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Loren

There's no doubt that the pandemic has changed the face of traditional work forever. While some workers are gearing up to return to the office soon, others aren’t quite so convinced. Many employees have found comfort and great benefits to [working from home](https://monese.com/blog/2020/03/stay-sane-working-remotely "How to stay sane while working remotely") – or rather anywhere! And countries previously hit hard by Covid-19 travel restrictions are certainly taking advantage of this new way of work. 

To boost tourism and economies around the world, the following places are offering up long-term work permits for digital nomads. So if you’ve dreamt about becoming a digital nomad before, there’s no better chance to fulfill that dream than now! Pack your bags, passport, laptop and beach sandals — check out all the places you can move to and work from. 

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## Africa

### 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde 
The [Cabo Verde Remote Working Program](https://www.remoteworkingcaboverde.com/en "Work Remote in Paradise") offers visas to remote workers looking to escape to the island country for up to six months, which can be renewed for another six months afterward. It’s open for all Europeans and aimed at people who are self-employed and don’t require an office to get their work done. You can even bring your family under the program. You’ll need a valid passport, health insurance and proof of income (minimum average account balance of 1,500 EUR over the last six months or 2,700 EUR if you’re coming with family).

### 🇲🇺 Mauritius
The Premium Travel Visa is aimed at professionals who wish to come to Mauritius to work remotely. While you do need proof of income during your stay, the best part of this visa is that it's free to get. You’ll also need proof of accommodation and employment outside of Mauritius. The visa is valid for up to a year and can be renewed. You can [apply online](https://business.edbmauritius.org/wps/portal/business/home/licensing/Legislation/!ut/p/z1/hZHLboMwEEW_hiV4sHmlO-gjpYmUokRN6k2FwQFXgJFt0n5-gVSKVDWtd-M5c65Ggyg6INrlJ1HlRsgub8b6lQZvIY5xGkew2dw-30EWuSS73z66sHTRC9r_h9CxDVdeDOM8nZGLIdkmkK12AXG3HobI_wlEuwlYJmHqr1LwfPIN_BHyhGjVSHbeqDamv7HAAsFap5AtooX5tIdBlOhQssUCGCG2T8LA9nLs2SzwsR0QXLDwyKAI8OSIO0aiClHFj1xx5QxqVE9iPZvZoEXHtXZ4ydp8UMKIQTtSVRZ89NqCXiqTNxfOglq23IJGFLwbv0ZuzSuhm_kQvwXWUht0uJqD-vZhkb77zWnN91_WTf3S/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ "Premium Visa") with a full list of guidelines to follow.    

### 🇸🇨 Seychelles
Ready to work from heaven on earth? The archipelago offers what’s known as the The ‘[Seychelles Workcation](https://workcation.seychelles.travel/ "Experience Seychelles")’ program which welcomes self-employed and freelancers to work on any of the 115 islands for 30 days up to a year. You just need a valid passport, health insurance, proof of employment and sufficient funds (exact amount isn’t specified). [To apply](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kp1m0KemN9kUGJs6tURtI55V8nLfO0Nm/view "Workcation Brochure"), you’ll pay a one-time fee of 45 EUR.  

## Asia

### 🇮🇩 Indonesia 
During a virtual event on 13 August 2020, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitanthat [announced](https://sumbar.antaranews.com/nasional/berita/1665994/dorong-pariwisata-dalam-negeri-luhut-mau-bule-bisa-kerja-dari-bali?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=nasional&utm_campaign=antaranews "Antara Sumbar") that a new official regulation is in the works that’ll allow foreign IT specialists to work while living or vacationing in the country. This is certainly a reason for digital nomads to celebrate and something to look forward to. Indonesia is another attractive country for remote workers and expats, as the cost of living is cheaper than in Western countries.  

### 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 
If you’re dreaming of South Asia, Sri Lanka is calling! They’re launching a digital nomad visa for up to one year in an attempt to boost foreign exchange and tourism. With low living costs and beautiful scenery to take in, this is a fantastic option for workers in search of a breathtaking remote work experience. 

## Caribbean

### 🇦🇮 Anguilla
The beautiful island of Anguilla offers a program for remote workers called [Beyond Extraordinary Anguilla](https://escape.ivisitanguilla.com/work-from-anguilla/ "Anguilla - British Caribbean ") program where nomads can work for up to 12 months. You’ll need proof of employment, a police record, copy of your birth certificate, passport and a brief description of the type of work you’ll be doing to be eligible to work from paradise. 

### 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda 
The two islands offer what’s called a [Nomad Digital Residence](https://antiguanomadresidence.com/ "Antigua Digital Nomad Residence") (NDR) which is a long-term stay visa for two years. To qualify for the visa, you need to be employed or self-employed and pay income tax in your native country. If you’re interested and eligible, you can easily [apply online](https://antiguanomadresidence.com/apply-now/ "Apply Now") if you’ve got your passport, birth certificate, medical insurance to cover you for the duration of your stay, police clearance and enough money to support yourself and any accompanying dependents.  

### 🇧🇸 The Bahamas 
The Bahamas offers remote workers a [Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay](https://www.bahamasbeats.com/working-remote "The Islands of the Bahamas") (BEATS) permit which allows digital nomads to work on any of the islands for up to a year and is extendable for up to three years! It’s a quick turnaround too for those who are truly interested and eligible — just five working days to process your application! To submit your online application, make sure you have your passport, medical insurance and proof of employment. Only after your application is accepted will you be prompted to pay for your Work Remotely permit. 

### 🇧🇧 Barbados 
If you’re craving beautiful year-long weather and crystal blue beaches, this could be a prime location. In mid-July last year, this Caribbean country introduced the “[Welcome Stamp](https://www.barbadoswelcomestamp.bb/ "12 month Barbados Welcome Stamp ")”, which allows remote workers to work on the island for a year (you can reapply for it later). 

You must work for a foreign company and won’t have to pay income tax in Barbados. Applicants must expect to earn at least 50,000 USD and obtain valid health insurance. It costs 2,000 USD to apply (3,000 USD if moving with family), and the application is entirely online. Your application will be confirmed or denied in just five business days, making it one of the more feasible options. 

Be aware though: Barbados is known for its [high cost of living](https://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/243861/barbados-tops-expensive "Nation News") — but you can find things like accommodation for all kinds of [budgets](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy"). 

### 🇨🇼 Curaçao
The Dutch Caribbean island introduced its [@HOME in Curaçao](https://www.athomeincuracao.com/ "Government of Curaçao") program at the top of the year to encourage remote workers to visit and work from the island. You’ll need to complete the [online application form](https://athomeincuracao.com/remote-workers/ "Remote workers"), have proof of health insurance and employment to qualify. Processing time takes two weeks and if approved, you’ll be able to work remotely from the colourful island for six months with the possibility of extension for another six months afterward. 

### 🇩🇲 Dominica 
The island nation has created the [Work in Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa](https://windominica.gov.dm/component/content/article?id=1&Itemid=105 "Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica") for digital nomads to come and work for a while — more specifically 18 months. You should expect to earn at least 50,000 USD annually and have enough to support yourself and any family members accompanying you. After you submit your application, you’ll receive an approval letter within seven days if you’re successful and have 30 days to pay the visa fee thereafter. 

### 🇲🇸 Montserrat 
The [Montserrat Remote Work Stamp](https://montserratremoteworker.com/the-stamp/ "Escape. Work. Explore.") is valid for up to one year with a quick processing time of seven days once you submit your application. Like many of the places on this list, you must prove you work, conduct business or offer freelance or consulting services for a foreign company and can carry out your work remotely. You’ll also need a minimum annual income of 70,000 USD, police record, passport size photograph, copy of passport and health insurance with Covid-19 coverage.   

## Central America

### 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
The ‘[Rentista Visa](https://residencies.io/residency/costa-rica/temporary-residency/cr1 "residencies.io/")’ in Costa Rica is one of the few temporary visas for workers that can lead to permanent residency or even citizenship if that’s something you’re after. The visa is issued to people who have a guaranteed source of income for two years and can be renewed so long as you’re still meeting the requirements. Also known as the Person Of Independent Means Visa, workers can establish businesses or work on their own but may not work as employees. 

## Europe

### 🇭🇷 Croatia 
Since the start of this year, this Balkan country has offered a digital nomad visa for non-EU nationals. To be eligible, you must be a third-country national working for a company outside of Croatia and can apply for the permit for up to a year. You’ll need a government-issued background check from your home country, proof of valid health and travel insurance for the duration of your visa, a Croatian address and proof that you’ll have sufficient funds to support yourself (i.e., earn 16,900 kuna or 2,240 EUR). 

Many expats flock to this country as the cost of living is relatively cheap compared to North America and other European countries. 

### 🇪🇪 Estonia 
The European country has introduced its [Digital Nomad Visa](https://e-resident.gov.ee/nomadvisa/ "Republic of Estonia ") (DNV) for remote workers who wish to work in the Baltic nation for a year. It’s one of the first visas of its kind in the world and doesn’t require high-level skills. To be granted this permit, you must have a work contract with a company outside of Estonia and be able to make an income of at least 3,504 EUR gross per month. With this visa, you’ll also be able to travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days on the same permit. 

### 🇬🇪 Georgia 
If you’re looking for a different kind of setting, you can move to this Eurasian country filled with snow-capped mountains and beautiful wine regions. 

In mid-July of last year, Georgia [announced](https://agenda.ge/en/news/2020/2265 "agenda.ge/") that a program focusing on freelancers and self-employed foreigners was in the works. Along with an application form, prospects will also need to present an employment certificate and have valid travel insurance for at least six months. Workers will also need to earn a minimum of 1,655 EUR per month to be eligible. 

### 🇬🇷 Greece
Greece is also next on the list to offer remote workers a digital nomad visa — the government is currently working on a special 18-month travel visa (12-month stay then six-month extension) for digital nomad workers working for foreign employers; ideal for those in blogging, web development, online marketing or art industries. You’ll need a minimum income of 3,500 EUR to apply and proof of employment via a worker’s contract.   

### 🇮🇸 Iceland
The beautiful nation offers [long-term visas for remote workers](https://work.iceland.is/working/icelands-remote-work-long-term-visa "Work in Iceland") for a stay of up to 180 days. Bear in mind this special visa is issued to non-EU/EEA/EFTA that don’t require any other visa to enter Iceland. [Interested digital nomads](https://utl.is/index.php/en/long-term-visa-for-remote-workers-and-their-family-members "UTL") should have a work contract with a foreign company (i.e., outside of Iceland), health insurance, police clearance and a monthly income equivalent to ISK 1,000,000 (or ISK 1,300,000 if coming with family).

### 🇲🇹 Malta
Digital nomads hoping to work in the archipelago can apply for the [Nomad Residence Permit](https://residencymalta.gov.mt/overview/ "Residency Malta") which allows remote workers to stay and work for up to one year and is renewable. Hopeful applicants must be third-country nationals, work for a foreign employer or conduct business, freelance work or consulting services for a company outside of Malta. You’ll also need a gross monthly income of 2,700 EUR, passport, health insurance, proof of a property rental or purchase agreement and a passed background check. 

