You could find huge savings on your next flight by following three tips from a former flight attendant – including booking your trip on a certain day of the week
Booking at certain times could get you a better deal on your flight (stock photo)(Image: mihailomilovanovic via Getty Images)
The day you choose to book your flights can influence the price you pay. Holidays can become costly rapidly if you’re unaware of how to hunt for the best bargains, including your destination, accommodation, and which flight to select. Securing the finest deals can be challenging, and it can hinge on seemingly arbitrary factors, such as when you browse.
According to a former flight attendant, there are some straightforward steps you can take to cut costs on your next plane ticket. Bianca, who has been sharing travel tips online since departing her flight attendant role three years ago, posted a video on social media in which she encouraged travellers to capitalise on several flight hacks, including booking flights on particular days of the week, and even which time of day is optimal.
She said: “Do not book another flight until you do these things.”
1. Book flights on particular days
Bianca explained it doesn’t matter which day of the week you actually fly, but you should purchase your tickets on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. She maintained airlines frequently offer superior deals or more affordable seats on those days, irrespective of which day you’re actually intending to travel.
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She said: “Book your flights only on a Tuesday, a Wednesday, or a Saturday. I mean book your flights on those days. Which means you’re going to sit down on one of those days and you’re going to book your flight. The flight can be on any day, but you’re going to book it on those days. They’re cheaper [and have] better deals.”
2. Always use incognito mode
The former flight attendant implored everyone to utilise incognito mode on their web browser, or to employ a virtual private network (VPN) to keep their browsing data concealed from the website they’re using to arrange their flights. This could help secure a more economical deal on your flights – though that’s not always guaranteed.
She said: “You’re going to use a VPN or incognito mode, depending on what device you have and depending how well it works on your device. If incognito mode does not do enough, then get a VPN.
“You generally just don’t want your demographic to show where you are when you’re going to buy a flight. Because they [websites] will literally rack up the prices of flights based on where you live. I know it’s crazy, but they do it.”
3. Book flights in the morning
If you’re after the best bargains on flights, you’ll need to rise early – or stay up late. Bianca maintains that, alongside booking flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, you should also attempt to purchase your tickets between 3am and 4am.
She explained: “Three or four in the morning, if you’re a night owl, this is all for you. This is the best time to book your flights. [There are] cheaper deals [because] flights drop in the middle of the night. I’m telling you, it’s the best time.”
Commenters on Bianca’s post expressed gratitude for her tips, with many stating they’d be implementing them to obtain a more affordable flight for their forthcoming summer holidays.
One person said: “Okay, I’m going to travel.”
Another commented: “Thank you, sis! This is good.”
A third endorsed the advice, stating: “Yup, I bought my flight to LA in the middle of the night and paid $150 (£112) round trip.”
A woman was left laughing at herself after visiting a Spanish castle for just €3 (£2.61) – only to discover the surprising reason behind the tourist attraction’s low entrance fee
Content creator Alisatata, known as @iam_alisatata on social media, revealed how she paid just €3 (approximately £2.69) to visit Castillo de Colomares following her move to Spain. She was instantly struck by the elaborate design of the structure, located in the coastal town of Benalmádena – but her wonder soon turned to astonishment when she uncovered the reality behind it.
Despite its impressive, historic look, the building was in fact constructed between 1987 and 1994, meaning it’s nowhere near as ancient as she’d believed.
Posting the moment on TikTok, she said: “Admiring this ancient castle and wondering how the ticket was so cheap… then realising it was actually built in 1994.”
The striking structure isn’t a castle in the conventional sense, but rather a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his expeditions.
Covering roughly 1,500 square metres, it’s thought to be the world’s largest monument honouring the explorer – and it even houses what is claimed to be the smallest church on Earth.
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Her video rapidly grabbed viewers’ attention, with many highlighting the mix-up.
One person said: “Most ancient castles have no decorations or details; they were built for defence in times of war, not to be beautiful.”
Another added: “That’s still pretty cool,” while a third wrote: “It’s not actually a medieval castle – it’s a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus.”
Despite the confusion, visitors reckon the attraction is still well worth checking out.
Reviewing Castillo de Colomares online, one person described it as an “absolutely beautiful monument” with “amazing carving work,” adding the views alone justify the modest entrance fee.
Another visitor said it provided a “lovely break from the beach,” noting that while the site is fairly compact, there’s loads to absorb as you wander around.
A third reviewer called it an “architectural curiosity” overlooking the Costa del Sol, praising its blend of styles – from Gothic to Mudejar – and its scenic location.
While it might not be the ancient fortress she originally envisaged, it appears the distinctive landmark still made a memorable impact.
