beers

Ryanair launches new UK flights to barely-known city in Europe which has £3 beers

Rzeszow's ancient Town Hall in the market square, Poland.

FOR anyone travelling to Poland, you can ditch the classic Warsaw and Kraków for this even cheaper alternative.

Ryanair has started up a new winter route between Edinburgh and a city in Poland where you can get beers for £3 and coffee for as little as £2.18.

New flights link up Edinburgh with a city in PolandCredit: Alamy
Rzeszow has a pretty market square, riverside cafes and in the winter, Christmas marketsCredit: Alamy

Ryanair has added a new winter route to its roster between Edinburgh and Rzeszow.

Rzeszow is a city in southeastern Poland and sits on both sides of the Wisłok River.

Flights between Edinburgh and Rzeszow operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays with one-way fares starting at £24.99.

It’s a quick journey too with the journey taking just under three hours.

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There you can explore shops and cafes on the pretty Market Square, see the Rzeszów Multimedia Fountain, the Town Hall building and Zamek Lubomirskich castle.

And there’s even more lurking underground, one of its most popular attractions is the 396m-long route linking 25 old cellars beneath the central market square.

The circuit took 17 years to complete and restore, and the cellars date from the 14th to 18th centuries.

Brits can take a 45-minute guided tour with around three operating daily throughout the week.

It’s an affordable city, with the average cost of beers being £3 and a coffee around £2.18.

A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages at £31.17 – without drinks.

The huge castle called Zamek Lubomirskich is near the city centreCredit: Alamy
The price of an average beer in Rzeszow is just £3Credit: Getty

On average, restaurant prices in Rzeszow are 20.1 per cent lower than in Warsaw – which is also considered an affordable holiday destination for Brits.

During the winter months, Rzeszow will be lit up with Christmas markets where you can pick up specialities deer sausage, local honey, mulled wine, hot cider, and hot beer.

Flights will continue through to to the summer season where visitors can enjoy water activities at the Zwirownia lagoon or the Rosia open-air pools – which is essentially an enormous splash park.

With temperatures reaching highs of 25C in July and August, it’s a great time to relax at the riverside cafes.

Another Polish city to consider taking a break in is Poznan which is the country’s fifth largest city.

It’s another cheap spot with beer costing around £2.87 a pint for a local brew while coffee is less than £2.80.

Head to Dom Piwa to grab a beer – it is a cosy pub nestled on a cobbled street and serving craft beers on tap.

One of the beers you can get is the Penerskie, a local beer made from potatoes.

You can fly to Poznan from many airports in the UK; Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London Luton and Stansted.

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Read more from one writer who went to Poland’s Wroclaw who discovered colourful market squares and hidden courtyards buzzing with cafes.

Plus, this European city is nicknamed the ‘jewel of the Baltics’.

Rzeszow is not the most popular Polish city for BritsCredit: Alamy

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The best value short-haul winter sun destination has £1.50 beers & £55 hotels

An image collage containing 4 images, Image 1 shows Sea, beach, port with yachts and city views in Sidi Bou Said, Mediterranean, Tunisia, Image 2 shows Great Mosque in Sousse, Tunisia, with a view of the city and the sea, Image 3 shows People walking and sitting at outdoor cafes in the center of Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Tunisia, a town known for its extensive use of blue and white, Image 4 shows Panoramic view of the ancient Roman baths archaeological site in Carthage, Tunisia, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background

TUNISIA has been named both the cheapest winter sun destination and a top spot for 2026 holidays.

Known for its stunning blue coasts, vibrant souks and fascinating architecture, Tunisia in Africa boasts temperatures of up to 18C during the winter months.

Thomas Cook has named Tunisia as one of the best-value winter sun destinationsCredit: Getty

According to Thomas Cook’s list of best-value winter sun destinations, alongside its warm weather, Tunisia boasts top resorts and value for money as well.

For example, 15 nights with Thomas Cook at the 4* Hotel Riviera in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia on an all-inclusive basis costs from just £370 per person.

And this includes flights, heading out from London Southend on December 6.

Tunisia has also been named one of the top 25 destinations for 2026 by Lonely Planet with it particularly being best for desert and coast adventures.

