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 12:45 PM
Travel by train to Europe if you can: less waiting and walking, better views, comfortable seats and more legroom, no paying for luggage, better for the environment, no air turbulance, and less restrictions on what's in your luggage,
03-08-2024 12:40 PM
Travel light, travel flexibly and travel hopefully.
03-08-2024 12:39 PM
Extreme getaways Bristol Airport
03-08-2024 12:39 PM
Pack sensibly, essentials and light to save on luggage costs and be aware of all the hidden extra costs airlines add.
03-08-2024 12:35 PM
Freeze a bottle of water or fill a thermos with ice and carry it with you while you're in sun. And buy a mini hand fan works wonders.
03-08-2024 12:34 PM
Book flights on a Tuesday. Lol for accommodation just outside of the tourist areas, East where the locals do and be ready to go at a moments notice for the best deals.
03-08-2024 12:33 PM
Always get a meal deal in departures to take onto the plane. Saves you about £5 per person compared to buying onboard.
03-08-2024 12:29 PM
Bring a fully charged power bank. You'll never need to worry about your phone running out of charge when you're out and about taking pictures and videos.
03-08-2024 12:29 PM
Get good value by not worrying too much about the destination, getting away is the main thing.
03-08-2024 12:28 PM
My best hack for summer getaway is rilling my clothes tightly to get more in my suitcase
03-08-2024 12:27 PM
Shop around for the best price, check for freebies eg free child places etc, pack a change of clothes in your carry on and never forget the all important pen. You never know when you might need it. 😀
03-08-2024 12:23 PM
Always have a go bag already packed and ready to go
03-08-2024 12:25 PM
shop around for the best price and look for freebies, pack a change of clothes in a rucksack with flip flops and never forget a pen.... you never know when you'll need the all important pen 😀
03-08-2024 12:22 PM
Check phone coverage before you travel, make sure you have a smarty sim. The best mobile provider there is. I've never been let down, and the best value there is.
03-08-2024 12:19 PM
Always pack a carry on with essentials in just in case checked in luggage goes awol!
03-08-2024 12:13 PM
Comfy shoes, handheld fan and electrolytes in case it gets too hot 🥰
03-08-2024 12:13 PM
Make friends with the locals and find out the places where they eat/drink to avoid expensive and insipid tourist traps
03-08-2024 12:10 PM
Completely deleting all work apps and emails from my phone! So I’m completely detached and can properly switch off✌️
03-08-2024 12:07 PM
A unique hack for a summer getaway is to creatively use credit card points and loyalty programs. Pool points from multiple cards, transfer them to airline or hotel partners, and look for transfer bonuses. Book award travel early, utilize stopovers and open-jaw tickets for multi-destination trips, and leverage travel perks like free checked bags and airport lounge access to enhance your experience and reduce costs.
03-08-2024 12:06 PM
Look for flights across multiple days for leaving/coming home. Being flexible could save you hundreds in travel costs
03-08-2024 12:06 PM
Leave your troubles behind, and have the time of your life!
03-08-2024 12:03 PM
Leave your troubles behind and have the best time of your life!
03-08-2024 12:04 PM
Always carry a reusable water bottle with you. Save on queuing for overpriced water from vendors
03-08-2024 11:58 AM
Pack light fabrics and roll clothes to maximise space in carry on luggage……saves spaces and time!
03-08-2024 11:58 AM
Keep an eye open for new routes from the budget airlines to places that you've never even heard of. Book early while fares are low and bag yourself a new adventure!
03-08-2024 11:56 AM
Check out the back streets for food.
A short walk can save you cash and get you better food. Restaurants or cafés away from the sights or seafront are not only cheaper but likely to be better than those whose trade comes from tourism. Good signs include lots of locals, menus without an English version and blackboards, which are re-written each day.
03-08-2024 11:54 AM
Leave the kids at their grandparents!
03-08-2024 11:53 AM
I've got this power bank for charging phones, kindles, etc and it can do wireless charging, and is also solar powered. So you can just put it in the sunshine out by the pool and keep going all day. Brilliant, I take it everywhere.
03-08-2024 11:51 AM
If u wanna have a party, make sure you travel with Smarty
03-08-2024 11:48 AM
My best hack for a summer getaway is to travel during the shoulder season, which is just before or after the peak summer months. Here are a few reasons why this is effective:
1. **Lower Costs**: Flights, accommodations, and attractions are generally cheaper than during the peak summer period.
2. **Fewer Crowds**: Popular tourist destinations are less crowded, allowing for a more enjoyable and relaxed experience.
3. **Better Weather**: The weather is often still warm and pleasant but not as scorching as mid-summer, making outdoor activities more comfortable.
Additionally, here are some specific tips to enhance your getaway:
- **Book Early**: Secure flights and accommodations in advance to get the best deals and options.
- **Flexible Dates**: If possible, keep your travel dates flexible to take advantage of lower fares and accommodation rates.
- **Local Festivals**: Research local festivals or events happening during your visit for a more immersive cultural experience.
- **Pack Smart**: Bring versatile clothing that can be layered, and don't forget essentials like sunscreen, hats, and reusable water bottles to stay hydrated.
By planning strategically, you can enjoy a memorable summer getaway without the usual hassles of peak travel times.
03-08-2024 11:49 AM
Learn some of the local language before you go! You would be surprised how much joy it brings people when they hear you start a basic conversation in their mother tongue (The most useful is usually can I get a beer please! 😄 )
03-08-2024 11:46 AM
Download Google maps offline where you are travelling. You dont then need live data and this saves you money
03-08-2024 11:41 AM
Make sure that you register your SMARTY Phone for roaming 😉😎 RKW
03-08-2024 11:39 AM
Exchange your holiday money at your destination better rates of exchange and no credit card exchange fees
03-08-2024 11:37 AM
Don’t be afraid to try new things! It’s all part of the experience.
03-08-2024 11:37 AM
Worried about sand getting into your phone? Fear not! Activate “Emergency Beach Mode” by wrapping your phone in a plastic sandwich bag. It’s like a high-tech, low-budget scuba suit for your device.
03-08-2024 11:35 AM
Blend some Greek yoghurt with some raspberries or strawberries for a healthy ice cream lolly pops for the kids 🙂 always a winner!
03-08-2024 11:34 AM
Packing cubes
03-08-2024 11:33 AM
Take an empty water bottle through security, most airport retail outlets will fill your water bottle up for free . If you have a child/children with autism a lot of airports have a quiet room just contact the airport before your holiday. If your taking floaters for the pool use a Sharpie to right your child’s name or a code so you know it’s your property, deters people from stealing them.
Above all have an amazing getaway
03-08-2024 11:30 AM
When you're looking for somewhere to eat, look for places full of locals, not tourists. The places the locals frequent are usually the most authentic, with ingredients that are more likely to be fresh. Same goes if you're looking for a specific cultural cuisine - look for restaurants that folks of that culture frequent!