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YOU can still go abroad May half term with these fantastic last-minute holiday deals

We’ve scoured the web to find some of the cheapest package holidays you can still book, so you can whisk your family off somewhere hot and sunny this May.

We’ve found great deals in Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.

Whether you’re after a family-friendly hotel with a big pool and lots of entertainment, or a European holiday park in the pinewoods by the beach, we’ve got you covered.

Tuscany, Italy

Head to the pretty, pine forest-backed beaches of Tuscany’s Maremma Coast with this bargain holiday deal.

This package includes a stay at Gitavillage Le Marze, an Italian holiday park with kids adventure activities, exciting entertainment, and its own beach bar.

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Nearby you can walk or cycle through Maremma Nature Park, or go island-hopping and visit sunny Elba and Giglio.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from Edinburgh, for £280pp.

Calpe, Spain

Calpe is a stylish Spanish resort on Spain‘s Costa Blanca with gorgeous beaches, a colourful Old Town and unique nature.

Whether you’re sunbathing on the massive Playa del Arenal-Bol beach, or spotting wild flamingos at saltwater lagoon Las Salinas, Calpe makes for a Spanish holiday unlike any other.

This deal comes with a stay at Sunsea Village, a complex with a swimming pool, tennis courts and spacious apartments to stay in.

On the Beach offer a 7-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from Edinburgh, for £275pp.

Salou, Spain

Salou sits on Spain’s sunny Costa Dorada, where you can expect to find temps hovering at a toasty 25C in May.

This popular family destination has plenty to see and do, including water slides and rollercoasters at PortAventura World, and theme park Ferrari Land – home to the fastest and tallest hypercoaster in Europe, Red Force.

Bag a stay at the Rentalmar Apolo Suites, where you’ll have a modern apartment as your base with the beach just a few steps away, and PortAventura World just a few minutes down the road.

On the Beach offer a 5-night stay from 23 May, including return flights from London Luton, for £235pp.

Rhodes, Greece

Head to Rhodes in Greece this May for a slice of sun with plenty of history and charming streets lined with tavernas and souvenir shops to explore.

Faliraki is an energetic seaside resort with lots of watersports activities, nightlife and is home to Faliraki Water Park, one of Europe’s largest.

A stay at the Anseli Apartments comes with access to a shimmering swimming pool surrounded by loungers, plus a games area and TV lounge for somewhere to relax.

On the Beach offer a 4-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Birmingham, for £365pp.

Agadir, Morocco

Agadir has a six mile stretch of sandy beach, colourful souks to explore – plus it reaches highs of up to 26C in May.

Whether you want to try new water sports, drive a beach buggy, or simply laze back on the sands and relax, this coastal resort has something for everyone.

The Bahia City Hotel is in an ideal location, just five minutes’ walk from Agadir beach with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay, including return flights from Leeds Bradford, for £369pp.

Manilva, Spain

Manilva sits on the Costa del Sol, and offers plenty to see and do for families.

The coastal town has a lively marina lined with bars and restaurants, your pick of unspoilt beaches, plus lots of wildlife such as dolphins and whales which you can spot from boat tours.

The Village Terrazas Costa del Sol is a picturesque holiday village with modern apartments, two outdoor pools, a kids club and regular live entertainment.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from East Midlands Airport, for £329pp.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Puerto de la Cruz on the stunning Northern coast of Tenerife is a sunny coastal town with plenty of attractions and unique landscapes to explore.

Stroll through centuries of exotic plant collections at Jardín Botánico, or take a tour up to the volcanic peak of Mount Teide, or head to the beach at Playa Jardín with its unique black sand backed by palms, while Lago Martiánez has mineral-rich saltwater pools.

Be Smart Florida Plaza is an affordable base just a short walk from Playa Jardin and the Old Town, and it offers 132 spacious rooms plus a sizeable outdoor swimming pool.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Belfast, for £309pp.

Alvor, The Algarve, Portugal

Alvor is a pretty Portuguese fishing village, which is a fantastic option for those who want the coastal views without the crowds.

Here you can set off in boats or kayaks to discover the Bengali caves, cycle the Alvor boardwalk, or simply stretch out under the sun on Alvor’s two-and-a-half-mile Blue Flag beach.

The Clube Alvorferias is a modern, whitewashed hotel with a large circular swimming pool surrounded by palms. It has comfortable apartments with air con, balconies and kitchenettes, plus you’re only a 10-minute walk into the vibrant town centre.

Loveholidays offer a 5-night stay from 25 May, including return flights from Norwich, for £299pp.

EUROPE’S biggest airline is calling for new European travel rules to be suspended.

Ryanair has written to the 29 countries where Europe‘s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being enforced, to suspend the system until September following lengthy airport delays.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The budget airline’s COO Neal McMahon said: “Governments across Europe are attempting to roll out a half-baked IT system in the middle of the busiest travel season of the year, and passengers are paying the price, being forced to endure hours-long passport control queues and in some cases, missing flights.

“The solution is simple and already provided for under EU law (EU Reg. 2025/1534) – Governments should suspend EES until September when the peak summer travel season has subsided, just as Greece has done.

“This would allow passengers – many of whom are travelling with young families – a smoother airport experience for their summer holidays.”

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It comes as the airline has called on the French government to suspend the rollout of EES to ensure passengers do not suffer long queues at airports during the summer period.

According to the airline, despite French authorities knowing that EES was going to be introduced on April 10 this year for the past three years, they have “failed to ensure adequate staffing, system readiness or kiosks are in place”.

This has meant that there are long queues at passport control and in some cases, passengers are even missing their flights.

For example at Beauvais, Marseille and Nantes airports, queues are taking around one to two hours for passengers to get through.

Other European countries are also suffering, with Sun Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recently getting stuck at Lanzarote Airport in Spain for three hours.

Other reports have seen two-hour queues at Lisbon Airport in Portugal and in Malta, one flight was forced to wait on the tarmac for 40 minutes before passengers could get off, as passport control queues in the airport were so long.

Greece, on the other hand, has suspended EES until September, to manage peak summer travel.

Back on April 18, a statement from the Greek Embassy announced that Brits are “exempt” from biometrics at all “Greek border crossing points”.

Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, added: “The exemption of British passport holders from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points, effective from 10 April 2026, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports.

“UK travellers will no longer need to undergo additional EES biometric procedures, ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece.

“The Greek National Tourism Organisation remains committed to ensuring a seamless and welcoming journey for all visitors from the UK.”

A TOP travel company has launched a new guarantee for customers that allows them to get a refund the same day their flight is cancelled.

On The Beach has launched a new initiative for travellers this summer, where, if their flight is cancelled, they will get a refund on the same day.

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The holiday package provider is the first to offer ‘Cancelled Flight Cover’, and it is included on all On The Beach packages.

The perk will come into play if your flight is either cancelled or rescheduled by 12 hours or more, with On The Beach first trying to find you the “next best flight”.

If this is not possible or you don’t want the alternative flight, a refund will be processed on the very same day for your flight, hotel and any extras you booked.

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It comes as airlines and travellers face uncertainty this summer, with possible cancellations across Europe due to fuel supply concerns.

Some airlines are already cutting flights but other providers usually take up to 14 days to refund customers.

Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach, said: “Holidaymakers deserve certainty, especially when disruption strikes.

“We’re proud to be the first package holiday provider to commit to same-day refund processing for cancelled flights, giving customers the confidence to book knowing we’ve got their back when it matters most.

“If the worst happens and a flight is cancelled, we’ll move quickly to either find a new route or return every penny of their holiday money that same day.

“This means they can get a new break booked, make alternative plans fast, and get back to looking forward to their summer instead of worrying about it.”

AS THE fuel crisis continues to put pressure on airlines, it can be hard to know what it means for your upcoming flight.

For some airlines, rising fuel costs are being offset by raising the price of flight fares such as Virgin Atlantic, with British Airways also recently warning of flight fare increases.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Yet there are also a number of airlines that have vowed not to increase costs for their passengers. Here’s a full rundown of the UK airlines that have not changed their prices:

Jet2

Currently, Jet2 has not increased the prices of its flights and holidays due to rising jet fuel costs, and both holidays and flights with the company remain unaffected.

A Jet2 spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We remain in continual dialogue with our fuel suppliers, as is standard practice.

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“Based on the conversations we have been having, we see no reason not to look forward to operating our scheduled programme of flights and holidays as normal.”

Jet2 boss Steve Heapy added: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.

“As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.”

EasyJet

EasyJet is not increasing flight prices, nor is the airline currently impacted by the fuel crisis.

A spokesperson told Sun Travel that passengers would not “suddenly face unexpected fees added to their bookings to cover fluctuating commodity costs”.

They added that there were “no plans to make any changes to our flying schedule”.

TUI

TUI holidays are not be increasing prices to cover fuel costs and are currently not impacted by the fuel crisis.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.”

Ryanair

Europe‘s biggest airline has not increased costs for passengers and has not cancelled any flights due to the fuel crisis yet.

This week, the airline’s CEO Michael O’Leary said that he was committed to not implementing price increases or adding fuel surcharges to flight fares.

However, O’Leary has previously warned that it could cancel flights in the future, saying: “We don’t expect any disruption until early May, but if the war continues, we do run the risk of supply disruptions in Europe in May and June, and we hope the war will finish sooner than that and the risk to supply will be eliminated.”

Kuoni

When it comes to holiday package firm Kuoni – which specialises in tailor-made packages – they confirmed to MoneySavingExpert that no ‘holiday surcharge’ will be added to bookings.

Loveholidays

Similarly, Loveholidays – which offers packages to sunshine destinations and city breaks – also confirmed to MoneySavingExpert that there would be no additional charges on bookings.

IF YOU are looking for your next holiday destination, easyJet holidays has just launched a new package to a little-known European city.

When it comes to holidays in Germany, you probably think of Berlin first – but just 28 minutes down the road you could head to Potsdam instead.

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Often dubbed the ‘Versailles of Germany’, easyJet holidays packages to Potsdam start from £244 per person.