WHEN you book a £9.50 Holiday, you get the added bonus of all the fun family events and activities available on-site.
But sometimes you fancy venturing out as a family to explore the area, and luckily, these resorts have plenty to see and do out and about.
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We’ve picked out £9.50 holiday destinations with plenty of family-friendly activitiesCredit: Getty
Plus you don’t have to blow the budget by leaving the park – there’s loads of free and cheap things to do as a family.
Hols from £9.50 are set to be restocked this Tuesday, with thousands of new holidays AND new holiday parks – and you can get priority access with Sun Club.
If you fancy signing up to Sun Club to access the £9.50 Hols deals early, head tothesun.co.uk/club and join for £1.99 a monthor £12 for a year.
Once you’re a member, go to the Sun Club Offers huband find the Hols From £9.50 page.
Follow the link from the offers page, and you can book your break from midnight on Tuesday, March 31.
Whether you’re a family full of mini outdoor explorers, rail enthusiasts or older teens who love a thrill ride, we’ve rounded up some of the most affordable family days out at top £9.50 UK holiday destinations.
Here’s our pick of UK holiday spots with plenty of affordable attractions and day trips to enjoy, close to £9.50 holiday parks.
Kent
Kent makes for a fantastic family holiday destination, not just for its beautiful beaches and unspoilt outdoors, but for the range of cheap attractions and museums it offers, too.
If you holiday at Harts on the Isle of Sheppey, you’ll have some of Kent‘s most unspoilt nature on your doorstep.
What better place to re-wild with the kids than by taking a walk over saltwater marshes that are home to local wildlife.
The Swale National Nature Reserve fills the southeast of the Isle of Sheppey, with flat landscapes that make cycling its routes a breeze for the whole family.
Stop to take in the views of coastal marshland home to creatures such as rare butterflies, and birds of prey like Marsh Harriers.
Enjoy a history-filled family day out at Whitstable Castle in KentCredit: Getty
The reserve is completely free to enter.
Over in Dymchurch, families can stay at Romney Sands, Marlie or New Beach – three seafront resorts that are built for families.
Dymchurch beach make for the ideal afternoon walk full of fresh sea air. Kids can enjoy rockpooling, building sandcastles and perhaps finding a buried fossil.
Over in Whistable, Alberta is a £9.50 holiday park with plenty to do nearby.
For an affordable indoor option, the Whitstable Community Museum is a family-friendly attraction bursting with hands-on activities for kids.
Dedicated volunteers show kids the ‘wonders of Whitstable’, like the invention of the diving helmet.
Adult tickets are only £3 each and children are free with an accompanying paying adult.
Or if it’s a sunny day, what nicer activity than a family picnic?
At the top of a winding hill overlooking the sea, Whitstable Castle provides the perfect backdrop to lay out the picnic blanket.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the perfectly-manicured gardens, and let the kids sail the high seas in the hidden gem pirate-themed play area, Dollar Dan’s Tankerton Cove. Sometimes the castle even puts on events.
Best of all, entry to the grounds is completely free!
And if you fancy checking out New Romney, train enthusiasts are in for a real treat at New Romney Station.
Watch steam locomotives chug on past at New Romney stationCredit: Alamy
Not only can they watch the collection of traditional steam locomotives come and go, the station itself is home to a massive interactive model railway exhibition.
Construction of the model railway started in 1973, and has been running for 270 days each year since.
Kids will love watching these tiny trains travel a remarkable 3.5 miles a day. Entry for children is only £2 and £4 for adults.
Take your pick from five £9.50 holiday resorts in Kent.
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire boasts a wide range of attractions and activities that the whole family will enjoy.
Budding naturalists in the family will love exploring some of Lincolnshire’s wildlife attractions.
Sun reader Linda McDonnell, 71, from Lincoln, recommends the Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary and Wildlife Centre, saying: “It’s very interesting – and there is more than seals to see.
“You also have other animals like parrots (Australian cockatiels), lemurs and reptiles.”
If you fancy getting outdoors in nature, Hubbard’s Hills is a fantastic free option for families holidaying in Lincolnshire.
Sarah Al-Aidi, General Manager at Southview Holiday Park said: “Woodhall Spa is a former spa town with a really beautiful place called Hubbard’s Hills.
“It’s a real beauty spot with great picnic areas, dog walking trails and nature walks“.
Here, families can while away the day by splashing in rivers, taking nature walks or visiting the cafe, which has a play area for kids.
Animal lovers can met rescue seals at Mablethorpe Seal SanctuaryCredit: Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary
There are also plenty of hills for kids to burn off their energy by climbing and playing.