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Lonely Planet stated: “It’s interesting times in Tunisia, a country that feels suspended between an old world of romantic Roman ruins and vintage beach resorts and a new world of possibilities birthed by the Arab Spring in 2011.”

It added that the country has a “laid-back atmosphere”.

Despite being small, Tunisia has a lot to boast about.

With around 40 per cent of the country being covered by the Sahara desert – the largest hot desert in the world – visitors can do many desert-based activities such as going on camel rides or quad bike journeys.

You could even grab a sandboard and surf down the dunes.

Or simply go for a walk and take in the landscape, especially in places like Matmata – a number of cave dwellings carved into the rock – which is where some of Star Wars was filmed.

And Lonely Planet has also named the country in its top 25 places to visit in 2026 listCredit: Getty

The capital of the country is Tunis and can be found in the north.

The city sits along Lake Tunis and is home to a centuries-old medina, which is a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of alleys making up the city’s historic quarter.

Here you will find a number of artisan shops, souks and traditional cafes.

You can also see the world’s largest and finest collection of Roman mosaics at the Bardo Museum, which is inside a 15th century palace.

Hammams – traditional spa experiences – are also popular across the country.

Away from the capital, Tunisia also has many quaint villages to explore.

For example, Sidi Bou Said is a clifftop village that overlooks the Mediterranean sea and is famous for its white-and-blue buildings.

Just off of the mainland is also an island called Djerba, that recently got new flights from the UK.

EasyJet is launching flights from both London Luton and Manchester for as little as £81 return.

On the island, travellers can head to Houmt Souk, home to Bazaar Houmt Souk, which sells lots of fresh food and cute souvenirs.

The island also boasts a number of olive groves, including some that date back to the Roman Empire.

When looking for a place to eat, make sure to keep an eye out for traditional Tunisian dishes.

These include brik – a type of crispy fried pastry – and chorba – a tomato-based soup.

Food won’t set you back much either, with a mid-range three-course restaurant meal for two people usually costing around £15.33.

And to enjoy a beer with your meal, you are likely to spend between £1.28 and £1.72.

Hotel prices range in Tunisia, depending on where you are and what kind of place you are looking to stay at.

For example, Sousse Pearl Marriott Resort & Spa costs from around £55 per night.

The hotel features 222 guest rooms and suites, a wide range of restaurants and bars and a number of outdoor pools.

Alternatively, in Tunis, you could stay at El Mouradi Gammarth from around £76 per night.

The hotel sits on the beach and boasts a five-star rating.

Tunisia is known for its white and blue buildings and warm weatherCredit: Getty
And food and drink is super cheap in the country, with beers costing as little as £1.28Credit: Alamy

And of course, it has indoor and outdoor pools.

You can fly to various destinations across the country – for example, return flights to Enfidha cost from £38 per person in December.

Also in December, return flights from the UK to Djerba cost from £39 per person and return flights to Tunis cost from £89 per person.

Flight times vary from two hours and 50 minutes for Tunis and Enfidha, to around three hours and 20 minutes for Djerba.

Lonely Planet has also named the ‘Cuba of Europe’ as one of the top trending destinations for 2026.

And in the UK, there is a city that is home to one of the best experiences to do in 2026.

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If you are looking for more winter sun destination inspiration, one Sun reporter visited the hidden winter sun island that feels like stepping back to the 1990s – with £1 beers and free moped rides.

And here are the best winter sun destinations that are less than six hours from the UK.

You can fly direct from the UK in under three hoursCredit: Getty

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The bucket-list bargain city breaks just over an hour from the UK – with cheap eats, £1.25 beers & flights under £40

FANCY a cheeky city break but worried about blowing the Christmas budget?

Fear not, because we’ve rounded up nine of the best bucket-list weekenders, where you can find bargain flights, as well as cheap eats and drinks during the winter months.

Here are some of the best places that are just an hour from the UKCredit: Getty

Bilbao, Spain

For easily accessible winter warmth on a shoestring budget, Bilbao is a good bet. 

This is the Spanish city that is the fastest to reach from the UK, with flights from Bristol taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes (and under two hours from London).

