Fly off last minute: Six reasons to grab a last minute break
Throwing caution to the wind and booking that spontaneous escape can reap some serious benefits. Need a bit more persuading? Here are SIX reasons why last-minute breaks rule.
Reason one:
Grab a weather window
There may be blue skies ahead, but how far ahead exactly are we talking? Last-minute bookings are your secret weapon when it comes to spearing a great weather window, and believe us when we say that warm sunshine in late February and March DOES happen. Clocked a block of sun hurtling our way this weekend? Book it. Got offshore winds and perfect swell for a spontaneous surf sesh? Book it. Keep on top of the forecasts, both on land and at sea, with the self-professed ‘crazy powerful’ Carrot Weather app, or every surfer’s faithful friend Surfline (which was formerly the Holy Grail, Magic Seaweed).
@dawnpatrolphotography Nathan Benham
Reason two:
Mix it up
“Somebody, help me! I'm being spontaneous!”
Routine can be a great thing. But occasionally, the predictability can make you feel like Lloyd Burbank in The Truman Show. Mixing things up with a last-minute trip is like a tiny rebellion against your usual schedule, punctuating your everyday rhythms with new experiences that leave you feeling more fulfilled. Forcing yourself to slow down, or breathe fresh air – or even try something entirely new – can trigger a ‘mental reset’ and reduce those cortisol levels we’ve been hearing all about. Plus, there is tons of research to show that experiences of novelty and change can reduce the mental strain of daily life – see, science has your back!
Reason three:
Fire up your fresh thinking
When you’re stuck in creative treacle, a last-minute breather may be the answer. It might not feel like those neurons are pulsing while you’re swigging a flat white in front of an ocean view, but a study published in Psychological Science found that travel and fresh environments can enhance creative thinking. While you’re out navigating new spots, making out-of-the-ordinary decisions and essentially feeding your brain with fresh material, it’s likely that the cogs will begin whirring with ideas and new perspectives too. Leave on a Friday and those sparks will be flying by the time you hit the desk again on Monday
Reason four:
Go easier on the pocket
Escaping for a whistlestop weekend out of peak season, is bound to deliver more break for your buck. But what if you’re booking a spur-of-the-moment summertime stay? While flashy deals may not always line up with your timings, there are still plenty of places that can offer good, solid value for money. Stay self-catering if you’re after more room to spread out, or need a kitchen to stay on top of mealtimes. Of course, we’re firm believers that aparthotels are the best option if it’s the perks of a hotel and the freedom of your own place you’re seeking. Plus, often if you’re free to drop and roll away from your responsibilities midweek, and you’ll snag an even better price.
Reason five:
Embrace the unexpected
Scroll fatigue. We’ve all been there. When you’re keen to squeeze every ounce of joy out of your precious time away, it can often feel like you’re on track to PhD levels of travel research before you even press the ‘Book’ button. Last-minute breaks don’t give you the time to overthink, so you’re free from expectations. Without rigid plans, you may just discover that the best moments aren’t found on any map. Stumbled-upon family restaurants, local tip offs that steer you to unexpected corners and chance trails that lead to who-knows-where. The unknown is where all the best travel stories start.
Credit: Janina Fleckhaus for Olla Hiki Sauna
Reason six:
Become more interesting
No, seriously. Everyone loves a chat about the latest hot take on Netflix, but stories that don’t involve sitting on your sofa will always win out. Last-minute trips are often the perfect setup for those unforgettable, wild, and funny stories that you’ll still talk about for years to come. These could be the enriching life moments that become part of your personal legend – and make you a far more interesting dinner party companion.
Done enough to convince you? If a last-minute flexible stay is in your lane, then SeaSpace might just be the ticket. Visit our booking page to check out our availability for the next couple of days.
