Bulgaria
Covid entry restrictions have been scrapped this month, so there is no paperwork required – and while Russia has halted gas supplies to the country, a spokesperson for tour operator Balkan Holidays has assured that tourists are not affected, as Bulgaria is sourcing its gas from other markets.
The cost of living is among the lowest in Europe and demand is lower than for neighbouring Greece, plus the Black Sea coast harbours 13 Blue Flag beaches.
One of these, Sunny Beach on the southern coast is around half-an-hour’s drive from the airport. The most-developed of Bulgaria’s resorts, it has watersports, plenty of restaurants and accommodation that ranges from basic apartments to upscale resort hotels. A week at Tui Blue Nevis in Sunny Beach – with a kids’ club and pools with slides – costs £685pp all-inclusive, with evening flights from Gatwick on 27 May, tui.co.uk
Turkey
Some of the best value in Turkey is found in Marmaris, a lively resort town on the so-called Turquoise Coast
The Turkish lira lost 44 per cent of its value against the dollar last year and remains weak against sterling. With Russian visitor numbers suppressed this year, there are bargains to be had in Antalya, especially in resorts such as Kemer and Side that are traditionally favoured by Russians. The Mediterranean resorts are particularly appealing before the searing heat of summer cranks up.
Some of the best value is found in Marmaris, a lively resort town on the so-called Turquoise Coast. Self-catering is a good way to save, as restaurants and supermarket prices will be relatively cheap.
Seven nights’ self-catering at Club Candan, Marmaris, in a one-bed apartment with balcony is £1,119 based on a family of four sharing, including Manchester flights departing 30 May and transfers, tui.co.uk. Entry is with proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test; under-12s are exempt.
Portugal
One of the best-value countries in the Eurozone, the cost of living here is the lowest in western and southern Europe, making it a popular choice among savvy sun-seekers. Post Office Travel Money’s annual “City Costs Barometer” placed Lisbon in fourth place out of cheap city stay destinations in 2021, while its “Holiday Money Report 2022” claims the Algarve is the cheapest popular holiday destination in the Eurozone – with costs 25 per cent lower than the Costa del Sol.
One week’s self-catering for a family of four at Club Alvorferias in the Algarve – featuring evening entertainment and four outdoor pools – is £1,269, including Glasgow flights on 29 May, jet2.com. Entry is with proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test; under-12s are exempt
Austria
Filzmoos in Salzburg is one of the prettiest villages in Austria
Early summer in the Austrian Alps means uncongested hiking and biking trails and the space to connect with your own private natural wunderland – it is also a lot cheaper. Just outside Filzmoos, one of Austria’s prettiest villages, Hotel Hammerhof enjoys unspoilt pastoral views at the foot of Bischofsmütze Mountain. Book with Inghams for free mountain-bike hire, walking tours and a horse-drawn buggy ride that the kids will love.
The family-run hotel is well placed to visit picturesque Unesco-protected village Hallstatt, from where lake boat trips depart. Or hike Liechtenstein Gorge, one of the longest and deepest gorges in the Alps, with roaring waterfalls and moss-covered boulders.
Seven nights’ B&B at Hotel Hammerhof is £1,676 based on a family of four sharing including Manchester flights departing 28 May and transfers, inghams.co.uk. Entry is with proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test; under-12s are exempt
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Latvia
In 2019, Russians accounted for 36 per cent of tourists visiting Latvia, the highest proportion for any country in Europe. The Baltic nation banned Russian tourists following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and accommodation prices reflect the fall in visitor numbers. Over half-term, flights to the capital, Riga – with its characterful old town and wooden buildings – are a reasonable £90 return with Ryanair (excluding luggage).
From here, the Baltic coastline and natural beauty of this sparsely populated country is easily accessible by rental car or on an organised tour. The white sands of nearby Jurmala beach are a favourite with families and are 40 minutes by bus from central Riga. Nearby Dzintari Forest Park has children’s playgrounds, a high ropes course for kids of all ages and even a special road for roller skating (visitjurmala.lv). A little further west is Kemeri National Park, for an atmospheric tramp through the ancient bog on elevated wooden walkways.
Family Apartment Loft in Old Riga City is an Airbnb rental in central Riga near the Daugava River, styled like a high-end boutique hotel. Seven nights from 28 May is £580 for up to five guests, airbnb.co.uk. There are no Covid entry restrictions
Slovenia
Caption: Piran- Slovenia. Panoramic view of Piran
Photographer: Piero Damiani
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF
British Airways is to resume direct flights from Heathrow to the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana on 24 May. However, with the cheapest direct return flights during half-term at £670, a stopover flight with Polish carrier Lot, which has return tickets during half-term from £166, is the best budget option.
Slovenia’s small slice of craggy Adriatic coastline between Italy and Croatia boasts sandy beaches and historic seaside resort towns that flourished under the Venetian Empire.