It’s also super affordable to reach – one-way Gatwick fares with Vueling Airlines start at just £23 this autumn

Step off the plane and into double-digit temperatures – the city has highs of 17C in November, ideal for exploring the lush green landscape and Casco Viejo, the picturesque old town with its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

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You can’t visit without indulging in pintxos – the Basque version of tapas – paired with the local tipple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola). 

Cheap but highly-rated pintxos bars include local hangout Bar Bacaicoa, known for its griddled mushrooms, £1.13 (€1.30), cod croquettes, £1.50 (€1.70), and spicy chorizo. £1.65 (€1.90).

Beer at a restaurant or pub is also cheaper than in the UK, with a “zurrito” (small glass) of local beer like San Miguel costing around £3.50 (€4).  

The world-famous Guggenheim art museum is the city’s main attraction, home to popular works by artists such as Richard Serra, Robert Rauschenberg and Yayoi Kusama.

Although you need a ticket to enter, it’s completely free to admire the outdoor art installations, such as Jeff Koons’s Instagrammable Puppy sculpture guarding the entrance.

Dublin, Ireland

Close to home, Dublin offers a quick city getaway with affordable prices if you know where to look. 

Flights from most UK airports are very short, taking just an hour from Manchester and 1 hour 20 minutes from London.

November is the cheapest month to travel to Ireland – return fares to Dublin cost around £36 with Ryanair from the East Midlands and £72 from Heathrow with British Airways.

This leaves extra spending money for its lively pub culture.

The typical price range for a pint of Guinness in city boozers – like O’Donoghue’s, Doheny & Nesbitt’s, Toners and The Baggot Inn – is similar to the UK’s national average of £5.15 (€5.80-€7.00), depending on location. 

Tourist hotspots like Temple Bar push prices to £9 (€10.45) for a pint of the black stuff. 

Avoid this by heading to a local boozer like The Auld Triangle, where a pint will set you back less than a fiver (€4.95).  

You’ll still get traditional live music at a slice of the price.

But there’s much more to Dublin than a giddy Guinness binge. 

Take in the city sights, including Phoenix Park and the grounds of Trinity College, both free to explore. 

If you’ve got a spare £16 (€18), the Little Museum of Dublin is also well worth a visit.

Set in a cute Georgian townhouse, it’s a quirky one-stop shop for history fans.

Peckish? Wood-fired pizza costs less than £6 (€6.50) from Sano Pizza, while other cheap eats include Brother Hubbard (mezze plates from €7.50) and street food at EatYard, which is open Thursday-Sunday. 

There is much more to Dublin than GuinnessCredit: Alamy

Brussels, Belgium

The capital of Belgium is within striking distance of the UK – super affordable flights take just over an hour.

One-way fares this November cost from as little as £33 from Luton with easyJet, with a flight time of 1 hour 20 minutes. 

You can find even cheaper flights to the city’s second airport, Charleroi, which is around an hour from the city centre by bus. 

The city’s main highlights – including the magnificent Grand Place, Sablon’s Gothic church and the famed Manneken Pis statue – are walkable and free to see. 

You can keep costs down by visiting museums on reduced admission days.

For instance, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (normally €10) are free on the first Wednesday of each month from 1pm.

Sample gaufres de Liège (waffles), frites (fries) and Belgian chocolate – but find them at street food stalls, trucks and small cafés for the best price.

Maison Antoine sells a small cone of fries for around £3 (€3.50), while many good chocolate shops give out free samples.

When it comes to beer, avoid tourist trap bars around Grand Place and head to local boozers instead. 

Beer Capital has beers from £2.87 (€3.30), and happy hour from noon until midnight, while Cafe Belga is a firm favourite with students. 

Brussels has amazing street food if you are on a budgetCredit: Alamy

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

With its quaint canals, treasure-packed museums and vibrant dining scene, Amsterdam is perfect for a European city break. 

You can reach this Dutch metropolis in 1 hour and 20 minutes, with easyJet flights from Manchester costing as little as £67 return this winter.

Walking is the best way to see the city’s gorgeous neighbourhoods of Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Keizersgracht, and the trendy Nine Streets area with its independent boutiques.

Planning to see as much as possible? You could save money with the I Amsterdam card, which allows free entry to some museums, including the Van Gogh Museum (but not the Anne Frank House, which you need to book in advance), travel discounts and bicycle rent. A 48-hour card costs £78 (€90).