You would fly into Berlin before hopping on a 28 minute train journey to Potsdam – “one of the most beautiful cities in Europe” according to Introducing Berlin.

Once there you won’t be short of things to see and do, with the city dating back more than 1,000 years.

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It is especially known for its 17 grand palaces, including the 18th century Sanssouci Palace – the palace that gives the city its Versailles nickname.

The Rococo-style palace isn’t the biggest in the city, but does have a terraced vineyard across four levels which makes for great photos and walks.

At the other end of the spectrum is New Palace, which is the largest in the city with more than 200 rooms, including a Grotto Hall where the walls are covered in shells and semi-precious stones.

Other palaces to explore include Cecilienhof Palace, Orangery Palace, Babelsberg Palace and Marble Palace.

Arguably the most popular quarter of the city to visit is Babelsberg, which is home to Germany’s main film studio (that’s also the oldest large-scale film studio in the world) and Filmpark Babelsberg, which is a movie-themed attraction park.

You might even recognise parts of the quarter from The Hunger Games, as some of the Hollywood movie was filmed there.

Another must-see spot is the Dutch Quarter, which is the only one left of its size and type that is preserved outside of the Netherlands, and learn about it at The Jan Bouman Haus museum.

Across cobbled streets, you can drop into a number of antiques stores and cosy pubs and cafes.

At the edge of the Dutch Quarter, you’ll find the 18th century neo-Gothic style Nauen Gate, once used by the military and merchants but today is home to a selection of restaurants.

Nearby, one of the other gates is Brandenburg Gate (not to be confused with the larger one in Berlin), which is about 20 years older than Nauen Gate.

If you are more of an events and activities tourist, then head to Schiffbauergasse where steamships were once built but today is an entertainment hub with several concert venues, clubs, theatres, bars and movie theatres.

There’s then also the Russian Quarter (Alexandrowka), which is home to 13 wooden, Russian-style houses that were built between 1826 and 1827 and were the homes of Russian singers of the Prussian Guards.

Another great way to explore the city is by heading on a boat tour on the River Havel, that also connects to a number of lakes in and around the city.

The city isn’t expensive either with a beer costing £3.47 on average.

EasyJet holidays offers a selection of hotels in the city, with one of the cheapest being a three-night stay at Dorint Hotel on a room only basis for £244 per person, including flights from Bristol on 11 May 2026.

IT’S not too late to book yourself a family holiday in the UK this May half term

Whether you’re a family of adrenaline junkies looking for a stay near a theme park, or after something more relaxing in a beachfront lodge, there’s something for you.

Here’s our pick of UK family holiday deals you can STILL book for this May half term.

Haven Marton Mere, Blackpool – £269

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £269 from 22 May

Haven Marton Mere is a holiday village just 10 minutes’ drive from Blackpool‘s famous seafront.

New for this year, the resort has refurbished its snazzy Showbar, plus introduced the Tiger Club Show – a live entertainment game show led by Rory the Tiger.

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Plus, just ten minutes’ drive from the resort will land you at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, who are revealing a brand new ride this year.

Aviktas is set to open on 21 May 2026, so there’s plenty of updates that make May the perfect time to book a family holiday to Blackpool.

Combe Haven, Sussex – £239

Haven offer a 3-night stay for a family of 4 in a saver caravan for £239 from 22 May

Combe Haven is an action-packed holiday park in St Leonard’s-on-Sea in East Sussex.

With a great seaside location on the English Channel coast just outside Hastings.

The true gem is the park’s swimming pool, with a lazy river, splash zone and Space Bowl flume.

Take a 10-minute drive to Hastings for some of the UK’s top historical sites, including Hastings Castle and the family-friendly attraction, Smuggler’s Adventure.

You can book a stay for this May half term in a caravan which sleeps up to four, meaning your last-minute holiday will only cost £60pp.

Stay in a quirky cow shed in Suffolk – £300

Sykes cottages offer a 3-night stay for 4 for £300 from 29 May

This unique stay in Campsea Ashe, Suffolk offers a selection of quirky, colourful cow sheds to stay in.

Pick between Bluebelle, Buttercup, Betsy, Dozy Dotty or Daisy for a unique staycation that the kids will love.

Each cow shed sleeps up to four and has bunk beds, a kitchenette, heating and all of your linen and towels included.

You also get access to a shared garden where you can have a family barbecue.

The site is a short drive from Aldeburgh, one of Suffolk’s most picturesque seaside towns.

Parkdean Wemyss Bay, Scotland – £256

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £256

Perched on Scotland‘s stunning west coast, Parkdean Wemyss Bay offers an affordable coastal stay with loads to do on your doorstep.

This holiday park has plenty of activities for kids like its own amusement arcade, adventure playground and climbing wall.

There’s also an indoor pool with a paddling area, as well as steam and sauna rooms for the adults.

And if you fancy a day trip out, you can hop on a ferry to Rothesay to see its castle and gardens.

The resort also has sweeping views over the Firth, so there’s no need to leave site if you’d rather stay put and enjoy the views.

Parkdean St Margaret’s Bay – £409

Parkdean Resorts offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a bronze caravan which sleeps up to 4 for £409

This peaceful holiday park in St Margaret’s Bay is only around a mile away from the White Cliffs of Dover, so you can tick off a famous sight with a stay here.

Plus this beautiful stretch of Kent coastline also has gems like Dover Castle and Canterbury to visit.

The resort itself is relaxed and all about the coastal views as opposed to bright and colourful entertainments and arcades.

It also has a heated indoor pool, gym and sauna to make that your trip all the more relaxing.

Park Holidays Burghead, Scotland – £409

Park Holidays offer a 7-night stay from 22 May in a gold caravan from which sleeps up to 6 for £409

This resort on the Moray Firth sits practically on the beach, plus you can even go dolphin spotting.

Burghead is a picturesque fishing town that feels much more remote and rugged than your typical busy seaside resort.

On site there’s plenty of amazing entertainment like live music and dancing, karaoke and bingo.

If you visit as a group of six, this bargain break over the May half term will cost you just £43pp!

Park Holidays Ribble Valley, Lancashire – £309

Park Holidays offer a 4-night stay from 25 May in a caravan which sleeps up to 6 for £309

For a relaxed family holiday in Lancashire this May, book a stay at Ribble Valley holiday park.

This peaceful countryside resort sits between the Forest of Bowland and Pendle Hill, both of which offer walks with wonderful views.

This Lancashire holiday park is much more about getting away from the park and out into nature, rather than offering loads of action-packed activities on site.

But it does have landscaped gardens, a children’s play area, a gym and free access to The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa.

There’s also loads of family attractions nearby like Clitheroe Castle Museum and Bowland Boar Wildlife Park.

AN adventure aquapark is set to reopen this weekend – just in time to cool off Brits this bank holiday.

The park also marks the first of its kind in Europe.

Aztec Adventure near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, will be open throughout the summer season, from May 2 to September 20.

The park boasts a number of obstacles, including trampolines, ropes, stepping stones, climbing walls and a balance plank.

It will also feature Europe‘s first Aquaglide Splash Squad Junior Aqua Park, a smaller splash park for young swimmers aged four to seven.

The main aquapark will be suitable for all ages from six and up, given they meet the minimum height requirement of 122cm (4ft).

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The park promises “an adventure for everyone”, with tickets costing just under £100 for a family of four.

It will also be open from 11am to 3.30pm on weekends, bank holidays and daily during the May and summer school holidays, ensuring plenty of time for family fun.

For those concerned about safety – both parks are fully accredited by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) as gold industry approved aqua parks.

From May 6, there will even be an opportunity for open water swimming.

Visitors can also hire a kayak or paddleboard to explore the surrounding lake area.

The park is just off Junction 5 of the M5 motorway between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa.

THERE’S bad news for Brits heading to Spain this summer as they might not be able to enjoy a drink in the sun on an outdoor terrace.

Under new rules, terraces in Spain will be forced to close when the weather gets too hot.

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The rules – that were campaigned for by hospitality unions – will apply when the State of Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issue an orange or red alert.

AEMET’s orange alert means there is a major risk such as severe storms, heavy snow or intense heat and then for a red alert, it is an extreme risk and includes extreme rainfall, life-threatening storms and dangerously high temperatures.

In the case of exceptionally hot weather, restaurants, bars and cafes have to close their terraces if there is not enough shade or cooling systems for staff.

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The rules are likely to apply during the hottest hours of the day.

Areas across Spain reach high temperatures, especially during July and August, with some destinations reaching over 40C.

Even though closure of outdoor spaces is a last resort measure, if a bar, restaurant or cafe does not follow the new rules then it could face a fine of more than €50,000 (£43,326) in extreme cases.

For tourists, this could mean when temperatures reach high levels they won’t be able to grab a cold drink and sit on a restaurant’s terrace.

If you do want a drink though, you can still head inside as this is a shaded area.

As a result of the new rules, businesses across Spain are being encouraged to create different schedules for staff, with more breaks so they can stay hydrated.

SPANISH holidays are under threat as Ryanair looks to cancel even more flights to the popular European destination.

Ryanair has slammed the Spanish government over rising airport fees in the country, warning that they could reduce even more flights to Spain.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

It comes as Aena – Spain‘s airports operator – plans to increase airport fees by 3.8 per cent each year between 2027 and 2031, which works out to 21 per cent total over five years.

Yesterday, Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said the new fees are “neglecting regional Spain” and that there could be further cancellations if the new charges go ahead.

Mr Wilson previously said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.

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“Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”

He added that if the fees did increase it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive” and that Ryanair would turn to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive”.

These destinations would include Albania, Sweden, Italy and Morocco.

Ryanair has already slashed 1.8million seats, with another 1.2million set for this summer. This includes all flights being cancelled to:

• Asturias
• Vigo
• Tenerife North
• Jerez
• Valladolid

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A LUXURY UK holiday company offering trips to Europe and Asia has closed down.

