Tips for Booking Effectively in 2026!

In the depths of winter, January is the month when most holidays are booked for the coming year. Thankfully, Odyssey World is somewhat protected from the super-crush as our worldwide destinations and clientele aren’t all restricted by the same summer holidays and seasonal weather.

However, as the entire industry is stretched, from reservations and airline systems, to the travel designers creating your special journey, the following are some tips to get the most efficiency and value out of booking your next adventure.

Prepare your wish list

Travel designers can work many hours on planning a bespoke itinerary and it will create the most enriching travel experience for you if you have an idea of what you do and don’t like. For example, please tell us if you enjoy certain activities like cycling or rock climbing, really enjoy trying local cuisine, have mobility limitations, or don’t enjoy getting up at 6am for multiple tours. It’s your holiday after all, and we’re here to create it!

Be an early bird

The earlier you book in January, the more chance you have of avoiding airfare increases for busy routes or sold out periods in unique, remote or boutique lodges. Airlines often release their flight schedules around this time, by securing your tickets early, you increase the likelihood of finding more convenient flight times and better seat options.

Resist shopping around

For bespoke itineraries that are not picked ‘off the shelf’, it’s unlikely you’ll find two exact itineraries with different operators. A cheaper price might mean less suitable accommodation or more crowded tours. If you have two consultants building the same trip at the same time, you risk compromising availability and receiving inaccurate responses, as well as wasting time when it’s at its most precious. Find the travel designer you like and trust and work with them to tweak the details so you can create the perfect journey together. If you feel it’s too expensive, talk to them about what can be done to work to your budget.

Avoid July/August if you can

Not only does traveling in shoulder season place less pressure on the destination communities that might otherwise face an overwhelming influx of tourists during peak times, it’ll also mean fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation and flights for you – even transportation tend to be less congested, and hotels and airlines might offer reduced rates or special deals!

And finally…

Be kind

Here at Odyssey World, we LOVE January as it can be a very exciting time. Although, we know all of our partners and our own team are working their socks off to create fabulous journeys for many clients but sometimes responses can take a little longer. A little understanding is hugely appreciated… and we know it’s always worth it in the end!

If you’d like to get straight into the booking process, feel free to contact us directly – either by email (enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk) or phone call (+44 117 313 7070)!