Grab a £2.61 (€3) beef croquette straight from the wall at FEBO, automated snack machines dotted around the city.

Or head to a street stall to sample Dutch herring with onions and pickles for around €3, or stop by a Stroopwafels stand for freshly made caramel-filled wafers.

Fancy a drink? De Pilsener Club is a cosy, wood-panelled pub and one of the best spots for a cheap beer in the city centre.

Meanwhile, Kriterion is a trendy arthouse cinema with a student bar offering cheap beer (around £4.54 a pint), while Waterhole has happy hour every day (noon-9pm) with beers from £3.48 (€4).  

If you’re planning to see a lot of sights, the Amsterdam tourist card could save you cashCredit: Alamy

Paris, France

Just 1 hour and 15 minutes from the UK by plane, Paris should make your budget-break bucket list. 

While the City of Love has its fair share of overpriced tourist traps, there are ways you can shave euros off the prices you pay.

Avoid eating and drinking around the city’s main attractions, like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Arc de Triomphe, where restaurants charge a premium.

Instead, head to neighbourhoods just outside the most central zones (like the 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements) for cheaper bars and restaurants.

With the average Parisian pint, or ‘pinte’, costing £5.22-£6.96 (€6-8), your best bet for finding budget beer in Paris is to avoid tourist zones and look for happy hour. 

The cheapest pint in Paris is reportedly at Chez Marie in the 10th arrondissement – where you can enjoy a pint for £2.18 (€2.50) at happy hour (6-9pm).  

When it comes to top-notch food, the French do it well – and crêpes (pancakes) are both filling and good value. 

You can find street-side stands selling crêpes or eat them “à emporter” (to go) from around £3.48 (€4). 

For lunch on the run, locals grab sandwiches and quiches from boulangeries (bakeries).

Other cheap eats include croque monsieur (ham and cheese toastie), which costs around £6-£8 (€7-9). 

Other money-saving tips for Paris include taking the Metro instead of expensive taxis and visiting big museums like the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay on the first Sunday of the month, when they offer free admission.

You can also bag a bargain with flights – easyJet and Vueling offer one-way prices from as little as £24, with Fridays in November and March often offering the best results. 

Paris is one of the closest cities to the UK by flightCredit: Getty

San Sebastian, Spain

In the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, San Sebastian is a foodie’s delight that won’t break the bank.  

This city in the north of the country is home to amazing pintxos – tapas-style snacks that are small in price but huge in flavour.

Think olive and pepper skewers, chistorra (AKA smoky sausage), and traditional tortillas – with each dish typically costing less than £4 (around €2-€5).

A pint of beer typically costs around £5 (€5-7) in San Sebastian bars – but you can save money by ordering a smaller ‘caña’ (200ml draft beer), which is usually priced around £2.60 (€3). 

British Airways flies direct to San Sebastian from London City, with one-way fares from £120 this autumn.

And with a flight time of 1 hour 55 minutes, you’ll be exploring its golden beaches, lush hillsides and cobbled lanes before you know it. 

Even in winter, the weather can be pretty mild, with daytime temperatures rising to around 15 °C in November. 

Some of the cheapest pintxos are in the Gros District, a surfing neighbourhood that’s a 10-minute walk from the old town.

The best way to burn the pintxos-hopping calories is to explore on foot.  

Walk the scenic promenade along La Concha Bay or hike up Monte Urgull for epic city views that won’t cost you a penny.  

La Concha beach in San Sebastian is a must-visitCredit: Alamy
The weather in San Sebastian is still around 15C in NovemberCredit: Getty

Prague, Czech Republic

A couple of hours from the UK by plane, Prague is a firm favourite as a European city break, with cheap food and pints costing a couple of quid.

Even in the centre of the Czech capital, a pint will only set you back around £1.70-2.50 (50-70CZK).

Head further out, and you can expect to pay just £1-1.78 (30-50CZK) for similar drinks. 

Hany Bany, a boozer in the city’s old town, sells a small draft beer for just 78p (22CZK) and a pint for £1.25 (35CZK).

Working up an appetite? Grab a plate of hearty goulash and dumplings for £4.20 (119CZK) at Havelská Koruna, which opened as the country’s first fast-food restaurant in 1931. 

