'Crucial factor' Brits ignore when booking Greek holidays and it will 'ruin' trip
Brits are heading off on their summer holidays to the Greek islands - but many are being caught out by one crucial factor they're overlooking, claims a travel expert
If you've stumbled upon the perfect flight deal to that Greek island you've been fantasising about, with a hotel boasting five-star reviews, you might be missing one vital factor that could "ruin" your summer holiday.
More and more, Brits are finding themselves stuck in their hotel rooms as 40mph winds batter the coastline outside.
This scenario plays out thousands of times each summer, says travel expert Bryson Robert from Safari Soles Tours. While most holidaymakers spend hours comparing flight prices and scrutinising hotel reviews, they completely overlook one simple yet crucial factor that could determine whether their holiday is a hit or a miss.
"I've seen it happen countless times," Bryson says. "People get caught up in the excitement of booking a trip, but they fail to check the most basic thing that will impact every single day of their holiday."
So what is this overlooked element that travel experts claim is more important than securing a cheap flight or discovering a luxury resort?
The answer might surprise you - it's the weather. Bryson elaborates on why it's so essential to consider the weather when booking your holiday, reports the Mirror.
While bargain hunters focus on saving a few quid on airfare, they're missing the bigger picture. A cheap flight to a destination experiencing its worst weather in decades isn't.
Travel guru Bryson has a word of caution for those planning their dream getaway: "I've led travellers through some of the most stunning spots on the globe, and I can vouch that weather can make or break a holiday more than any other single factor," he says.
"You might have the poshest hotel and the most well-thought-out itinerary, but if Mother Nature isn't playing ball, all of that counts for naught."
He warns against choosing the Greek islands in August, a time when the Meltemi winds can whip up a storm, turning idyllic settings into challenging environments with 40-50mph gusts that can spoil beach days and disrupt ferry services.
Bryson recalls a cautionary tale: "I had clients who arranged what they believed was the perfect Mykonos escape in late August," only to spend their holiday confined indoors due to fierce winds preventing any water-based activities.
Moreover, he highlights the Caribbean's hurricane season, which lasts from June to November, as a potential trap for bargain hunters unaware that even without a direct hit, the weather can dampen outdoor activities with increased humidity, frequent storms, and rough seas.
Bryson shared his proven strategies for analysing weather trends before booking any holiday: "Look beyond the forecasts. Most people check the 10-day forecast and think they're prepared, but that's not nearly enough but that's far from sufficient.
"You need to understand the historical weather patterns for your specific travel dates. Websites like Weather Underground and TimeandDate.com can show you what the weather was like on those exact dates over the past few years.
"Investigate Seasonal Weather Phenomena Every destination has its peculiarities. The Meltemi winds in Greece, monsoon seasons in Southeast Asia, or the harmattan winds in West Africa can all affect your trip in ways you never anticipated.
"Consult Multiple Reliable Sources Don't rely on just one weather website. Cross-check information from local meteorological services, travel forums, and destination-specific resources.
"Local weather services often provide the most accurate long-range forecasts because they understand the unique climate patterns of their region," Bryson points out.
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Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
I stayed in the ‘rundown dump' named the UK's worst city to visit — it stole my heart
In the 11th installment of Metro Travel Hot Takes, Jon Fellowes argues that Derby punches well above its weight — despite being described as a rundown dump. We Brits love a good city break, and with so many fantastic choices across the UK, it's easy to see why. However, one place that hasn't been feeling the love of late is the East Midlands city of Derby. A recent survey conducted by Which? collected data from 3,967 members, rating UK cities and towns they'd visited for leisure (staying overnight at least once since April 2022). The results were divided into small, medium, and large cities, listing 62 destinations. Unfortunately, Derby narrowly 'beat' Leicester and Swansea to finish last in their category's final list 25. Often seen as somewhere you travel through, visitors on Reddit described it as a place that made them feel 'lonely and depressed'. Others called it 'rundown' and 'a dump.' After Metro published the survey findings, the good folk of Derby responded with an equal mix of fire, brimstone and what turned out to be characteristically delightful humour in defence of their beloved city. VistDerby demanded that we immediately dispatch a journalist to get a real, on-the-ground experience of 'Derbados' via a tailor-made itinerary. We happily obliged, partly in not wishing to draw more ire from the township of Derby (lest we break down on the A601 to be greeted with pitchforks and torches), but also because we were more than a little intrigued as to what lay in store. What we found not only seemed to confound the opinion of Which?'s respondents but, in fact, completely stole our hearts — so much so that we came dangerously close to staying longer than planned, parking charges be damned. From a celebrated rich industrial heritage to