### 🇳🇴 Norway 
The Nordic country offers the [Independent Contractor Visa](https://www.avvinue.com/remote-work-visas/norways-independent-contractor-visa "Avvinue") for up to two years for remote workers. This is meant for self-employed workers with a contract to work on a project for a business in Norway, unlike other places in this post. You must prove you have the relevant qualifications for your profession, proof of accommodation and a gross income of at least 35,719 EUR. You’ll need to apply at your nearest Norwegian Embassy with all of your supporting documents and the visa application fee is 600 EUR. 

### 🇷🇴 Romania
Romania is on the verge of offering one of these special visas to remote workers too. The likely requirements for workers looking to move here will be proof of employment with a foreign company, health insurance and proof that the worker will have an income of at least 5,429 lei or 1,100 EUR. With a low cost of living, the country is known for its top quality, fast and reliable internet, even in rural parts of the country so it’s certain to be a great option for remote workers. 

### 🇪🇸 Spain
Spain is one of the latest countries planning to introduce a digital nomad permit that’ll allow you to stay and work in the country for up to a year, after which, you can extend for up to 24 months. Remote workers will also benefit from a reduced income tax rate. Workers wishing to apply must prove they’re working for a country outside of Spain or for foreign clients. 

Spain is a generally affordable country to live in and not to mention beautiful so if this is a country that’s been on your bucket list, here’s your opportunity! 

## North America

### 🇧🇲 Bermuda
Bermuda is another island option for those seeking to work from paradise. On 1 August 2020, the country launched the [One Year Residential Certificate](https://www.gov.bm/articles/one-1-year-residency-certificate-policy "Government of Bermuda") scheme, which allows remote workers to stay and work in the country for a year. 

It costs 263 USD to apply, and applicants must show proof of employment with a company outside of the island. You’ll also need to have your birth certificate, passport-sized photos, health insurance, and character and employment references. Turnaround is quick — applicants should have a response to their visa application within five working days. For the duration of the visa, you’ll be able to leave and re-enter the country as you wish. 

Living and working in paradise comes at a steep price so the cost of living is certainly something to keep in mind.  

<br/><br/>

Be aware that many of these places also have certain Covid-19 vaccination, quarantine or testing requirements before your travels so be sure to look up the necessary documents needed before you jet off. 

Don’t forget to pack your Monese [card](https://monese.com/gb/en/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") too — especially if your destination is somewhere in Europe. Use your EUR account to spend like a true local in your new country. You can also quickly share your account details with your employer straight from your app to get your [salary](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account") deposited right into your account. Let us know your travel plans on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page") or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Safe travels and happy remote working! 

Places around the world offering remote worker visas 

Working Abroad - Landscape V2

laptop remote work sunglasses sail boat passport cocktail palm trees

Blog post > Places around the world offering remote worker visas 

Pack your bags, passport, laptop and beach sandals — check out all the places you can move to and work from.

Remote work is here to stay 

Although Covid-19 restrictions have started lifting allowing fully vaccinated people to finally travel abroad, those still waiting to get their second jab may find themselves feeling some holiday envy. But at least you can still holiday near home, right?

Well, for those looking for a getaway on home soil, you may be shocked to learn that staycation costs have reportedly skyrocketed by more than a third (35%) over the past year.* And with our previous [study](https://monese.com/blog/25-family-days "25 family days out for under £25") revealing that parents spend £15 more per day, per child during the school holidays vs. term time, the costs associated with a family holiday this summer are likely to add up fairly sharply. 

However, for those still keen to escape the mainland this summer, our new research has revealed the top 10 cheapest UK islands to visit. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a partner or friend or as a family, you don’t have to spend a fortune for a change of scenery.

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## Solo travellers 
For those looking for a break from the day-to-day and for a little peace and quiet in the coming months, the Isles of Scilly were found to be the most affordable staycation for solo travelers in summer 2021 (and beyond).

Home to an abundance of natural attractions, stretching sandy beaches, local artists and galleries and even its own vineyard and winery, the Scilly Isles have plenty to offer those who visit them. With prices from just £126.90 per person for return travel and accommodation, the island provides the perfect option for those on a tighter budget.

Other similarly affordable options for holiday makers going it alone include the Isle of Man (£262.90), the Isle of Arran (£280.20), the Isle of Wight (£310.80) and Jersey (£316).

### Top 10 cheapest islands for solo travellers:
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £126.90
2. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £262.90
3. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £280.20
4. Isle of Wight — from £310.80
5. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £316
6. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £351
7. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £434.20
8. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £452
9. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £496.70
10. Isle of Lewis, Scotland — from £510

## Travelling in pairs  
Whilst for some, traveling alone is a blissful escape, for others, sharing their experiences with a partner, friend or loved one is their preferred way to travel. Topping the list of destinations for those travelling together were the Isles of Scilly once again. With prices per couple totaling just £253.80 for a weeklong getaway including travel, it’s easy to see why!

### Top 10 cheapest islands for couples (based on 2 adults sharing):
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £253.80
2. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £370.40
3. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £488.40
4. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £509
5. Isle of Wight — from £515.60
6. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £624
7. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £638
8. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £643.40
9. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £646
10. Isle of Lewis, Scotland — from £810

<br/><br/>

One thing to keep in mind when visiting the majority of UK islands is that average temperatures can often be cooler than anticipated due to the surrounding sea. Whilst temperatures on the Scilly Isles can hit a high of 19°C in August, making sure you pack plenty of warm clothing is an absolute must across all of the islands. The weather can be fairly unpredictable and unforgiving.

## Family travel
Lastly, we added up the potential costs of a staycation on the islands for a family of four (inclusive of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12). Once again the Isles of Scilly claimed the top spot, boasting a week away with return travel from just £396.80 for the whole family!

The jump in price between our top spot and the island in second place on the list, the Shetland Islands (Scotland), was fairly substantial — more than £300! However, at £717 for a week away inclusive of travel, a holiday here still provides great value for a family escape.  

Often overlooked as a UK holiday destination, the Shetlands are steeped in a rich history and the islands boast strong Viking roots. From wildlife and nature to food and drink, and plenty of outdoor adventures available, visiting families will have plenty to keep them occupied. 

### Top 10 cheapest islands for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children):
1. Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s), Cornwall — from £396.80
2. Shetland Islands, Scotland — from £717
3. Isle of Man, Channel Islands — from £797
4. Orkney Islands, Scotland — from £845
5. Isle of Skye, Scotland — from £858.60
6. Isle of Bute, Scotland — from £895.20
7. Clare Island, Ireland — from £922
8. Isle of Arran, Scotland — from £1,012.60
9. Isle of Wight — from £1,025.40 
10. Jersey, Channel Islands — from £1,230

<br/><br/>

Naturally, the summer holidays come with additional costs outside of just the price of travel and accommodation. Our previous research revealed that parents spend £15 more per day, per child during the school holidays vs. term time, so budgeting beyond these prices is recommended.

Our research found that the top islands to getaway close to home, include the Isles of Scilly and Isle of Wight, especially for those looking for cheaper staycation destinations. 

Equally, the Scottish Isle of Arran is also a great option for those wanting to escape and see some truly breathtaking scenic views. For those wanting to head slightly further afield, then the Isle of Man, located in the Channel Islands, is likely to be your best port of call and has also made it onto all three of the top 10 lists.

## How to save for your staycation
![Savings 1920x1080](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/34KBnRIcN1ETiNsiEr4eUr/1b6c8e34ee475b59f04ac0f7dd54d3d8/Savings_1920x1080.png)
For those dreaming of travelling to one of the above locations and beyond, we’ve put together some top tips on how best to save in a short amount of time for the staycation of your dreams.

### 1. Set a realistic goal
Know exactly how much you’re aiming to save up for this trip. Once you’ve got a number in mind, you can work out how much you'd need to save each week to reach this goal. If you’re trying to save a large amount each week, work out a specific budget and make sure you stick to it.

When giving yourself a budget, remember to be realistic: you can’t expect to completely cut down overnight, and if you set a budget that’s too strict, you may find yourself dipping into the money you’ve worked hard to save!

With Monese, you can easily set a weekly or monthly [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") to help keep you on track. 

### 2. Make smart swaps
If you’re going to struggle to meet your goal due to current [spending](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/keep-spending-under-control "Top tips to keep spending under control as we ease back into normality") habits, you might need to make some decisions about your priorities and adjust expenses accordingly.

For example, when doing your food shop, swapping out name brands for cheaper, supermarket own brands is a great way to reduce your shopping bills and will make a difference in your weekly spending. Take a list with you and stick to it. Don’t get distracted by any flashy deals or buy more than you need. 

If you get recipe boxes delivered, then you may want to put these on pause too, as buying  ingredients yourself is usually quite cheaper.

### 3. Set money aside before you spend
Commit to putting money aside as soon as you get [paid](https://monese.com/blog/receive-salary "How to receive your salary in your Monese account"). If you treat setting money aside as an obligation, and see it as being similar to paying your bills, you’ll end up reaching your target goal in no time.

### 4. Use Monese money pots
You can set up a money [pot](https://monese.com/products/pots "Open Monese money pots") in the app so you have a place to keep your staycation money separate from day-to-day spending. Give your pot a target goal and reach it fast by rounding up your transactions by 10x and sending the difference to your designated staycation pot. You can also create up to 10 different pots to help you keep everything you’re saving for separate from each other, so you can track your [holiday money](https://monese.com/blog/holiday-money-at-home "How much holiday money could you find at home?") accurately. 

### 5. Cut back on treats
If you want to save in a short amount of time, the best thing to do is cut out any of your unnecessary purchases. With the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature, you can easily keep an eye on any excess spending. You’ll also get instant notifications for detailed transaction descriptions every time you buy, making it easier to stay on track.

For example, eat in instead of having meals out and takeaways. Really consider if you need any new clothing or a new set of nails. Afterall, cutting back on the extra expenses while you’re at home means you can enjoy yourself more when you’re on your holiday.

