Some people thrive with the excitement of last-minute booking – some others don’t! Whether you belong to one team or the other, there are great reasons to begin the planning process rather early.
So, why should you start planning and booking sooner rather than later?
1. More Time to Plan and Prepare
When booking with One Foot Abroad we will do all the hard work for you, but you’ll still need to work with us to find the best destination, and timeframe for you and your friends.
When you get in touch with us, your personal planner will learn more about you and can help you to plan the best possible journey for your goals and lifestyle. They can also suggest the best time to walk – avoiding the crowds, embracing the sun, chasing the festivals, or whatever you want to do!
You can also pick their brains about local events, attractions, extra days for side adventures, and hidden gems.
While the most popular routes have plenty of English speaking accommodation and transport providers, it can still be helpful to try to learn a handful of local phrases, wherever you go. Use your extra time to pick up a few basic bits and learn the names of local dishes or wines you might want to sample along the way.
2. More Days Off Work
If you need to plan and book days off work to travel then the sooner you get those in your work calendar the better! Your leave is more likely to be approved because you’ll be asking for days before your colleagues get their leave applications in, and it means you are more likely to get longer periods of time off.
Booking leave in advance also means you are setting yourself up for success because you have plenty of time to get all your work in order. That means no panicking to reschedule meetings or find cover at the last minute.
No leave left? Ask your manager about working remotely while you travel. It might not be the same… but it might allow you to do something exciting!
3. Save Money with Early Bird Discounts!
All year round if you book your holiday at least 2 months in advance we will give you a 5% discount on your walking holiday! Your planner will sort it out for you and make sure that you get all the best deals.
The earlier you book the better the deals! Whether you are flying from the USA or taking the train from any other country the most affordable transport options sell out first.
Many airlines and transport providers are opening their bookings 12 months in advance. You can find bargains on flights and other transport, so lock in your dates with us and start searching!
4. Get the Best Accommodation in Town
With the huge surge in post-pandemic walking holidays, accommodation is booking up well in advance! We have relationships with some of the absolute best accommodation providers along our routes but they only have a limited number of our favorite rooms.
We can almost always find you excellent accommodation, but during peak walking months (May, June, and September especially!) you have to be in early to be guaranteed a great spot.
Accommodation can also fill up very quickly sometimes due to local celebrations or special days. If you are aiming to be in a specific place by a specific day then you’ll need to make sure to get in before everything is full!
5. More Time to Get Fit For The Challenge
Anyone can walk or hike, but the better prepared you are the smoother your journey will be! A walking holiday is a unique physical challenge. Even someone who plays sport on a regular basis may struggle with walking all day. However, a person who’s less physically fit may find the endurance quite manageable – if they’ve prepared well.
Our sister company Follow The Camino consulted with the amazing physiotherapists at ReBalance Physiotherapy in Dublin to put together a comprehensive plan to get you into the best possible position to take on the Camino de Santiago. Their tips may be helpful for you too, so make sure you check them before your trip!
In general terms, the more time you give yourself to get ready the better. Training walks also help you to get used to your gear and wear in your shoes. Blisters are one of the most common problems on hikes, and training and well-worn shoes are your biggest allies against them!
You will also want to make sure to test all your gear properly and get used to your hiking shoes. Read our packing list to make sure you have time to collect everything you need.
6. Less Stress
Holidays are supposed to be a chance to unwind, relax, and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. If you are trying to cram all your research and planning into a shorter timeframe then things get a lot less relaxed!
Start earlier and take it easy knowing that you have plenty of time to tweak your plans, add extras, get your gear ready, and fully enjoy the whole process from start to finish.
7. Give Your Walking Buddies Time to Prepare
Walking holidays can be done solo or with people you care about. Everybody’s journey is unique and personal.
If your ideal walking holiday is with a group of your closest friends or family then you will need to give them time to figure out their schedules, leave and budgets as well. The earlier you give them the itinerary, departure dates and prices, the better the chance of convincing them to join you!
Also, we have great rates for groups of 6 or more and we can organize custom packages to suit your requirements so give us a call or email info@onefootabroad.com for advice and a free quote.
8. Give Yourself Something to Look Forward to!
After all of the stress of the last few years, we all need something fun and positive to look forward to. Once your booking is pencilled in you’ll be able to start getting excited!
That little bit of certainty – a light at the end of whatever tunnel you are in – will help you through any low patches or bad days. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and remember – soon you’ll be on your way!