Hubbard’s Hills is totally free to visit, so if you take a picnic you can enjoy a free family day out. However if you’re driving, parking costs £1.
Of course no trip to the Lincolnshire seaside would be complete without a visit to Skegness.
Simply enjoy a free day out on the beach and strolling the bustling promenade, or if you have pocket money to spend, load up an iCard with £5 to use the tokens on rides at Fantasy Island.
The park has thrilling rides for the whole family, from white-knuckle roller coasters to Dodgems, water flumes and carousels.
There’s also ten-pin bowling and crazy golf to help keep your whole brood entertained all day.
For some nature away from the noise, a fantastic free-to-visit option is the unspoilt Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve.
Here there’s walking trails, dunes, and bird watching, all located just a short drive south of the town.
Take your pick of from 9 Hols from £9.50 resorts in Lincolnshire.
What’s a holiday in Lincolnshire without a visit to Skegness Pier?Credit: Alamy
Sussex
If you’re eyeing up a £9.50 family holiday to Sussex, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s plenty to keep the whole crew entertained.
Of course, you can easily spend your time on the beautiful beaches, which don’t cost a penny to visit.
Camber Sands in East Sussex is a perfect pick for families, the Blue Flag rated beach being home to calm waters and soft sands practically made for buckets and spades.
Plus with Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands on the seafront, you’ll only be steps away from your lodge or caravan down to the shore.
But if you’ve already had your fill of beach trips, then there’s a whole raft of family-friendly activities nearby.
Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park recommends Rye Water Sports.
She said: “It’s an action water park that’s really close to us. They have a variety of water sports, like sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.”
The location will also put parents’ minds at eas, as lessons take place on a safe inland lake between Rye and Camber Sands.
Camber Sands beach is popular with families thanks to its shallow waters and nearby amenitiesCredit: Alamy
The centre runs everything from board hire (from £20) to holiday clubs for children aged eight to 15 (one day from £85 including sailing, windsurfing and paddle boarding).
Meanwhile, in West Sussex, Hols from £9.50 resort Chichester Lakeside has practically more water than land, with 10 fishing lakes spread across 150 acres.
But if that’s not enough, it’s only an 8-minute drive from the resort to Chichester Watersports.
Here there’s an aqua park complete with inflatable slides. Suitable from age seven, a 50-minute session costs £20.
For another activity that will burn energy without burning a hole in your pocket, head to one of the brilliant cycle paths in Sussex.
Cycle the The South Coast East route along the seafront of SussexCredit: AFP
If you have your own bike, they are also completely free to explore, and the traffic-free terrain also works well for families with prams.
The South Coast East route takes you along the seafront – you could start at Worthing and extend it to Shoreham, Lancing or Brighton depending on how far you want to go.
Alternatively, start at Shoreham-by-Sea and head inland past woods, streams and rivers on the Downs Link.
If you can’t bring your own bikes,hire a Donkey Bike via the app(from £1.80 for 30 minutes), or try Riverside South Downs who rent bikes from £20 for two hours.
Take your pick from six £9.50 holiday resorts in Sussex.
All the ways to book a holiday from £9.50
There are five routes to book our Hols From £9.50
Book online: Simply collectcodewords printed in The Sun paper up until Wednesday, April 1. Then enter them at thesun.co.uk/holidays to unlock booking from April 1.
Book with Sun Club: Join Sun Club at thesun.co.uk/club for £1.99 per month or £12 for the year. Go to the Sun Club Offers hub and click through to the Hols from £9.50 page. You do not need to collect any codewords or Sun Savers codes. Booking opens for Sun Club members onTuesday, March 31.
Book with Sun Savers: Download the Sun Savers app or register at sunsavers.co.uk. Then go to the ‘Offers’ section of Sun Savers and click ‘Start Collecting’ on the ‘Hols From £9.50’ page. Collect TWO Sun Savers codes from those printed at the bottom of the Sun Savers page in the newspaper up until April 1. Then enter or scan the codes on Sun Savers to unlock booking.
Book by post: Collect TWO of the codewords printed in The Sun each day up until Wednesday, April 1. Cut the codeword out and send it back with the booking form – found in paper onApril 1 or online at thesun.co.uk/holidays.
Book with The Sun Digital Newspaper: Sign up to The Sun Digital Newspaper at thesun.co.uk/newspaper. Then download the Sun Savers app or sign up at sunsavers.co.uk, log in to Sun Savers with your Sun account details (the same email and password you use for your Digital Newspaper) and enjoy automatic access to Hols, without the need to collect Sun Savers codes daily. Booking opens onApril 1.
YOU can explore a Santorini-like island with whitewashed villages for a fraction of the price of the real deal.
