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.
29-08-2024 09:16 AM - edited 29-08-2024 09:16 AM
security regulations that forbid liquids in bottles over 100 ml, but there's no rule that says you can't take on an empty bottle of any size. To avoid hefty charges for bottled water, simply bring your own (unfilled) plastic bottle and fill it from a drinking water tap once you're airside.
28-08-2024 14:13 PM
Packing cubes for organising your stuff.
Book a free walking tour in any city you go to! Great way to find things to do.
28-08-2024 00:49 AM
Make a shared list of places to visit on Google Maps and share with your family
28-08-2024 00:48 AM
Make a Shared List of different places you want to visit on Google Maps and share with your family so you can all see where and how to get everywhere and favourite your hotel to easier find it when looking for directions to travel back!
27-08-2024 20:50 PM
Plan what you want to do on your getaway but don't overthink it. Make sure your bank and phone provider know you're going away!
27-08-2024 11:33 AM
Stay flexible and open-minded. Sometimes the best memories come from unplanned adventures or spontaneous detours. Don’t be afraid to get off the beaten track and explore something unexpected. After all, travel is not only about the destination, but also about the journey and the little surprises along the way.
27-08-2024 08:14 AM
Only take man made fibre cloths, which don't wrinkle and can be washed in the shower at your hotel using shower gel and then dry within a couple of hours. You can take less clothes, a smaller case and avoid the airline costs for checked bags and maybe just take an under the seat bag.
27-08-2024 08:04 AM
Pack man made fibre clothes that can be washed in the shower with normal soap and dry in a couple of hours, as opposed to cotton. This way, you can take less clothes, use smaller suitcases (maybe just under the seat bags) and save on airline costs and have less weight to carry.
26-08-2024 10:06 AM
Book some great accommodation and use it as your base.
26-08-2024 09:31 AM
Spilt all your stuff between your luggage in case a case gets lost in transit. That way everyone will have some gear when you arrive!
26-08-2024 09:22 AM
when travelling abroad use make sure you have enough data use smarty and recommend them to friends 12gb within your normal package 😁
26-08-2024 09:11 AM
Pack clothes that can be swapped in styles so that shirts and shorts can be worn more than once and no one will know. Keeping your case light.
25-08-2024 19:22 PM
Pre-order your toiletries/suntan lotion online and collect at airport once you've gone through security 🙂
25-08-2024 19:23 PM
Make the most of coupons and discounts
25-08-2024 16:05 PM
Pack only essential clothing. You'll then have room in your luggage to put the purchases you just couldn't not make!
25-08-2024 11:43 AM
A free holiday anywhere in the world without any hassle explore the world do whatever you want away or be with friends still me time 😊
25-08-2024 11:36 AM
Free holidays anywhere in this world without any hassle explore whatever you want be a free bird likewise me time 😊
25-08-2024 11:02 AM
Use Skyscanner and set your destination to ‘everywhere’ to find bargain flights to near and far places!
25-08-2024 09:10 AM
The Malvern Hills and Great Malvern Theatre, Priory, Splash swimming pool , Priory Park, Free Natural water from springs
24-08-2024 17:29 PM
My best hack for a summer getaway is to bring a brita water filter bottle so the water is nice and clean.
26-08-2024 09:16 AM
if you’re in Rome use the water fountains water is clean and cool. Block the main faucet and the water comes from the top directly to your face/mouth. All free to use.
24-08-2024 17:10 PM
Make sure to split any medication required between your suitcase and hand luggage.
24-08-2024 14:28 PM
Packing cubes for easy packing; book tickets for museums etc in advance to save money and make sure you can visit on the date you want; take a photo on your phone of your passport and all necessary docs.
24-08-2024 11:03 AM
Roll clothes instead of folding
24-08-2024 08:02 AM
It's great to wake up in an amazing location with everything laid on and all the luxuries fully loaded, who doesn't love room service! But cover your back too... In my glovebox is an emergency kit to keep me alive in the wilderness in event of breakdown. Powerbank in boot should you be lucky enough to Netflix, chill and breakdown somewhere discreet with company. Have a few gold Sovereigns discreetly secured somewhere on your person, for real trouble in far away lands. That should always be enough to get you a flight home from pretty much anywhere in the world. Or at least bribe your way to the nearest UK embassy! Remember holiday doesn't have to be a towel by the pool.. by plane or car, boat or bike... Make it an adventure!!
24-08-2024 01:08 AM
Check last minute deals and be flexible with dates
24-08-2024 01:00 AM - edited 24-08-2024 01:01 AM
Wear sunscreen 😎
24-08-2024 00:57 AM
Wear sunscreen
23-08-2024 18:01 PM
Shop like a local
23-08-2024 17:57 PM
Making sure I have good Wi-Fi and a charger no matter in the world where I have been
23-08-2024 16:46 PM
Plan nice and early
23-08-2024 15:58 PM
Bring a portable blender wherever you go. You can just buy any fruit you want and voila you got yourself a juice or food anytime. It helps quench your thirst and at the same time makes your tummy full to get you through the summer day.
23-08-2024 14:48 PM
Avoid bank foreign exchange fees by using a card like monzo.
Exchange currency in your travel country- rates are generally better.
Seperate trip- travel like a local get local trains and buses , will allow you to see a different side to your travel destination.
23-08-2024 14:10 PM
Assuming that you are very very old like my husband and me, make sure you absolutely avoid going during school holidays!
23-08-2024 12:54 PM
shampoo bars, toothpaste/mouthwash tablets
23-08-2024 11:58 AM
23-08-2024 11:51 AM
My hack is to read travel blogs written by locals, instead of big sites like Tripadvisor - these will be more honest, up-to-date and give you tips and recommendations most tourists won't see!
23-08-2024 10:47 AM
If staying in a hotel/house/room you’re not sure about, you can use your phone to check if there are any hidden cameras in the room. Use you phone camera on selfie mode to scan the room as the phone camera can pick up infrared light on it, emitted by hidden cameras (whereas the human eye can’t). Not one of the more pleasant hacks but could prove useful sometime in certain situations!
23-08-2024 10:24 AM
Eat where the locals eat. Don't go to touristy restaurants, ask the locals where they would go. I've had some of the best food recommended by the locals. It's cheaper too
23-08-2024 10:16 AM
Take a photo of your passport, in case you lose it!