Salamander Voyages – which is based in Belfast – has gone into administration.

The company used to sell private boat holidays in Turkey, Greece, Italy and Croatia.

According to The Gazette, administrators were appointed on April 22.

On its website, Salamader Voyages states: “After 23 years of wonderful sailing in the Aegean Sea, we are very sad to announce Salamander Voyages has taken the difficult decision to close its doors.

“Please note that on 22 April 2026 Scott Murray and Ian Davison of Keenan Corporate Finance Ltd were appointed as Joint Administrators of the Company.

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“For any creditor queries, please contact the Joint Administrators’ office by telephone (028 9023 3023) or email (info@keenancf.com).”

The luxury holidays didn’t come cheap though, with sailings costing from £3,000 per person.

Upcoming trips included a sailing of the Turkish Gulf between June 15 and 22, heading to “small villages, pristine secluded bays and less-known historical sites”.

And between October 5 and 17 there was another Turkish sailing in the western half of the Gulf.

Claudia Winkleman has even previously been a guest onboard, commenting: “The holiday was absolutely amazing. The boat is beautiful and the crew were outstanding.

“The most relaxing week of our lives. We love you Salamander.”

SIX in ten Brits say free roaming is their top priority when choosing a phone plan – with a third being stung by additional fees.

A study of 2,000 adults revealed of the 34 per cent who had been charged, 22 per cent had to fork out £50 or more extra from a single trip – with 1.5 million travellers facing bills of over £100.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admitted they had no idea different charges applied to varying countries in Europe.

Almost half (48 per cent) who were hit with surprise additional costs due to roaming said it had negatively affected their holiday as a result.

The research was commissioned by iD Mobile, which has teamed up with the former King of the Jungle and I’m a Celebrity… South Africa returnee, Harry Redknapp, to beat the sting of holiday bill shock.

A spokesperson for the network provider, which offers inclusive roaming as standard in 50 European destinations, said: “Being hit with a huge roaming bill when you return home is genuinely frustrating.

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“Our research shows just how many people are unsure about roaming charges, how they work, and where they apply.”

The study also found, of those who have been charged with unexpected roaming fees, 90 per cent were shocked by the amount.

Meanwhile 54 per cent said they do not understand how such charges are calculated on their current mobile phone plan, including what they are charged for calls, texts and data when abroad.

Over a quarter (28 per cent) said they did not understand what mobile roaming is and how the charges would work when travelling abroad.

When using their phone abroad, 42 per cent said it left them feeling anxious, regularly checking their usage (29 per cent) or actively limiting what they do to avoid unexpected costs (13 per cent).

Tactics to avoid unexpected fees included switching off mobile data entirely (40 per cent) and not sending photos or videos to family and friends (20 per cent).

The study also found 30 per cent felt disconnected from friends and family while on holiday abroad, according to OnePoll.com figures.

In a bid to stay connected, for 21 per cent, finding Wi-Fi would be the first thing they would do.

ATM withdrawal or foreign transaction card fees were the most unexpected costs (25 per cent), as well as hotel extras for pool towels, Wi-Fi and safe hire (16 per cent).

A spokesperson for iD Mobile, which partnered with Harry Redknapp for a campaign video which features the football star fighting the sting of roaming bills with his ‘Roaming Sting Repellent’, added: “People feel it when it comes to using their phones abroad.

“Many travellers don’t know what’s included in their phone plan, or when charges might apply, until they’re already away.

“That confusion is clearly influencing how people behave on holiday, with some cutting back on phone use entirely to avoid the risk of unexpected costs.

“No one should have to worry about being stung by their phone bill while trying to enjoy a well-earned break.”

TEN of the best places to go this summer have been revealed – if you want to avoid the big crowds.

A new study conducted by Skyscanner has looked at summer search data to find places with lower search interest, which will mean finding the lesser known areas to visit.

In the Smarter Summer report, Turku came out on top when it came to being an under-the-radar destination.

The Finnish city is the oldest in the country, and even used to be the capital.

Known as the gateway to the 40,000-island Finnish archipelago (said to be the world’s largest archipelago, the other main attraction is the 13th century Turku Castle.

Flights are as little as £80 return, although Brits will have to change in airports like Gdansk or Helsinki.

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After Turku was Thunder Bay in Canada, home to a huge rock formation on lake Superior called the Sleeping Giant.

Average flights here are £305 return, with a change in Toronto.

Also listed was the pretty seaside city of Crotone in Italy, once a Greek colony that was the home of Pythagoras.

Ryanair fly to Crotone but there are no direct flights – Brits will have to change in Milan or Bologna.

This does keep flights cheap thought – Skyscanner found they had the cheapest average price of around £62 retun.

Three islands in Greece made the top list, including Kalymnos which is known for both its rock climbing and diving.

Ferries run from Kos, Rhodes and Athens.

There is also Ioannina, a small inhabited island in the middle of a lake with a historic Byzantine fortresses

Being so secluded, one of the easiest ways to get there is a three-hour bus from Thessaloniki.

And finally there is Astypalaia, a butterfly-shaped island home to a Venetian castle as well as the eight red-roofed Chora windmills.

The island has direct flights from Athens, with its own small airport.

Pico in Portugal, along with Kiruna (Sweden), Clermont Ferrand (France) and Cordoba (Argentina) also made the list as well.

Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner Travel Expert, said: “This year’s Smarter Summer Report is designed to help people make more confident choices on when and where to travel, using Skyscanner’s proprietary data to highlight smarter timings, better-value options and alternative destinations.

“In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value.”

“More importantly, travellers should stay informed and check the latest travel advice before booking.”

The study also found the cheapest day week to travel on average was, surprisingly, July 7 – just before the school holidays.

And the cheapest day of the week was just as surprising, with Saturday being the most affordable.

They also named some of the cheapest destination to fly to on average this year, which include:

• Dortmund, Germany (£72)
• Cork, Ireland (£83)
• Luxembourg (£86)
• Castellon de la Plana, Spain (£89)
• Baden-Baden, Germany (£89)
• Eindhoven, Netherlands (£94)

Turin in Italy was £102 on average, followed by Cologne (£114), Jersey (£123), and Trapani (£125).

Here are our top bucket list holidays you should go on this year.

And these are some 2026 travel hacks to save you money this year.

ON August 12, a total solar eclipse will sweep across northern Spain and the Balearics – the first to cross mainland Europe since 1999, and the first visible in Spain since 1905.

For UK holidaymakers, it’s a rare chance to pair a week in the sun with a once-in-a-lifetime moment – totality arriving with the sun just degrees above the horizon, creating what astronomers are calling a “sunset eclipse”.

Astro-tourism is tipped to be big for this year off the back of this — but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

TravelSupermarket has done some digging to discover the perfect holidays to pair fun in the sun with a chance to view the eclipse.

Head of Holidays Chris Webber says: “What makes August 12 special is the timing.

“Because the eclipse arrives just before sunset, anyone on the Balearics will see totality with the sun sitting just above the horizon.

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“Our advice is simple — if you want to be there, book now.

“The eclipse falls in the peak of the school holidays, and west-facing hotels on Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca are already getting snapped up.”

Here, LISA MINOT, Head of Travel, shines a light on six great places to see the phenomenon.

NOJA, CANTABRIA

TUCKED on Cantabria’s north coast, Noja is a proper Atlantic surf town and an under-the-radar shout for eclipse watchers.

Playa de Ris faces north-west, picking up clean swell off the Bay of Biscay and giving a clear, unbroken sightline as the sun drops — so you could even be out catching waves when it happens.

It’s not a polished resort town, more of a wild, local and friendly vibe.

Stay at La Casona de Noja, a small, intimate bolthole a short walk from both the town centre and the beach — plain but comfortable, with an on-site restaurant and bar.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 2* La Casona de Noja is from £779pp including flights from Gatwick on August 6.

See travelsupermarket.com.

MADRID & TOTALITY DAY TRIP

MADRID sits just outside the path of totality, but it makes a brilliant base for combining a city break with the main event.

From the capital, it’s a straightforward run north into Castilla y León, with Burgos and Valladolid both in the path of totality.

Zaragoza is another well-connected option. On the day, the priority is an open view of the low western sky.

For your city stay, the 4* NH Madrid Balboa is a great choice in the upscale Salamanca district, minutes from the Retiro Park and the city’s designer shopping streets, with light, wood-floored rooms and a daily breakfast buffet.

GO: Three nights’ room-only at the NH Madrid Balboa is from £354pp including flights from Stansted on August 11, hand luggage only.

See tui.co.uk.

SALOU, COSTA DORADA

FOR families who want the eclipse built into a classic Med beach holiday, Salou is the pick.

The Costa Dorada sits in the path of totality, and Salou’s long, west-facing promenade means you can watch the eclipse without leaving your hotel terrace.

PortAventura is half an hour up the road if you want to build the week around theme parks too.

The Cala Font hotel is perched above its own cove just outside Salou, with pools, a spa and half-board dining — solid, sociable and built for a family week.

GO: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4* Cala Font hotel is from £868pp including flights from Stansted on August 6.

For more info, see travelsupermarket.com.

PEGUERA, MAJORCA

MAJORCA is arguably the most exciting spot of the lot.

The eclipse will reach the island with the sun only a couple of degrees above the horizon — a true sunset eclipse.

The west coast is the place to be for the clearest sightline, and Peguera, on the south-west, ticks the box — a laid-back resort with wide, west-facing beaches at Platja de Palmira and Playas de Paguera.

For your perfect stay, the 4* Hotel Vibra Beverly Playa sits right on the coast in Peguera, with two outdoor pools, a kids’ club and buffet dining for a great family break.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Hotel Vibra Beverly Playa is from £841pp including flights from Luton on August 11.

See firstchoice.co.uk.

SAN ANTONIO, IBIZA

SAN Antonio already has a reputation as the sunset capital of Ibiza — Café del Mar and the Sunset Strip exist for a reason.

That same west-facing orientation makes it one of the best spots on the island to catch totality as the sun drops into the Mediterranean.