Folegandros is an island in the Cyclades known for both pretty beaches and cheaper hotels than its sister island.
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The island is a quiet alternative to Santorini with beautiful beaches like LivadakiCredit: AlamyChora is the main town with whitewashed buildings and blue doorwaysCredit: Alamy
Unlike its neighboursMykonos and Santorini, Folegandros doesn’t have an airport or huge hotels – the island didn’t even have electricity until 1974.
It’s been dubbed an ‘under-the-radar Greek island’ seeing much fewer visitors.
Santorini gets around 3.4million visitors each year, meanwhile Folegandros gets 50,000.
There’s still lots to see and visitors will find most of the island’s life in the main town of Chora of which is perched on a cliff around 200 metres high.
It’s where most of the shops, restaurants, cafes and tavernas are found.
Make sure to try Matsata, which is a handmade fresh pasta, which looks similar to tagliatelle, that was founded on Folegandros.
Usually it’s served with cooked meats like rooster, rabbit, or goat in a rich tomato sauce and topped with grated cheese.
For those who want the best island view, take the steep, winding path up to the Church of Panagia.
CNNlisted Chora in their top seven most beautiful villages in Europe, writing: “Santorini’s streets sag with admirers.
“But on Folegandros, a nearby island, you’ll find similar architecture—streets paved in slate, whitewashed buildings decorated with colourful flowers, the occasionalGreekOrthodox church with a bright blue dome—without the crowds.”
Being a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, Folegandros has plenty of beautiful beaches and has been praised for its “emerald-blue” waters.
Some of the island’s top ones include Katergo Beach which has white sands and blue waters.
Visitors have gone as far as to say it’s the “prettiest beach on Folegandros.”
Stays in Kallisti Hotel start from £82 per nightCredit: KallistiThe hotel has incredible views across Chora and its hilltop churchCredit: Kallisti
Another is Livadaki Beach which most visitors access by boat rather than foot.
Its remote location means it is less busy than other beaches on the island and it’s said to be an ideal spot for snorkelling.
Agios Nikolaos Beach is family-friendly with a small bar and taverna on the shoreline.
Depending on the season, the average price of a hotel in Santorini varies but typically ranges from £143–£251 per night – but luxury stays can be as high as £1,000.
While Folegandros does have some luxe stays, there are some more affordable stays too.
The Beachfront Cycladic House can be booked from £74 per night on Booking.com.
The holiday home has a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room, a balcony and it’s just minutes’ walk away from multiple beaches.
Rooms at the Kallisti Hotel which is built in the style of a small village can be booked from £82 per night.
It has a swimmingpool, bar, breakfast room and rooms with balconies with beautiful island views.
The easiest way for Brits to get to Folegandros is by a ferry from Athens which takes around four hours.
Brits can also fly from the UK to Athens in under four hours from as little as £22.
THE EASTER school holidays are just around the corner and with the kids off school, you might want to head on a staycation to fill some of their time.
There are loads of seaside towns across the UK, but Sun Travel has picked out some of the cheapest spots across England – all of which are great for family breaks this Easter.
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The UK is home to a number of cheap seaside spots including BlackpoolCredit: Alamy
Blackpool, Lancashire
Blackpool is often thought to be one of the cheapest seaside destinations in the UK, with arcades and a long-stretching beach.
For a one-night break over the Easter holidays, you could stay at The Merlin Hotel for £56 a night for two adults and two children (or £14 per person).
The hotel is in the city centre and is an eight minute walk from Blackpool Central Beach.
You can also head to Blackpool Winter Gardens Theatre just 400 metres away and Coral Island, 500 metres away.
When it comes to activities, you can head to Joyland – one of the oldest theme parks in the UK – and it is completely free to visit.
Rides are then priced separately so you can spend as little or as much as you like.
For example, the Super Snails ride costs £2.50 a turn.
Travel writer, Helen Wright, recently visited and for food suggests heading to Grelly’s, where you’ll be able to grab a hot sausage roll and chips for only £3.60.
Or you could head to Great Yarmouth, with a hotel costing around £86 per nightCredit: Alamy
When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, you could head to Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from April 10 to 13 for £228 for four people (or £19 per person per night).
The holiday park is just a short walk to Crimdon Dene Beach, which offers amazing views of the north east coastline.
There is also a restaurant and bar on site in case you want to grab a bite to eat.
If you head into Hartlepool town, the Museum has free entry as well.
In Hartlepool, you could opt for Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene Holiday Park from April 10 to 13 for £228 for four peopleCredit: Alamy
Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Found in Somerset, Weston-Super-Mare was a popular 19th-century Victorian seaside resort and is still loved today for its long beach and Grand Pier.
