Pack up, Jet off

LONDON, October 28, 2010 - With the summer season drawing to close, travellers are looking to go
further afield for some winter sun. Compared to this time last year, Autumn
bookings are already showing 30% stronger growth than for the Summer season -
according to the leading online travel booking site, Expedia.co.uk
(www.expedia.co.uk/).

But when it comes to packing, Brits overindulge and this may have cost
them up to GBP270 million this summer.* One in six have admitted to paying
excess baggage charges for their bulging suitcases, while one in ten paid an
average of GBP50 in excess baggage in the last 12 months.

Nearly a third (58%) of Brits consider a city break the hardest holiday
to pack for. The broad range of activities from site-seeing to shows and
dinners leave Brits panic-packing outfits for every eventuality.

"Expedia data shows that city breaks (www.expedia.co.uk/) are the
most common type of break for autumn travellers and with more people
travelling this autumn it seems we may need some guidance on how to pack more
efficiently, so we're launching a packing challenge to find Britain's best
packers." Commented Giovanna Picciano of Expedia.co.uk

The challenge "Case Closed" which launches on 1st October at
game.expedia.com will challenge participants to pit their packing
skills against other players through the viral game and also against their
friends through a Facebook application to find the champion packers.

And it's not only how much to pack that Brits are struggling with, but
also what they are allowed to pack. 72% of Brits have had items confiscated
at the security check with cosmetics (19%) and food (12%) among the top two.

While nearly half of us (40%) spend between one and two days preparing
for our holiday, nearly a third (27%) admit to spending less than an hour
packing their suitcases. These hasty packing habits could be a major cause of
Brits baggage issues. Three quarters of those asked (73%) admitted to not
using everything they packed.

"Our research shows that we are struggling with luggage restrictions and
this is causing excess stress and unnecessary cost. Good preparation can take
at least a day yet the average length of stay for autumn breaks is just a
couple of days. We want to enable people to stay a little longer to get the
full benefit from their break and justify the preparation time so we've
secured thousands of deals for autumn to stay an extra night for free nights
or up to get 35% off this Autumn," says Giovanna Picciano, Expedia.co.uk.

The Expedia Autumn Sale will run until 18th October and will offer
discounts for travel through to March 2011

"When packing, preparation is key. Think back to your last holiday, and
think about what you really wore. Then make a list. Be brutal - not sure that
dress really fits you anymore? Leave it! Think in outfits - there's no point
taking your new favourite shoes if they don't go with anything else in your
case. Most of all stay calm, and be practical - you really don't need your
whole wardrobe for a two week break!" says fashion writer, Siam Goorwich

The research also reveals that all Brits really want to do while on
holiday is truly escape from the norm with iPods and mobile phones featuring
way down the list of holiday must-haves. Bulky books and sun cream were the
most important items for holidaymakers, so it's no wonder Brits are
struggling with heavy suitcases and confiscated items.

Top ten items people can't live without on their holiday

    - 1. Camera
    - 2. Books
    - 3. Sun cream
    - 4. Sunglasses
    - 5. Guide book
    - 6. Mobile Phone
    - 7. Travel adaptor
    - 8. Shoes
    - 9. iPod
    - 10. Bikini

Expedia has teamed up with fashion writer and stylist, Siam Goorwich to
help holidaymakers with their packing woes:

Top tips for the perfect holiday wardrobe

Beach break

Be honest with yourself

There's no point dragging that bikini/ dress/ pair of shorts half way
across the world if you don't actually feel comfortable in them. If you're
not sure in your bedroom, leave it.

Pack a cotton sarong

It will keep you cool in the heat, and warm if it gets a bit chilly. Also
great for covering burnt bits!

City Break

Create a capsule wardrobe

On a city break you want to feel and look good, but ultimately it's all
about speed and ease - you're only there for a couple of days, so don't want
to waste time faffing over outfits. Take time at home to put together the
perfect capsule wardrobe. First choose a colour theme, and then pack
versatile items that you can mix and match together. Layers are also great -
so you can move from day to night without having to waste time going back to
your hotel (www.expedia.co.uk/Hotels).