The path of totality runs right across Ibiza, and San Antonio Bay delivers the open horizon needed to see it properly.

Stay at the THB Ocean Beach, a 4* adults-only on the seafront in San Antonio Bay, with a rooftop pool, Bali beds and direct access to O Beach Ibiza next door.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at THB Ocean Beach is from £1,374pp including flights from Gatwick on August 10, 22kg luggage and transfers.

See jet2holidays.com.

CIUTADELLA, MENORCA

IF Ibiza is the party end of the Balearic eclipse trail, Ciutadella is the quiet one.

Sitting on Menorca’s west coast, the old capital is already known for some of the island’s finest sunset spots.

Castell de Sant Nicolau is a ten-minute walk from the centre, and Pont d’en Gil and the Punta Nati lighthouse are both a short drive away, all with wide, unobstructed views west across the Mediterranean towards Mallorca.

For travellers who want the eclipse without the crowds, this is it.

The 2* Alfons Hotel is in the heart of Ciutadella, a short walk from the beaches and the town’s cobbled centre, with a small spa, sun terrace and restaurant.

GO: Seven nights’ B&B at the Alfons is from £998pp including flights from Gatwick on August 11, 22kg luggage and transfers.

See travelsupermarket.com.

THINK crystal clear waters, dolphin spotting and independent boutiques – well, the UK’s best seaside destination has all of this.

Less than three miles from its popular and busier neighbour – Tenby – you’ll find Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Named the best seaside spot in the UK by Time Out, it said: “Saundersfoot is one of Pembrokeshire’s most energetic spots” adding that it has a “lively spirit”.

One of the top things to do in the village is of course heading to the beach, which stretches more than half a mile long.

The Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for families as it has shallow water and boasts a lot of fun activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and swimming.

Read more on travel inspo

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The beach has also previously been named as one of the cleanest beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or a grey seal from the beach.

At one end of the beach you’ll find the harbour, which dates back to 1829 and was built as an industrial port to export coal from local mines.

Today, the harbour is a tourist hub for Saundersfoot, with a number of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a ship you can play crazy golf on.

If you like history, make sure to walk around the entire harbour, as at the end you’ll see Saundersfoot Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 to mark the entrance to the harbour.

From the harbour you can also hop on a boat trip with Saundersfoot Sealife Adventures to see local wildlife and Caldey Island for an hour and a half.

Each trip costs around £25 per adult and £20 per child.

Just steps away from both the beach and the harbour, you’ll find Hwyl Outdoor Sauna where you can enjoy a sauna session from just £9 per person.

Spread across a couple of roads, again just steps from the beach, there’s also the high street with independent boutiques, cafes and art studios.

Back in 2024, The Telegraph even noted how Saundersfoot is a “little-known hip town” that is the “perfect bolthole for those who want to see West Wales’s sights and lively towns but also enjoy quiet, sunset-watching downtime in the evening”.

From the village, you can head on a number of walks as well along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you will see amazing views of the coastline.

And just outside of the village, you can visit Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo which is home to a number of animals, rides and a recently updated play area.

The Pirate Adventure has a castle and a number of accessible play areas, including low level options for wheelchair users.

You can also opt to stay at the holiday park onsite, which in November was named one of the best family campsites in South Wales by the Campsites.co.uk awards.

There are other places to stay in and around Saundersfoot though, including Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

The holiday park has 53 caravans ideal for families and is less than a mile from Saundersfoot Beach.

Facilities at the park include a games room, kids play area, hot tubs, pet-friendly options and an indoor pool.

A two-night stay in August costs from £300.

For more ideas on UK staycations, here are some cheap last-minute UK holidays still available for the May bank holiday weekends.

Plus, UK staycations are set for record high in 2026 – here’s our top holiday wish list from trendy beach resorts to historic cities.

PLANNING a holiday, staycation or day out should be exciting but eye-watering prices can turn it into a wallet-draining nightmare.

But you don’t have to pay full whack. From dirt-cheap flights to cut-price hotels and bargain days out, there are loads of easy ways to cut the costs.

Whether you’re chasing a last-minute break, a cheap stay or discounted tickets, here’s how to do it for less and keep more cash in your pocket.

Websites

Secret Flying

The Secret Flying website hunts out super-cheap deals and “error fares” – bargain flights caused by pricing glitches – and links you straight to booking sites like Skyscanner.

It’s free to use and lists offers by region, but you’ll need to be flexible on dates and destinations to bag the best ones.

The biggest bargains sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up for alerts to stay one step ahead.

Holiday Hypermarket

Holiday Hypermarket is owned by the TUI group and is the discount website for TUI holidays where they guarantee that you won’t find a TUI, Marella or Crystal holiday cheaper anywhere else.

With up to 70 per cent off brochure prices, they sell a lot of last minute breaks – but with the same TUI flights, hotels and transfers.

Luxury Escapes

A website that offers high end holidays at affordable prices is Luxury Escapes.

They negotiate directly with hotels to get good deals on holiday bundles, including flights, accommodation and extras like free cocktails, massages and childcare.

Hostelworld

If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind bunking up with other people then Hostelworld is a useful tool.

It will help you to search for hostels in the destination you’re heading to and compare prices.

It can also find hostels with private rooms too if you don’t want to share.

Cashback sites

While it might not save you money on you’re current holiday – it could save you some cash on the next one.

At Quidco you can get at as much as 3.75 per cent on an EasyJet holiday (which works out at as £11 back on a £300 trip)

Or there is hotels.com, which gives you seven per cent cashback (£14 if you book a hotel for two nights at £200).

Other brands include TUI, British Airways, Trainline and Skyscanner. so it is worth checking if you can claim anything before you book.

Apps

02 Priority

If your phone contract is with O2, then you really should download Priority.

In addition to entering competitions to win holidays, you can often get discounts on holiday packages, concerts, and events.

For example, you can get four tickets to Vue cinemas for £18 or two for £9.

Or save £220 when you spend £2,000 with lastminute.com.

MiXR.

The MiXR. app shows local pubs, clubs and bars where you can reserve a table and pre-book food or drink packages.

But it can also get you savings.

Each time you spend money on your linked card at a partnered bar or pub, you’ll get points.

Get to 5,000 points and you’ll have a £5 voucher (each £1 you spend you get 50 points).

There are also offers on the app including 25 per cent off Camden Hells beer.

Dusk

Dusk dubs itself ‘the free drink app’ and it isn’t lying.

The app shows you which bars and pubs in your area have deals on and the exact route to get there.

If you scroll, you’ll find specific venues have a sticker on them offering a free drink.

For example, it could say ‘free espresso martinis on Monday at 3pm’, which means you can get that drink for free if you visit that specific venue at the given time.

Some of the venues are marked with yellow stars which means you can earn points too.

Once you’ve collected a number of points you can exchange for drinks.

For example, 200 points gets you a free bottle of prosecco at Be At One, 500 points can get you 50 per cent off at Karaoke Room and so on.

You can use Dusk in a number of cities across the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bath, Exeter, Norwich, Bournemouth, Hull and York.

Eat Club

Having only launched in the UK last year, Eat Club is now available in London and Manchester.

The app shows you nearby restaurants that have spare tables, great for last-minute plans.

You can also get great discounts, such as up to 50 per cent off of your bill.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is an app that prevents food waste by selling off items leftover at the end of the day.

The app is partnered with a number of brands including Greggs and Pizza Express.

If you jump onto the app and use the map function, you will find stores near you that have bags of food to sell for a few quid before the end of the day.

Having used the app numerous times, I usually pay around £3.50 for a bag that contains over £20 worth of food.

I have even used it in New York, when finding a budget lunch option seemed impossible.

Unidays

If you are a student or recent graduate, you should sign up to an account with Unidays.

It is free to joing, you’ll just need your student email and then you can make savings such as getting two Cineworld tickets for £13 and 30 per cent off Hilton hotel stays.

Student Beans

Similar to the above, Student Beans is a discount app for anyone studying. With a student email you can benefit from discounts such as 25 per cent off of National Express travel and 10 per cent off of Ryanair flights.

Cheapskate London

Cheapskate London is a free newsletter released each Monday that shares the best free and cheap things to do across the capital.

It’s a really useful tool for the school holidays too.

Previous free events include educational talks, family activity sessions at museums, and even building your own wormery.

Accor

If you subscribe to the Accor newsletter, you will typically get 10 per cent off hotel stays.

You’ll also get exclusive offers and personalised deals.

Nectar

If you shop at Sainsbury’s and don’t have a Nectar account then you’re really missing out.

When you do your weekly food shop, you’ll rack up points which you can then use on your holiday.

For example, you can spend your points on Eurostar journeys, British Airways flights and more.

Avios

Avios are loyalty points that you can collect and use mainly with British Airways for flights, hotels and upgrades.

You can earn them by flying with British Airways or its partners, as long as you have an account.

If you build up enough points, you can purchase flights and pay only a small cash fee for admin such as tax and fees.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel loyalty programme is free to join and covers around 10,000 destinations across the globe.

Members earn points with each stay and then the points can be redeemed on free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is free to join, and much like Marriott Bonvoy, is the hotel’s loyalty programme.

Members earn points on stays and everyday activities which can then be redeemed on free stays and experiences as well.

Members tend to get 10 points per £1 spent.

Paid-for memberships

The Nudge

Costing just £5 per month The Nudge is an insider’s guide to London and often reports on the latest openings in the capital.

The discounts are easy to find on the app and include deals like 40 per cent off at Greek seafood restaurant Kimu in Marylebone or 50 per cent off food at The Culpeper in Spitalfields.

There are also discounts on events such as 50 per cent off of tickets to Burger Fest in Richmond and even pampering treatments like £50 off facials at Skinwork in Soho or 40 per cent off access to Lowlu open-air sauna in Kentish Town.

The Nudge will also run member events such as exclusive supper clubs.

Blue Light

If you work in the NHS or the emergency services, you probably already know about Blue Light.

