If you’re tempted by a balmy break on the Adriatic coast this summer but want to stretch your money further and avoid the steep summer prices, skip Croatia, and head down to Montenegro or Albania instead. Despite Croatia’s obvious appeal of glistening beaches and islands littering the Dalmatian coastline, this beguiling Balkan paradise is notorious for the sharp increase in prices during the summer months, when tourism excels. Whereas neighbouring countries Montenegro & Albania are the lesser-known siblings to Croatia, meaning tourism (especially in Albania) is relatively low in comparison. This will play out in your favour, as accommodation, food and activities will be at a drastically reduced cost in contrast to Croatia. The coastlines are just as idyllic but less crowded and more covert to tourists. Swap out the popular beach towns of Hvar & Split in Croatia for quaint Himarë on the Albanian coastline, or the fortified town of Kotor in Montenegro, encircled by a vast mountainous landscape.
Looking to spend a long weekend drifting through a picturesque European city but not break the bank? Swap out classic city break hotspots like Venice for Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana. Boasting an eclectic mix of Italian & baroque architecture, Slovenia’s capital city is the perfect place to spend a long weekend whilst being cautious of your spending. After you’ve spent an afternoon meandering through the central zone & admiring the architecture and monuments, head over to the Metelkova district, a creative social and cultural centre built on the ruins of old army barracks which used to be home to squatters, attempting to stop it from being torn down. Now, these hipster hangouts are covered in bright graffiti and murals to marvel over during the day, and by night, Metelkova’s array of alternative bars & music venues come alive.
Yearning to venture further out of Europe and experience Latin American culture but avoid tourist prices advertised across popular Central American destinations like Costa Rica and Mexico? Skip over these and head over to less-visited Honduras or El Salvador. Despite having a negative reputation in the past for gang crime and violence, these gorgeous Latin paradises are popular backpacker hotspots, and for a good reason. Due to the popularity of neighbouring countries, the price to visit and travel around these countries is more affordable, meaning you get more bang for your buck. In El Salvador, head down to the black sand beaches of El Tunco to catch some world-class waves. If you’re more partial to calmer Caribbean seas, venture to the Bay Islands in Honduras, known for scuba diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The island of Utila also happens to be the cheapest place to gain your PADI scuba license, making it a hotspot to learn to dive whilst being conscious of your spending.
If you’re still desperate to visit popular travel destinations but not blow all your money, visit in the low season, when tourism levels plummet dramatically, meaning the prices for accommodation & activities will be more pleasant than if you were to visit at peak season.