<br/><br/>

Are you planning a staycation this summer? Let us know where you’re headed! Share your budgeting and savings tips and tricks with us on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

<br/><br/>

*__Sources:__*

** [https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-staycation-surge-hikes-up-cost-of-seaside-holiday-lets-12236330](https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-staycation-surge-hikes-up-cost-of-seaside-holiday-lets-12236330 "COVID-19: Staycation surge hikes up cost of seaside holiday lets")*

*__Methodology:__*
- *Data and calculations are correct as of 7/7/2021*
- *Family of four is inclusive of 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 12*
- *All prices are inclusive of travel costs (both by ferry or plane) and accommodation (selected from the cheapest options available e.g., camping, B&B or hotel, etc.)*
- *Calculations were based around a 7-night stay between the 16–23 August on UK islands.*

*__Data was taken from the following sources:__*
- *Skyscanner was used to determine the cost of flights from London (if available) to each destination, the cheapest flights were used if they were cheaper than a ferry*
- *All ferry prices are just for the person — not inclusive of a car*
- *Alderney — [https://www.thelittleferrycompany.com/](https://www.thelittleferrycompany.com/ "Twice Daily Ferry Service  Alderney - Guernsey")*
- *Brownsea Island — [https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island/features/winter-weekend-opening](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island/features/winter-weekend-opening "How to get to Brownsea Island")*
- *Clare Island — [https://clareisland.info/get-here-clare-island/ferry-times/ ](https://clareisland.info/get-here-clare-island/ferry-times/ "Departure Times & Fares")*
- *Guernsey — [https://www.condorferries.co.uk/ferry-routes-ports/ferries-to-guernsey](https://www.condorferries.co.uk/ferry-routes-ports/ferries-to-guernsey "Condor Ferries")*  
- *Isle of Arran — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Bute — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Lewis — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Man — [https://www.steam-packet.com/](https://www.steam-packet.com/ "Steam Packet Company")*
- *Isle of Mull — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Scilly (St. Marys) — [https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/fares/](https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/fares/ "Isles of Scilly Travel")*  
- *Isle of Skye — [https://www.calmac.co.uk/](https://www.calmac.co.uk/ "Caledonian MacBrayne")*
- *Isle of Wight — [https://www.wightlink.co.uk/](https://www.wightlink.co.uk/ "Wight Link")*
- *Jersey — [skyscanner.net](https://www.skyscanner.net "Skyscanner Homepage")*
- *Orkney — [https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/](https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/ "NorthLink Ferries")*
- *Shetland Islands — [https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/](https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/ "NorthLink Ferries")*
- *NB: For accommodation, first used [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com "Booking.com Homepage"), if no availability used Airbnb, if no availability here, then local tourist sites were used*
- *Alderney — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Brownsea Island — [http://www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk/](http://www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk/ "The Eastbury")*
- *Clare Island — [https://www.goexplorehostel.ie/](https://www.goexplorehostel.ie/ "Explore Hostel") (Only available on 21–28 Aug, based on a family room in a hostel, sleeps up to 6) / [https://www.clareisland.ie/accommodation/cicampsite](https://www.clareisland.ie/accommodation/cicampsite "Clare Island Campsite") (Alternatively, there is unreserved camping available at €10 per adult and €6 per person U18. )*
- *Guernsey — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Arran — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Bute — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Lewis — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Man — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")* 
- *Isle of Mull — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")* 
- *Isles of Scilly (St. Mary’s) — h[ttps://www.visitislesofscilly.com/accommodation/garrison-campsite-and-readi-tent-hire-p752093?bookurl=%2Fbook-online%3Fstage%3Dunitsel%26isostartdate%3D2021-7-16%26nights%3D7%26roomReq_1_adults%3D2%26NumRoomReqs%3D1%26fuzzy%3D0%26product%3D752093](https://www.visitislesofscilly.com/accommodation/garrison-campsite-and-readi-tent-hire-p752093?bookurl=%2Fbook-online%3Fstage%3Dunitsel%26isostartdate%3D2021-7-16%26nights%3D7%26roomReq_1_adults%3D2%26NumRoomReqs%3D1%26fuzzy%3D0%26product%3D752093 "Garrison Campsite & Readi-Tent Hire")*
- *Isle of Skye — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Isle of Wight — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Jersey — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Orkney — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*
- *Shetland Islands — [Booking.com](https://www.booking.com/ "Booking.com Homepage")*

*__Other notes:__*
- *Clare Island requires both a flight and the ferry.*
- *The Shetland flights are from Manchester airport as flights don't depart here from London.*
- *Orkney ferry dates are 15-23rd as no ferries leave on the 16th.*
- *Transport prices for Alderney include ferry to Guernsey and then ferry from Guernsey to Alderney.*

We reveal the cheapest UK islands to escape to this summer

Top tips on saving for the staycation of your dreams

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Blog post > Top tips on saving for the staycation of your dreams

Our new research has revealed the top 10 cheapest UK islands to visit.

It’s been a while since we’ve been able to think about travelling abroad. But now that international travel is back on the agenda following the [UK’s green travel list](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#green-list "Green list countries and territories") reveal, some eager Brits have already started planning their getaways. 

Part of holiday planning is figuring out how much money to take with you to cover your expenses abroad and possibly even convert some money. But before you do any of this, did you know that more than half of Brits (63%) have some foreign currency stashed away at home? This means you may already have all or at least some of the foreign currency and holiday money you might need!      

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## Leftover foreign currency stats 
We surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK and learned that Brits have an average of £49.56 in foreign currency somewhere in their homes. The top foreign currencies kept are euros (68%) followed by US dollars (31%). 

Overall, we found that as many as 17.5 million Brits are holding onto a whopping total of £867 million collectively in foreign currency. Check out more of the interesting findings below including where Brits are most likely to stash their leftover travel money.  

![Monese infographic holiday money at home](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2QEpGfGvLBTM0qUaIuLJiT/6b7e99082fdd5a6df2935dda5fd5662c/Monese_Jh_f2_main.png)

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## What are the benefits of travelling with Monese?  
From our research, we also discovered that the majority of people (58%) always buy foreign currency before they travel, with 22% believing that you can’t possibly travel abroad without any foreign currency in cash.   

While it may be useful to have a small amount of foreign currency in cash for small purchases like bus tickets or snacks, taking large amounts of cash away with you is a risky way to travel (only 17% of survey participants said they were worried about carrying lots of cash around on holiday). If your cash is lost or stolen, it’s gone for good. 

### Keep your money safe
Putting money on your [Monese card](https://monese.com/travel-money-card "The only travel money card you’ll need") is the safest way to go! Via the app, you’re in complete control of your money and account. So if you happen to lose your card while abroad, not to worry! Because your money is still [safe](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do"). You can easily lock your card straight from your app and your account and money stay protected. 

### Dual account to keep your travel money separate
With Monese, you can also open a secondary account so you can budget for your holiday, add in the exact amount of money you’d like to spend while abroad and keep your travel money separate. This way, you also secure the exchange rate and protect yourself from currency fluctuations while on holiday. And if you run low, easily move money instantly from your primacy account.  

### Forget about bank charges
Thirteen per cent of participants also worried about charges associated with using a bank card while abroad. But with Monese, this is something you’ll never have to worry about. 

When you spend abroad using your Monese card, you’ll still benefit from the wholesale currency exchange rate. You also get generous allowances on ATM withdrawals worldwide so you have easy access to cash when you need it. And if you need a little more, you can easily upgrade your [plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") for higher allowances and downgrade after your travels! We never tie you to anything so you’re free to choose the best plan for you at any time. 

### Instant spending notifications
So if you’re planning on going away soon, remember: don’t go without your Monese card! You’ll get instant notifications as you spend so you can easily keep track of your money and in your app, we’ll even show you the wholesale exchange rate of your transaction so you know what you’ve spent in the local currency. 

<br/><br/>

What’s the first place on your travel bucket list? Let us know where you’re headed on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). For even more travel tips, check out our other [blog posts](https://monese.com/blog/smart-tips-travel "Smart tips to save you money when you travel").  

<br/><br/>

__Methodology__

*Survey of 2,005 UK adults completed in May 2021. The 17.5 million figure was based on 63% of respondents in the survey saying they have some foreign currency at home. We calculated what 63% of 27.8 million is (this is the number of UK households — recent data from the ONS). This came out at 17,514,000. To get the £867 million figure we did 17,514,000 x£49.56 (which was the average value figure from the survey).*

You might have more leftover foreign currency than you think! 

How much holiday money could you find at home?

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Blog post > How much holiday money could you find at home?

You may already have all the foreign currency and holiday money you might need right at home!

One in four of us have been setting money aside for a holiday this year, according to our survey in January 2021.* If you’ve been saving for that dream trip, then you’ll no doubt be particularly delighted that you can finally head abroad again as countries open back up.

You’ve probably already got a destination in mind, but before you jet off, we recommend you take a look at our smart travel tips to save you money, make budgeting for your holiday easier and help you keep your Monese account safe while you’re away.

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## When booking
Whether for airline tickets, accomodation or car rentals, keep these tips in mind when making your travel reservations: 

- Departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often the cheapest day to fly.
-  Look for flights departing late at night or early in the morning as these usually cost much less.
- Adding a layover can drastically reduce the price of your ticket compared to flying direct — but take note of any Covid-related restrictions or requirements in the country you’re connecting through.
- Join hotel loyalty programs to save money in the long run by getting free hotel stays and extra perks reserved exclusively for members.
- If you need transport, booking a hire car as part of an airplane and hotel package can save you money, so explore and test out different options before proceeding with a reservation.
- Make sure you’re reserving from the official website of the hotel, airline, train or rental car agency to avoid falling for any scams or paying extra for markups.
- Avoid super low, cheap prices with stiff cancellation policies. With the ever-changing travel restrictions and requirements, it’s better to opt for a flexible cancellation policy even if it means paying a little bit more.
- Read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions and cancellation policies before booking.
- Dial up the security when booking flights and accommodation online with [3D Secure](https://monese.com/blog/shop-online-3d-secure "Layer up with 3D Secure") and link your Monese card to [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/features/apple-pay "Apple Pay: Easier, faster, more secure payments") or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/features/google-pay "Monese with Google Pay™") for encryption and protection when checking out.

## Before you travel
Here’s what you’ll want to do right before you're ready to go:

- Make sure your Monese card is loaded and ready to go! Choose the best way to [add money](https://monese.com/features/add-funds "Adding money easily") to your account or top up your account with [cash](https://monese.com/features/add-funds/cash "Add money to your account with cash") at more than 84,000 payment point locations across the UK and Europe with [Post Office](https://www.postoffice.co.uk/ "Post Office: Homepage"), [PayPoint](https://paypoint.com/ "PayPoint: Homepage") or [Paysafecash](https://monese.com/features/paysafe "Add cash to your Monese account with Paysafecash").
- Plan and set aside your travel budget before you take off, so you don’t accidentally overspend.
- Review your plan and allowances — if you think you’ll need a little extra for your trip, [upgrade your plan](https://monese.com/pricing "Our pricing") as we’ll never tie you to anything and you’re free to downgrade at any time. 
- Set up instant notifications in your app so you’ll be able to know exactly what you’re spending while on holiday, and how much you have left.

## While on holiday
Here’s how to save with Monese while you’re on holiday:

- Pay in the local currency or travel with your [Monese card](https://monese.com/travel-money-card "The only travel money card you’ll need") instead for better exchange rates and worldwide ATM withdrawals with fee-free allowances.
- Pay contactless and with your phone by linking your Monese card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay in-store anywhere in the world where the contactless symbol is displayed.
- Keep your money and account [secure](https://monese.com/features/security "Security is at the heart of what we do") while on holiday by locking and unlocking your [card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "Get a prepaid debit card from Monese") straight from your app.

