Jet2 slashes £100 off trips to European 'paradise' after UK travel company folds
Holidaymakers have been left 'devastated' after Balkan Holidays shut down with immediate affect, cancelling hundreds of holidays.
But Jet2 could be coming to the rescue, as they're giving £100 off on all trips to Bulgaria – the destination that Balkan specialised in.
A statement from Jet2holidays said they're 'making rebooking simple and easy for those impacted by the closure of Balkan Holidays.'
By using the discount count BULGARIA100, customers can save £100 per booking on all Summer 25 holidays to the European hotspot.
The deal even extends to Summer 26 holidays too.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays said: 'The closure of Balkan Holidays is very sad news indeed, and our thoughts are with everyone who is impacted.
'We know there are many customers wanting to enjoy their well-deserved holidays to the Bulgarian sunshine, so we are making it easier for them by offering them money off, as well as a simple and easy way to book.'
Jet2 is already in the midst of their Big Jet2 Price Drop, which gives customers £100 off per person if they have a myJet2 account (and £90 off without one).
Combined, it means the two deals can offer up some pretty big savings, both of which can be combined with their Free Child Place Holidays, where one child can holiday with two full-paying adults for no extra cost.
Known for golden sands, rich history and verdant forests, Bulgaria is fast becoming an alternative to traditional hotspots, as travellers move away from overcrowded resorts in Spain and France.
It was even named in the prestigious New York Times 52 places to go in 2025 (ranked at 50). The publication dubbed it's capital city, Sofia, a 'cultural crossroads' and praised its 'many underrated wines.'
You also get more bang for your buck in Bulgaria.
Paul Scott, founder of travel comparison site My Budget Break, previously told Metro that wallet-friendly prices in Bulgaria are key to its appeal.
'When you compare it to the likes of the Canary Islands and even Turkey, you can often get more for your money for a package holiday, especially as the tourism infrastructure is already there,' he said.
And visitors seem to love Bulgaria. One TripAdvisor reviewer called its seaside town, Sozopol, 'paradise on Earth', while another said it was 'an absolute gem… offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and seaside charm.'
Meanwhile, visitors have praised the capital, Sofia, for its 'breathtaking' cathedral, and 'lovely vibe'.
Balkan Holidays ceased trading on April 25, after nearly 60 years of providing package holidays.
The operator, which launched in 1966, specialised in Bulgarian holidays and offered departures from 17 UK airports – more than any other British tour operator. It also ran trips to Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus.
At its peak, the company served 130,000 travellers a year. However, in recent years, figures have dropped significantly, and the provider was licensed to carry just 27,817 ATOL-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026.
In a statement shared on its social media accounts and website, the tour operator offers its 'sincere apologies' to customers. More Trending
It read: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK. Clients currently on holiday will be unaffected.
'The company remains solvent, but has ceased trading, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled. All clients will be notified and refunded in full. May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding.
'Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience.'
Metro's senior foreign reporter Gergana Krasteva grew up in Bulgaria. For the first 18 years of her life, she spent summer exploring the country's Black Coast, and now she's given us its secrets.
'One ancient legend about the Black Sea says it holds the entrance to the kingdom of the dead. Nowadays, if you follow the sound of music rolling over its shores, you will find something far livelier,' Gergana says.
'Sunny Beach holds the crown for the most popular resort, visited by millions of tourists from the UK, Russia, and Scandinavia every year.
'But beyond the glitz, people wanting to experience the true spirit of the Black Sea should visit Cape Kaliakra, a secluded cove framed by cliffs. For 18 years, I spent three months every summer holidaying at Kaliakra and the nearby Rusalka beach, and trust me, the water alone is worth it.
'The beaches of Durankulak and Krapets are secrets that Bulgarians have been holding onto for decades, sending all tourists to Sunny Beach instead.'
