Do you still look at printed holiday brochures?

I know I do, but is that me? Is it related to my age, having grown up pre-digital?

Here is now I choose my holiday accommodation.

Step 1

I collect holiday brochures of the places I might like to visit, that could range from touring Norway to staying on the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Italy, let’s not restrict my choice!

I then have a good read about the locations and look at various accommodation options and come up with a shortlist, at this stage I haven’t decided on location or who to book with.

This is where the words, images and bullet points will grab my attention.

Step 2

Now I go online and look at a wide range of websites, including Trip Advisor; the Travel Operator; location websites; weather reports; this is all essential research basically to see if they back up the information in the travel brochure.

Travel brochures have come a long way and despite the editing capabilities of Photoshop, they are more honest than they were 20 years ago!

At this stage I will also gather opinions from people, (Facebook and Twitter are a good way to do that), so social media has an important part to play.

Step 3

This is where the shortlist will get whittled down, and other factors will come into being, namely when to go, flight times, airports. I will probably also pop into my local Library and pick up a some guide books. There is a lot that I consider before actually booking that holiday

What about you?

I do realise I can be a bit fastidious but holidays are expensive and I want to ensure I make the right choice, but what do you like to do?

For me I enjoy sitting down looking at holiday brochures, but can you find what you want just using digital means?

Do you think the holiday brochure has had its day?

Step 3 update

I had been considering Austria, looks lovely, flying from Bristol, however it appears the Flight is no longer running. It appears in the brochure, but given they are produced months in advance, with a large print run, you could forgive that mistake, although a sticky label would cover that. No in my mind the cardinal sin is that the website doesn’t tell you! You put in your choice of Airport and it gives you options from other larger airports, but no explanation whatsoever. I eventually discovered this on a Forum, now that is unforgivable.