to be your guide as you pluck up the courage to venture into unexplored territory

Take baby steps

If you’ve been holidaying at the same all-inclusive hotel on the same stretch of beach for the past decade, stepping outside of your comfort zone can be daunting. For this reason, don’t go to extremes. If the past five summers have been spent hiking through the Dolomites and you’re considering checking out another mountain range think Alps over Everest. If you have a weakness for wellness breaks and are struggling to drag yourself away from your favourite Algarve spa hotel, consider nearby Alejento, rather than booking a week-long retreat at a remote Amazonian eco-lodge.

Tool up

If you’re open to destinations and working to a set budget, use British Airways' handy Low Price Finder tool to get the lowdown on which destinations are cheapest to fly to and when. Click on a continent and a drop-down list will show the starting price for return flights to specific destinations. Select one, and you’ll be shown a month-by-month guide to prices for that particular place. It’s updated every 24 hours so it’s a great starting point.

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Think about new flight routes

One of the reasons we get stuck in a travel rut is the ease of returning to a destination we know well. Introducing flight connections or multiple modes of transport can quickly crank up stress levels. So why not seek inspiration from BA’s foray into new regions? The new flights from Heathrow to the Seychelles, put this sun-soaked archipelago within easy reach, while the island of Corsica (pictured) is another new summer holiday option, with BA now flying to Figari.

Do your homework

Once you’ve decided to try a new destination, it’s time for the next stage – researching. Put this off and you’ll be tempted to revert to the easy option, telling yourself you’ll enjoy one final fling at the destination you’ve been heading to for the past decade. The best bit? The excitement of researching hotels and activities will convince you that you’ve made the right decision. In many cases, the team at BA Holidays have done the leg work for you. Check out some of their hotel recommendations here. Or, swot up right here at The Club to find out where the best destinations are for next month.

Phone a friend

One person can experience a destination totally differently to another, which is why holidaying with friends can be a great way to break out of a travel rut. The waiters at that much-loved Venetian trattoria might well by now know exactly how you like your calzone, but who knows what new discoveries you’ll make if you visit the city with friends who’ve never been before, or who have their own favourite haunts?

Perfect the art of pickiness

According to ABTA, the average Brit takes 1.7 overseas holidays per year, which gives you the right to be a little picky when it comes to what you look for in a summer getaway. Enter BA’s Holiday Finder, which allows you to find your ideal holiday using a range of filters. You’ll be able to select everything from your preferred type of accommodation to budget, flight length and even preferred temperature. Looking for somewhere by the beach which takes under three hours to fly to and where the temperature stays firmly between 20°C and 30°C? You got it!

Start planning your dream summer escape

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This article has been tagged Adventure, Travel Tips