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: Italian island with perfect 'little Tahiti' beach gets new direct UK route
MORE: 'The only place that still does free tapas': Your favourite Spanish cities that aren't Barcelona or Madrid
MORE: European gem that's 'better than Monaco' is 23°C in May with £55 flights
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'Most underrated city in Europe' with 'rich history' is just 1 hour from the UK
The social media user claimed to have found the most underrated city in Europe, sharing a short video of the destination, which is known for its incredible architecture Praise has been lavished on an historic city dating back to the Middle Ages with a population of just 560,000 people and the largest designated cyclist area in Europe. In a short video on YouTube, @MarkEarthExplored shared a video of "a true hidden gem". With just 60 followers to his name, the intrepid explorer exclaimed in his latest offering: "I found the most underrated city in Europe." Clocking in over 130 likes, the footage takes viewers on a visual jaunt through Ghent, the jewel of Belgium's East Flanders province and its third-largest urban sprawl. Steeped in antiquity as one of the nation's eldest cities, Ghent boasts a tapestry of historical richness and awe-inspiring architecture epitomised by the towering Saint Bavo's Cathedral, peaking at 292 feet. Ghent's treasure trove of landmarks features The Groot Vleeshuis, a grandiose former market hall, the ancient Gravensteen castle harking back to 1180, and the sacred walls of St Elisabeth Church, nestled within one of the city's three beguinages. If bricks and mortar history isn't your cup of tea, Ghent has a smorgasbord of museums to tickle your fancy, reports the Express. The prestigious Museum voor Schone Kunsten houses a staggering array of artwork amounting to 9,000 pieces dating as far back as the Middle Ages, majorly spotlighting Flemish masterpieces beside those of other European virtuosos. Meanwhile, the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (SMAK), or City Museum for Contemporary Art in layman's terms, parades a dazzling permanent exhibit featuring scene-stealing pieces from icons like Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon. Alternatively, food enthusiasts can indulge in some of Ghent's mouth-watering specialties, such as the sweet, cinnamon-spiced "mastellen" or "Saint Hubert bread" bagels. A mastel is a soft, bagel-like treat flavoured with cinnamon and sugar, offering a delightful taste experience. Another local delight is the praline chocolates, also known as cuberdons or "neuzekes" (little noses), which are cone-shaped and filled with a sweet raspberry-flavoured filling. Visitors can easily reach Ghent by plane, train, or car. By train, the journey from London takes approximately three hours, while a flight takes around one hour. Driving from London to Ghent takes roughly 4.5 hours, although the duration may vary depending on the specific starting location.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Ryanair warns passengers after hundreds miss flights amid airport chaos
The budget airline has issued a stark warning to passengers as Portugal experiences airport chaos with more than 270 passengers missing their flights in the last two weeks Ryanair has issued a stern warning to holidaymakers following travel turmoil at several Portuguese airports, leaving hundreds stranded at departure gates. The budget airline reported that over the past fortnight, more than 270 passengers have missed their flights due to lengthy queues and severe understaffing at border control. The most significant delays are being experienced at Faro, Lisbon and Porto airports, with wait times reportedly extending up to an astonishing two and a half hours. In a statement released on Monday, Ryanair condemned the situation as "completely unacceptable", urging Portugal's new government to address the staffing crisis. "In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls," the airline stated. The problem began to intensify around 26 May, with the airline cautioning that families, including those travelling with young children, were getting caught in the chaos. The issue is particularly severe during morning peak hours, when passenger numbers surge and border posts are overwhelmed, reports the Mirror. Ryanair blamed airport operator ANA for failing to adequately prepare for the annual summer travel influx. The statement continued, "The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources. " It also emphasised the urgency for proactive measures to avert further turmoil as the busy season approaches, "especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights". Neal McMahon, Operations Director at Ryanair, termed the current circumstances as "unsustainable," cautioning of an escalation in problems as passenger numbers soar in the summer. Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, recently attempted to quell rising anxieties by assuring that issues with border controls would be "resolved within two weeks". The PSP police force has committed to introducing 500 additional officers to fortify airport security and manage border checks in Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores starting from July. An initiative for immediate reinforcements at Faro Airport, where the situation has been especially severe, is already in motion. Travellers planning trips to or via Portugal are urged to allot extra time for airport arrival to avoid potentially missing their flights. This development unfolds as travel agencies have observed a significant number of UK holiday-goers opting for north African destinations over customary European retreats. The lure seems to be the region's abundance of competitively priced high-quality accommodation compared to costlier options in traditional holiday spots like Spain, France, and Italy. North African nations including Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are witnessing a surge in visitors from the UK. According to aviation analysts Cirium, an estimated 19,847 flights are expected to operate from UK airports to these countries this year, more than double the 8,653 flights recorded in 2019. In contrast, the number of flights to Spain and Portugal is predicted to rise by just 10 per cent and 9 per cent respectively over the same period.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Influencer & extreme sport enthusiast, 28, died after ‘tumbling through the air' as she fell 60ft off Brit mountain
The influencer was sadly pronounced dead at the scene TRAGIC END Influencer & extreme sport enthusiast, 28, died after 'tumbling through the air' as she fell 60ft off Brit mountain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN influencer and extreme sports enthusiast died after "tumbling through the air" in a 60ft plunge off a British mountain Maria Eftimova, 28, went hiking up the 3,000ft peak before slipping on rocky ground and tumbling down the mountain to her death. 4 Maria amassed 10,000 followers, showcasing her outdoor lifestyle online Credit: WNS 4 She was a keen mountaineer Credit: WNS Maria suffered fatal head injuries and, despite the best efforts of medical staff, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The influencer, with more than 10,000 followers, was tackling the notorious Tryfan mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, when she fell to her death. An inquest into her death heard she was climbing the mountain's notorious north ridge - a popular but dangerous scrambling route. Maria was an experienced mountaineer and had completed an ice-climbing course in Norway shortly before the horror unfolded. The inquest has heard how she posed for a "Mexican wave" with friends before she fell to her death. Fellow climber Harry Jones said the group were going up the face one-by-one when he witnessed Maria's tragic fall. He added: "I could see on one particular ledge Maria stopped in order to get a handhold to pull herself up, I was six ft below her, to the left. "She swung her right leg up to pull herself up. I asked 'Got it well?' and she said 'I think so." He said moments later he witnessed Maria "flying over me" and down the mountainside. The 60ft plummet left Maria with horrific injuries, including a fractured skull.. Coroner Kate Robertson returned a conclusion of accidental death and passed on her condolences to Maria's family and friends. Maria, of St Helens, originally from Sofia, Bulgaria, showcased her outdoor lifestyle online. Terrifying moment Scotland's top ranked skier plunges down mountain & suffers horror injuries Following her tragic death a fundraiser was set up by friends to help cover repatriation costs. Maria's tragic death on February 22nd came less than a week after Dr Charlotte Crook, 30, also died while climbing in the same region. An inquest heard Dr Crook plunged 30ft to her death while walking on Glyder Fach with a fellow medic. Both women were attended to by Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation. 4 An inquest heard Maria posed with pals for a "Mexican wave" before tumbling to her death Credit: WNS 4 Despite the best efforts of medics Maria tragically died at the scene Credit: WNS Speaking of Maria's accident, the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team said: "A group was ascending the north-ridge when one of them fell 20 metres into steep terrain. "Passers-by with climbing equipment abseiled down and made her safe, and a team member already nearby made his way down and started CPR. "Colleagues from Welsh Ambulance Service stood by at base while the Coastguard helicopter dropped team members onto the mountain. "Unfortunately, the casualty had not survived her injuries, and she was brought down to Oggie base. "The thoughts of all involved are with the casualties families and friends, thank you to all the members of the public who tried to help." Neil Oakes, who was on a slightly different route up the mountain at the time Maria fell, told of his horror at witnessing the tragedy unfold. He said: "I turned and saw Ms Eftimova tumbling through the air below me. She was already in freefall. "I knew there was going to be an impact on the rocky outcrop below so I turned away for a split second. I was shouting 'No, no, no, no.' "When I turned back she was on the ledge below. I knew that it was serious. "I said 'She's gone. She's fallen.' I was in shock."