## When you get back
To wrap up your trip, here are the important steps you’ll want to take once you’ve made it home:

- Check your transactions upon your return to make sure there aren’t any double charges, missing refund credits or spending that you didn’t authorise.
- Take time to look over your outgoings with our [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") feature to give you a clear understanding of how much you spent while abroad and help you better prepare for your next trip away with a more informed, organised budget.
- Easily [request payments](https://monese.com/blog/2019/03/request-payments "Request payments simply, quickly and politely") right from your app from fellow travellers who owe you money from your holiday. 
- Start planning your next trip with [pots](https://monese.com/products/savings "Grow your savings") as they’re a designated place to hold your new travel fund and keep this money separate from day-to-day spending.

<br/><br/>

But the number one tip we could give you is don’t forget to pack Monese! Aside from all the reasons listed above, once you’re back from your holiday, you can carry on using your Monese card  as you normally would and not have to worry about annoying coins left over at the end of your trip. 

Now that we’re all gearing up to get back out there in the world, what are your top tips for travel? Let us know on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).
<br/><br/>

__*Methodology__
*Survey of 1,000 UK adults completed in January 2021.*

Finally heading abroad? Make sure you follow these tips

Smart tips to save you money when you travel

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Blog post > Smart tips to save you money when you travel

Take a look at our smart travel tips to save you money, make budgeting for your holiday easier and help you keep your Monese account safe while you’re away.

Having the kids at home can be great fun, but it can also prove to be expensive. 

Our latest survey with UK parents revealed that two-thirds (65%) worry about the cost of keeping their kids entertained during school breaks. 

On average, parents told us that over the holidays, they typically spend around £15 more per day, per child, on extras such as food, treats and activities, versus a normal school day. We estimate that across an average year, the school holidays could cost parents £975 per child. This is based on the child having around 65 school holiday days a year (not including weekends). Households on lower incomes are typically more worried about this financial burden. 

With this in mind, we’ve looked at some of the best value days out that all the family can enjoy, across the UK, along with tips to help you prepare your spending and budget around school holidays. 

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## Take control of your school holiday budget
Here are our top five tips to help you make a plan to make the most of your money around school holidays:

### 1. Budget in advance
If you can afford to, set aside a little bit of extra money before school holidays come around, so the extra cost of lunches or little treats doesn’t come as a surprise. Our [pots](https://monese.com/features/pots "Save with pots ") make it easier to set aside little bits of money regularly.

### 2. Know what you can spend 
Be clear on your [budget](https://monese.com/features/budgeting "Budgeting made easy") by reviewing incoming income and regular outgoings. You may find that you need to make compromises on things like takeaway meals and streaming service subscriptions to do other things with your kids on their days off. 

### 3. Stick to your budget 
Easier said than done but try your best to stick to your budget. With Monese, you get instant notifications whenever you spend making it easier to track how much money is going out. At the end of day, check the [Spending Overview](https://monese.com/blog/simple-spending-overview "An easy way to stay on top of your spending") screen in your app to see exactly where your money went. 

### 4. Search for free activities 
Play dates, walks, trips to the park — they’re all free! You’ll be surprised just how much there is to do out there that doesn’t cost you a penny.

### 5. Watch out for special offers 
Local magazines and newspapers, newsletters and social media are all good places to look out for on special offers on trips and activities with your family and can save you a lot of money.

## Budget-friendly places to visit
At the time of research (April 2021), all of our suggestions came in at £25 or less for the admission of two adults and two children, although travel expenses and parking charges may be additional. 

### 1. West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Suffolk
One of England's great archaeological sites, featuring extensive indoor galleries and a stunning recreation of an [Anglo-Saxon village](https://www.weststow.org/ "West Stow") surrounded by 125 acres of unspoilt countryside.

__Price:__ £16 for a family ticket (up to 5 family members, maximum 2 adults) 

### 2. Beaumaris Castle, Beaumaris, Wales
[Beaumaris](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/beaumaris-castle "Beaumaris Castle") on the island of Anglesey is famous as the greatest castle never built. It was the last of the royal strongholds created by Edward I in Wales and his architect James of St George — this was to be their crowning glory, the castle to end all castles.

__Price:__ Free

### 3. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, Birmingham
From reptiles and birds to furry favourites like monkeys and red pandas, there are new friends to meet everywhere you turn at [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](http://www.cannonhillpark.co.uk/nature-centre "Cannon Hill Park"). You can even catch up with the keepers at feeding times to find out more about some of their animals and see them have their lunch!

__Price:__ £21.80 for two adults and two children 

### 4. Cambridge Museum of Technology, Cambridge
[Cambridge Museum of Technology](https://www.museumoftechnology.com/ "Museum of Technology") is the home of our industrial heritage. Children are free to explore and take part in activities while learning about Cambridge’s former industrial landscape.

__Price:__ Families of two adults and up to four children — £13.00 

### 5. Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley
One of the biggest [farm](https://www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk/ "Cannon Hall Farm") attractions in the UK, it’s a world of animal magic where thousands of baby animals are born every year. Children can enjoy sheep and ferret racing or learn how milk is produced during cow and goat milking demonstrations.

__Price:__ £23.70 for two adults and two children on a weekday 

### 6. Canonteign Falls, Devon
Visit [Canonteign Falls](https://www.canonteignfalls.co.uk/ "Escape to a tranquil private estate in the heart of the Devon countryside") for peaceful walks among the waterfalls and lakes and family fun in the gardens and playgrounds. Experience the highest waterfall in Dartmoor National Park.  

__Price:__ £25 for a family of four  

### 7. City of Caves, Nottingham 
[City of Caves](https://www.nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/venue/city-of-caves/ "National Justice Museum") is part of a hidden maze of over 500 original sandstone caves underneath the streets of Nottingham dating back to the dark ages.

__Price:__ £24.50 for a family of four 

### 8. Cotswold Sculpture Park, Gloucestershire
There are ten acres of lush, forested ground with dozens of [sculptures](https://cotswoldsculpturepark.co.uk/ "Cotswold Sculpture Park") from a variety of artists. The sculptures are also available to buy if you find one that you wish to have in your own garden.

__Price:__ £20 for two adults and two children 

### 9. Derby Ram Trail, Derby
Derby Museums in partnership with Wild in Art are bringing a flock of 30 colourful and unique 5ft [rams on a trail](https://derbyramtrail.org/ "Derby Ram Trail") around the city of Derby.

__Price:__ Free

### 10. Free Harry Potter tour, Edinburgh, Scotland
Explore some of the real places in Edinburgh that inspired J K Rowling to create the [Harry Potter](https://freeharrypottertour.com/ "Free Harry Potter tour") series.

__Price:__ Free

### 11. Imperial War Museum North, Manchester 
Explore the timeline from the [First World War](https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-north "Imperial War Museum North") to the present day, immerse yourself in the Big Picture Show, discover the forgotten histories of service personnel and civilians and see conflict through the eyes of artists.

__Price:__ Free

### 12. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, Yorkshire
This [trail](https://www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/ "Ingleton Waterfalls Trail") follows a well-defined footpath which runs as close to the edge of the two rivers as possible to provide spectacular views of the waterfalls. Walking boots or strong shoes are advised.

__Price:__ £24 for two adults and two children 

### 13. Kelburn Country Centre, Ayrshire, Scotland
The most popular attractions at [Kelburn](https://www.kelburnestate.com/ "Kelburn Estate") include the magical Secret Forest — a complex of woodland paths and raised walkways with fairy tale surprises at every turn, and the Waterfall Pool where the Kel burn drops 20ft into a spectacular grotto. There's also the Adventure Park, the Wild West Saloon, indoor soft play, gardens, surprising artwork throughout the glen and much more.

__Price:__ Free

### 14. Macduff Marine Aquarium, Macduff, Scotland 
Meet hundreds of local fishy characters at this fascinating [aquarium](https://www.macduff-aquarium.org.uk/ "Macduff Marine Aquarium"). Enjoy daily feed shows, touch pool sessions and see divers feeding the fish!

__Price:__ £22.40 for a family of four 

### 15. Natural History Museum, London 
Find answers to your big nature questions. Delve into stories about the [Museum's](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/ "Natural History Museum") collections, scientists and research. Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.

__Price:__ Free

### 16. Northern Ireland War Memorial, Belfast, Ireland
The [Northern Ireland War Memorial](http://www.niwarmemorial.org/ "NI War Memorial") tells the story of how Northern Ireland was affected by and contributed to the Second World War. The museum has an expanding collection and offers a range of family events and workshops for schools and community groups.

__Price:__ Free

### 17. Northumberland College Zoo, Northumberland 
[Northumberland College Zoo](https://www.northumberland.ac.uk/for-visitors/northumberland-college-zoo/ "Northumberland") is home to 150 species of animals. Children can watch animal feedings throughout the day and learn about conservation.

__Price:__ £6.95 per adult, 4.95 per child

### 18. Puzzlewood Forest, Coleford
Experience twisted trees in an otherworldly [woodland](https://www.puzzlewood.net/ "Puzzlewood Forest") through a mile and a half of paths, bridges and lookout points. 

__Price:__ £25 for two adults and two children 

### 19. Rabbit Farm, Gwynedd, Wales 
Take a visit to this [farm](https://rabbitfarm.co.uk/ "Rabbit Farm") and interact with lots of animals. Children can handle different animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, even puppies. They can also hand feed many of the larger animals like pigs. 

__Price:__ £5 per adult, £4.50 per child (3–15yo)

### 20. Royal Victoria Country Park, Hampshire
The [Royal Victoria Country Park](https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/rvcp/visit "Hampshire County Council") is by the shores of Southampton Water. It comprises 200 acres of mature woodland and grassy parkland, as well as a small shingle beach. It has a fairy garden, playground and miniature railway.

__Price:__ Free

### 21. Sandringham Garden, Norfolk
The 600-acre [Royal Park](https://sandringhamestate.co.uk/ "WELCOME TO SANDRINGHAM") has two waymarked trails winding through woodlands and parkland with further unmarked paths for you to explore.

__Price:__ £12 per adult, free for under 17

### 22. Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, Yorkshire
Set on a mysterious island amid dense jungle, an exploding volcano, plunging waterfall and ferocious dinosaurs lay two challenging indoor 18-hole mini [golf](https://xscapeyorkshire.co.uk/attractions/volcano-falls-adventure-golf "Volcano Falls Adventure Golf") courses, waiting to be defeated. Enjoy some refreshments on your visit with a range of street food and two fully stocked Tiki Bars!

__Price:__ £24 for a family of four

### 23. Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, Swansea, Wales
The [sanctuary](https://www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk/index.html "Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary") rescues and provides a home for many types of animals, especially primates, such as chimpanzees, baboons, spider monkeys and marmosets.

__Price:__ £25 for a family of four 

### 24. WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre, Moray, Scotland
The [WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre](https://dolphincentre.whales.org/ "Dolphin Centre") is based at the mouth of the River Spey where the world's largest bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen feeding, hunting and breaching, wild and free along with seals, ospreys, the occasional otter and a whole host of other wildlife. 

__Price:__ Free

### 25. Wood Mills Nature Reserve, Sussex
Visitors can walk past the old ponds and lake, through the ancient [woodland](https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/woods-mill "Wood Mills Nature Reserve"), alongside the streams and waterways into the unimproved meadows with their wild hedgerows — habitats all contained within its 47 acres. This variety of habitat attracts an impressive number of species including mammals, insects, amphibians and birds.

