Long gone are the days when we had to squint into our TV screens at fuzzy Teletext to get the latest flight information.

Thankfully, these days there are so many more fantastic, hi-tech ways to arrange our holidays, that it’s possible to find your ideal destination, book your flights, pay for them and be at the airport all in a matter of hours!

If you are still using travel agents and dusty old brochures to arrange your weekend breaks, summer holidays and winter escapades why not try some better money, time and sanity saving ideas when arranging your next getaway?

The Web

The internet is your best friend when it comes to planning your future travel whether it’s a long weekend or a yearlong trek around the world. With travel guides like Lonely Planet and Rough Guide as well as current articles in the Guardian and the Independent, available online, you can read up about your preferred destinations before making your final choice.

Gadgets

For fast flight information, why not utilise your iPhone by downloading the best new travel apps that will link you to search engines that can speedily find you the best deals of the day, month and even year!

Social Media

Social media websites like Facebook are great for chatting with fellow travellers about faraway places and getting top tips on everything from where to eat to the comfiest of beds. You are also likely to come away with useful as well as honest reviews. For superfast ways to find great flights you can even use sites like Twitter; tweet @FlyScan with your departure and destination requirements, an exact date if you have one or even just the month will do, and you’ll be tweeted right back a customised response containing details of your flight. Now, when you find yourself on the boring morning bus journey, liven it up by booking yourself a beach break in the Caribbean or that romantic weekend in Prague.

So, say goodbye to hanging on the phone waiting for travel agents typing at a snail’s pace, going bleary eyed in front of the TV or getting paper cuts leafing through endless bamboozling brochures.

Embrace technology and let it whisk you off on your dream holiday quicker than you can say ‘pass the sun tan lotion’. Happy days!