exciting renovations and developments, Derby's past, present, and future are very much on display in the city — and we loved every second of it. So, what does a city break in the 'worst city to visit in the UK' involve? As it turns out, quite a lot, actually. Where to stay in Derby Accommodation for our stay in Derby was provided by Holiday Inn Derby Riverlights. This central hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring what proves to be an incredibly accessible city. Virtually every destination was no more than a ten-minute walk from the accommodation, which, true to its name, offers lovely views over the River Derwent. The rooms were clean, modern, and stylish, with the hotel itself (like most of Derby) seemingly gearing up for vast renovations. The hotel manager tells us that they plan to move the entirety of their food and drink offerings from the top of the building to the first floor, in a bid to offer an alfresco experience and make the hotel more of a dining and drinking location for those who aren't staying there. Simultaneously, they plan to build new conference spaces and 27 suites on the top floor. The hotel currently has 105 rooms and, intriguingly, offers lower prices at weekends to tempt more people into the city. Midweek charges start at around £135, while rooms at weekends are available from £95 to £120, depending on the time of year and availability. Activities and experiences in Derby Our first activity was a trip to the urban garden event space, Electric Daisy. The project involves renovating the site of a disused supermarket into a community garden – cultivating beautiful flowers and growing food, with converted horseboxes offering coffee and catering. While there, we met the project's founder, Jamie Quince Starkey, of Down To Earth Derby, a community interest group that aims to 'bring new life to broken spaces'. Jamie's enthusiasm is infectious. He passionately talks about how the idea for Electric Daisy came about, the difficulty of fundraising, and the support and guidance they received from the world-famous Eden Project in Cornwall. Indeed, Eden's executive vice-chair and co-founder, Tim Smit, describes Down to Earth Derby as his 'favourite project in the whole wide world'. The space hosts events throughout the year, including DJ nights and workshops like 'Sip and Paint' events, with other plans for festivals and more. When we arrive, they're hosting Bookworms: The Kids Takeover, part of Derby Book Festival. This is followed by a trip to the Small Print Company. Established in 2013, the company is a traditional letterpress and design studio and heritage print shop. Chris, one of the studio's founders, discusses his keen enthusiasm for keeping traditional printing techniques alive – and how seriously he takes his role as a custodian of both the art form and the (often decades-old) equipment. The business offers products to purchase, like gift cards, and the opportunity to participate in experiences or classes. Chris tells us that popular activities include couples making their own bespoke wedding stationery, classes in traditional printing methods for enthusiasts, and other tailor-made experiences — we're here to make our own posters, for example. Obviously, we opt for Metro 's beloved tagline: 'News… But not as you know it' and spend an amusing hour marvelling at the delightful mix of chaos and order that is Chris' studio — as every good workshop should be. The classes are entirely bespoke and cost about £25 each for group workshops or between £70 and £140 for one-to-one classes. Later in our stay, we participate in another of Derby's tourist offerings – a riverboat cruise down the Derwent. The boat tour, run by trained volunteers, involves spending about 45 minutes on Outram, Derby's zero-emission boat, powered by state-of-the-art batteries. It offers lovely views of Derby's riverbanks and historic sites, such as St. Mary's Bridge, the 14th-century Bridge Chapel, and Darley Park. The trip is narrated by commentary from none other than Sir David Suchet (yes, Poirot himself), who delights passengers with a mix of fascinating local river knowledge and terrible 'dad' jokes. From April to October, the boat runs three trips a day: 12.30pm, 1.45pm, and 3pm. River boat tickets cost just £8 for adults, £6 for children, and under 3s go free, with plenty of onboard activities to amuse kids if the scenery doesn't do it for them. However, when it comes to views, the architectural zenith of Derby is undoubtedly Derby Cathedral. Built in the 1500s, the Cathedral's light and bright decor inside somewhat defies expectations, contrasting with its imposing Gothic exterior architecture. You may even steal a glance at the breeding pair of peregrine falcons that live on the grounds to help combat the pigeon population (and whose nests, we have learned, have their own livestream). Derby Cathedral runs a programme of events throughout the year, and we even spy an ABBA tribute setting up and sound-checking as we arrive. Within the Cathedral, you'll find the tomb of Bess of Hardwick, a memorial to Florence Nightingale, The Devonshire family's burial vault, the impressive wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell, and many other delightful architectural nuances. After a tour of the Cathedral's main space from Jess Kilmurray, head of operations, we are treated to something few get to experience – a trip up the tower. After what feels like a million steps (actually just 82 of the tower's 189), the views from the bell ringer's room are stunning. We also get to be there as the bells ring the hour, which is quite the experience. While entry to Derby Cathedral is free, group guided tours can be pre-arranged for £8.00 per adult and £3.00 per