22-07-2024 01:38 AM - edited 02-09-2024 12:20 PM
WIN BIG THIS SUMMER
From a posh picnic to a grand getaway!
Would jetting off with a friend to Europe for a fabulous 4* city break complete your summer?
Well, it’s one of the BIG prizes up for grabs in our huge summer giveaway – win 3 nights in a 4* hotel for two with return flights, private airport transfers, travel insurance and £200 spending money. And when it comes to choosing the destination, you’re the boss. Take your pick of return flights from selected UK airports to either Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, Paris, Prague, Rome or Stockholm. The prize is worth over £2,500!
That’s not all, there’s loads of these great prizes up for grabs too:
HOW CAN I WIN BIG?
It’s so easy. Just answer this question to be entered into the prize draw for your chance to bag our grand getaway or one of our other super prizes:
The Prize Draw opens 22/07/24 at 10:00 and closes on 01/09/24 at 11:59 (“Promotion Period”).
To enter the Prize Draw entrants must be a SMARTY customer and have an active plan as at the end date of the Promotion Period. Entrants must have registered for the SMARTY Community within the Promotion Period and be over 18 years of age and a UK resident (“Eligible Entrants”).
Only one entry per entrant. Winners will be selected at random.
For full terms click here.
Team SMARTY
UPDATE - COMPETITION CLOSED
The competition is now closed and we will draw the winner from all the eligible entries. Keep your fingers crossed and an eye on your Private Message inbox.
Thanks to everyone who contributed some brilliant entries. We had almost three thousand posts !
Keep up the great work everyone; the SMARTY Community belongs to us all and succeeds because of your great contributions.
03-08-2024 10:26 AM
Take grandparents for childcare..
03-08-2024 10:24 AM
A multi connection charging lead is a must.
03-08-2024 10:24 AM
Save a little bit every month for spending money so you feel like you have a lot to spend when you go
03-08-2024 10:24 AM
Get a good vpn on your phone so your phone is secure when using public WiFi.
03-08-2024 10:22 AM
Checking flights on skyscanner for the best deals and to see new places!
03-08-2024 10:17 AM
My best hack for a summer getaway is checking the best flights on skyscanner - some places have the best deals and you can also see somewhere new!
03-08-2024 10:18 AM
Prebook visits to tourist attractions before your holiday. It saves time queuing for hours when you get there.
03-08-2024 10:18 AM
Make sure your smarty mobile is set up for using abroad 😀🍻
03-08-2024 10:16 AM - edited 03-08-2024 10:22 AM
Book activities in advance and secure some good discounts.
03-08-2024 10:14 AM
Ask a local (bartender/hotel worker etc.) where the best bakery/deli are. The ones you see on Maps and Social media tend to be good, but not as good as a local hidden gem
03-08-2024 10:12 AM
My tip is to pack light. It’s too easy to overpack and then have to lug around heavy luggage the whole trip, which can make it miserable!
03-08-2024 10:11 AM
Pack a mobile battery and get a Three PAYG SIM so you can charge on the go while out and about and still use maps, browsers and email while out being confident no roaming charges, just what you’ve already paid for. Free WiFi isn’t necessary common in other countries and with many things moving online (eg, public transport tickets/buses are now often easiest bought via an app or the internet).
03-08-2024 10:11 AM
A power bank with micro usb, type C and lighting cables.
03-08-2024 10:07 AM
Use online planners to arrange your day and make sure you're getting the most of your holidays this summer
03-08-2024 10:06 AM
Smart with smarty Holliday
03-08-2024 10:05 AM
My best summer tip away is to take Memorable photos, not the selfies but capturing those wow sites, views and out of the way local eateries to capture those special moments that'll stand out in years to come. Have some with you in the photo, but not dominating it - that'll help in when looking back at these pictures years later.
03-08-2024 10:05 AM - edited 03-08-2024 10:09 AM
(duplicate)
03-08-2024 10:03 AM
If you go on Google and you set the destination to 'Worldwide' you can find all sorts of places you can go to for under £50! You can still travel on a budget this summer 🙂
03-08-2024 10:02 AM
Be open minded and spend time out of your comfort zone to get the most out of the experience
03-08-2024 10:02 AM
purchase a futon mattress to use in your tent to maximise comfort and minimise back pain
03-08-2024 10:00 AM
I fully unplug and focus on quality time with family. I make it a point to switch off devices and embrace simple pleasures—whether it's enjoying meals together, exploring nature, or just having uninterrupted conversations. Disconnecting from daily distractions helps everyone recharge and creates lasting memories. Plus, it’s a great way to be present and savor the experience to the fullest.
03-08-2024 09:59 AM
We normally stay in the UK. We put a futon mattress in the car and take our tent to minimise accommodation, but maximise comfort for us and our dogs. We go somewhere off the grid that is quiet and beautiful where we can just spend quality time as a family. The less phone reception the better!
03-08-2024 09:59 AM
Travel lighter than you'd think. You'll enjoy the freedom of not lugging big bags around all the time.
03-08-2024 09:57 AM
Try something new when you travel. Ask locals for off beat things to try or do. My wife and I have so many memories of “Wow, do you remember when we did that” to “OMG, do you remember when we did that”.
03-08-2024 09:48 AM
Be completely open to trying new experiences. Get advice from the locals for things to do. You never know what you may get to see or do. My wife and I have many memories of “wow do you remember when we did that” to “OMG do you remember when we did that”. Life and especially when you get to visit new places is all about experiences and memories!!!
03-08-2024 09:49 AM
Adventures aren't done with meticulous planning, set off with little to no plan snd let the Adventure begin.
03-08-2024 09:48 AM
2 powerbanks! 10K for travelling days, 5K for city long walks.
03-08-2024 09:47 AM
Jumping in the swimming pool
03-08-2024 09:44 AM
Pack Smart(y)!
03-08-2024 09:43 AM
My best hack is to plan my trip before or after the peak tourist season for a cost effective getaway
03-08-2024 09:40 AM
Travel early spring or early autumn, particularly if travelling to the southern Mediterranean.
03-08-2024 09:35 AM
Pack luggage smartly. Place heavier items including toiletries at the bottom then arranged neatly folded clothes vertically.
03-08-2024 09:25 AM
If you’re on a top floor hotel room and want to bypass all the other floors, try holding the ‘door close’ and your floor button at the same time. It works a treat in some lifts.
By putting some fragile tape on your bag, not only should it be handled with care but it will also get placed on the top of the other luggage in the hold and come out first onto the bag collection belt. You might even get a special collection point away from the carousel.
03-08-2024 09:25 AM
Book flights for a Sunday, they tend to be cheaper. Or book for 8 days as it can be cheaper than booking for 7
03-08-2024 09:24 AM
Make sure you have a language translation app on your phone, it avoids embarrassing situations when saying the wrong thing
03-08-2024 09:21 AM
Go where the locals go
03-08-2024 09:23 AM
If going on a long trip, I always bring a Lonely Planet book, as they are incredibly useful!
03-08-2024 09:22 AM
Get up for the sunrises it’s always worth it! And also packing cubes! 🌞
03-08-2024 09:22 AM
Use price comparison sites but also try booking direct as the hotel may have to their own deals...
03-08-2024 09:21 AM
Don’t book a package. Book separately and you’ll likely save money.