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WIN BIG THIS SUMMER

YulianK
SMARTY Community Manager SMARTY Community Manager
SMARTY Community Manager

SMR0157_Summer_Giveaway_Featured_Post_600x420px_Opt1@1x.png

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:

  • Fortnum & Mason picnic hampers x 5
  • Luxury three-piece luggage sets from Rock x 5
  • GoPro HERO 12 cameras x 5
  • Beats SOLO 4 wireless headphones x 5
  • Tile Pro 4 pack (to keep track of your luggage) x 5
  • Tile Pro 2 pack x 10

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:

  • What is your best hack for summer getaway?

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.

2,879 REPLIES 2,879

Suzanne_2660006
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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. 

MarkRic_1514011
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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.

AndyMc
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Large checklist to make sure nothing is forgotten

Bald-Rob
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Take bigger case's for all the duty free 

Chirant_2340519
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Challenge yourself to unplug from technology, relying on local maps and conversations with locals for directions and recommendations.

Becca
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Use packing cubes and plan your entire outfit in advance. Then, roll the entire outfit together to save time and space! 😊

DavidE1983
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Vacuum pack clothes,research area, rebook excursions 

Jen__3
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Use separate itemized bags within luggage to keep everything organised!!

Penelope206998
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Bring a net bag to put sandy flip flops and wet towels/swimsuits in after a day at the beach

NikitaZ_2306107
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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

Ms_CAT
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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.

LouiseC_2690157
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

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 🙂

KarlynR_2486882
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Taking a trip to a new place & having a picnic in the sun😍

JamesBea_967902
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Travelling light always saves a lot of stress and time at airports. I always make sure my luggage fits in a carry on rucksack!

SimonGre_631902
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Take a large microfibre beach towel - lightweight, great for pool, beach and shower use, wash and dry quickly and extremely compact for travelling anywhere

Michelle1976
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Take your Smarty with you and you will have great Internet access wherever you might be holidaying. 

 

Nichola_1332989
SMARTY Maverick
SMARTY Maverick

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.

JakRadi_1786210
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Check booking.com price on phone as may be substantially less than on a computer.

William_1147247
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Wait til you are at your resort before buying Suncrean and Toiletries. Save weight, cost less, better quality local cream.

JoT71
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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

LewisMcA_142737
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Go with the flow & trust your instinct when travelling alone. With family be prepared for the unexpected.

IvanMcK_2699973
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

If holidaying in UK monday to Thursday breaks are usually much cheaper than ones including the weekend.

Danniquinn42086
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Wear all your clothes on the plane home so you have more space for duty free 😉

Sinkers
SMARTY Maverick
SMARTY Maverick

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.

AngelaWh_896760
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Pack light full full stop cabin logged only. reversible and lightweight clothing. Buy Toiletries when you arrive or use hotel freebies.

CallumHa_489544
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

Have the grandparents booked up to look after the kids; bliss!

PaulHack_128710
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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.

RobLock_2255078
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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 .

CaroleS_2160240
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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 

WeAreTheMags
SMARTY Observer
SMARTY Observer

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! 

CG_1325015
SMARTY Observer
SMARTY Observer

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. 

Deborah_1419139
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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.

Jacquel_1851247
SMARTY Maverick
SMARTY Maverick

Book an airport lounge.  It’s more peaceful and can sometimes work out cheaper than eating in airside restaurants.

PaulBal_1915277
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Travel light in super comfy footwear, and enjoy all the sights and sounds on foot. 

JimboRo_2135265
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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!

AndyGeo_1748054
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

To free your mind body and soul relax and let all your worries drift away, Enjoy every minute.

Rosalyn
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

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!

ЭдуардТ_2248092
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

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.

Peter-Ma_852072
SMARTY Enquirer
SMARTY Enquirer

Buy Smarty add on data before going on holiday so that you are never caught short without data on your holiday. 

Tadona
SMARTY Pioneer
SMARTY Pioneer

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.