Explore your options both at home and away, with suggestions ranging from long-haul to right on your doorstep. Even if you don’t find what you are looking for here, it may give you some inspiration or new ideas about where you would like to go. Bon voyage!
Holidays Abroad
For many, a holiday is not a ‘proper’ holiday unless they’ve visited another country. Heading to the airport and taking a flight somewhere new is an essential part of the whole holiday experience for some travellers, but when you’re on a budget it can be difficult to find cost-effective destinations. Here are our favourites for 2019 – find your inspiration here.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lulek/
Lithuania may not be the first place that springs to mind when considering a holiday, but the surprisingly large European country – which is bordered by the Baltic Sea, Latvia, Belarus, Poland and Russia – has much to offer. Its capital city, Vilnius is described as more of an overgrown village than a city; 40% of its area is given to green spaces, and the cobbled streets are filled with historical buildings.
Travel Supermarket named Vilnius the cheapest city break in 2018 and it’s certainly cost-effective: a three-course meal costs around £15.65 and a pint of beer costs around £2.68. As food and drink can end up being one of your biggest expenses, these low prices can make a huge difference to your holiday experience.
Currency: Euros - €
Visit our Travel Money shop for excellent rates. You can also drop in to any of our H&T stores for Euros at any time – no pre-order required.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deensel/
If you’d like to go a bit further afield, finding budget destinations can be tricky. While flights tend to be much more expensive when you’re looking at long haul, you can still make savings on last minute bookings and by being savvy about the destination. Argentina in South America is a stunning country filled with impressive natural scenery and bustling modern cities – and it’s cheap!
You can find plenty of AirBnB accommodation and modern hostels in the capital, Buenos Aires, from around £13.50 a night. A meal costs less than £5, and a beer is just £1.20! Even if you spend most of your holiday budget on your flight, you’ll still have plenty of wriggle room once you get there.
Currency: Argentine Peso - $
Visit our Travel Money shop for excellent rates. You can also drop in to any of our H&T stores to place an order at any time.
Lisbon, Portugal
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rstml/
If you’re looking for a relatively short flight time, Lisbon in Portugal is a good destination. It’s far enough away that it feels like a proper holiday, but it’s close enough that you only have to deal with a 2.5hr flight and a one hour time difference. Lisbon itself is a stunning city with plenty of history and amazing local cuisine without the steep price tag you may expect.
Once you’re there, you can save plenty of money by purchasing a Lisbon city pass for 19€ (around £17), which not only gives you 24hrs of use on all transportation in the city (including the scenic tram cars and hill elevators) but also gives free admission to a huge number of attractions such as museums, monasteries and galleries. Local wines can be tried for less than 3€ per glass and of course the weather is usually very good indeed - well worth the trip!
Currency: Euro - €
Visit our Travel Money shop for excellent rates. You can also drop in to any of our H&T stores for Euros at any time – no pre-order required.
Staycations
Not everyone likes to travel overseas for their holidays – many prefer to stay in the UK and explore more of what our beautiful country has to offer. Staycations help to keep your travel costs low and allow you to plan ahead with more confidence; as the language, food and customs are familiar. If you’re looking at a trip within the UK this summer, why not consider one of these options?
The Norfolk Broads
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21804434@N02/
The Norfolk Broads are unique and have a lot to offer, whether you’re travelling as a single, a couple, or a family. Hiring a boat has to be the best way to see the area, with calm waters, plenty of wildlife and riverside pubs to moor at along the way.
Some of the larger boatyards can be expensive, particularly during the school holidays. However, there are cheaper hires out there if you search around, and be sure to leave your contact details with boatyards – you may get a discounted rate if they have a last-minute cancellation. If your budget won’t stretch to a week aboard, why not opt for local camping or B&B accommodation, and take a day hire boat out instead? It’s a real escape for those with busy lives.
Bristol
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbaileyphotography09/
If you’re not familiar with Bristol, you may wonder why it’s listed as a holiday destination. Those who know the city will understand – Bristol is vibrant, arty and beautiful, with plenty to do for all the family. In August, the city plays host to the largest annual gathering of hot-air balloons, with 130 taking to the skies of all colours, shapes and sizes. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta also hosts fairground rides, trade stands and entertainment. It’s something you can enjoy from pretty much anywhere for free, as the skies will be filled.
AirBnB accommodation is plentiful and very reasonably priced in the heart of Bristol. Alternatively, you could choose to opt for glamping or a B&B just outside of the city, from which you can explore places such as Bath, Longleat and Glastonbury.
The Isle of Wight
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsaunders47/
Travelling to the Isle of Wight is a great way to feel like you’re going abroad when you’re actually staying ‘at home’ and is a great destination if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Located 3-5miles off the coast of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight is known for its mild climate and beautiful scenery. A ferry crossing to the Isle costs around £20 if you book in advance and a popular place to stay for families is Compton Farm, a camp site located right in the idyllic countryside. Described as ‘pure Enid Blyton’, the campsite is set on a working farm complete with chickens and vintage tractors. If you’re not afraid to get back to simpler times, this could be your ideal destination.