Located in the old town, it’s a thriving and affordable diner, so arrive by 11.30am to beat the lunchtime crowds.

Save even more on your trip by sampling cheap street food at Havel Market and exploring the grounds of Prague Castle for free. 

For a culture fix, some museums have free or cheap entry days, like the National Gallery Prague, which is free to enter on the first Wednesday of the month after 3pm. 

In the Old Town Square, you can also watch the Astronomical Clock’s hourly dancing figurine show without spending a single koruna.

Return flights from London to Prague this winter cost from £34 with Ryanair, from £44 with Wizz Air and from £57 with easyJet. 

Pints in Prague can set you back just £1.25m with some goulash for under a fiverCredit: Getty
Prague is known for its pretty multicoloured housesCredit: Getty

Bordeaux, France

Also under two hours from the UK, the French city of Bordeaux offers cheap wine, local markets and a UNESCO area to discover. 

It’s also affordable to reach, with easyJet offering return Bristol flights from £44 this winter.

While a pint of beer will set you back around £6 (€7) in most central bars in Bordeaux, wine is inexpensive. 

In Le Bar à Vin Bordeaux, located opposite the tourism office, you can get glasses of decent wine for less than £3 – like a 15cl glass of Bordeaux rose for €2.50.

Meanwhile, you can keep costs low by chowing down street food near Place de la Victoire, or indulging in “canelés”.

These sweet, cylindrical pastries are typically priced less than a euro – La Toque Cuivrée sells them for a mere 60p (€0.70).

When you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, take in the historic centre and 18th-century architecture – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It won’t cost you a penny to see sights like Place de la Bourse with its beautiful reflecting pool of water. 

Later, find souvenirs at the Grands Hommes market or on the rue Sainte Catherine, one of the longest streets in Bordeaux.

If you’re on a tight budget, pick up a steal in Mad Vintage, a second-hand shop, or head to the southern end of the street, which has cheaper, more student-oriented boutiques compared to the higher-end shops of the north. 

Bordeaux is less than two hours from the UKCredit: Getty
Expect wine to be cheap in BordeauxCredit: Getty

Munich, Germany

The Bavarian capital is under two hours away, with return Gatwick flights costing from just £59 with easyJet this winter. 

Which leaves plenty of spending money once you touch down in this edgy metropolis, which has lakes and mountains on its doorstep and oodles of cultural sights. 

Contemporary gallery Museum Brandhorst is a must if you enjoy pop art, and is one of many museums that offer cheap entry for 87p (€1) on Sundays.

Other free must-do activities include watching the famed Glockenspiel show in Marienplatz and strolling around the lush grass and shimmering lake of the English Garden.

Of course, Munich is the beer capital, so it’d be rude not to sample the city’s tipple of choice, Dunkel, which ranks among the best German beers. 

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A pint of this dark, malty lager is best enjoyed in a noisy beer hall like Augustiner Bräustuben, where it’s £3.35 (€3.85) a pint. 

For a cheap bite, make for Viktualienmarkt where you’ll find stalls selling sausage sandwiches for less than £6.09 (€7) or try a bakery for a €1 fresh pretzel. 

Munich has flights for just £59Credit: Getty

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Holidays to sun-soaked island with £3 beers and 30C October weather just got cheaper

In the recent Post Office Travel Money long-haul bargains report, Barbados had the biggest price drop since 2023, with a basket of essentials falling almost 19% in price

The price of staying in an island destination with white sand beaches and palm trees has plummeted in recent years.

In the UK, the cost of living has been on a steady rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. While inflation is now down to 4% after a rough couple of years in which it hit 11.1%, it continues to outstrip the wage inflation of around 3%. That means, for most people, life is getting more expensive.

All the more reason to head to a destination where the relative price of holiday staples such as beer, wine and meals out has been tumbling.

In the recent Post Office Travel Money long-haul bargains report, Barbados had the biggest price drop since 2023, with a basket of essentials falling almost 19% in price.

A bottle of lager costs £2.78 and a cup of coffee £2.54, while a cocktail will set you back £6.34 and a glass of wine £4.76 on average. This is significantly pricier than destinations at the top of the list such as Hoi An in Vietnam, where coffee costs just £1.21 and beer £1.23.