Stay at the Savoy Hotel from £99 a night for four people over the Easter holidays.
If you don’t mind being a little out of Weston-Super-Mare, in the next town along – Brean – you could stay at Unity Beach holiday park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £189 for a family of four (£15.75 per person per night).
Visiting the Grand Pier will set you back £2 per person and an unlimited all-day ride wristband costs £15 per toddler and £20 per child.
Attractions on the pier include a mirror maze, Helter Skelter and soft play.
There are a number of eating spots on the pier as well where you can grab fish and chips for £12, sausage and chips for £7.50 and a range of kids meals for £6.
Weston-Super-Mare has a number of cheap attractions including the Grand Pier, which will set you back £2 per personCredit: Alamy
Penzance, Cornwall
Despite many thinking Cornwall is one of the more expensive places to head on a staycation, if you are heading to the county then visit Penzance, which is one of the more affordable spots.
For example, you could head to Seaview Holiday Park, costing around £60 a night for a family of four over the Easter holidays.
The accommodation has a kitchenette as well, so you can cut even more costs by cooking for yourself.
And there’s also an outdoor swimmingpool, indoor play area and games room.
The beach is then about a 25-minute walk away.
Sun Hols from £9.50 returns next week
WANT to discover more bargains? Well, Sun Hols from £9.50 is returning with thousands of new breaks ready to book for this spring and summer.
And if you’re a Sun Club member (you can sign up here for £1.99 a month) you get priority access to these new bargain breaks.
The Hols from £9.50 website will be updated with new holidays on Wednesday, April 1.
Those collecting codes from the paper will unlock access to the website on Wednesday morning, but if you’re a Sun Club member, you can unlock those holidays on Tuesday March 31.
This means you can beat the online crowds and take your pick of holidays at a range of award-winning resorts earlier than the rest.
Once you’re signed up to Sun Club, head to the Sun Club offers hub. Then simply click through to the Hols from £9.50 website on Tuesday March 31 to access the holidays early.
And yes – you can book a holiday at a range of Hols from £9.50 resorts from as little as £9.50 per person. Find out more at Hols from £9.50.
If you want to head to Cornwall, but are looking for a cheaper spot than Penzance is a great optionCredit: Alamy
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
According to Which?, Whitley Bay’s average room rates cost just £69 -which makes it the second cheapest UK seaside town after Southport (£66).
Over Easter though, prices are obviously a little more expensive – but there are still some affordable options.
For example, a one-night stay at The Windsor Hotel costs £77 for a family of four.
The hotel is on South Parade and within sight of the sea, with the beach just 270 metres away.
That works out at just £14.12 per person, per night.
According to Which?, Whitley Bay’s average room rates cost just £69 -which makes it the second cheapest UK seaside town after Southport (£66)Credit: Alamy
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Bognor Regis on the south coast of England is known for its award-winning Butlin’s resort.
A three-night break at Butlin’s Bognor Regis from April 10 to 13 costs from £316 – that’s around £26.34 per person per night.
And for that price, you get all the entertainment, the indoor waterpark and fairground rides – but it doesn’t include food.
If you do want to include food, this would cost an extra £186.54 (around £15.55 per person per day) for the family food court dining plan which includes a buffet experience.
In Bognor Regis, you could head to Butlin’s and make the most of their facilitiesCredit: Alamy
Ramsgate, Kent
Ramsgate is well known for having the UK’s only Royal Harbour, as well as sandy beaches and over 450 listed buildings.
And for Easter, there are still some affordable breaks.
You could head to Dog and Duck Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to 13 for £234 for four people (or £19.50 per person per night).
You’d stay in a static caravan with an open plan lounge and kitchen area.
The holiday park has a pub onsite where you can grab a pizza for as little as £12, as well as an outdoor play area.
Ramsgate is also home the UK’s largest Wetherspoons as well, where you can grab a pint of Ruddles ale for just £1.99.
Or grab a pint of Worthington’s Creamflow ale for £1.99.
Ramsgate is well known for having the UK’s only Royal Harbour, as well as sandy beaches and over 450 listed buildingsCredit: Alamy
Paignton, Devon
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Paignton, you won’t be short for choice.
The bustling seaside town has a great mix of campsites, holiday parks, hotels and B&Bs.
For example you could stay at Devon Hills Holiday Park in a caravan with a hot tub for three nights from April 10-13 for £199 for four people (or £16.59 per person per night).
The holiday park features an 18metre pool, gym, sauna and steam room and play area.
And if you are wanting a bite to eat, there is an onsite cafe too where you can grab two pizzas, fries and garlic bread for £29.95.