The neighbouring towns of Piran and Portorož, known for their historic salt pans, now use the same brine water for enriching spa treatments. Central Portorož Beach is family-friendly, with pontoons for diving directly into the deep, clear water, while the narrow old town streets of Piran hide eateries with flavours influenced by Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.
Four nights’ B&B at the Grand Hotel Portorož 4* in Portorož – with a full range of thermal spa facilities – is £443 based on a family of four sharing. Return flights from Heathrow to Ljubljana departing 29 May and returning 2 June are £166pp with Lot, lot.com. Private airport transfer for four from £99 return, goopti.com. There are no Covid entry restrictions
Montenegro
While recent luxury developments around Budva and the Bay of Kotor vie for high-spenders’ attention, Montenegro still offers good value for visitors, with the cost of eating out around 50 per cent lower than in the UK. Moreover, there are no Covid entry requirements or restrictions.
The Hotel Lusso Mare on the Budva Riviera is new to Jet2 Holidays’ offering. Five nights’ B&B in a one-bedroom apartment sleeping four is £671pp, departing Stansted 31 May, including coach transfers and baggage allowance, jet2holidays.co.uk
Czech Republic
Prices have risen here in recent years, but it is still a solid choice for an affordable break – and there is so much more to see than popular Prague. The handsome squares around the city of Olomouc in Moravia are adorned with baroque fountains, while Cesky Krumlov in southern Bohemia is a photogenic Unesco World Heritage site, bisected by the Vltava (much like Prague itself). The country’s second city, Brno, is lively with university students and has an excellent Museum of Romani Culture and there are several national parks that encompass Alpine meadows, mountains and waterfalls.
These – and more – can be stitched together on a rail itinerary. The Interrail Czech Republic Pass is available for between three and eight days within one month, valid for as many trains as you want to take in one day. Adult passes from €92 (£78), youth €80 (£68), children aged four to 11 are free, interrail.eu. There are no Covid entry restrictions
Germany
Rulantica is more than 100 acres of indoor water park
Germany may not compete with southern Europe for balmy June weather, but a week at a campsite in the country‘s south is a steal over half-term. Campingplatz Herbolzheim in the Black Forest is perfectly situated for time spent in nature, and is also near the largest water park in Germany, which opened in 2019.
Rulantica is more than 100 acres of indoor water park unlike anything you will find outside of Disney World in Florida. The heavily themed experience, which draws on Scandinavian mythology, has 25 water attractions and 17 slides – amd the park even opened the world’s first underwater virtual reality “rollercoaster” in 2021.
Once the kids have had their fix at Rulantica and neighbouring theme park Europa-Park, there is still plenty to keep the family busy, from walks in the Black Forest to a trip to the world’s largest cuckoo clock in the chocolate box town of Schonach im Schwarzwald. Parents, meanwhile, will appreciate the campsite’s surrounding winelands.
Seven nights’ self-catering at Campingplatz Herbolzheim in a three-bedroom caravan is £297, arriving 30 May, eurocamp.co.uk. Return ferry tickets from Dover to Calais on the same dates are £146 for a car with four passengers, irishferries.com. Entry is with proof of vaccination, recovery, or negative test; under-12s exempt
Slovakia
Slovakia’s second city, Košice (pronounced koh-she-tse) is a little-known university town in the country’s east that offers an affordable, medium-sized city break that is ideal for families with young kids.
The historic old town, with its grand palaces and the largest church in the country, boasts a lively nightlife and foodie scene thanks to its large student population. For families, the Botanical Gardens are a relaxing day excursion, or take a ride on the two-mile children’s railway through the forest on the outskirts of town at Alpinka recreation area, which also has a high ropes Tarzania attraction and mini golf.
The Unesco Tokaj wine region of neighbouring Hungary, a mini-Tuscan landscape of rolling vineyards and traditional villages, is a pleasant 80-minute drive from the city.
Flights with Ryanair departing Stansted 31 May and returning 6 June are £29pp, ryanair.com. Six nights’ room-only at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Košice is £599 for a family of four sharing, hilton.com. Entry is with proof of vaccination or recovery; under-12s exempt.
Poland
With consumer prices around 40 per cent lower than in the UK, this is a solid choice for travellers looking to make their money go further.
On the Baltic coast, it’s easy to combine a city break in historic Gdansk, with its thriving culinary and brewing scene, with beach days in the resort city of Hel.The Hel Peninsula, a 22-mile sliver of land – 200 metres at its narrowest point – protrudes into the Baltic Sea, creating a tranquil bay just north of Gdansk.
From the city, it’s a two-hour train or ferry ride to the resort of Hel, perched on the tip of the peninsula, that is favoured by Polish celebrities.
Cycling is a popular way to get around this protected spit of sand and woodland, with bike rental outfitters open throughout the summer.
Flights from Luton to Gdansk departing Monday 30 May and returning Friday 3 June from £111, wizzair.com. Four nights in a room sleeping four at Hampton by Hilton Gdansk Old Town is £349, hilton.com There are no Covid entry restrictions.