Blue Light, which costs £4.99 for a two-year membership, gets you discounts at major brands, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as £100 off your TUI holiday or 15 per cent off Away Resorts.

You can even get a discount on airport parking, such as five per cent at London Gatwick.

Railcard

Railcards aren’t just for youngsters, there are all sorts of railcards you can get.

In general, they will get you a third off most rail fares and cost between £30 and £35 each year.

Different railcards include 16-25-year-olds, 26-30-year-olds, Senior (over 60 years old) and Disabled Persons.

There’s also a Family and Friends Railcard which gets adults a third off their rail fare and then 60 per cent off kids’ rail fares if they are aged between five and 15 years old.

Trusted Housesitters

Accommodation costs can bump up the total cost of your holiday, but there is a way around this.

With Trusted Housesitters, you can head to someone’s home and stay there while they are away and all you need to do is look after their pet.

It operates in 180 countries and essentially is a win-win system as the person going away needs a pet sitter and you want somewhere to stay.

Members pay an annual fee to use the platform, which range from £99 to £199.

Dis-loyalty

Dis-loyalty is a travel and food membership that costs £12 a month to join.

In return, you’ll earn points and get discounts on hotel stays, such as 50 per cent off newly opened hotels.

You can also grab a free hot drink each day at one of the membership’s participating locations.

Days Out with the Kids

Days Out with the Kids is the perfect site if you are looking for inspiration during the weekends or school holidays.

The website is partnered with over 8,500 attractions across the UK, and offers members access to exclusive discounts.

The membership costs £4.99 per month, but according to the website, it saves families an average of £12.99 per trip.

Hols from £9.50

If you want to head to a holiday park in the UK or Europe, The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 has over 20 holiday parks to choose from.

To benefit from the £9.50 deal, you have to collect five codewords printed in the paper over a set period of time and enter them on the Sun Holidays website.

Alternatively, to avoid needing a passcode you can join Sun Club for £1.99.

For more offers on holidays travel companies have revealed the cheapest places to book – with week-long holidays from £189.

Plus, here are 200 all-inclusive hotels including the cheap ones that are actually worth it.

IF you’re tired of battling the crowds – and the soaring prices – of Europe’s busiest tourist spots, it’s time to rewrite your travel bucket list.

That’s where our travel experts come in. We’ve spoken to a range of holiday experts, from seasoned Travel Editors to Travel Supermarket pros, who have revealed their favourite lesser-known holiday destinations.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @TheSunTravel

These are underrated spots where you can visit beautiful remote beaches, wander historic cobbled streets, or dine at authentic restaurants without the dreaded “tourist tax”.

From Amalfi Coast breaks that are actually affordable, to Spanish destinations where you can fly and flop for under £200 – here’s our travel experts’ underrated favourites.

*Price were correct at time of publication

Casablanca, Morocco

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

While I love the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, Casablanca is just as beautiful… and much cheaper.

The cost savings are huge, according to Kayak. The average hotel room price in Marrakech is £298 per night, while Casablanca is just £140.

Even if you want to splurge, you could pay £421 to stay at the five-star Four Seasons Casablanca.

Visit the five-star La Mamounia in Marrakech on the same day, and you’re splashing out more than £1,000.

When there, you can still haggle for a bargain at the medinas, just with far fewer crowds than in Marrakech.

The Hassan II Mosque shouldn’t be missed either – it’s one of the biggest in the world.

Cheap street food is easy to find, with ‘Sfenj’ doughnuts costing less than 50p.

Make sure to visit Rick’s Cafe too, based on the 1942 classic movie. Here’s looking at you, kid.

Tignabruaich, Scotland

Heather Lowrie, Travel Editor at The Scottish Sun

Tighnabruaich on the The Cowal Peninsula offers stunning coastal views, including the Kyles of Bute – that and the utter quietness are just some of the reasons to go.

The Waverley, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, offers sailings through the Kyles from Tighnabruaich in spring, summer and autumn.

Kilbride Bay is a beautiful sandy beach with wide open views and clear waters. You could go beachcombing, swim or just let the kids go wild. And best of all, it’s free.

You can also go wildlife watching, which includes spotting seals and dolphins, and head to Caladh Lighthouse, and the ruins of Asgog Castle and explore – all for free.

There’s also lots of cheap things to do. Head to the Benmore Botanic Gardens just over 30 minutes drive away, and gaze at its 160-year-old giant redwoods and exotic blooms (£10.80 per adult, kids go free). Or visit Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park, an 18-acre outdoor art gallery (£5 per adult, kids go free).

There’s also plenty of sailing and watersports opportunities, lovely restaurants and quiet places to stay without the price tag of bigger, more well-known Scottish tourist spots like St Andrews and Edinburgh.

Cefalu, Italy

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

The charming Sicilian beach town of Cefalu is a great value alternative to the glitzy towns of the Italian Riviera or Amalfi Coast.

It has the same Italian aesthetic – think cobbled streets, medieval architecture and dramatic cliffs – without the ‘luxury tax’ found on the mainland.

I had a superb burrata salad at Porta Ossuna restaurant right on the seafront in Cefalu for just £10 – washed down with a £3 glass of rose.

My husband was delighted with his foaming beer – a large one cost just £4.

Accommodation is also cheaper with a 4* hotel in Cefalu priced around £115 per night, compared to similar in Sorrento setting you back around £260 a night.

It’s also a great, compact city to explore with the walk from the Norman cathedral to the beachfront taking just ten minutes.

The hike up to La Rocca costs only a few euros and provides panoramic views that rival those of the expensive clifftop terraces of the Riviera.

Efteling, the Netherlands

Helen Wright, Travel Writer

One of Europe‘s best-kept secrets is Efteling Theme Park in the Netherlands.

With lots of families planning to visit Disneyland Paris in France, Efteling is largely overlooked. 

However, at only £35 to get in, this theme park is fantastic value and has so many fantastic rides for families.

There are white-knuckle rollercoasters and attractions for all ages. Plus, the lines are usually manageable, meaning no need to pay extra for fast passes to jump to the front of the queue. 

Efteling has been open for over 70 years and still has areas preserved as it was when it opened, including a forest trail mapping out classic fairy tales like Red Riding Hood. Princess and the Pea and The Little Mermaid. 

Food and drink tends to come in cheaper than at Disneyland too, don’t miss the classic Stroopwafel for only £3.50, which goes perfectly with a coffee as the kids play. 

There are two hotels at Efteling, with rooms starting from £220 per night, including theme park access for the whole family.

It’s easy to get to by car (parking is £12 a day) or you can travel by Eurostar to Amsterdam and hop on the local train directly to the theme park. Allow for at least 2 days at the parks because there is so much to do.

Albanian Riviera

Rob Brooks, Holiday Expert

If you’ve ever looked at the Greek islands or the Amalfi Coast and thought it looks amazing, but you’re not up for paying the price, this is where you go instead.

The Albanian Riviera – especially around Sarandë and Ksamil – has that same crystal-clear water, white beaches and relaxed beach club feel, just without the crowds or the price tag.

It genuinely feels like Greece and southern Italy combined, but way earlier in its tourism story.

What I love about it is how unspoilt it still feels. You’ve got small beach bars, simple but brilliant restaurants, and loads of coastline that hasn’t been overbuilt yet.

And the value is ridiculous once you’re there. You can sit down for fresh seafood, drinks and a proper meal for under £15, and you’ll still find pints for around 250 Lek, or about £2.30, in most places.

The deal I found is for Hotel Vola in Sarande, flying direct from London Luton in May.

It’s coming in at £175pp for five nights, bed and breakfast, so you’ve got a base with a sea view and pool, then loads of freedom to eat and drink out for next to nothing.

Hua Hin, Thailand

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Most beach-seeking travellers in Thailand will make a beeline for the island of Phuket.

But I’d always opt for the less commercial and far more affordable Hua Hin over this.

Not only is the coastal town relatively crowd-free, you can stay in some pretty high-end hotels with stylish rooms that cost a fraction of the price they would at sister resorts elsewhere in the world.

You’ve got everything you’d want from a typical getaway in Thailand: excellent night markets where you can pick up budget fashion pieces, quality restaurants dishing up traditional grub in fuss-free settings, and sun-drenched sands overlooking an endless ocean.

It’s also under three hours from Bangkok, so makes for a great twin-centre beach and city break.

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Jacob Lewis, Guest Travel Expert at TravelSupermarket

Swap Tenerife for this cheaper Canary with better beaches.

When most Brits think Canary Islands, they go straight to Tenerife, Lanzarote or Gran Canaria – and prices reflect it. But there’s a cheaper alternative hiding in plain sight.

Based on TravelSupermarket searches between 1 January and 12 April 2026, holidays to Fuerteventura average around £622pp – compared to £702pp for Tenerife, £667pp for Lanzarote and £776pp for Gran Canaria. That’s a saving of up to £154pp. And you’re not exactly slumming it.

Fuerteventura is the second-largest Canary Island and has arguably the best beaches in the archipelago – huge sweeps of pale sand that feel closer to the Caribbean than Spain.

It’s also quieter and more stripped-back than its neighbours, with fewer mega-resorts and a slower pace overall.

Corralejo in the north is the liveliest base, with plenty of bars and restaurants, while the Jandía peninsula in the south is calmer, with more space and smarter hotels.

The island is also a magnet for windsurfers and kitesurfers, with reliable conditions year-round at spots like Flag Beach.

Weather-wise, it’s one of the safest bets in Europe. Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands closest to Africa, and its flat landscape means it’s generally drier and sunnier than the more mountainous islands. Even in midwinter, average high temperatures hover around 20°C.

Food is simple but good – expect plenty of fresh fish and local goat’s cheese – and all-inclusive deals tend to be well-priced across the island.

Flights take around four hours from the UK, just like the bigger-name islands.

The difference is you’ll often pay less – and get a more relaxed version of the Canaries.

Faro, Portugal

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

The city of Faro is often used as the gateway to the rest of the Algarve, but I’m fighting its case as a holiday destination in its own right.