__Price:__ Free

<br/><br/>

How are you planning your budget around school holidays and family days? Let us know your spending and savings tips on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese "Monese official Instagram page") or write to us at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

<br/><br/>

__Methodology__
*Survey of 2,000 UK parents completed in April 2021.*

We’ve rounded up some of the best family days out in the UK that don’t cost a fortune

25 family days out for under £25

25 family days £25

Blog post > 25 family days out for under £25

We’ve looked at some of the best value days out that all the family can enjoy, across the UK, along with tips to help you prepare your spending and budget around school holidays. 

Last year was a complete bust, to say the least — but especially when it came to travel plans. Many special occasions were interrupted due to Covid-19 — from postponed holiday plans, weddings, concerts and other major international events. But hopeful adventure seekers see the light at the end of the tunnel as coronavirus vaccination plans are underway in countries worldwide. 

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Regardless, while it may still be too early to expect travel to get right back to normal anytime soon, many travellers are optimistic with talk of vaccination passports and [lockdown exit plans.](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56161129 "BBC - Holiday bookings surge following lockdown exit plans") 

![IG Story travel question and answer](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4UPISuIVR1rgUS0cpJX0oF/512c6c0cb10a5c2a03c785d6ca91114c/IG_Story__1_.png)

So if you’re planning on getting back out there this year, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best money-saving advice and other travel tips for organising your next getaway, whenever that may be. ✈️

## Booking airline tickets 
If you’re feeling ready and comfortable enough to get back on a plane (and you’re doing so safely), look out for flexible deals and policies being offered by many airlines. Both low-cost and major carriers are offering vouchers should your travel dates change last-minute, or even zero cancellation fees well into late 2021 bookings. 

For example, with [British Airways](https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/incident/coronavirus/latest-information?dr=&dt=British%20Airways%20%7C%20Book%20Flights,%20Holidays,%20City%20Breaks%20%26%20Check%20In%20Online&scheme=&audience=travel&CUSTSEG=&GGLMember=&ban=8e42dec5bdb91e62531666c004b7bb4c%7C%7CCAM%7C9%7CCTA1%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7CHOME%7C%7C%7C%7CL4%7C%7C%7C%7Canonymous-inspiration%7C%7C%7C&KMtag=c&KMver=1.0&clickpage=HOME#make "COVID-19 travel and service updates"), you have the option to change the destination, dates or even cancel fee-free for bookings until the end of August 2021. Spanish low-cost airline [Vueling](https://www.vueling.com/en/passengers/flex-and-care/ "Flex & Care") provides passengers with maximum flexibility by allowing them to change dates, destinations, and ticket holders for free. If you've always wanted to travel far and wide but are on a limited budget, these may be the bargains and policies to take advantage of.  

If you’re looking to save a few bucks on your airline tickets this year, check out these top money travel tips below that’ll help you save when booking your next flight:  

- If you have a flexible itinerary, departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday is often the cheapest in the week
- Red-eye flights usually cost much less, so look for flights departing late at night or early in the morning  
- Adding a layover can drastically reduce the price of your ticket compared to flying direct, so it’s something to consider if you aren’t in a hurry – but take note of any Covid-related restrictions in the country you’re connecting through 

For even more travel tips and money-savings gems, make sure to read Parts [1](https://monese.com/blog/smart-money-travel-tips-1 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 1"), [2](https://monese.com/blog/smart-travel-money-tips-2 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 2") and [3](https://monese.com/blog/smart-travel-money-tips-3 "Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 3") of our Smart Travel Money Tips series. 

## Reserving accommodation 
Likewise, hotels and online travel agents are currently offering flexible booking policies in response to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, so shop around to see what’ll work best for you. For a list of places offering accommodating reservations, visit Google’s [Hotel Center Help](https://support.google.com/hotelprices/answer/9814453?hl=en "Flexible policies for hotel reservations"). 

When booking places to stay, here are some general rules to follow to guarantee you the best experience and even save you money:

- Join hotel loyalty programs — this can save you money in the long run by getting you free hotel stays and extra perks reserved strictly for members  
- [Link Monese](https://monese.com/gb/en/products/avios "Monese with Avios") and your British Airways Executive Club account to collect [Avios](https://monese.com/gb/en/blog/introducing-avios "Introducing the world’s first current account to link with Avios") points when you book accommodation on sites like [Booking.com](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers/booking-com-uk "Collect Avios with Booking.com UK"), [Hotels.com](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers/hotels-com-uk "Collect Avios with Hotels.com UK") and [more](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers?c=travel#Travel "British Airways") 

## Renting a car 
If you’re still feeling uneasy about using public transport, you may want to opt for renting a car once at your travel destination instead of relying on the local metro, bus or train system. The car rental business is another sector of the tourism industry that was hit hard due to the coronavirus outbreak. Therefore, it’d be wise to compare costs at a few different sites to see which companies have slashed prices. With a bit of effort and research, you may snag yourself an excellent deal for your transport while on holiday!  

Things to keep in mind when browsing for your next car rental include the following: 

- Avoid super low, cheap prices with stiff cancellation policies — with the ever-changing travel restrictions, better to opt for a flexible cancellation policy even if it means paying a little more
- Steer clear of deals that only apply for small cars (i.e., impractical cars you can’t take with you if you plan on going camping, exploring rougher landscapes and terrains, beaches, etc.) 
- Booking your car as part of an airplane and hotel package can save you money, so explore and test out different options before proceeding with a reservation 

## Travel by train
Don’t feel as put off by the idea of enjoying a scenic trip by train? Well, this is your moment because rail tours and train holidays have also drastically dropped fare prices and are offering travellers maximum flexibility. For instance, [Railbookers](https://www.railbookers.co.uk/why-railbookers/frequently-asked-questions/ "Frequently Asked Questions") has a new cancellation and rescheduling policy. They'll allow passengers who book through 31 March 2021 to change their travel dates or cancel their rail holiday up to 5 days before departure without incurring any change or cancellation fees.

When booking trains and railway holidays, don’t forget to check for the following which could make your getaway more cost-effective: 

- Don’t pay the full price before checking for any discounts you may be eligible for (youth, student, senior, child, family, group, veteran, military members, etc.)  
- Check if the train company you’re booking with offers multi-ride tickets — this will allow you to stop and explore different areas and cities and hop back on the train over a certain period 
- While most railway companies allow for free baggage check and hand luggage, it’s not always the case — remember to review the baggage policy before booking, so you aren’t surprised by any extra costs later

## And finally...
Some general do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when booking or planning a getaway: 

- __Don’t__ travel without doing your research on your destination’s quarantine rules or Covid-19 testing requirements  
- __Do__ read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions and cancellation policies before booking 
- __Don’t__ fall for any booking scams, and make sure you’re reserving from the official website of the hotel, airline, train or rental car agency 
- __Do__ know your consumer rights and remember they may not apply if you’re travelling in a foreign country 
- __Don’t__ pay unnecessary foreign exchange or bank charges while abroad 
- __Do__ pay in the local currency or travel with your [Monese card](https://monese.com/features/debit-card "A contactless Mastercard debit card for anywhere in the world") instead for better exchange rates and worldwide ATM withdrawals with fee-free allowances

For more tips, check out our [Travel do’s and don’ts from Monesers](https://monese.com/blog/travel-dos-donts "How to make the most of any trip with these helpful spending tips") on our blog. 
<br/> <br/>

If you’re finally fulfilling all (or at least some of) the travel plans you had to put off in 2020, please remember to do so safely. Wear a mask when travelling, wash and sanitise your hands frequently, keep a safe distance from fellow passengers and follow all the rules in place.

Are you travelling in 2021? If so, where? Let us know on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese "Monese official Facebook page"), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese "Monese official Twitter page"), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/ "Monese official Instagram page") or email us your travel plans at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 

Bon voyage! 🧳

Things to know plus how to save if you plan on vacationing this year  


Top tips for your next attempted travel 

Travel Tips 2021 - Landscape (1)

Brown suitcase filled with reddish flip flips, masks, Monese card, headphones, clothes, hand sanitiser, hat, camera, sunglasses

Blog post > Top tips for your next travel attempt 

Things to know plus how to save if you plan on vacationing this year  

Top tips for your next travel attempt 

It’s been roughly four months since countries went into lockdown, and airlines began grounding their planes, cancelling flights and affecting millions of passengers around the world. But it wasn’t just cancelled flights — many people had to quash hotel reservations, cruises and many other getaway plans.

The good news is that slowly, many countries have started reopening, and we’ve begun to hear the sound of plane engines flying above us once more. However, many of us are still struggling to obtain refunds — even vouchers — for original travel plans from back when the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown started.

That’s why we’ve put together a guide for you on steps you can take to help you obtain your refunds if you’re still having issues.

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## Flights
![Flights-Holiday-Refunds-2](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/23ih2qh6ImRpWoBXZmdn7L/8e72631197a53609bbbbd2130a82c633/Flights-Holiday-Refunds-2.png)

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, many airlines offered vouchers right off the bat. However, according to EU guidelines, air passenger rights state you’re entitled to a cash refund, regardless of the pandemic. Moreover, the regulation also outlines that reimbursements should be made within seven days. 

However, airlines are understandably overwhelmed right now, given the unprecedented circumstances and aren’t always meeting this legal requirement. Many are also doing absolutely everything possible to avoid giving refunds or making it agonisingly difficult to obtain one. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few things you can do, as [recommended](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm) by the EU:
- If the airline doesn’t respond to your request within two months or you’re unsatisfied with their response, you can contact a [National Enforcement Body](https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/passengers/neb_en) (NEB). NEBs are responsible for the implementation of Regulation 261/2004 regarding flights leaving from airports located in their territory and flights coming from countries to an airport situated in their territory.
- If you are a resident of an EU country, Norway or Iceland, and if the airline is based in one of these countries, the [European Consumer Centers Network](https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/consumers/resolve-your-consumer-complaint/european-consumer-centres-network-ecc-net_en) in your country of residence can help you. This network aims to provide consumers with a wide variety of services, from providing information on their rights to advising and assisting with complaints and resolving disputes.
- Depending on the nature of your claim, the [European Small Claims Procedure](https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_small_claims-42-en.do) may be useful. This procedure aims to simplify the assessment and resolution of small cross-border disputes and reduce the costs and duration of such actions.
- If you purchased your ticket online, you can submit your complaint on the [EU Online Dispute Resolution platform](https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/main/?event=main.trader.register).

## Other transport and travel
The EU is the only place where a full set of passenger rights protects everyone travelling by plane, rail, ship and bus. Therefore, if your ticket was cancelled for other transport methods, including train, bus, coach, ferry and travel packages, you’re entitled to a reimbursement or voucher. 

If you opt for a voucher, [EU guidelines](https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/recommendation_vouchers_en.pdf) published in May state vouchers should have a minimum validity period of one year and have to be refunded after a maximum of one year if they’re not used. Transport companies should be flexible (for example, allowing passengers to travel on the same route under the same service conditions). Vouchers should also be transferable to another traveller.