The beach is a bit further away (three miles), but once there you’ll be in the bustling resort town of Paignton with red sand beaches and a pier full of different attractions including penny slot machines.
Paignton in Devon has a bustling town centre and a vast choice of hotels, holiday parks and B&BsCredit: Alamy
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Over in Essex, you could head to Clacton-on-Sea, which is full of souvenir shops and ice cream spots.
You could stay at Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village for £129 for three nights for a family of four – that’s just £10.75 per person, per night.
This is for a break between April 10 and 13, and includes access to the restaurants, takeaways and arcades but not to the swimming pools, activities and entertainment venues.
In Clacton-on-Sea, you can head to the pier which has a variety of amusement arcades and rides, such as a Helter Skelter costing just £1 a turn.
And if you are looking for a cheap spot for lunch Flags Cafe has a variety of dishes including curry, vegan options and cakes or a toastie and drink for a fiver.
Or head to Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village in Clacton-on-Sea for £129 for three nights for a family of four – that’s just £10.75 per person, per nightCredit: Alamy
The travel expert previously shared his recommendations for a gorgeous yet affordable European summer holiday, and one place is well worth a visit.
Andrea Blazquez Editor of Spare Time and Nicola Roy Multimedia content creator
03:01, 21 Mar 2026
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The gorgeous European gem is cheap too(Image: Getty)
If you’re still to book your holiday for 2026, Simon Calder is on hand to help with suggestions on where to go. The travel expert has previously spoken out about his favourite affordable spots to take a trip, and they’re all gorgeous too.
Simon highlighted Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania as some of the most stunning yet affordable holiday destinations. He said: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal and in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria – obviously a very popular package holiday destination.”
In fact, according to research in 2023 by holiday specialists Jersey Island Holidays, Montenegro topped the charts as Europe’s most affordable destination, reports the Express. Although this was a few years ago, the destination still remains very affordable.
For example, Brits can secure a seven-night break in an all-inclusive four-star resort in Herceg Novi next month for £419pp, including flights, according to Love Holidays.
The Iberostar Waves Slavija hotel, which is right by the beach, will only set you back £409 for seven nights — excellent value for money.
It’s cheap when you’re actually there too. According to Cost of Living, the average price of a beer in Montenegro is €2.50, which is around £2.15.
The average pizza costs €12, whereas pasta and meat dishes come in at around €15, according to Porto Montenegro. Flights in April start at just £16 one-way from Gatwick Airport.
But Simon Calder isn’t the only one singing the praises of this holiday destination, as travel bloggers at Wander-lush crowned Montenegro Europe’s most “underrated nation”.
Kotor Bay stands out as one of Montenegro’s most spectacular locations, and conveniently for tourists, the nearest city and airport is Podgorica.
The experts highlighted that whilst Kotor ranks among the most striking towns on Kotor Bay, if they “had to choose the most beautiful place in Montenegro overall, it would be the harbour town of Perast”.
Travel experts at Starsinsider agreed, declaring that Montenegro “is the most underrated jewel of the Mediterranean”.
In Podgorica, one of the top attractions is Saborni Hram Hristovog Vaskrsenja, a “beautiful and very impressive” church that’s “absolutely worth visiting”, according to some travellers on Tripadvisor.
Kotor Bay has earned praise on the platform as “the best coastal road in the world” and a “beautiful and peaceful” destination for a getaway.
“We fell in love with Montenegro. The water is so clear, the mountains come down to the water, and it’s stunning scenery.
“That said, what I love about it is that it’s so unspoiled. I sure hope it can stay that way. So peaceful and lovely,” one person shared in a review.
EGYPT has seen a fall in tourism due to the ongoing Iran conflict – despite it not being affected.
In response, tour operators are dropping prices of all-inclusive holidays – with some savings racking up to over £2,000.
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The price of holidays to Egypt has dropped as Brits avoid goingCredit: AlamyTUI’s Coral Sea Water World has its own waterpark and savings of over £2,000Credit: TUI
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Brits have been avoiding travelling to the surrounding countries, including Egypt.
Last week, On The Beach confirmed that they had experienced a drop in demand for popular holiday destinations including Egypt as well as Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.
Despite this, its airspace remains open and the travel advice to popular tourist spots along the Red Sea coastline hasn’t differed from the being safe for travel.
What has changed, is that the price of all-inclusive holidays has plunged.
An all-inclusive break at the Xperience St. George Homestay, in the coastal neighbourhood of Hadaba in Sharm El Sheikh, starts from £424 per person.
This includes flights from LiverpoolJohn Lennon Airport on May 11 and the return journey on May 28, 2026.
A TUI holiday has dropped by nearly 70 per cent, with a three-night all-inclusive stay next month at Sindbad Club just £347pp – down from £1017pp.