Sure, it has far fewer hotels than the rest of the Portuguese coastline, but it is just as affordable.

For example, pay a few euros and you’ll find yourself on one of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa islands, which feel like you paid to have it all to yourself.

Try Ilha Deserta, home to just one restaurant and nothing else, to feel like Robinson Crusoe discovering new lands.

Otherwise stay on the mainland and hop in some of the beachfront bars where pints of beer are easily found under two euros.

Costa de la Luz, Spain

Rob Brooks, Holiday Expert

If you like Marbella or Malaga, but not the prices or how busy it gets, this is the upgrade most people don’t know about.

Down on the Costa de la Luz, around Cádiz and Costa Ballena, you get the same golden beaches, proper Spanish food and hot weather – just with a much calmer, more local feel.

This is where Spanish holidaymakers go, which is usually a very good sign.

The big difference is space. The beaches here are huge, sandy, and never rammed.

You’ve still got beach bars and restaurants dotted along the coast, but without the ‘popular-location tax’ you get further along in the Costa del Sol.

And it’s properly affordable once you’re there. A beer will set you back about €2 (the cheapest I found here was just €1.30) and you can still find really good tapas and fresh seafood dinners for €10-15 a head if you go local.

The deal I found is for the Alegria Costa Ballena AquaFUN Hotel, flying from London Stansted in May for £195pp. It’s a solid, well-rated hotel with big pools and a waterpark on site – so you’ve got loads going on without needing to spend loads once you’re there.

Patmos, Greece

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

With their labyrinthine white-washed cobbled alleys and blue domes, Mykonos and Santorini are the classic Greek island experiences but their popularity means prices have soared.

Pretty Patmos is a fantastic alternative. The UNESCO World Heritage site offers a quieter, arguably more authentic version with boutique-filled streets and stunning hilltop views of the Aegean.

A sunset cocktail could set you back up to £25 in Santorini – but you can find the same chic venues and prices half of that in Patmos’ Chora.

Mykonos beach clubs sell sunbeds at £130 a day but you can have the same sand between your toes experience facing stunning turquoise waters at Patmos’ Grikos Beach for pennies.

And when it comes to food, the tavernas on Patmos are more than capable of giving those big chef restaurants of Mykonos and Santorini a run for their money.

Fish is still a highlight but a high-end, fancy dinner for two on Patmos with wine will set you back £100 as opposed to nearly £250 on the trendy islands.

Isle of Whithorn, Scotland

Heather Lowrie, Travel Editor at The Scottish Sun

One of the most southerly Scottish villages, this is a fabulous place to escape the crowds but still with plenty to occupy your time – most of it free!

Visit St Nina’s sea-side cave, said to be the hideaway of the early Christian saint.

As one of Scotland’s earliest Christian sites, it brought travellers, traders, pilgrims and royalty to Whithorn for more than 1,000 years.

Ten crosses are cut into the cave wall, and the 18 early Christian carved stones found inside are at Whithorn Priory and Museum.

The Latinus Stone – Scotland’s earliest Christian monument is also housed here. Entry is just £7.50 for adults and children 4-15 are £4.50.

There are three tall standing stones at nearby Drumtroddan, dating to the second or third millennium BC which are part of a unique prehistoric landscape, including the nearby Drumtroddan Cup and Ring Marked Rocks. All free.

Take the Isle of Whithorn Loop, to the Priory, stopping at the iron age roundhouse and finish with coffee and cake at the lovely community cafe and shop and bed down at the Steampacket Inn to explore nearby towns and villages like Garlieston, Sorbie and Monreith.

Salerno, Italy

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Sipping Aperol spritz from a cliffside restaurant on Italy’s rugged Amalfi Coast should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Don’t waste your cash staying there, though. The charming town of Salerno sits just a short (around 30 minutes or so) and cheap ferry ride away – and you can save yourself hundreds by staying here instead.

When you’re not daytripping to Positano, explore Salerno’s cobbled side alleys, teeming with pokey restaurants where nonnas are cooking up huge portions of fried fish and pasta from family recipe books.

Sopot, Poland

Helen Wright, Travel Writer

If you are looking for a wide, golden sand beach, lined with beach bars and cafes, a busy promenade and a seaside destination with a lot of character, consider Sopot in Poland. 

This beach town is less than half hour from the nearest city, Gdansk. Flights direct to Gdansk from the UK start from £12 each way on Ryanair and it’s an easy (and cheap) train ride to get to the coast.

Hotels start from £40 per night for two people, so it’s ideal for those on a budget.

The coastline is so stunning, you could be forgiven for thinking you ‘re on the beach in Italy or the South of France but for the bargain prices everywhere.

Beautiful, historic buildings sit along the coastal road, including the Sofitel Grand Hotel, which looks like the setting of an Agatha Christie thriller.

The beach is huge and, although popular in the summer months, never feels crowded. The sea here is calm and ideal for a paddle or swim – although the water can be on the chilly side.

At beach cafes along the front, you can grab a cold beer for £2 and cocktails for £5.

Prosto, a pizzeria with a beautiful garden and outdoor seating is just steps from the beach. Here, a huge pizza will only set you back £10 and is definitely enough for two adults to share. 

You can lay down a blanket and spend the whole day basking in the sun, or take position in one of the fancy beach clubs, which have Ibiza vibes but start from £10 per day for a comfy sunbed and umbrella. 

Kefalonia, Greece

Jacob Lewis, Guest Travel Expert at TravelSupermarket

Swap Skiathos for this Greek island that’s £370 cheaper.

Skiathos might be one of Greece’s best-loved islands – but you’ll pay for it.

TravelSupermarket data shows average prices at around £955pp. That’s nearly £370 more than Kefalonia, which comes in closer to £588pp. For families, that’s a serious saving.

Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands – and one of the most dramatic. Think steep limestone mountains, dense forests and electric-blue bays, including Myrtos, regularly ranked among Europe’s best beaches.

It shot to global fame thanks to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, but it’s long been a favourite with travellers who want something a bit less built-up.

That’s partly down to stricter planning rules, which have limited large-scale development and kept much of the island feeling low-key. You’ll find more small hotels, villas and apartments than huge resort blocks.

Argostoli, the capital, feels more like a proper Greek town than a purpose-built resort – with a lively waterfront, good tavernas and a laid-back atmosphere.

Up north, Fiskardo is one of the prettiest harbour villages in Greece. It survived the 1953 earthquake that flattened much of the island, so its Venetian buildings are still intact – and it’s easily worth a day trip.

You still get the same essentials as Skiathos – clear, warm water, great beaches and reliable sunshine – just spread across a bigger, less crowded island. Flights from the UK take around three hours, so there’s no extra hassle.

It’s one of the best-value destinations in Greece right now.

THE Cypriots have a saying: “We always survive.”

It is a mantra that echoes in my head as my golf ball makes a sickening plonk into the middle of a lake.

I’m hacking my way around Limassol Greens, the Mediterranean’s newest sporting crown jewel.

It only opened to the public in late 2025, but it is already making a splash (literally, in my case).

I might have lost three balls but the sun is out, the air is crisp and, true to the local spirit, I’ll survive.

The vibe is “modern luxury” from the second you pull up to the pristine clubhouse near Cyprus’s second city. We are greeted by smiley, attentive staff who make us feel more than welcome.

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My hired Callaway clubs appear brand new and the Trackman technology on the range ensures my swing is dialled in before I hit the first tee.

Once on the course, the tech stays with you. Our buggy comes equipped with a GPS screen that acts as both a sat nav directing us around the 71-par course and a digital caddie, calculating yardage to the pin.

Carved out of an old orange grove, the still course has some citrus trees around the perimeter.

This is Cyprus’s fifth course, meaning the island can truly claim to be a “golf destination” for holidaymakers.

Limassol Greens is curated by the same course designer as Aphrodite Hills, the best-known course on the island, and its mix of challenging holes coupled with forgiving fairways and fast-running greens means it may soon be challenging its more established neighbour for supremacy.

After 18 holes we retreat to clubhouse restaurant The Roost. It’s a bright sanctuary serving exactly the kind of high-protein fuel a weary golfer needs.

Another restaurant is under construction, suggesting that, like the golf course itself, Limassol Greens will only flourish with time.

I’m staying at the City Of Dreams Mediterranean resort, a five-minute transfer away.

Dominated by the lively casino at its heart, the 500-room hotel is a playground for adults and a fantastic base for playing golf.

My room was a masterclass in high-spec comfort, featuring a huge comfortable bed perfect for relaxing after hours out on the course.

The pièce de résistance? A free-standing bathtub separated from the bedroom by a glass wall.

You can soak in the suds while staring at the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

Keen to fuel up before heading out for 18 holes, the options and quality at breakfast are faultless.

The orange juice tastes as fresh as if it’s come from the groves by the golf course.

Among three premium restaurants is Prime Steakhouse, where I tackled a cut of wagyu steak imported from the US so tender it practically melted on the fork.

The next night, I swapped the steak knife for chopsticks at Amber Dragon.

The roasted duck truffle puffs — flaky, buttery and decadent — are the stars of the show.

The variation of food and inventive presentation make for a memorable evening.

The hotel provides free transfers to the popular Lady’s Mile beach during the summer months.

But I head to the spa instead. It exudes calmness with low lighting and soothing music.

I’ve booked an express treatment, with my masseuse happy to focus on my legs and shoulder, which are feeling achy after so much golf. While only 25 minutes long, I feel rejuvenated by the time I leave.

Even in January, the main city of Limassol — about 15 minutes from the hotel by taxi — feels alive. I took a breather from the greens to explore the historic centre.

While the medieval castle where Richard the Lionheart had his wedding is impressive, I was more captivated by the city’s feline residents.

Legend says St Helena imported 1,000 cats in the 4th century to hunt snakes. Today, their descendants rule the sun-drenched streets like royalty.

I finished my trip with a stroll along the marina as the sun dipped behind a forest of multi-million-pound yachts.