## Hotels, car rentals and events

Unfortunately, EU consumer law doesn’t regulate conditions or consequences when it comes to hotels or other accommodation reservations cancelled due to the pandemic. Therefore, you’re best off checking your contract with the establishment or their website for updates on their refund policy due to Covid-19.

Like for accommodation, EU consumer law doesn’t regulate car rental reservations or the cancellation of sports and cultural events.

If you have travel insurance, check to see if you’re covered for any money you can’t get back. It’ll depend on the policy you’ve taken out and if it includes cancellation cover, airspace closure cover, travel disruption, etc.

Nevertheless, apart from checking your contract, understanding your refund policy or checking with your travel insurer, there are a few things you’re advised to do if you’re having problems:

- National law for your country may protect your consumer rights. Check [here](https://www.eccireland.ie/covid19-legislative-measures-european-union-and-ireland/) for specific legislation regarding accommodation and events, and what you’re entitled to.
- If you know you’re owed a refund but are having trouble obtaining one, contact the European Consumer Centre Network in the country where you live, which can assist you and follow your case with the accommodation provider or booking platform.
- If you booked a reservation online, you can submit your complaint on the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform for free.
- If you used a credit card to pay for any service, it might be worth contacting your credit card company to see if they can help with a chargeback.

The good news is that if you purchased or booked tickets with your Monese card, we’ll let you know as soon as the refund lands in your account. Be patient and persistent. The coronavirus crisis has created a great backlog for many sectors, but especially for the travel industry. It may be a while before your money is reimbursed to you — but don’t give up. 

If you’ve managed to successfully get your refund for cancelled vacation plans, let us know your tips. Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or via email at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

Millions of people in the EU are still waiting on their money for cancelled holiday plans due to Covid-19

Struggling to obtain flight or holiday refunds? Here’s what to do

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Blog post > Struggling to obtain flight or holiday refunds? Here’s what to do

While some countries start to ease lockdown restrictions and all kinds of places begin to open, it’s unlikely that most international flights will be taking off anytime soon. For many, this means summer holiday plans have been halted. However, that doesn’t mean we have to give up on our travel aspirations! There are plenty of famous museums, beautiful gardens, even world-renowned landmarks you can easily tour from the comfort and safety of your home.

To make it easy for you, we’ve gathered a list of places you can “visit” virtually along with plenty of music and entertainment options. While some of these events and tours are paid, many are also free to make it easy on your wallet.

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## Museums
From art, exhibitions and sculptures, we’ve got something for all the history buffs and art lovers out there. Here’s a list of museums from around the world you can visit and explore straight from your screen, in various ways:

- [British Museum (London)](https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/)
- [Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York City)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/solomon-r-guggenheim-museum)
- [Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/rijksmuseum)
- [Musée d’Orsay (Paris)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/musee-dorsay-paris)
- [Uffizi Gallery (Florence)](https://www.uffizi.it/en)
- [MASP (São Paulo)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/masp)
- [National Gallery of Victoria (Victoria)](https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/channel/)
- [Picasso Museum (Barcelona)](http://courtyard.museupicassobcn.org/)
- [National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en)
- [Hong Kong Heritage Museum (Sha Tin)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/hong-kong-heritage-museum?date=1850)
- [Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago)](https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually)
- [Tate Modern (London)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjgAd6Z-dd0&feature=emb_title)
- [National Palace Museum (Taipei)](https://tech2.npm.edu.tw/720vr/museumen/views.html)
- [Museum of Modern Art (New York City)](https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/moma-the-museum-of-modern-art)
- [Louvre Museum (Paris)](https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne)
- [Vatican Museums (Vatican City)](http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html)

## Gardens
If you’ve been suffering from cabin fever, perhaps these virtual garden tours are just the “outdoor” escape you need. Stop and smell the roses (figuratively speaking) at these popular botanical gardens from home:

- [Shukkeien Garden (Hiroshima)](http://secure.panoramic.graphics/publicvr/shukkeien/)
- [New York Botanical Garden (New York City)](https://www.nybg.org/nybg-at-home/)
- [Gardens of Villandry (Villandry)](https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/en/explore/an-overview-of-villandry/virtual-tour/)
- [Jardim Botânico (Rio de Janeiro)](https://www.youvisit.com/tour/brazil)
- [The Gardens of Versailles (Versailles)](https://artsandculture.google.com/story/cwWhTPHE38uq4g)
- [Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (Papaikou)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtZ0dcUzGX8)
- [Hidcote Gardens (Bartrim)](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote/features/hidcote-virtual-tours?awc=3795_1589567901_b5db80b7dbce6793534a2a6d182da134&campid=Affiliates_Central_Mem_AWIN_Standard&aff=78888)
- [Chicago Botanic Garden (Chicago)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV0Ryaw0hGc)
- [The Cincinnati Botanical Garden (Cincinnati)](https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/)
- [Birmingham Botanic Gardens (Birmingham)](https://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/venue/virtual-tour/)
- [RHS Wisley (Wisley)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=FhFQj-fyJ_8&feature=emb_logo)
- [Kew Gardens (Richmond)](https://www.kew.org/about-us/virtual-kew-wakehurst)
- [United States Botanic Garden (Washington D.C.)](https://www.usbg.gov/take-virtual-tour)
- [RHS Chelsea Flower Show (London)](https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/virtual-chelsea?awc=2273_1589567970_6ae7c34f09813368ce98e93cf2e63218)
- [Butchart Gardens (Brentwood Bay)](https://www.butchartgardens.com/a-virtual-visit/)
- [Giardini Botanici Villa Taranto (Verbania)](https://www.villataranto.it/en/gardens/)

## Landmarks
Had a fabulous trip planned this summer to walk the Great Wall of China? Or maybe you were planning to climb the top of Machu Picchu in Peru. While it’s unfortunate many vacation plans have been postponed, you can still feed a bit of your travel bug with these incredible digital alternatives:

- [Great Wall of China (Huairou)](https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china)
- [The Colosseum (Rome)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJeF7hDB0UA)
- [Petra (Jordan)](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/petra/)
- [Machu Picchu (Eastern Cordillera)](https://www.youvisit.com/tour/machupicchu?pl=f)
- [Taj Mahal (Agra)](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/taj-mahal/)
- [Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro)](https://www.youvisit.com/tour/brazil)
- [Cliffs of Moher (Burren)](https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/virtual-visit-tour/)
- [The Canadian Rockies](https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/plan-your-trip/webcams/#/0)
- [Acropolis (Athens)](http://www.yougoculture.com/virtual-tour/athens/myth/acropolis)
- [Great Pyramid of Giza (Giza)](https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/9QEh91uq-NJ9BA?sv_lng=31.13178068127968&sv_lat=29.97772012076407&sv_h=194.62671176470008&sv_p=15.645009158027733&sv_pid=Uz4T6k1e4PyjSNJRLt9KdQ&sv_z=0.9999999999999997)
- [Eiffel Tower (Paris)](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/eiffel-tower/)
- [Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)](https://www.virtualangkor.com/)
- [Stonehenge (Wiltshire)](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/stonehenge360/)
- [Chichén Itzá (Yucatán)](https://www.airpano.com/360photo/Chichen-Itza-Mexico/)
- [Piazza San Marco (Venice)](https://www.touristtube.com/Things-to-do-in-Venice/Piazza-San-Marco-360)
- [Buckingham Palace (London)](https://www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace)

## Zoos and aquariums
Miss nature and wildlife? You can still hang out (virtually) with exotic creatures via live webcams. Some zoos are even offering personal cam time with some of their animals. That’s one way to put the zoo in Zoom.

- [Smithsonian's National Zoo (Washington D.C.)](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam)
- [Chester Zoo (Chester)](https://www.chesterzoo.org/virtual-zoo-2/)
- [Wild Life Sydney Zoo (Sydney)](https://www.wildlifesydney.com.au/explore/virtual-zoo/)
- [Ripley’s Aquariums (Toronto, Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg)](https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/at-home/)
- [Taronga Zoo (Sydney)](https://taronga.org.au/taronga-tv)
- [Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Fig Tree Pocket)](https://koala.net/webcams)
- [The Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)](https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/)
- [San Diego Zoo (San Diego)](https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams)
- [Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey)](https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams)
- [Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta)](https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/experience/virtual-reality-simulator/)
- [Atlanta Zoo (Atlanta)](https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/)
- [Dublin Zoo (Dublin)](https://www.dublinzoo.ie/event/virtual-tour/)
- [Houston Zoo (Houston)](https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/)
- [National Aquarium (Baltimore)](https://aqua.org/media/virtualtours/baltimore/index.html)
- [Paignton Zoo (Paignton)](https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/360vt/start.html)
- [Bronx Zoo (New York City)](https://bronxzoo.com/virtual-zoo)

## Music and dance parties
Museums and old landmarks not your thing? Why not let loose and unwind instead with some live music and concerts? There have been plenty of musicians and DJs who’ve put on incredible shows via live streams during Covid-19. Some upcoming concerts and parties not to miss:

- [The Metropolitan Opera (New York City)](https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/)
- [Claptone in the Circus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gctqiGFkjGo)
- [U Sexy Beach Digital Dance Party](https://www.tixr.com/groups/elements/events/elements-u-sexy-beach-a-digital-beach-party-18770)
- [DGTL LIB](https://www.dgtllib.com/)
- [J2v](https://www.festicket.com/pt/magazine/news/junction-2-host-online-3d-festival-6th-june/)
- [Boiler Room: Streaming From Isolation](https://boilerroom.tv/playlist/streaming-from-isolation)
- [Seattle Symphony (Seattle)](https://seattlesymphony.org/live)
- [Club Quarantine](https://www.instagram.com/dnice/)
- [Club Q](https://www.instagram.com/clubquarantine/?utm_source=ig_embed)
- [Together at Home](https://www.instagram.com/glblctzn/)
- [Questlove Quarantine Qoolout](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO2JeQuYxXs&list=RDEO2JeQuYxXs&start_radio=1&t=1)
- [Ceek](https://www.ceek.com/live/)
- [New York Philharmonic (New York City)](https://www.facebook.com/nyphilharmonic)
- [Slay at Home](https://www.slayathomefest.com/)
- [United We Stream](https://unitedwestream.org/)
- [Ben Gibbard: Live From Home](https://found.ee/BenGibbard-LiveFromHome)

Oh, the places you'll go… virtually, that is. Have you joined any online get-togethers or gone on any virtual journeys while at home? We’d love to hear about them. Talk to us on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/MyMonese), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese), [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese) or drop us a line at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com).

Music, museums and more you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch 

Virtual travel experiences and entertainment

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Blog post > Virtual travel experiences and entertainment

It’s a stressful time for travellers all over the world. As more and more countries are closing their borders to passengers flying from high-risk Coronavirus (Covid-19) areas, countless trips are being rerouted or cancelled. We understand what a confusing time this is. That’s why we’ve gathered some tips to help guide you. We’ve also asked some of our team members here at Monese to share their recent experiences and advice.

