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.
06-08-2024 16:15 PM
When packing, I lay out everything I'd like to take then put at least half of it back, as I never wear half of it! I only take things that work with everything else for maximum outfits with minimum clothes. And any bottles (suncream etc) must be in plastic bags to prevent leakage disasters.
06-08-2024 15:50 PM
My main tip for your Summer getaway is to pack your “10kg” cabin baggage allowance first and ensure you use all of it before packing your main case, don’t put anything in that you will need on the flight and check this into the hold, you don’t have to carry it onto the plane and the airlines are happy for you to do this. You can then take on a handbag (or a man bag) with your medication/electronics etc that you need with you.
06-08-2024 15:13 PM
Large checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten
06-08-2024 14:59 PM
Take bigger case's for all the duty free
06-08-2024 14:40 PM
Challenge yourself to unplug from technology, relying on local maps and conversations with locals for directions and recommendations.
06-08-2024 14:23 PM
Use packing cubes and plan your entire outfit in advance. Then, roll the entire outfit together to save time and space! 😊
06-08-2024 14:20 PM
Vacuum pack clothes,research area, rebook excursions
06-08-2024 14:19 PM
Use separate itemized bags within luggage to keep everything organised!!
06-08-2024 14:19 PM
Bring a net bag to put sandy flip flops and wet towels/swimsuits in after a day at the beach
06-08-2024 13:53 PM
Book flights and accommodations during off-peak times to save money and avoid crowds. Use popular travel apps to track and find the best deals on flights. Opt for local, lesser-known destinations that offer unique experiences without the tourist surge. Pack light and versatile clothing to avoid baggage fees
06-08-2024 13:47 PM
Do your homework on where you're going, check out the best free attractions and see if there are any local apps you can download to get discounts on places to visit. Instead of always eating out, shop at a local supermarket and create a picnic meal from local suppliers.
06-08-2024 13:45 PM
Place some summer fruits, cherries, oranges, lemon, limes into a bottle or water, leave in tge fridge over night. You'll have delicious sweet water when you're on your short or longer journeys.
Also a little bit of nice honey to gift the tart fruits a lift.
You could also blend up, celery, apple and limes as heavier drink or food. It's so freshing 🙂
06-08-2024 13:30 PM
Taking a trip to a new place & having a picnic in the sun😍
06-08-2024 13:08 PM
Travelling light always saves a lot of stress and time at airports. I always make sure my luggage fits in a carry on rucksack!
06-08-2024 13:07 PM
Take a large microfibre beach towel - lightweight, great for pool, beach and shower use, wash and dry quickly and extremely compact for travelling anywhere
06-08-2024 12:52 PM
Take your Smarty with you and you will have great Internet access wherever you might be holidaying.
06-08-2024 12:38 PM
Go All Inclusive, often it's as cheap as self catering and you don't' have to be tied to the hotel if you don't want to, when you run out of money, you know that you can still eat and drink at the resort.
06-08-2024 12:36 PM
Check booking.com price on phone as may be substantially less than on a computer.
06-08-2024 11:43 AM
Wait til you are at your resort before buying Suncrean and Toiletries. Save weight, cost less, better quality local cream.
06-08-2024 11:41 AM
Always pack flip flops in your hand luggage so you can change from sweaty shoes into airy flip-flops at the airport! Keeping you nice and cool
06-08-2024 11:32 AM
Go with the flow & trust your instinct when travelling alone. With family be prepared for the unexpected.
06-08-2024 11:15 AM
If holidaying in UK monday to Thursday breaks are usually much cheaper than ones including the weekend.
06-08-2024 11:14 AM
Wear all your clothes on the plane home so you have more space for duty free 😉
06-08-2024 11:03 AM
Take a small travel router (configured to you use your home wifi SSID) and once it is connected to the wifi, all your devices will connect seamlessly and securely on your own private network. It also gets around the 1 device limit that some hotels impose.
06-08-2024 10:23 AM
Pack light full full stop cabin logged only. reversible and lightweight clothing. Buy Toiletries when you arrive or use hotel freebies.
06-08-2024 10:17 AM
Have the grandparents booked up to look after the kids; bliss!
06-08-2024 10:09 AM
If you need to charge your phone, don't use a charging cable from someone you don't know or a hotel because your phone could be hacked, which would be very un-smarty.
06-08-2024 10:06 AM
Whenever you return form a trip, remove anything you didn’t really need from your bag , then book a new trip with a smaller bag . It’s amazing how little you actually need to carry .
06-08-2024 10:07 AM
My best hack for summer getaway is to pack only what you need. Roll your clothes up and you will have more space to fit everything in with the added bin s that when you unpack and unroll at your destination you will not need to iron anything! More time to enjoy your getaway ☺️
Carole
06-08-2024 10:02 AM
I have 2:
1. Always ask the locals for THEIR favourite bars & restaurants. If its good enough for them it will be good enough for you!
2. Everywhere has free Wi-Fi these days. Use it as much as you can to save data!
06-08-2024 10:04 AM
International travel hack!
VPN to different country to use their domains to search flights. True example: VPN in Thailand for London to Mexico flights. Direct flights £300 through this hack over £800 on UK sites.
06-08-2024 09:56 AM
Always pack a 4-gang extension lead, so you only need one EU adapter and it doesn't matter if there are to few sockets where you are staying.
06-08-2024 09:41 AM
Book an airport lounge. It’s more peaceful and can sometimes work out cheaper than eating in airside restaurants.
06-08-2024 09:19 AM
Travel light in super comfy footwear, and enjoy all the sights and sounds on foot.
06-08-2024 09:02 AM
Plan enough to get you there and deal with essentials either end of the trip. Find must-do’s BUT leave plenty of time for spontaneity!!
pack light, minimal bags, use self vacuum type roll close bags to keep things separate for ease when at destination.
copy documents and leave with someone at home.
have fun, worry less!
06-08-2024 08:49 AM
To free your mind body and soul relax and let all your worries drift away, Enjoy every minute.
06-08-2024 08:37 AM
Go hand luggage only to save time - use compression packing cubes in your carryon case to save space, and pick solid deodorant, shampoo and cleansing bar which don't leak or need to get crammed in those tiny plastic bags at security!
06-08-2024 08:36 AM
The best summer vacation is warm sea water and moderate sun. Also drink about 2 liters of water a day. Then the body is strengthened and full of energy for the upcoming activities. To do this, you need to buy tickets in advance at reasonable prices and choose a company with which you feel comfortable.
06-08-2024 08:22 AM
Buy Smarty add on data before going on holiday so that you are never caught short without data on your holiday.
06-08-2024 08:21 AM
If travelling without children, go early September. Weather is good (usually) and you can still take part in seasonal activities. Also a wider range of places you can afford to go to.