With a cold Keo beer in hand and the feel of a breeze blowing over the Mediterranean sea, I realised the Cypriots aren’t quite right. You don’t just survive here — you thrive.

LOVE a holiday but hate a long flight? Bilbao should be your go-to destination. 

It’s the closest major Spanish city to the UK — flights take just an hour and 45 minutes — but is now even easier to visit thanks to Tui’s new city break packages. 

These include flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol. 

Tui Commercial Director Chris Logan said: “Bilbao offers a truly special city break. With incredible art, fantastic food and beautiful scenery all in one trip, it’s ideal for customers who want the authentic taste of Spain.” 

After a sunshine stay in the city this month, Kara Godfrey reveals everything you need to know about it . . .  

WHY SHOULD I GO? Spain is set to hit record tourism numbers this year, expecting to reach 100million for the first time. So trying to find a quieter destination to visit can be tricky.  

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But Bilbao gets just a fraction of the tourists — just 1.6 million visited last year compared to Barcelona’s 16 million. The city is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Bilbao BBK Live music festival.

This year’s event, from July 9 to 11, has headliners including Calvin Harris, Lily Allen and FKA Twigs.

ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Most of the city’s top attractions can be walked between, taking no more than 30 minutes.  

There are extensive bus, tram and metro systems if you need to rest your feet. But with the beautiful estuary running through the city, you’d be mad not to want to explore by foot. Want to grab a taxi? Opt for the Spanish Cabify rather than Uber, as it is normally more affordable. 

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKETLIST? The impact of the Guggenheim Bilbao museum since it opened in 1997 has been huge. So powerful, in fact, it created the phrase “the Guggenheim effect”, which is when a huge architectural project transforms a destination.  

Tickets to the museum come with a free audio guide (from £13, see guggenheim-bilbao.eus) which helps to understand the modern art pieces ranging from sculptures to paintings. 

One of the most popular — and my favourite — is installation The Matter Of Time, where mighty steel walls guide you throughout the space. 

Other current exhibits include work by Ruth Asawa, a Japanese-American artist known for her unique wire sculptures.  

Also on display at the museum are the 43ft floral sculpture Puppy, by Jeff Koons, and 30ft spider creation Maman. by Louise Bourgeois.

Afterwards, make sure to take a ride on the bright-red Artxanda funicular, which takes you to the top of Mount Artxanda for the best views of Bilbao. Tickets cost from £3,. Check out funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Knowing where to start with Spanish tapas — known as pintxos in northern Spain — can be hard. 

But help is at hand. Tui Musement offers locally guided food tours to take you to gastronomic highlights off the beaten track. 

We gorged on everything from Spanish omelette to spicy mushrooms, while learning a bit about the history of them courtesy of our guide Cristina. 

Guided tours aside, if you just fancy hopping between tapas bars for snacks and drinks — a practice locals call txikiteo (pronounced chee-kee-tey-oh) — do try all of them at Plaza Nueva. 

My number one was Cafe Bar Bilbao for its tasty pork sliders, as well as Taberna Ona for freshly sliced Iberian ham. 

Just expect to have people waiting in the wings for your table — seats are much sought after. 

I FANCY A DRINK: The most famous Bilbao drink is txakoli, a Basque white wine which you can find pretty much anywhere. Squeeze into the family-run Taberna Basaras, a tiny bar with barrels for tables and bottles from floor to ceiling, for a hearty glass. 

You might also spot the locals ordering a mariano, a vermouth “daytime” cocktail that’s lighter than a negroni. 

But only order if you’re ready for an early night — it certainly packs a punch. 

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? For some of the best views, try 5H hotel The Artist where a rooftop bar overlooks the Guggenheim. 

Another stylish option is the adult-only Axel Hotel, which lays claim to having one of the city’s only rooftop swimming pools. The covered Skybar right next to it is a great place to dry off, over a cocktail or two. 

Even the basic rooms have views of the estuary and Old Town, each one snug but chic — think industrial interiors with extremely comfy beds. 

Also save some time for the wellness area, too, where you can book a massage or just relax in the sauna and hot tub. 

THE bus swings round the hairpin bend with ease, climbing higher and higher into the clouds.

I’m grateful for the driver’s skill as the winding trip eventually takes us clear of the tree line to reveal Switzerland’s breathtaking scenery below.

The Laax Alp Nagens bus stop is a dizzying 2,263 metres above sea level — and the scenery gets more and more beautiful as we then hike along the mountains, which sit in the Sardona Tectonic Arena.

The Arena is an impressive natural geological phenomenon in the Swiss Alps, where tectonic movement has resulted in rocks up to 300million years old being pushed up above younger rock formed a mere 35 to 50million years ago.

It has been absurdly easy to get up here thanks to Switzerland’s world-class public transport.

Buses are a great way to get around but make sure you have some cash as you often have to buy a ticket on board.

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I’ve only got four days here in Laax, but that’s more than enough to get swept up in the magic of the Swiss Alps in spring.

While the snow still clings to the mountain peaks, along the valley floor below it the scenery turns from white to neon bright green, as the grass returns and trees and flowers burst into life.

Luckily, if your legs get tired on a hike, there are plenty of cable cars to get you back down to your accommodation. For me, that’s Laax’s Rocks Resort.

It’s an adventurer’s playground — ideal for families, thrill-seekers or anyone who just wants to fill their lungs with mountain air.

More a mini village than a resort, it boasts everything from the world’s longest treetop walk (1.56km) to skate parks, trampolines, basketball courts, swimming pools and more hiking and biking trails than you could ever tick off in one trip.

The hotel rooms are comfortable yet chic — and have a perfect view of the sprawling forest next door.

If you are travelling with family there’s comfortable one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

My room has the perfect view of the 30metre-drop bungee jump — and I perch myself on the window seat to read my book and watch kids and parents alike plunge off the ledge.

The room also gives me a great view of the 220-metre zipline over the skatepark and snake run.

But after a busy day of adventures through the forest, I’m starving.

Luckily, there’s nine restaurants and two coffee shops to choose from, as well as six bars and lounges.

Take your pick from Italian at the Ristorante Camino or spectacular vegetarian options at the Riders Restaurant.

From beetroot wine to local Swiss delicacies, this is a must-visit spot to chow down at.

Also on offer are Asian specialities at Ikigai, Swiss treats such as rosti potatoes at Tegia Larnags — and of course cheese fondue, at Casa Veglia.

You don’t need to look far for ways to work off all those calories though.

On a particularly gorgeous morning, we hire electric mountain bikes to explore the surrounding trails.

They snake through forests, over meadows and along ridges, each turn revealing another gasp-worthy vista.

The e-bike makes the uphill sections a breeze, while the downhills are fast and glorious.

Two hours in, we roll up to Lake Cauma — a jewel-toned lake so startlingly blue it feels almost artificial.

We refuel lakeside with a rich Toblerone mousse from Ustria La Cauma restaurant, with its terrace perched above the water.

Food, it turns out, is as much a part of the journey round these parts as the scenery. Menus are hyper-seasonal and full of heart.

And old traditions are not forgotten. As spring turns to summer, local farmers take their cows up to the high pastures, the cattle decorated with flower crowns and large bells.

And come the winter, for those who are keen on skiing and snowboarding, this resort will become the place to be — a perfect spot for spending a day on the slopes before scoffing down hot cheese fondue in the evening.

I will certainly be back.

I WORK in travel and look at holiday pricing data every single day – and there are a few patterns that I see constantly.

Small booking habits that feel completely normal, but quietly push prices up. We’re not talking about a few quid either. Get these wrong, and you can end up paying 20–30 per cent more for the same holiday.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Here are the three biggest mistakes – and exactly how to fix them.

Bad Habit No.1: Booking in the morning rush

This one surprises people the most.

Booking your holiday first thing – on your commute, before work, or when you sit down at your desk – feels productive.

But it’s actually one of the worst times you can choose.

According to the data, the most expensive time to book a holiday is between 9am and 10am.

In fact, booking in that window came in at around 30 per cent more expensive than the cheapest time of day, which is actually 2:47am.

And it makes sense when you think about it – because that’s a peak demand window when everyone is searching at once.

Flight prices react to this demand first, then package holiday prices follow.

So while you think you’re being organised… you’re actually booking at the busiest, and often most expensive, moment of the day.

In one example, I found a 5-night all-inclusive stay at the Catty Cats Garden Hotel in Turkey was priced at £133pp in the early hours – but just a few hours later, that had jumped to £165pp for the exact same holiday.

That’s a 24% increase (£64 more for two people) simply from booking later in the day.

Bad Habit No.2: Waiting after finding a good deal

This is the classic “I’ll just check again later” mistake: you find a good price, but instead of booking it, you leave it.

You come back later. Maybe the next day. Maybe after asking a few people.

It feels like you’re being careful or thrifty, but the data shows the opposite.

Every search feeds demand into the system, demand pushes flight prices up, and flight prices push package prices up.

But the reality is: if you’ve found a good deal, it’s very likely other people have found it too.

So while you’re waiting, those seats and rooms are disappearing, filling up and pushing up the package cost pretty quickly.

In one real example, a luxury all-inclusive stay at the Titanic Deluxe Lara in Antalya,Turkey was priced at £558 per person.

But after waiting just 24 hours, that same holiday increased to £606 per person.

That’s an extra £48pp – or £192 more for a family of four – just for not booking when the price was lower.

Prices change, availability drops, and that deal you liked is gone forever.

Bad Habit No.3: Being too rigid with dates and nights

This is where people leave the biggest savings on the table.

I see it every day: most searches are locked into the same dates, same duration, no flexibility.

But pricing doesn’t work like that – it fluctuates constantly based on demand.

Flight and hotel combinations are constantly shifting, and the price you see is based on very specific availability – not a fixed “cost” for that trip.

That means sticking rigidly to one duration can actually stop you from seeing better-value options.

Sometimes, adding or removing just one night can completely change the price – because it opens up different flight combinations or cheaper room availability.

