Holidaymakers these days almost instinctively head straight for the computer for a cut-price trip away, in the same way we would have automatically gone to the travel agent a decade ago. Flights and hotels are the main criteria to arrange for the perfect getaway, but it is also becoming increasingly popular to sort out all the other little extras that make a good trip into a perfect, hassle-free holiday online.

Holiday necessities like travel insurance and airport parking can now be arranged well before departure in the same way it is possible to arrange flights or a hotel room, and the savings are similarly substantial.

For some of the best deals on travel insurance and a quote in just a few minutes, go to: travel-insurance-discounts Just add the vital details of your holiday, namely when you plan to go away, how long you will be away for and your destination before being offered a selection of coverage packages, from Standard to Essential Plus. Prices start at less than 12 for travel insurance covering you on holiday in Europe.

With the Essential Plus travel insurance programme, for example, you will get the benefit of coverage against a whole range of potential pitfalls. From a lost or stolen travel document to a hijacking, almost every possible scenario is considered meaning you wont have to worry about the bills when things do not go according to plan. Premiums are kept to a minimum even on items like a delayed departure or complete cancellation of your holiday. This means you wont have to foot the bill when these costs run into thousands of pounds.

Being able to do all of this online before you go and at prices that are more competitive than those available in the high street, will ensure you have a smooth trip. You may not have thought about securing an airport parking space before arriving at the terminal but in doing so, you could save yourself hassle and get a more competitive price.

Visit save-on-parking and simply input your travel details and wait for an extensive list of airport parking options, from short, medium or long-stay to services such as meet and greet. With the latter service, you will be afforded the luxury of being met at the terminal as you arrive in your own vehicle. A representative of the airport parking company will then park your car for you. After making a quick phone call to the company when you land, they will then drive your vehicle to the Arrivals exit for you to collect.

By booking such a service online, you will be able to save up to 45 per cent on the usual price, a considerable saving on airport parking. In some cases, such a luxury service can actually be had cheaper than the standard service if you were to book the latter at the airport on arrival.

As the travel industry has expanded, the range of services on the internet and booking or purchasing them has become increasingly straightforward. Now you can arrange all of the most important details of your itinerary before you leave home. Thankfully, this is also extends to the likes of travel insurance and airport parking, which in the past were often a costly headache.

Andy Burrows is a free lance writer who is familiar with online booking of airport car parking and travel coverage packages, he recommends pre-booking online with; http://www.save-on-parking.co.uk/ and http://www.travel-insurance-discounts.com/single_trip.htm

If you're visiting Cologne, Germany, it might also be a great idea to allocate 1 day for a boat tour from there all the way to Koenigswinter. The ticket office is located in front of the boats' port near Cologne's old town. This tour is daily and takes 4 hours forth and due to downstream current, 3 hours back. Just sit back and relax while enjoying smaller town views south of Cologne. The boat docks in four ports before reaching Koenigswinter but you don't have to do something, just stay on your seat so new passengers won't get yours.

Koenigswinter is a town part of Nordrhein-Westfalen region located on the foot of the Siebengebirge, a mountain and hill range. It's famous for its small town charm, having a lovely promenade consisting of hotels, restaurants, cafes, old houses directly facing the river. Also experience its shopping - you can buy some souvenirs from the place. Go walk to its narrow old town streets, you can find some old wine houses and stores that might be of interest. But Koenigswinter is mostly famous for the Drachenfels Burg (dragon's rock castle) which is located on the tip of the Drachenfels, accessible by the Drachenfels Railway. Legend says that a dragon on this rock was slain by Siegfried, a German epic hero.

On the way down from the Drachenfels, you can visit the Drachenburg (castle). This castle was built in 1882 by Baron Stephan von Starter, a successful stock trader but he actually never lived here. From the castle, prefer to walk on your way down, stop by the Winzerhaeuschen and get yourself some refreshing drinks. From there, continue walking down to the Honighaeuschen, the honey houses, don't just get too near to it. If you still have time, visit the Nibelungenhalle, a reptile zoo, just right next to the honey houses.

For families with children who want to visit the place, there's a SeaLife in Koenigswinter. It's a sea aquarium where you can experience the creatures up close. It's located directly in front of the river port. Aside from that, there's also an open-air swimming pool and fun area called Lemmerzbad located in a nature park below the castle.

Don't forget to be at the port on time so not to miss your boat back to Cologne. Have a nice trip!

Manfred Richter has a passion for traveling and photography. He's an occassional contributor of the site http://www.capturedplaces.com/. View his Koenigswinter picture gallery at http://www.capturedplaces.com/koenigswinter/index.php