Last-minute holiday plans: Opting for unusual places can fetch good deals

If you are planning to travel last minute on a long weekend, then it might turn out to be expensive for you, but if you plan the same during the weekdays, you will end up getting a good deal

There are always two types of people — those who plan for everything in advance and those who do everything at the last minute. People planning their last-minute summer and monsoon vacations should carefully choose their destinations before zeroing in on one. According to experts, travellers should avoid opting for very popular destinations at the last minute. Contrary to popular belief, last-minute holiday plans are not always too expensive, but it largely depends on the vacationing destination, as the popular places get booked in advance. 

Airfares for last minute usually skyrocket, but again it is according to demand for that place. “Booking flights and hotel separately is way more expensive than opting for a combo deal of flight and hotel. For a large group of people, a package deal makes more sense as it allows flexibility for everyone involved. Travellers can also book cars, hotels, and flights all together,” says Sharat Dhall, chief operating officer (B2C), Yatra.com. 

In addition, if you are planning to travel last minute on a long weekend, then it might turn out to be expensive for you, but if you plan the same during the weekdays, it is possible that you will end up getting a good deal. “Instead of a single conventional annual vacation, the quintessential urban Indian travelers with high disposable income prefer taking frequent but shorter trips,” says Vishal Suri, managing director, SOTC Travel. Here are some of the unusual last-minute vacation destinations for a quick getaway. 

Jordan: The country is known to be the jewel of the Middle East. It is well known for its architecture dated back 300 BC. One would need at least one week to experience this ancient Arab state. Petra is among the most visited destinations and is famous for its ancient buildings carved out of sandstone. Fans of Roman architecture should visit Jerash, one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman cities outside Italy. Among the other attractions in Jordan are the capital city, Amman, the Feynan Ecolodge and the famous Dead Sea. 

Seychelles: It is  located in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, Africa. “The island is a popular destination among Indians for its beaches and scenic beauty. To get around the various islands, it is recommended that you rent a car in Mahe and Praslin,” says Manmeet Ahluwalia, marketing head, Expedia India. Among its attractions are the Praslin Island for its exotic beaches and clear waters. Diving and snorkeling are the most popular activities in Seychelles. 

Cambodia: The South Asian nation is surrounded by Thailand on one side and Vietnam on the other and is known for its authentic adventure destinations. While Angkor Wat is one of the most iconic temples in Cambodia, Koh Rong, the island, is known for its white beaches and tropical jungle. It is also popular for offering underwater marine experiences such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Travellers can also experience wildlife in the Cardamom Mountains. 

Japan: Seen as an emerging multigenerational family travel destination, the island nation is famous for its attractions, such as Mount Fuji, Imperial Palace and Nijubashi Bridge, Hiroshima Peace Memorial park, the island Shrine of Itsukushima and Osaka castle. 

Other than the not-so-popular yet adventurous places, Dubai, Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong and Thailand still continue to be on the top of preferred destinations. “Short hauls and value holidays are witnessing truly significant uptake this summer holiday season for last-minute escapes. The preferred short-haul destinations in the Indian traveller’s consideration that continue to top the list are Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bali, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius and Hong Kong-Macau,” says Rajeev Kale, President and country Head - Holidays, MICE, Visa & Passport, Thomas Cook India.

Dubai: One of the most attractive Emirates in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai remains among the top preferred destinations for travelers. The budget to visit this country attracts most tourists. 

Dubai is considered as an important business hub in the world and is known to be the most tourist-friendly destination. 

Among its key attractions are the desert safari, indoor skydiving, seaplane flight and the Dubai aquarium, which has emerged as an attraction in recent times and is one of the biggest suspended aquariums in the world. Then there is Burj Khalifa, which gives you a 360-degree view of the city from the 124th floor. 

Singapore: Located in South East Asia, it is popular among tourists for its budgeted yet luxurious accommodations, cuisines, and branded shopping hubs. Singapore is known to have the perfectly designed metro map which makes traveling for tourists convenient. Some of its key attractions are the Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa Island, Little India and Arab Street, and the Singapore Flyer, which is one of the largest working wheels that offers an excellent view of Singapore from the Flyer. Other attractions include Gardens of the Bay, a nature park, popular for its innovative architecture, the Super Grove being the centre of all. It is included in most Singapore vacation packages.  

Thailand: Also known as ‘Prather Thai’, which translates to ‘Land of the Free’, it is one of the top most-desired tourist destinations in the world. The two most popular tourist destinations in Thailand include the city of Bangkok and Pattaya. Key attractions of Thailand are the floating market, Similan islands and the Grand Palace Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Golden Triangle is another popular attraction but is not always featured in vacation packages. It is the point where the Ruak River meets with the Mekong River and can be visited by taking a boat to the Golden Triangle Park.