Or a family of four can have an all-inclusive stay across seven-nights at the Coral Sea Water World in Sharm El Sheikh for just £1,576 – or £525.46 per person (and down 60 per cent).
The trip with TUI from April 22 to April 29, 2026 is all-inclusive and includes return flights from Manchester Airport.
Brits unsure about booking holidays should remember that the package holidays are ATOL-protected – so if they get cancelled, you get all your money back.
What is the current travel advice to Egypt?
Keep up to date with the FCDO travel advice to Egypt on Gov.UK – here’s the latest…
FCDO advises against travel to these parts of Egypt;
Egypt-Libya border
North Sinai
Northern part of South Sinai
Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate
Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid
Western Desert
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:
Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
the Faiyum Governorate
the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
the Marsa Matruh-Siwa road
the oasis town of Siwa
the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis
the White Desert and Black Desert
the oasis towns of Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla (Mut) and Kharga
the following roads and the desert area between them and the Nile valley:
the road between Giza and Farafra and within 50km either side of this road (but FCDO advises against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)
the road between Farafra, Dakhla (Mut) and Kharga
the road between Kharga and Baris
the road between Baris and Luxor
It also warns of potential regional risks that “could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”.
The FCDO advises British nationals to “take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances”.
The Xperience St. George Homestay has deals from £424ppCredit: easyjet Holidays The price of all-inclusive holidays to spots in Egypt have plummetedCredit: Alamy
Our favourite Egypt holiday deals
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New Badawia Resort, Sharm el Sheikh
This hotel in popular resort Sharm el Sheikh has a large outdoor pool, waterpark and its own private beach area to cool off from the Egyptian sun. There’s traditional evening entertainment to bring the kids along to, and plenty to do in the local area like snorkelling and dipping into local bars and restaurants
With five swimming pools, six bars and six restaurants, you won’t get bored of this sprawling resort. The resort sits in the town centre of Makadi Bay, with plenty of dining and shopping options on your doorstep. The best part? Makadi Water World is just minutes from the hotel, famed for its 50 water slides and wave pool – and guests staying here get free entry.
The 4-star Jaz Grand Marsa has its own private beach with a coral reef, as well as five pools, three of which have sea views. The spacious grounds feature gardens and water fountains, plus tennis courts.
This all-inclusive resort is built for families, with a huge entertainment programme and an on-site waterpark with 18 slides. You can expect a buffet that’s anything but repetitive, as the theme and food line-up change daily. If you can bring yourself to leave the all-inclusive waterpark-come-resort, there’s the King Tut Museum, plus the Red Sea is world-famous for snorkelling.
TURKEY has urged tourists that the country is still safe to visit, after seeing a slight drop in tourism.
The country has not been part of the Iran crisis, and the majority of Turkey – including the tourist resorts – remain safe to travel.
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Turkey officials are urging the country is still safe to travelCredit: GettyPlaces like Antalya, Istanbul and Bodrum have no travel warnings in placeCredit: Getty
Despite this, On The Beach confirmed that they had experienced a drop in demand for destinations like Turkey.
But tourism authorities in Turkey have since confirmed that tourism is “still normal” across the country, which welcomed more than 4.2million Brits last year.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye has teamed up with Türkiye’s Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to reassure tourists.
They confirmed that “holidays to Turkey are operating as usual, and nothing has changed”.
They added: “Every resort, hotel, excursion and experience is operating as booked – and there have been no closures, disruptions or government-issued restrictions on tourism activity anywhere in the country.”
Not only that but they said “no Turkish airport has been subject to closure, restriction or rerouting due to regional events”.
This includes the popular airports of Istanbul, Antalya Bodrum and Izmir.
And there are some super cheap Turkey holidays on sale right now.
You could spend a week all-inclusive at a Turkish holiday resort for just £199 each, which includes your seven night stay, return flights and your food and drink.
The cheap deal is staying at Ares Dream Hotel in Antalya, according to loveholidays.
Or spend a month for nearly half the cost than the average rent in the UK (£1,368), with a 28-night, all-inclusive stay from £619pp.
Even the summer holidays have cheap deals with seven nights at Hotel Linda in Kas from £469pp in August.
The current UK Foreign Office advice is that all of Turkey is safe to travel to, excluding the border with Syria.
Other bits of travel advice is to always carry around some form of photo ID such as a passport when travelling in Turkey.
Smoking is also banned on all public transport, as well as at bars, restaurants and cafes.
It’s not just Turkey that has seen a drop in tourism due to Iran, despite being safe to visit.
Egypt is seeing a drop in numbers, as well as Cyprus following an RAF base attack.