child. Museums and Art Galleries in Derby Derby offers several fascinating museums that are a budget-friendly addition to your day out, with most being free entry (but asking for a voluntary donation of around £5). Our first museum of the trip is the Derby Museum and Art Gallery, home to the world's most extensive collection of works by the 18th-century artist Joseph Wright of Derby. Born in 1734, Joseph Wright is known as a pioneer in the artistic treatment of industrial subjects and a famed 'painter of light', involved with many of the key intellectual minds of the Enlightenment. We are shown around by Lucy Bamford, senior curator of fine art, who tells us that the exhibit showcases some of Wright's most famous paintings and tells the story of the artist's life, often intertwined with the tales of his works. Even to an art novice, the tour proves to be incredibly accessible — you don't have to be the most in-depth of art critics to appreciate Wright's genius. Finally, as part of our mission to learn more about the city itself, it would be rude not to visit the world-famous Museum of Making. For anyone not up to speed on Derby's history, the city has a proud industrial tradition, manufacturing 'trains, planes, and automobiles' as the locals like to boast. From Rolls Royce to Toyota and beyond, innovation and manufacturing continue to play a very active role in its economy today. Before you even set foot in the Museum of Making, the Derby Silk Mill Factory building that houses it makes for an imposing sight, widely regarded as the world's first modern factory (but with an interesting conspiracy theory involving Italian spies that is well worth a Google). As you enter the main lobby, a deconstructed Toyota Prius hangs above your head, and you spy a massive Rolls-Royce jet engine in the distance, suspended from the ceiling. From the friendly and approachable staff to the interesting and engaging exhibits, the museum was, without question, one of the best parts of our Derby trip. A particular highlight for us is that we've timed our visit to perfectly coincide with the running of the model train set on the top floor, which is delightfully wholesome. Places to drink in Derby One of the absolute jewels of our stay was the sheer number of quality pubs and drinking establishments Derby offers. Throughout our first evening, Alex Rock, commercial and operations director for Derby Museums, was drafted as our guide to several of Derby's finest ale providers. All the pubs we visit are welcoming and friendly, offering an excellent selection of cask, keg, and craft beers. After The Exeter Arms came The Royal Standard (with an excellent terrace bar), The Silk Mill (The Exeter's sister pub), The Flowerpot (with its storied history of live music), and, last but not least, Suds & Soda (an excellent craft beer bar and bottleshop). However, of all the pubs we visited during our stay, The Old Bell Hotel definitely takes the biscuit for its surroundings alone. The pub has a heritage stretching back over 350 years as one of the most prestigious coaching inns outside of London, making it the oldest bar, restaurant, and hotel in Derby — its Tudor room, in particular, is something to behold. In addition to the local pubs, we also find time to stop at the newly established Wine Stories (again, on Sadler Gate). Despite only being open for a few days when we visited, Chris and the team at Wine Stories made us feel incredibly welcome. The menu offers some fantastic wines at a great price point. A bottle of their Romanian Solara Orange Wine (very reasonably priced at £27) turned out to be one of the most mouth-watering additions to the trip and is highly recommended to thirsty travellers. If you're after a nightcap, it's well worth checking out a dram of the whiskey on offer here, too. Derby's restaurants and lunch spots One of the most damning indictments in Which? 's research was the culinary offerings in Derby. However, we soon learnt the city offers some fantastic dining choices. Our first night in Derby featured a trip to the Exeter Arms, an award-winning local pub, where we chatted with Martin Roper – landlord, punk singer, and, as we gather, something of a local legend. Martin is knowledgeable and eager to discuss Derby's hospitality industry. He talks keenly about how he became the landlord of the Exeter, his background in both food and punk rock, and how much he still enjoys the various pubs and restaurants that Derby offers. Speaking of which, the food offered at the Exeter was the highest quality mix of pub classics alongside their 'principle' dishes. We tried the Pie cubed (£16.95), which, without exaggeration, might be some of the best pies I've ever had. All washed down with a pint of 'Ay Up' from the local Dancing Duck brewery — divine. Dinner on our second night is at Lorentes, a place many locals assure us we'll love. Primarily a tapas restaurant, the business aims to use its native knowledge of Spanish cuisine and products to create authentic recipes. The locals are right. Lorentes proves to offer some great dishes, with attentive and thoughtful service throughout. However, it's more than evening meals that Derby proves to have an excellent offering for. Our first lunch in the city is at Omomo, a Korean street food restaurant. Famous for everything from its 'army stew' to Korean fried chicken, we opt for a series of small plates to share (£6 each), which makes for the perfect light lunch. Alongside the delicious food, we are introduced to the concept of 'Soju bombing', an activity that perhaps feels a little more at home at 2am than 2pm, but in the name of journalism, we stepped up to the task. Soju is a Korean alcohol, typically made from rice or other grains. The footage speaks