However, Barbados has a reputation as more of a premium holiday location and is a relatively small island, so you’d expect prices to be a bit higher. Especially given the fantastic weather in Barbados, where the average temperature in October and November is 30C.

That said, the falling cost of holiday goods and the presence of some surprisingly good value accommodation options mean you can still experience this beautiful island without breaking the bank.

The more affordable options start from just £82.52 per night for two adults. One such option is Ocean Spray Apartments. Situated right on the beach, these eco-friendly apartments offer stunning views of the renowned Surfer’s Point – an ideal choice for ocean lovers.

Another budget-friendly choice on Barbados’s south coast is the family-owned Carambola Hotel, just a five-minute stroll from the beach. With rates starting at a mere £87 per night for two adults, it’s a real steal.

As for dining, Barbados offers incredible food that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. The island’s cuisine is a vital part of its identity, and travellers seeking authentic island flavours will discover that some of the best meals come without a hefty price tag.

A trip to Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday night is a must-do. It offers a mix of fresh seafood, music, and a buzzing community vibe. Locals and tourists rub shoulders, tucking into grilled marlin, flying fish, and macaroni pie straight off the grill.

Expect to pay between £11 – £13 per head. There are also top-notch fast food options, including Rihanna’s beloved Chefette. A meal here will set you back around £7. But it’s not your average fast food joint – famous for its legendary rotis, crispy fried chicken and tropical milkshakes, Chefette is a true Bajan gem.

When it comes to activities, Barbados is ideal for those travelling on a (relatively long) shoestring. The island’s breathtaking natural beauty can be enjoyed without spending a penny. Every beach in Barbados is open to the public, meaning holidaymakers can unwind on the same gorgeous sands as the celebs.

Pebbles Beach, in particular, offers a uniquely Bajan experience, as racehorses from the nearby stables are brought down to the shore each morning for a swim, a sight that combines local culture with natural beauty and won’t cost you a thing.

Getting to Barbados can be much cheaper than some of the other destinations listed on the Post Office Travel Money report. Skyscanner is currently listing a return flight in November from £407.

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Coastal resort dubbed ‘Blackpool of Romania’ with dirt cheap beers and a hotel owned by famous footballer

ANYONE looking for a cheap holiday with some great beach time needs to consider heading to Mamaia.

It’s one of the most popular seaside resorts in Romania and is also one of the cheapest – and has a hotel owned by a former footballer.

Aerial view of a hotel pool area with lounge chairs and outdoor seating.

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Mamaia in Romania is a very affordable destinationCredit: iaki.ro
Gheorghe Hagi in a Romanian national team jersey.

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A hotel on the beach resort is owned by footballer Gheorghe HagiCredit: Alamy

Mamaia is a lively beach resort known for its nightclubs and sandy beaches that sits on a thin strip of land between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol.

Thanks to its location it has incredible views across the water with highs of 25C in September.

Romania itself is known for being one of the cheapest countries for a city break – you can get a local beer for just 11 lei – £1.88.

The resort is considered the ‘Blackpool‘ of Romania thanks to its affordability and party atmosphere.

In Mamaia, one hotel is even owned by a celebrated Romanian footballer who has been known to sit at the bar and chat with guests.

Gheorghe Hagi, who played for the Romania national team for 17 years, bought the IAKI Conference & Spa Hotel in 1999 and has given the hotel a big makeover since then.

Now, it has 122 spacious rooms and apartments with rates starting at €60 (£52.04).

Thanks to its location on the Mamaia strip, the hotel has either seafront or lake views.

The hotel has a first-class spa with a hot tub, yoga room, room for spin classes and a wet and dry sauna.

There are outdoor and indoor pools too and even access to a private beach.

Take a bite out of Romania – there’s much more to it than the legend of Dracula
Aerial view of Mamaia coastline at sunrise.

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It has a private beach with plenty of sun umbrellasCredit: Alamy
Relaxation area with lounge chairs and room dividers.

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There’s a first class spa with beds to lounge on as well as a hot tub and saunaCredit: iaki.ro

The IAKI beach has 220 sun loungers and umbrellas and a volleyball court.