In one search I did for a Corfu holiday, a 7-night stay was coming in at £874 per person.

But by simply increasing the stay to 8 nights, the price dropped to £720 per person for the same package.

That’s a saving of £154pp – or £308 for two people – just by adding one extra night.

It goes against what most people expect, but it shows how pricing really works.

You’re not just paying for nights – you’re paying for the combination of flights and hotel availability behind them.

Yet most people never check – they search once, see one price, and assume that’s what the holiday costs.

Good Habit No.1: Use price alerts instead of repeatedly searching

One of the easiest ways to save money is to stop manually checking prices over and over again.

Every time you search, you’re adding to demand signals – and you’re far more likely to miss the moment a price drops.

Instead, set up price alerts or track a holiday and let the price come to you.

That way, you’re not feeding the surge – and you’re ready to act when the price is right.

I sometimes see short-term dips of up to £50 per person on the same holiday when demand softens briefly – but these windows can last hours, not days.

The people who catch them aren’t constantly searching – they’re notified. But how do you actually do it?

At On the Beach, if you save a holiday, you’re automatically tracking it, and they’ll email you to let you know when the price changes.

On Google Flights, you can search your route, then just toggle “Track prices” – then you’ll get email alerts whenever fares move up or down.

On Skyscanner, hit the heart or bell icon on a flight, and it’ll notify you when the price changes.

It takes about 10 seconds – and it means you’re not guessing when to book.

Good Habit No.2: The 33-day booking rule

There’s no perfect moment to book – but there is a bit of a sweet spot.

According to the data, booking around 33 days before departure can unlock savings of up to 10%.

That’s because it sits between two high-demand groups: early planners who book far in advance and last-minute bookers chasing limited availability.

In this middle window, demand is lower, and prices often reflect that.

Which means on a £700 holiday, that 10% saving means paying around £630 instead – a £140 saving for a couple without changing anything else.

It’s not about waiting as long as possible. It’s about timing it right.

Good Habit No.3: Switch airports, not just dates

Most people have a “default airport” – the one they always fly from without really thinking about it.

But sticking to the same airport can quietly cost you more than you realise.

Flights to the same destination can vary massively in price depending on where you depart from – even on the exact same day, for the exact same hotel.

And often, the cheaper option is only a short drive or train journey away.

In one search I did this week for a family holiday to Majorca, the same 5-night stay at the Sea Club Mediterranean Resort was priced at £260pp flying from Manchester.

But switching to Liverpool Airport for the exact same trip brought the price down to £235pp.

That’s a saving of £25 per person – or £100 for a family of four – just by changing the departure airport.

It’s a simple check most people skip, but it can make a real difference to the total cost.

A Holiday Expert’s bottom line:

These aren’t big sacrifices, and you’re not downgrading your hotel or cutting your trip short. You’re just booking smarter.

But these small tweaks of timing, confidence and flexibility can easily save you hundreds over time.

And once you see how the pricing actually works, you won’t book the same way again…

MOVE over London, there’s a new ‘it’ city on the UK scene and it has cheap travel, cowboy dancing and a super cute mascot.

This year, Glasgow is being talked about a lot and it isn’t without good reason…

The city was recently named one of Time Out’s best cities to visit in Europe this year, ranking fourth.

And the Scottish city is currently undergoing a massive £20million revamp of its city centre square – George Square.

Dating back to 1781, the square was named after George III and will reopen to the public this September with a completely new look.

Though, the famous statues of poet Robert Burns and novelist Sir Walter Scott will remain.

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Overall, the square will become more walkable and green, with Norwegian maple trees and cherry trees, rain gardens, event spaces, and new seating areas.

The square’s renovation is set to be completed by late August and will then open to the public in September.

Having recently visited the city, it isn’t the only exciting thing going on…

Often overshadowed by the capital Edinburgh, Glasgow has a lot to see and do.

Close to George Square, you can stay at the AC Marriott Hotel from £80 a night, which is a super modern hotel with sleek interiors and a chilled vibe.

The best thing about the hotel though is that it looks out at the incredible architecture of the City Chambers.

If you love a bit of retail therapy, make sure to head to Barras Market on a Saturday or Sunday.

The giant sprawling market has all sorts of antique and second-hand gems including minimalistic chairs and ornate teapots – I highly recommend EARTH.er, a travel bag maker that began in Tai O, Hong Kong but is now based in Glasgow.

And if you are a lover of all things western, head to Cowpeople for authentic cowboy boots and fringed leather jackets.

In between the different market buildings, you will find a number of different food and drink vans.

The one with the super-long queue is the viral Eight Coffee Co, which serves some of the most unusual blends I’ve ever seen.

Think cereal milk matcha, complete with cream and lucky charms.

The queue might appear long but goes quickly, and trust me, it is worth waiting the 20 minutes for.

Just outside the market, drop by Ho Lee Fook – another viral spot but this time for a pork tonkatsu sandwich that takes three days to make (and it is huge!).

The Hong Kong food spot is in a former newsagent’s hatch and translates to “good, wealth and luck”.

Of course, Scotland is well-known for its whisky so make sure to head to a local distillery.

Down on the River Clyde, you’ll find The Clydeside Distillery where you can go on a tour led by a guide and try a flight of five different whiskies accompanied by five chocolates that magically change the taste of each drink.

It costs £39 per person and lasts around an hour and 20 minutes.

Rather uniquely, Glasgow’s night scene transports you to deep south America.

Buck’s Bar is great for famished visitors, with giant chicken burgers and a true Texan vibe inside.

A couple of doors down, you’ll find Maggie’s Rock n’ Rodeo – and it is as fun as it sounds.

A small crowd shuffled around the dancefloor, performing a number of different line dances to a live country singer – what could be more fun?

“Who doesn’t love a hoedown?” shouts Garry King, the vibrant drag host who brings the confidence and dancing skills out of everyone.

And if you are feeling brave (unlike me who was still feeling the weight of my giant Buck’s Bar burger in my stomach), you can hop on the mechanical bull and try lasting longer than just a few seconds…

If you want to head out of the city centre for the day, hop on a train to Pollokshaws West Station costing only £3 return for adults and £1 for kids.

In fact, all day, every day, kids can travel on ScotRail for £1 when travelling with an adult.

Outside the station you can then catch a free shuttle bus to Pollok Country Park where you’ll find a herd of Highland Cows (often referred to as Scotland‘s mascot) and visit the Burrell Collection, home to a Cézanne painting and one of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker statues.

But if you don’t feel like venturing outside the city, go to the Botanic Gardens to get your dose of green space.

Home to several glasshouses and Kibble Palace, the free attraction is a great spot for enjoying a bit of nature (and a tropical rainforest) in the heart of the city.

Down from the Botanic Gardens, you will also find Glasgow’s West End, which is often named one of the ‘coolest neighbourhoods’ in the UK.

Make sure to drop by Ashton Lane – a cobbled street with cosy restaurants and bars.

If you are not done with quaint lanes, make sure to head to the Finnieston area as well, where you will find Hidden Lane, which is full of local artists, designers, and even a tarot reader.

A short walk from Hidden Lane and you will find Civerinos – a fantastic pizza restaurant.

Opt for the sweet potato and truffle pizza for under £20 – it is huge, and you won’t be disappointed.

For dessert, drop by Fat Sal’s – an Italian ice cream parlour with a Scottish twist.

A scoop costs a few quid and flavours are constantly rotating, though if they have the Scottish tablet one available, it is a creamy, heavenly dream.

Continue the night at The Park Bar, for a traditional and historic Scottish pub dating back to 1895 with live traditional music often including an accordion player.

History and art lovers should head to the free-to-visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which opened over 100 years ago.

Inside there are 22 galleries home to animals, Ancient Egyptian artefacts, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh – a famous Scottish architect and designer.

To get to the city, Lumo recently launched a direct route from London to Glasgow that costs as little as £33.10 per way.

It also stops at Newcastle and Edinburgh on the way.

For more inspiration on where to travel to in the UK, staycations are set for record high this year, so here are the top spots on our wish list from trendy beach resorts to historic cities.

Plus, there’s an overlooked English county with some of Britain’s best pubs and beaches.

JET2 has issued an update to all travellers about increasing flight fares and holiday prices.

The UK’s biggest tour operator has confirmed that it will not be raising flights or holidays prices to cover increased costs caused by the fuel crisis.

The announcement comes as the ongoing fuel crisis has resulted in a number of airlines increasing their flight prices, including Virgin Atlantic.

The update applies to all flights and holidays with the provider, booked through any channel – whether that be online, via the app or via an independent travel agent.

It means that when passengers book with Jet2, the price that is shown for their holiday or flight, will be the price they pay.

Holidaymakers will still need to pay tourist taxes, which is usually done once you are on holiday at the resort or directly to your accommodation provider.

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Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.

“As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.

“Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

In a previous statement, a Jet2 spokesperson also told Sun Travel: “We remain in continual dialogue with our fuel suppliers, as is standard practice.

“Based on the conversations we have been having, we see no reason not to look forward to operating our scheduled programme of flights and holidays as normal.

“We understand that our customers work and save very hard for their holidays, and we are looking forward to making sure that they enjoy their award-winning Jet2holidays.”

The announcement comes as a number of other airlines have issued statements regarding upcoming flights and holidays.

TUI holidays confirmed that bookings have not been impacted or cancelled by the fuel crisis.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.”

Budget airline easyJet has also said that flights are currently not impacted by the fuel crisis.

A spokesperson for the airline told Sun Travel that there was “no disruption to flights” and “no plans to make any changes to our flying schedule”.

However, earlier this week, easyJet’s CEO for Spain and Portugal did comment that it was “difficult to see” what would happen in the next few weeks.

Here’s a full rundown of what all the UK airlines have said about fuel crisis concerns.

And in other flight news, a major UK airport is set for May bank holiday weekend travel chaos as staff are to walk out.

Plus, Ryanair is axing thousands of flights from a European airport this summer.