for itself on this one. Our last food stop rates just as highly as the rest — The Pepperpot Restaurant in the Nightingale Quarter, the newly developed former site of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. Yet another place that opened recently, The Pepperpot is brand new for 2024, but is housed in a building over 130 years old. However, it's not just the outside that impresses. We are led to our table in the elegant glass extension house in the back through the stylish bar area. We opt for the Soy Braised Pig Cheek (£12.50) to start, followed by the Aubergine Parm (£17), both delicious. We are lucky enough to steal a few moments with the head chef between service, who tells us that brunch has proved particularly popular and that they aim to regularly update the menu, using the best of local ingredients being sourced where possible, season permitting. Derby's festivals If you can time your city break to coincide with one of Derby's festivals, then you should have a full day's worth of activities essentially ready to go. There's the FORMAT International Photography Festival, which usually runs from mid-March into April, was established in 2004 and has branded itself as the 'UK's leading international contemporary festival of photography and related media'. We get to chat with Peter Bonnell, one of FORMAT Festival's directors, who tells us that the festival welcomes over 100,000 visitors from all over the world and tries to reflect the diversity represented in Derby, as well as the city's history and larger international themes. The festival celebrates all aspects of the photographic practice, including conceptual works, participative projects, documentary photography, and more. Other festivals mentioned by some locals are Derby Festé, a large arts festival that sees international touring artists put on both daytime and evening performances, and the Folk Festival, made up of concerts and events throughout the city. Shopping in Derby Despite some complaints from locals that visitors never seem to make it past Primark and the high-street shops, independent shopping in Derby seems alive and well. We head to the Strand Arcade, where the first local business we visit is Foulds Guitars. Foulds was established in 1893 and opened a store on Irongate in Derby in 1908. We chatted with Jason Marshall, who bought the business in 2019 and told us about the struggles many independent businesses faced during the Covid lockdowns. Doing everything from retail to repairs and customisation work, Jason delights in showing us around the shows three showrooms full of hundreds of guitars, amps and various gear, as well as taking us into the teaching room and for a sneak peak at his workshop. Later in our trip, we head to Sadler Gate, one of the city's best areas for independent shopping, events, food, and drink. We speak to Paul Hurst, a local business investor, who tells us about Sadler Gate's long-standing reputation for both daytime and nighttime trade, saying, 'I just love it. I love this part of the city.' 'Back in my day', Paul goes on to say, 'It was the place to come and get your clothes – you were here in the day getting all your gear – and then you were out at night in all the bars and restaurants, and it's kind of kept that.' He heaps praise on local independent fashion businesses like family-owned Canopy and 80s Casual Classics, as well as Milk and Honey Deli, and more. Nowadays, Paul helps to organise events and arrange collaborations with all the local businesses in the area – including the 'Night Market', celebrations of Rolls Royce in Derby, and Halloween events (including plans for the world's biggest gathering of Draculas to celebrate the Count's first-ever appearance on stage performance, which took place at The Grand Theatre in Derby). Live music in Derby Derby's live music scene took something of a hit when the famous Assembly Rooms venue was hit by fire in 2014. However, in keeping with the rest of the city, there are now enormous plans for development. Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield (speaking to the BBC) has billed the new 3,500-capacity Becketwell Arena as a 'game changer for the city', and it sounds like it's going to be needed, as Derby has a strong appetite for live music. Jason of Foulds Guitars first told us just how many talented musicians there are in the city. While Derby has a particular history with punk rock, all kinds of acts regularly perform there. Eager to see this firsthand, we spent the evening at Dubrek Studios, a 100-capacity performance space. There, we met Jay Dean, who gave a brilliant tour of the venue and its recording and rehearsal facilities, before we attended Septum Funk, an event where Zimbabwean-born Midlands-based DJ/Producer Yahuru made his Dubrek debut. It's as part of the Septum lineup that we catch the amazing Oskarcw0 (gaslitbyoskar), who is freestyling over the music of Tokamak, a jazz/funk band that uses a 'language' of 150 hand signs to guide their musicians through a completely improvised performance. The gig is fantastic, with the crowd clearly loving every second of it. Catching a gig as part of your city break would be an excellent suggestion, so it'd be worth checking the listings of places like Dubrek, The Hairy Dog, or The Flowerpot. Derby's development One thing that becomes obvious as we learn more and more about the city of Derby is that it is constantly evolving. The city has vast plans for regeneration, with millions of pounds earmarked for the development. On our first day, we met with several of the city's stakeholders at Nixon Coffee, a delightful independent coffee shop owned by businessman and local property developer Jai Sandhu. With Frank Sinatra crooning out a few