The IAKI has three dining areas too, the Coriolis is open all-year round, has traditional Romanian food including plenty of seafood, and meat like beef tenderloin and lamb chops.

The Ballroom restaurant is where buffet meals are served for guests during the summer period.

IAKI Casino is usually reserved for special occasions, like birthdays, weddings and baptisms.

As for where to get a drink, guests can check out the Piano Bar, Sunrise Bar as well as the bar on the beach.

As the hotel is owned by a former footballer, there is of course a football pitch where both staff and guests can play.

On Tripadvisor, the hotel is rated number one in Mamaia.

One guest wrote: “It has been our 4th visit here and, as usual, the view towards the sea was magnificent, the room was prepared in advance with a baby cot for our daughter, food was excellent.

“I had the chance to see the owner in person again: Gheorghe Hagi, the best Romanian footballer of all time!”

Another added: “Our best memory represents the fact that we met “the king”- Gheorghe Hagi at the front desk and at the hotel’s bar. We took a photo with him and he gave us an autograph.”

It’s easy to get there too, with Wizz Air, you can fly direct from London Luton to Constanta Kogalniceanu from £23.

From there, Mamaia is a 30 minute drive away.

Romania is so affordable that one woman even flew to there for a spa holiday with her mum because it was cheaper than the UK – even with return flights.

And here’s another pretty European city most Brits won’t have heard of gets new cheap flights from the UK.

Aerial view of a beach with rows of umbrellas and lounge chairs.

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Mamaia has views across the Black SeaCredit: iaki.ro

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World’s only brewery inside an airport has £2 beers and excellent reviews

Munich Airport is home to Airbräu – a vast brewery where the fresh beer flows freely and punters can keep necking litres up until the very last minute of their holiday

Inside the brewery
Airbräu is the only brewery inside an airport

The holiday stein clinking and foam slurping never has to stop at Airbräu, the world’s only brewery inside an airport.

Each year Oktoberfest draws lederhosen enthusiasts from across the world to Munich in Bavaria, where they spend the final days of September and first week of October crowding into beer halls and getting rowdy.

Once the last of the leather shorts have been wiped dry and the wooden tables packed away for the year, the fun doesn’t necessarily have to stop. That’s because Munich Airport is home to Airbräu – a vast brewery where the fresh beer flows freely and punters can keep necking litres up until the very last minute of their holiday.

“We welcome you to the first airport brewery in the world. We have been brewing our unique beers strictly according to the purity law and directly at Munich Airport since 1999,” Airbräu’s website cordially invites.

Inside the brewery
The brewery has great reviews on Tripadvisor

“We serve our home-brewed beers on site in our Airbräu restaurant. You can also get the incomparable taste at home with our handy Aircraft six-packs or the party barrels. Our Airbräu connects tradition with international flair and conveys Bavarian hospitality as well as a sense of homecoming. The dishes are freshly prepared and the ingredients are sourced locally.”

Airbräu does not take advantage of its location inside the slightly no-man’s land of the airport terminal to cut corners, instead producing its beer in accordance with German brewing laws. That means only barley, malt, hops, water and yeast. Brewmaster René Jacobsen will be on hand to explain the individual steps during a guided tour through the brewery – followed by a free tasting.

Punters can either sit inside next to the brewing kettles or relax in the beer garden, where long covered tables encourage a lively atmosphere and shelter from the rain.

One of the biggest selling points of the brewery is how cheap the beer is. Small, 200ml glasses of beer cost just €2.5 (£2.10), while a litre glass is €7.4 (£6.25). Judiciousness is advised, however, as the beers are between 4.5% and 5.9% ABV.

Airbräu is so popular that many passengers say they look forward to visiting it more than actually going on holiday.

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“When we fly back, we are already looking forward to the Bavarian cuisine and the good beer again at the Airbräu,” one happy customer wrote on Tripadvisor.

Another added: “It’s really surprising how they manage to create some kind of atmosphere in such a fast-paced and hectic atmosphere. The food, beer and prices are all OK. A very good way to make the waiting time bearable in a relaxed Bavarian way.”

A third wrote: “I hate to admit it, but this maybe some of the best Bavarian food I I had in Germany. The pork Roast was fantastic. A good crispy crust on the skin. Salads and dumpling’s were also very traditional. Great food for an airport.”

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