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### On affected flights
News about the Coronavirus is evolving rapidly. Therefore, it’s important you stay up to date and follow the instructions and advice of official health authorities, government websites, embassies or consulates when it comes to travel restrictions being imposed. There are also many news outlets keeping readers up to date via live blogs. For example, in the UK, you can keep up with the latest information on Covid-19 with [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/16/coronavirus-live-updates-us-cdc-events-europe-lockdown-uk-deaths-australia-france-italy-spain-update-latest-news) or [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-51903319). 

Aside from keeping up with reports, watch out for any updates from your airline, travel agent or agency. They should be keeping you informed about any cancellations, refunds, vouchers or rebookings. Chances are, though, that they might be overwhelmed right now &mdash; so you might want to check their websites, as most of them should have already posted an update (e.g., [easyJet](http://www.easyjet.com/en/help/easyjet-holidays/coronavirus), [Vueling](http://vuelingnews.com/?lang=en) and [Wizz Air](https://wizzair.com/en-gb/latest-travel-information)).

### On hotel reservations
When it comes to hotel bookings, it’s also best to check with them for any updates on their cancellation or refund policy due to the pandemic. [Expedia](https://www.expedia.com/lp/coronavirus-travel), for example, has posted information regarding how it’s handling cancellations. [Airbnb](https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2701/coronavirus-information-and-extenuating-circumstances-policy) has also posted its response to the outbreak, outlining what they’re doing to help hosts and guests during this time. 

And if you have travel insurance, check to see if you’re covered for the money you can’t get back from your airline or hotel. It will depend on the policy you’ve taken out, and if it includes things like cancellation cover, airspace closure cover, travel disruption and so on.

### From our own experience 

Mihnea from the UK: “I was planning to set off for my stag do in early April. While my airline would’ve still flown me over, the destination country’s borders were closed to anyone flying in from the old continent. It doesn’t look like I’ll get refunded for the flights, but they *are* offering free rebookings (although I’ll have to pony up the fare difference if there is one). We managed to get a full refund on all our hotel bookings, courtesy of Booking.com’s free cancellation option and Airbnb’s exemplary handling of the global situation”.

>Even if your flight hasn’t been cancelled (yet), you may be forced to quarantine upon arrival.

Melissa from Portugal: “My suggestion to travellers right now is to keep up with updates from, not just their residential country, but their destination country as well. Even if your flight hasn’t been cancelled (yet), you may be forced to quarantine upon arrival. And if you’re in quarantine the majority of your trip, it may not be worth it”.

>Wait for a cancellation by the travel company or airline. This would likely guarantee a refund.

Tuuli from Estonia: “I was supposed to be travelling at the end of March, but due to the outbreak, it won’t be possible anymore. My advice for anyone who’s made direct bookings is to wait for a cancellation by the travel company or airline. This would likely guarantee a refund”. 

>It’s still worth it to get in touch with your hotel to see what they can do for you.

Karina from Portugal: “Even if your hotel booking doesn’t include free cancellation, it’s still worth it to get in touch with them to see what they can do for you, given the circumstances. My boyfriend, for example, was offered a 50% refund even though he wasn’t entitled to any reimbursement”.

>I don’t think I’ll get compensated for a change of heart.

Michael from Germany: “I ended up deciding to postpone my trip to London, because things are evolving so quickly that I might end up getting locked down away from home. I got in touch with the booking site for a refund or reschedule – but because it wasn’t a flexible booking, I don’t think I’ll be compensated for a change of heart".
Tomas from the UK: “I had to change two flights due to the outbreak. In both cases I was able to change them for another date, free of charge. They didn't, however, allow me to get a refund if I wanted to cancel them”.

Remember that if you’re feeling even just a little bit ill, it’s best for you and the protection of others to try and postpone your travel plans. Stay home, rest and if you’re showing [symptoms](https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses) of Covid-19, don’t go to the hospital or pharmacy. Instead, isolate yourself and get in touch with your local health services via telephone and follow their guidance. 

We want to take this opportunity to remind you to stay calm and not panic. Continue to take care of yourself and take all the precautionary measures in place outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and your local government. And remember: [we’re always here](https://monese.com/contact) to support you.

Thousands of flight and hotel bookings are being shifted — here’s what to do

How to tackle the Covid-19 travel disruption

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Blog post > How to tackle the Covid-19 travel disruption

Whether you’re travelling on business, to visit family or discover new places, it’s easy to fall into money traps while on holiday and overspend. If you aren’t careful, you could end up with an unpleasant surprise when you return home, after calculating how much you’ve actually spent! To avoid this, we’ve gathered the ultimate travel do’s and don’ts for all your adventures.

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### 1. Don’t overpack
![Travel blog part1 dont-overpack@1x](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5RufPyUrRMaBqVboiimUZN/046a04b3897b4a0babcb71c4b860d1aa/Travel_blog_part1_dont-overpack_1x.png)

When going on holiday, travellers tend to bring more than they need. However, this is something you want to do your best to avoid. __Marina__, __Content & Community Manager__ suggests that while on vacation, you also “shouldn’t buy things you don't need because you won’t have enough space in your luggage afterwards’’. Not only does this tip help you save money, but it also prevents you from paying for overweight baggage on your return trip home. 

So to help you avoid buying too much while on your trip, a brilliant feature Monesers love is the spending overview feature. It helps many of us keep control of our finances, know precisely when we’re spending and where our money is going. “I can check my spending during holidays and avoid any unpleasant surprises once I’m home”, says __Piia__, our __Paid Media Specialist__.

### 2. Do budget
![Travel blog part2 do budget@1x](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7qio8znlf3J82bsAwWTLQE/8a953e679e07e4acbe3cef814b10ae5b/Travel_blog_part2_do_budget_1x.png)

Before travelling, always remember to have a look at your account limits to ensure you will be prepared for all your expenses. Set a budget and stick to it as best you can. You may also find that your current Monese plan and account limits won’t be enough to cover all your financial needs while on holiday. In this case, __Mathilde, Content and Community Manager__ offers a solid solution: “You can always upgrade your Monese plan and then, if you want, downgrade once you’re back home”. When you upgrade your plan, you’ll never be locked in for more than a month, and you can easily change it any time. 

### 3. Don’t travel with wads of cash
![Travel blog part3 wads of cash@1x](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2gic98c3rcZNvZG3qPzHix/7f2ab679a0578dbfa234e68e2de508c5/Travel_blog_part3_wads_of_cash_1x.png)

Not only is it dangerous but it will also save you time on the logistics of it all. __Michael, Head of Market Development__, says “If you use your card to pay, don’t ever opt for the dynamic currency conversion offered at ATM or POS terminals abroad &mdash; they’re a rip-off! Always pay in the local currency (not yours) and have Monese take care of the foreign currency exchange for much better rates.”

__Monica, Community Lead__ agrees: “My Monese card is handy when I vacation due to the high foreign exchange rates I avoid”, she said. “As someone who hates handling cash, I use my card to pay virtually anywhere &mdash; local shops, restaurants and museums”. 

With your Monese card, you get money-saving exchange rates and worldwide ATM withdrawals with fee-free allowances. This is particularly useful in countries where fees can be shockingly significant. “Germany is annoyingly cash-centric, and ATM withdrawal fees are at least 2–3%”, says __Data Scientist Solomiya__. __Michael__ added “Withdrawing cash locally without paying fees, at a great exchange rate, is extremely convenient for me as I travel all the time”. 

### 4. Do have a back-up card
![Travel blog part4 backup card@1x](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/zNnkn1cBnkSIAtt65pnEm/78a78c7bac1da6bd978999c555254859/Travel_blog_part4_backup_card_1x.png)

Another good financial trip tip is brought to us by __Piia__, who reminds us to “pack back-up cards in case of an emergency”. If you have an extra Monese card, you can easily move money around instantly between your accounts. You can also add money to your account by debit card or bank transfer. “Having the ability to add money straight away to my account is reassuring”, adds __Solomiya__. “I don’t have to add a large amount of money all at once before travelling, so it’s stress-free”. 

### 5. Do stay safe
![Travel blog part5 stay safe@1x](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5ggP9ML3Zs8XoTD7b7TSTT/f760c811e7c941aeaf9402af7b82ebc2/Travel_blog_part5_stay_safe_1x.png)

If you happen to misplace your Monese card while abroad, there are a few security measures you should take immediately. First, lock your card on the app. This way, if someone tries to use your card, they won’t be able to complete any purchases. The app will also immediately tell you about any unsuccessful transaction attempts. __Marina__ said “I like to lock my card when I'm travelling - I feel safer”. 

For extra safety and to avoid fraud while vacationing, you can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay for a quick and secure way to pay. Both are accepted globally, and purchases are made with just a tap of your phone at any vendor, transport terminal, shop or hotel that accepts contactless payments. “Paying with my phone is particularly reassuring because I don’t share my actual card details with any merchants”, commented __Solomiya__. 

With these expert tips, you're all set for your next trip. Don’t forget to share with us any holiday snaps featuring your Monese card. Send your photos to our [Facebook](https://facebook.com/mymonese), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese) and [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese) using the #MyMonese hashtag. We’d love to hear how your Monese card helped you on your travels! 

How to make the most of any trip with these helpful spending tips 

Travel do’s and don’ts from Monesers 

Travel blog hero@1x 50390c38ed0094a386d62c09f1033516

Blog post > Travel do’s and don’ts from Monesers

Travel do’s and don’ts from Monesers

Need something to keep you occupied on your return journey? 

What better way to recount your adventures – and stay on top of your money – than by reviewing your spending while you’ve been away.

Here are a few things you can do to round off a perfect trip abroad with Monese.

### Check your transactions
![Travel-S3-Taransactions-LS](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/APfXMkNDomGAm8umf7TBE/2058aa33f207260b9414068852c18960/Travel-S3-Taransactions-LS.jpg)

Checking your outgoings is always a good idea, but it can be particularly useful if you’ve been travelling abroad.

Unfortunately, fraud around the globe is on the rise &mdash; and holidaymakers are especially vulnerable, as they’re likely to carry all kinds of personal documents, and use their cards often with merchants about whom they know very little.

So within a day or two of getting home, you should check your app for things like double charges, missing refund credits, or spending that you didn’t authorise. If you do spot anything out of place, we recommend you immediately lock your card from the app, and reach out to our support team. Your card can be reported as stolen, which would get a replacement card sent out to your address. If you don’t have access to the Monese app, call or email our support team as soon as you can.

### Look at the bigger picture
![Travel-S3-Spnding-LS](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/3nNovMSJzZpp52v2XKqp4n/99f0de50251219245b23e9076dac6480/Travel-S3-Spnding-LS.jpg)

Did you manage to keep your spending under control? You can easily check this in your app, in the [spending overview ](https://monese.com/blog/2019/04/simple-spending-overview)section.

Take the time to analyse your outgoings – this will help you see what kind of things you might have overspent on, and help you better prepare for your next trip away with a more informed, organised budget. 

Speaking of budgeting, you can also use the app to set an overall spending goal each month. Creating simple goals, and keeping an eye on them, is good motivation to save more money and helps you pay more attention to what you’re spending on every day. 