classics in the background as we enter, Nixon proves to be a fabulous coffee spot with a gorgeous vintage aesthetic that honours the building's legacy as 'Nixon Jeans' – one of two shops that originally stocked Levi's Jeans in the UK. Jai discusses how his company plans to open other businesses in the area, including an Indian restaurant, hoping to take advantage of the Becketwell Arena development situated at the end of the street. However, he's far from the only business looking to make the most of new opportunities in Derby. Derby's stunning Victorian Market Hall is undergoing a significant transformation that aims to combine the best of the region's independent shopping, eating, drinking, and entertainment. We get a sneak peek inside the venue courtesy of Robbie Kerr, the project's lead. All the exciting changes will take place under its soon-to-be-restored cast iron, copper and glass roof, designed by Rowland Mason Ordish (who also worked on St Pancras station in London). The new-look market is bound to make for an exciting visit if your city break coincides with the launch. The market's development, in many ways, encapsulates much of what we find in Derby – a thriving community of lovely people who are passionate about their city's history and its exciting plans for the future. This article was originally published on 3 November 2024.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Travel document Brits must get 15 days before European holidays
The card allows you to access state healthcare services in most European nations. Here's all you need to know about the free travel document Brits eager for a sun-soaked European trip this summer are being reminded to snag an indispensable card at least a fortnight before they jet off. This cost-free card opens doors to complimentary or discounted medical care while gallivanting abroad. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), succeeding the erstwhile European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is an essential bit of kit for voyagers. Although hearty encouragement still goes towards nabbing travel insurance, the GHIC lets globetrotters tap into state healthcare services across most European countries. The NHS spells it out: "The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay." For those clasping a still-in-date EHIC, it's good until its last breath. Once it's kicked the bucket, a fresh GHIC needs picking up. Remember, getting your hands on a GHIC through the mail could take a fortnight, so it's savvy to apply with bags of time before your planned departure, reports the Liverpool Echo. How to get one sorted If you're living in the UK, then you're in the running for a GHIC, and you can include family members on your application. When you're signing up, be ready to provide: Your full name Address Date of birth National Insurance number Health and Care number (for Northern Ireland residents) Each member of the brood needs their own card. You've got the chance to throw in your partner and littluns when you're filling out the form. Kick-start your journey by registering your personal details, then follow the prompts to request extra cards. If there's a need to add more family members later, just reach out to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services with your reference number, full name, date of birth, and address ready. Upon application submission, expect a confirmation email from the NHS within a day confirming your approval status; don't forget to check your spam just in case! They may need more information or documents before giving the nod. If a trip is looming and you're cardless but in need of urgent healthcare abroad, worry not – simply ask for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to tide you over. Using Your Card Abroad Flaunt your shiny card for all necessary state-provided healthcare while overseas, which can't be delayed until you're back on British soil – known as "medically necessary healthcare". This includes: Emergencies and A&E admissions Management or standard care for ongoing or pre-existing conditions Routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth Routine maternity care – provided you're not jetting off specifically to have your baby elsewhere. For treatments like dialysis or chemotherapy, give the health service in your destination country a heads-up to ensure they've got space for you. Local capacity can be an issue, after all. The call on whether treatment is medically necessary is made by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting. Healthcare provided by the state isn't always free outside of the UK. You might have to fork out for treatments that are free on the NHS if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting. Before jetting off, it's wise to research the state-provided healthcare services in the country you're visiting and any potential charges you might face. You can find information on how to access treatment in the country you're visiting by checking the relevant country guide on However, a GHIC (or EHIC) card does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like: Medical repatriation (being flown back to the UK) Treatment in a private medical facility Ski or mountain rescue For this reason, the NHS recommends that you also have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip. A UK GHIC can be used when visiting: A country in the European Economic Area (EEA) Montenegro Australia Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man St Helena, Tristan and Ascension If you're one of the following, you can use a UK GHIC: A British national A Swiss national An EU citizen A refugee A stateless person A family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses The UK government is in talks with various countries to broaden the applicability of the UK GHIC, so it's always wise to verify coverage prior to your journey. For further details, visit the NHS website here.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Reduce the impact of Spain's mass tourism. Stay in a university – not controversial holiday lets