These boots were made for walking

City breaks usually mean lots of walking, so be sensible in your shoe
selection. There's no point only taking your Louboutins if you're
sight-seeing in Rome. Pick something like a biker or riding boot which is
comfortable, stylish, waterproof, and will also work for day and night.

Ski break

Wear what you can on the plane!

It's a bit cheeky, but for the time being it's your bags, not you, which
are weighed at check-in. Therefore save suitcase space and stretch your
weight restriction by thinking carefully about your travel gear. Obviously be
sensible (turning up to the airport piste perfect might earn you a couple of
strange looks), but you can definitely get away with wearing your jacket and
heaviest boots on the plane!

Leave your glad-rags at home

A ski resort is no place for a stiletto (believe me, I've tried), or a
party dress for that matter. Apres ski is all about a stylish jumper and jean
so don't waste valuable suitcase space on anything more glamorous!

Expedia deals

Dubai for GBP584 per person - includes Double Nectar Points, a 20% hotel
saving, a 4.4/5 customer rating and is a 2010 Insiders' Select Winner

Seven nights room only at the four-star Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa is
from GBP584 per person, based on two sharing a heritage room. This includes
direct return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to Dubai,
departing 7th October 2010. Located in the city centre, this hotel is a short
walk from Dubai Museum and Dubai Creek. For reservations, visit
www.expedia.co.uk or call +44(0)330-123-1235.

Sharm El Sheikh for GBP523 per person - includes Double Nectar Points, a
35% hotel saving and a 4.3/5 customer rating

Seven nights bed and breakfast at the five-star Concorde El Salam Sharm
El Sheikh Hotel is from GBP523 per person, based on two sharing a standard
room. This includes return flights with Thomson Airways from London Gatwick
to Sharm El Sheikh, departing 10th November 2010. Located in Shark's Bay,
this hotel is less than three miles from Montazah Beach and Shark's Bay
Beach. For reservations, visit www.expedia.co.uk or call
+44(0)330-123-1235.

Paris for GBP155 per person - includes 1000 Nectar Points, a 44% hotel
saving and a 4.2/5 customer rating

Three nights room only at the three-star Residhome Bois-Colombe Monceau
is from GBP155 per person, based on two sharing a studio. This includes
direct return flights with easyJet from London Luton to Paris, departing 8th
October 2010. Located near the Grande Arche, this hotel is less than three
miles from Bois de Boulogne, Parc de Bagatelle and Arc de Triomphe. For
reservations, visit www.expedia.co.uk or call +44(0)330-123-1235.

Marrakech for GBP376 per person - includes Double Nectar Points, a 20%
hotel saving and a 4.7/5 customer rating

Seven nights bed and breakfast at the four-star Terra Mia Marrakech -
Riad is from GBP376 per person, based on two sharing a double room. This
includes direct return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick to Marrakech,
departing 6th October 2010. Located in Palm Groves, this hotel is less than
five miles from Ben Youssef Mosque, Djemaa el Fna and Majorelle Garden. For
reservations, visit www.expedia.co.uk or call +44(0)330-123-1235.

Barcelona for GBP197 per person - includes Double Nectar Points, a 15%
hotel saving and a 4/5 customer rating

Seven nights room only at the four-star Hotel Eurostars Parc Del Valles
is from GBP197 per person, based on two sharing a standard room. This
includes return flights with easyJet from London Stansted to Barcelona,
departing 17th November 2010. Located in Cerdanyola del Valles, this hotel is
less than seven miles from Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia and Placa d'Espanya.
For reservations, visit www.expedia.co.uk or call +44(0)330-123-1235.

Editors Notes

*Based on Expedia research which shows that 10% of UK passengers have
paid an average of GBP50 on excess luggage combined with CAA (Civil Aviation
Authority) report figures that show approx. 18 million passengers take
flights from UK airports each month during the summer months (June, July,
August) - 54 million in total. Expedia estimates that 5.4 million passengers
have paid an average of GBP50 excess baggage over the summer.

     For further press information, please contact the Expedia press office team: 

    Telephone: +44(0)844-875-1457
    Email: expediapressoffice@golinharris.com

For further press information, please contact the Expedia press office team: Telephone: +44(0)844-875-1457, Email: expediapressoffice at golinharris.com