Travelling with kids can be expensive, even if you stay within the UK, but changing your travel dates could potentially save you hundreds of pounds – according to Expedia some dates could be the key to nabbing bargains
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Here’s what you need to know ahead of the summer holidays(Image: Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images)
When you have kids, it feels like the days of cheap holidays are over, especially once they hit school age. Holidays can take a lot more planning and careful budgeting.
However, travel booking site Expedia has given parents a hand, putting together data that shows the cheapest exact dates to travel as a family, as well as the peak travel dates to avoid. Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia Group Brands said: “Using the right dates to dodge peak travel times is a great money‑saving hack, especially when paired with booking everything you need for your trip on Expedia for a hassle‑free holiday.”
It also revealed some up and coming destinations for spring that are seeing a surge in searches, potentially making them popular places for a spring break. These include Conwy, Tenby, and the Cotswolds, all classic family holiday staycation spots.
As you may expect, late-March and early-April are expensive times to travel as parents try to get some time away for the Easter holidays. For domestic travel, the most expensive dates are between May 23 and 31, which is half-term in most schools across the UK. The most expensive dates for international travel were revealed as April 5 and May 23, again both coinciding with school holidays.
The busiest dates for staycations were found to be March 6 and 27, while for international travel, you can expect packed airports and ferry ports on April 2 and 3. If you’re someone who prefers to avoid the crowds and traffic, it’s best to rethink booking a departure on these dates.
When it comes to the cheapest dates, for domestic travel these fall on March 1 and 2, early in the spring, as it’s before the main tourist season kicks off in most staycation spots.
For international travel, the cheapest departure dates include March 2 and April 27. Unfortunately, these do fall outside of school holiday dates, but some parents may be tempted to book a break anyway. However, it’s worth making sure you research school holiday fines before you pull the kids out of school, as a family of four could rack up a £320 bill even for a first offence.
The quietest times to travel also fall outside of school holidays: April 28 and May 31. However, if your school has a later May half-term or inset days tacked onto the holiday, then going slightly later could cut the cost of a break later in the month. Choose flexible dates when searching for flights or holidays to see how much you could save by departing a few days later.
If you’re in a particularly strict area for school holiday fines, don’t worry, shifting your dates within the school holidays can also cut costs. For example, the cheapest dates to book in the six week summer holidays tend to be closer to the end of the holiday, as most people want to go away as soon as school finishes. By opting for a late-August rather than mid-July break you could save hundreds and still be back in time for school.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
A travel expert claims he has saved money by looking for flights at a specific time, and early risers could bag a bargain, but there are also other ways to cut the cost of your flight
Night owls could pay less for their flights(Image: MEN MEDIA)
A travel expert has claimed that the time you book a flight can be just as important as the day you choose to travel, and that setting your alarm at a very specific time could help you land the best deals.
Jamie Fraser, owner of Wild Packs, claims that the cheapest time to book flights is exactly 2:48am in what could be good news for night owls and insomniacs. He also claims that evening searches between 8pm and 2pm can also be around 5% cheaper than searching during peak morning hours.
Airlines will often raise prices when they see heavy demand for a destination, so if lots of other people are up at the same time looking for the same route and dates, this could potentially put prices up. Jamie says: “Most people search for flights first thing in the morning while they’re having coffee, but that’s exactly when everyone else is doing the same thing.
“When airline systems see that spike in demand, prices can rise quickly. It’s one of the easiest ways travellers overpay. The cheapest time to book is usually in the early hours of the morning, around 2:48 am, when far fewer people are searching, and airline pricing systems have reset overnight.”
He added: “If you’re not willing to set a 2 am alarm, the next best option is late evening. Booking between 8 pm and 10 pm can still save around 5% compared to that busy morning window.”
So does this hack work? In the early years of internet travel booking, airlines and other sites would update their fares manually overnight. This meant that savvy travellers could sometimes pick up middle of the night bargains. However, nowadays, it’s more complex because systems have evolved, so you may still need a bit of luck on your side.
You could also potentially save money by using Jamie’s other suggested hack, which is to set up price alerts rather than checking fares repeatedly. Jamie also reiterated the often given advice that travellers should be flexible with travel plans, looking out for different airlines, dates, or nearby airports.
If you use sites such as Skyscanner, you can often tick a ‘nearby airports’ box, as an airport a short drive away could end up being cheaper. If you’re flexible on destination, for example you simply want to go somewhere sunny with a beach, then choosing ‘everywhere’ as a destination will show you the cheapest options for your dates.
It’s also worth signing up for emails from specific airlines and looking out for deals such as flash sales or kids fly for free offers, which often have limited availability and need to be snapped up quickly.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com