In what could prove to become the template for increasing protests in Edinburgh, demonstrators in Spain are becoming increasingly vocal about the impact of tourism in some areas and, in particular, short-term holiday lets that are forcing locals out of affordable housing. A leading travel expert says university rooms that would otherwise stand empty for the summer provide the solution. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Just as in Edinburgh, local people in many areas of Spain are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact mass tourism is having on affordable housing stock. Measures similar to those now in place in Edinburgh to control short-term lets are being introduced but anger is growing in some popular tourist destinations. Tourism is vital to the Spanish economy, accounting for over 13% of its GDP last year. However, growing numbers of Spanish people are protesting the loss of local housing and the endless stream of giant cruise ships, whose passengers do little to support local businesses. Some protestors are even engaging in demonstrations and targeting tourists with water guns. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Johanna Jernberg, a leading tourism expert from says: "Spain is the number one summer destination for Brits and over 18 million of us visited the country last year. However, users of Airbnb-style short-term holiday lets are finding themselves less welcome than they once were in some areas. That's because local people claim too many homes, from village houses to city centre apartments, are being turned into summer holiday rentals. Universities make a great place to stay in Spain during the summer while not adding to the housing crisis. Pictured is Unihabit Ciutat Vella in Barcelona. "Areas where there are increasing protests include Barcelona and Granada. Local people feel there are too many tourists staying in short-term holiday lets or descending from huge cruise ships to tour famous beauty spots. They claim cruise ship tourists are doing little to explore Spanish or Catalan culture or support small local businesses, aside from tourist knick-knack shops. "However, a simple and inexpensive solution exists that is ideal for Brits who want to holiday in Spain on a budget, supporting vital local businesses from panaderías (bakers) to tienda de comestibles (family-run grocers), while not adding to the housing crisis. Spain has many excellent universities, often situated in the areas most popular with British tourists. Better still, most student rooms are actually standing empty during the long university vacation periods. "Staying in an inexpensive, well-situated university room this summer means visitors can save money and know they are not aggravating Spain's housing crisis. Several areas at the heart of the current protests, including Barcelona, Malaga and Granada, are home to large universities that visitors from the UK can stay in throughout the peak summer season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Visitors staying in these university rooms will be supporting local restaurants and food stores. This kind of ethical tourism seems to be a solution to many locals' objections." Barcelona: 'The regional capital of Catalonia has plenty of university accommodation, which means there is something for everyone. Barcelona's universities offer traditional basic student residences and 'Colegios Mayores', a student community building which may offer extra facilities such as a gym. The two most well-known universities where visitors can stay are the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Unihabit Ciutat Vella offers modern city centre accommodation with easy access to Barcelona's beaches and Montjuïc Park. This student residence has 76 air-conditioned single, double and triple rooms. All are equipped with a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave, as well as a bathroom with shower. Single rooms are available from just £96.08 a night during July and August. Granada: 'Granada's convenient and cheap university residences andColegios Mayores make ideal bases from which to visit this historic Andalucian city. With self-catering and B&B options, there is something to suit everyone. The University of Granada (UGR), founded in 1531, is the city's main university and a number of the residences offer affordable visitor accommodation during the university vacation period. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The Residencia Bravo Students offers single rooms from £41.91 this August, which all feature a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Double bunk bed rooms are available from £112.62 a night during peak season. There's even a private enclosed garden and a gym. 'The nearby Residencia Universitaria Madre Teresa Rodón is a quiet and welcoming residence in the heart of the beautiful city. Single air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom are available for £43.65 a night, even in August. Málaga: 'Spain's sixth-largest city is a hothouse of culture, famous for being Pablo Picasso's birthplace. It also boasts 16 beaches. The Residencia Universitaria Alberto Jiménez Fraud comprises 90 apartments of one, two or three rooms, either single or twin. Each apartment has an ensuite bathroom, living room and a small kitchen, with twin rooms costing £70.28 a night, even during the peak August season.