### Request payments
![Travel-S3-Request-LS](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/4clUQXHCMgjjYzAGjZ9I3l/ef8fe9caaf65f8c552fcc1c48d065e3b/Travel-S3-Request-LS.jpg)

Now that you’re home, perhaps you’ve remembered that a fellow traveller owes you some money.

Maybe they just need a little reminder? If so, we have the perfect solution. We’ve made it easier than ever to request money from anyone, right from the Monese app – whether they’re using Monese or not – thanks to our friendly [payment requests](https://monese.com/blog/2019/03/request-payments). The only thing you need to do is choose a contact, type in the amount and hit 'Send'.

### Track your Avios
![Travel-S3-Avios-LS](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/jVYapPtJXQsV9WofO1MHM/3e12ac26172970f624aea03c90b3d746/Travel-S3-Avios-LS.jpg)

If you’re due to collect Avios points for your bookings, it’s a good idea to check your Monese app over the next few weeks to make sure you’ve received your points (the exact timings will depend on the offer). 

As a quick reminder, collecting reward points can make you considerable savings whenever you travel – and keeping an eye out for these when you make a booking is a great habit to get into. With Monese, you can link your British Airways Executive Club account to help you [track and spend your Avios](https://monese.com/blog/2019/02/introducing-avios).

### Start planning your next trip
![Travel-S3-Planning-LS](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7egAhJMmKRbbp0xuy7T2bP/eb6706c5051910c1e4a4d076b6b4d2ed/Travel-S3-Planning-LS.jpg)

Already planning for your next trip? Having something to look forward to can motivate you to save a little more money. This is where Monese Pots come in handy – they allow you to create a designated place to hold your new travel fund until you need it – and keeps these savings separate from your day-to-day spending.

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In the meantime, we hope that the Monese app goes some way in easing you back into the daily grind. For more tips and tricks on how to make the most of your money while travelling, have a look at our entire travel series [here](https://monese.com/blog/2019/04/smart-money-travel-tips-1). And if you have any recommendations of your own, we’d love to hear them – just let us know via our [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/MyMonese/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese) or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/monese/?hl=en), or at [community@monese.com](mailto:community@monese.com). 


Back from your travels? Here’s how you can ease back into your daily routine without any headaches



Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 3

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Blog post > Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 3

Back from your travels? Here’s how you can ease back into your daily routine without any headaches

So you're done with the flights and trains, you’ve checked into your accommodation – maybe you’ve even managed to find your way to the beach already. And now you’ve got plenty of time to plan the rest of your trip at your leisure! This hopefully shouldn’t involve a great deal of financial planning, as long as you keep in mind just a few handy tips.

### Be aware of hidden exchange fees
![Travel blog part2 illustr 2-blue](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/2JehwUrbU9jTGX0lMY7mfY/bc2ab46c2193b18c587cd2a8935a8f71/Travel_blog_part2_illustr_2-blue.jpg)

Spending money abroad can be expensive, as traditional banks may charge you a much higher cost for using your card abroad, including foreign exchange transaction fees and less-than-great exchange rates. With a Monese account you get access to your money wherever you are, without being charged an extortionate fee. You can spend on your contactless Monese card and withdraw your cash without the worry of paying excess charges, within the allowance your pricing plan comes with. And you can always switch your plan whenever you need to – you can find more details on that [here](https://monese.com/pricing).

### Pay in the local currency
![Travel blog part2 illustr 3-blue](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5EamKE3kenE0ZaPf1ohQBu/ebefcc98695967ada1585ed21feebaf8/Travel_blog_part2_illustr_3-blue.jpg)

We really recommend paying in the local currency wherever possible. Holidaymakers paying with their card are also subjected to unnecessary fees due to something called ‘dynamic currency conversion’ (DCC). These are alternative exchange rates offered by firms handling transactions in anything other than the local currency. You can read more about this right [here](https://monese.com/blog/2018/08/monese-quick-tip-travel-guide).

### Avoid fixed fee ATMs
![Travel amend2 9 aug](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/52YiaGVoo25ZYYVTTqcQpY/f8cc94c18cdc6deb23fdcc85da328c0f/Travel_amend2_9_aug.jpg)

Usually, people flock to these at airports – it's a very common way to get stung with much higher fees. When they see your card is issued in another country, many ATMs will try to offer you the option of using their own exchange rates (which is the dynamic currency conversion we were talking about earlier) or charge you a flat fee for letting your banking service do the conversion.

The best decision is to avoid these ATMs altogether – if you’re prompted to pay a flat fee (the machine *has* to warn you), just cancel the transaction and look for another machine that allows you to choose the currency and doesn’t charge you a fee to do so.

### Lock and unlock your card 
![Travel blog part2 illustr 4 blue](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6QTFEDUI2vdOC1U86tMaEn/3ad2421366085b07362867f1f2ae4c15/Travel_blog_part2_illustr_4_blue.jpg)

Another recommendation is to keep your Monese card locked whenever you’re not using it (while flying, exercising, commuting etc). Locking your card is an easy-to-use security feature accessible within the Card section of the app. One thing to remember, however, is that you will need data connectivity on your phone in order to unlock it again – so make sure to keep your phone charged.

Locking your card is also the first thing you should do if you lose it. That way, if someone tries to illicitly use it, they won’t be able to complete any transactions and the app will immediately let you know about any unsuccessful attempts by someone else.

### Pay with your phone
![mobile payment](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/5uOhF5fnKSKTXPSraQl7wq/093280375c73bc8157617f3baf3f5ba9/mobile_payment.png)

With Monese, you can also pay with just a tap of your phone. By setting up your cards on [Apple Pay](https://monese.com/blog/2019/06/monese-apple-pay-more-countries) or [Google Pay](https://monese.com/blog/2018/07/google-pay-the-easy-way-to-pay-with-monese-for-android), you can pay in-store anywhere in the world where the contactless symbol is displayed. It’s much more secure, too – because your phone will generate a code that’s unique for each transaction (it’s also called a *token*), so your card details won’t actually be exposed to the merchant.

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And there you have it... Our top tips for making the most of your money abroad! If you have any of your own you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them – just let us know on social media via our [Facebook](https://facebook.com/mymonese), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/monese) or [Instagram](https://instagram.com/monese). 


Next up in our travel series – how to make the most of your money once you’re on the road



Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 2

Travel blog part2 Hero v2-Copy 50390c38ed0094a386d62c09f1033516

Blog post > Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 2

Next up in our travel series – how to make the most of your money once you’re on the road

Whether you’re a seasoned jetsetter or you’ve just decided to take your first tentative steps as a sightseeing globetrotter, it can often be a challenge to manage your travel money in a smart and secure way.

With so many ways to save and spend while you’re abroad, we thought we’d compile a brand new series to guide you through all the latest tips and tricks relating to smart money management and travel – to help keep your money safe and your spending savvy.

Because being prepared is the hallmark of any accomplished adventurer, we’re kicking things off with a few pointers on what to do when you’re getting ready for your trip.

## Dial up the security
![travel-tips-2](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/27Xi6J6ZN4q5iffz0QGCY1/a201780b80a32e11e36f2bddb77bdb2f/travel-tips-2.jpg)

So you’ve chosen your dream destination and you’re ready to start making your bookings for flights and accommodation. When doing so, it’s always a good idea to check the websites you’re using are secure. This is easily done by looking for the ‘s’ in ‘https://’, or the padlock icon, which will indicate whether the respective website has a proper security certificate (as this should protect any sensitive information you send through it).

Also keep an eye out for features like [3D Secure](https://monese.com/blog/2018/12/shop-online-3d-secure) support – which provide additional layers of security and authentication by texting you a one-time password to type in before completing your online purchases.

If you’re an owner of a Touch ID or Face ID enabled Apple device, you can also use Apple Pay to pay in apps and on websites using the Safari browser. Your full card number is never stored on your device or on Apple servers, cannot be shared with merchants – and transactions are protected by the use of a device-specific number and a unique transaction code. 

## Plan your budget
![travel-tips-6](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/7qUKTI40xVhgEIiESN8iXW/53083b6b5139ed21529729be288715e1/travel-tips-6.jpg)

It’s helpful to run the numbers before you go, to know how much you can spend every day and preserve a peace of mind once you’re on your travels that you’re not spending excessively.

Setting an overall budget and determining a daily spending limit is good way to manage your outgoings. You might also find it useful to create a categorised budget with allocations for meals out, events and transport – so as to better balance your spending and really make the most of your trip. 

It might also be an idea to transfer an allocated amount to a designated travel money account each day – to better monitor whether or not you’re keeping within your set daily allowance. Having these designated accounts set up and ready to go *before* you leave tends to save time and effort in the long run.

## Collect your rewards points
![travel-tips-4](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/1xRhYXHG87qD03Kw49NBR5/567f75505840742d45220ad4c8e9c5c1/travel-tips-4.jpg)

Collecting reward points can make you considerable savings if you’re a frequent flyer – and keeping an eye out for these incentives whenever you make a flight or hotel booking is a good habit to get into.

With Monese, for example, you can link your British Airways Executive Club account to help you track and spend [Avios points](https://monese.com/blog/2019/02/introducing-avios). You can do this straight from the app and see how your Avios balance might help supplement extra travel spending on additional flights, hotels, car rentals and so on&hellip; Check them out [here](https://www.shopping.ba.com/retailers#Travel). 

## Upgrade your account
![travel-tips-8](//images.ctfassets.net/96dxy75w1gjr/6Drd5paBrfrh1cPseSbLHO/15f9b58f0f7247f600c7a32bbc597542/travel-tips-8.jpg)

Before you head out on your trip and start making transactions in foreign currencies, check to see if your current account is optimised to best support this type of spending. With Monese you can upgrade your pricing plan whenever you need to, and you’ll never be locked in for more than one month.

Whether you’re going for a 3-month round-the-world voyage or just a 2-week excursion, you can upgrade your account whenever you want. This means you can use a Plus or a Premium plan, on a temporary basis at least, to make savings when paying for a hotel room in the local currency, topping up your balance, or making ATM withdrawals more often should you need to.

It’s worth noting that our [Premium plan](https://monese.com/blog/2018/08/introducing-the-new-unlimited-monese-premium-plan) enables you to enjoy unmetered access to a host of cost-saving features – while some fees will continue to apply to top-ups and transfers for those sticking with our [Starter and Plus plans](https://monese.com/pricinghttps://monese.com/pricing). 

<div data-comp="signup"></div>

Upgrading your pricing plan couldn’t be simpler and it’s just a case of navigating to the ‘Account’ menu and choosing ‘My Plan’ to upgrade. Do ensure that you have enough funds in the account to cover the first monthly fee – and once you’re back home from your holiday you can downgrade again at any time, should you so wish.

And there you have it, our top tips for travel planning like pro! Now you’re ready to go, we’ll be sure to follow these up with some more handy pointers – this time to make the most of your money once you’re on the road.

In the first part of our new travel series, we share some hints and tips as to how you can best prepare for your trip.

Smart Travel Money Tips: Part 1

Travel Tips 1

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