If an overseas jaunt is on your list of considerations there are some easy ways to get really good value for money.
Firstly, check out the currency conversion rates across a variety of places you'd like to go. Thanks to the strength of the Australian dollar, even places like Europe are now relatively affordable, and in places like Thailand you'll be able to buy a lot, lot more for significantly less.
During this process, it's probably worth checking out some of the destinations listed in a recent report by online travel company Expedia and foreign exchange company HiFX. They've published a list of places where the Aussie dollar has performed most strongly against the local currency over the past year.
Rather surprisingly, top of the list was Japan. It's traditionally been a rather expensive destination for Australians to visit, with simple items like a can of soft drink costing a fair bit. But, now might be a good time to take advantage of the weak yen, as it has dropped over 23 per cent against the Australian dollar over the past year.
Second on the list was Taiwan, which is based off the east-coast of mainland China. The currency fell almost 16 per cent against the Aussie over the past 12 months. Next was Switzerland, with the Swiss franc dropping 14.5 per cent, and South Africa, with the Aussie strengthening 14 per cent against the South African rand.
The United States came in at fifth on the list, as the Aussie dollar has gained over 14 per cent on the greenback and is now sitting at multi-decade highs, whilst Britain, another favourite destination for us Aussies, came in at tenth place.
Another point to consider is that you'll often be able to pick up a cheap deal somewhere if it's the "low season", which is the cheapest time to depart. So, if you can plan your trip to arrive a week or two earlier or later than you had first hoped, you could potentially save yourself a few hundred dollars on your trip. But be careful, as some low seasons really mean you're guaranteed bad weather.
When you do decide to visit a travel agent, make sure you approach more than one! Get a number of quotes so you can secure the best deal possible. And remember, when you're talking to the agents, ask about any special package deals they're offering.
These can offer great value, but you'll need to make sure you don't get caught out buying one and then being forced to pay for lots of unexpected extras on top.
