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Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Our travel team's favourite affordable Europe holidays including hidden islands, quiet beach towns and cheap cities
Some of them have barely any crowds and cheap UK flights even in the summer STILL planning that European holiday but on a budget? Knowing where to go this summer without splashing the cash can be tricky. But there are still some amazing ways to see bucket-list destinations without spending too much. 10 Here are our seven top holiday destinations to go on an affordable break Credit: Alamy The Sun Travel team have used their expert knowledge from travelling the globe to find their affordable destinations to visit this summer. Greek island hopping by cruise Want to enjoy the delights of the glamourous Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos without breaking the bank? A seven-night cruise visiting SEVEN Greek islands onboard the Celestyal Journey this June will set you back just £84 a night and include all your food. I tried one of this Greek cruise line's shorter four-night cruises and still managed to tick off five islands including the Instagram favourites of Mykonos and Santorini alongside the gentler delights of pretty Paros and Rhodes. Celestyal's ships are smaller - and older - than many other lines but their size means they can get closer to the action and the Greek hospitality onboard is second to none. This cruise on the Celestyal Journey includes the chance to enjoy the delights of both Santorini and Mykonos after dark, with the ship arriving at 8am and not departing until 2am. Other stop offs include Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Milos and Athens. And with breakfast, lunch and dinner all included as well as your tips, wifi and entertainment, it's a great-value way to enjoy the A-lister islands without paying a fortune. And going in June - when the weather is guaranteed to be gorgeous - will mean fewer crowds than in peak season. - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 10 Head of Travel Lisa Minot says a cruise is a great way to do the Greek islands on a budget Discover Europe's Secret Isles: Top 8 Underrated Destinations Northern French coastal towns France has heaps of coastline, but its fancy French Riviera usually hogs much of the limelight followed by the south west of the country that looks out over the Atlantic. Which is a shame, because many of the coastal towns in the north of the country are both very easy and cheap to get to, and a great way to spend a few days. Two of my favourites are Wimeraux in the in the Pas-de-Calais region, and Trouville-Sur-Mer in Normandy. They are both particularly great as they can be reached within 30 minutes of a French car ferry port, which can be taken from £97. 10 Don't skip some of the French coastal towns, says The Sun's Caroline McGuire Wimeraux is a quaint seaside town with a beautiful sandy beach and promenade, lined by elegant Belle Epoque villas. The town has a number of hotels from £99 and holiday apartments from around £80 a night, and the little bistro restaurants have retained the old French charm. Despite its proximity to Calais, it feels largely undiscovered by Brits - but it's perfect for a few days on the continent before you fill the car up with cheese and wine on the return journey. Meanwhile, Trouville-Sur-Mer has long been a popular holiday destination with both the French and the Brits. It's a large coastal town with a huge sandy beach and some very nice seafood restaurants, as well as a grand casino. Equally great for wasting a few hours are the many brocantes that populate the surrounding countryside in quaint barns. 10 Trouville sur Mer is a must visit in France Credit: Alamy Cesme, Turkey The Brits have been infatuated with Turkey as a summer holiday destination for decades now, and the prices for hotels and plane fares have risen accordingly. But the town of Cesme on the country's Aegean coast , about half an hour's drive from Izmir is still largely undiscovered by tourists. I paid for some £40 flights last summer and spent a week exploring the area's beaches and attractions. Cesme has seen a boom in fancy restaurants and bars in recent years, with several high end establishments now holding Michelin stars. 10 Cesme is a great alternative in Turkey near Izmir Credit: Alamy But my favourites were the relaxed seafood restaurants along the harbourfront, where a meal for two can still cost under £50. Much like the restaurants, several luxury boutique hotels have moved into the area in recent years, but you can still get a room for under £50 a night. It's worth hiring a car to explore the local vineyards and some of the quieter beaches along the peninsula. Lisbon, Portugal No matter how popular it gets, Portugal still seems to top the affordability charts when it comes to European holidays. And while Lisbon has certainly seen prices rise substantially over the last decade, cheap Ryanair flights, affordable hotels and budget eats mean the Portuguese capital can still be a very wallet-friendly destination. Flights are still available from £100 next month, despite us entering peak holiday season, and decent rooms can be found from around £70. 10 Lisbon has £2.50 wine and cheap flights even in summer, what's not to love says the Sun's Head of Travel Plus, when you get there, so much of Lisbon is cheap. For starters, it's a very walkable city (if you're ok with hills and steps), and the bars sell wine by the glass for as little as £2.50. Then there's the pastel de nata's - one of the country's most popular dishes can literally be bought for £1. Time Out Food Market is also an excellent place to visit if you're looking for fantastic food at affordable prices. - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel Faro islands, Portugal The Algarve is another part of Portugal Brits love going for a cheap holiday. But most tourists flying in to Faro head straight out of the city and over to the beach resorts. Yet there are some amazing tiny islands that you almost have to yourself and are extremely cheap to get to. My favourite was Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta. 10 I love the islands you can hop over to from Faro for a few euros Credit: Supplied The speedboat from the mainland only cost a few euros, and takes just 20 minutes. It's often called the Caribbean of Portugal, and I had to agree when I was the only one walking the quiet golden sands. The only thing on the island is the restaurant Estamine which is a must-visit, serving freshly caught seafood. Otherwise there is also Isla Armona, slightly more built up but still just a few euros to visit but with a few cheap ice cream shacks as well. A few euros to get your own 'private island' makes it a bucket list trip. 10 Ilha Deserta is definitely giving private island vibes Credit: Alamy Seville, Spain Seville is often seen as one of the cheaper Spanish cities, and there are some great ways to save money when there. For example, you can get free tickets for two of the top attractions, if you know where to look. For the Royal Palace, there are free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm on the website during the summer season. And for the Cathedral, every day there are free tickets between 2pm and 3pm. Make sure to visit Bar Alfalfa too - it's loved by locals and you can get a coffee and toast for just €2.10. - Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor 10 Seville has some cheap eats, making it one of the more affordable Spanish cities Tirana, Albania After a three hour flight, I was in Tirana - the capital of Albania - having spent only £45 on a return flight from London. Another couple of quid got me from the airport to the city - only a half-an-hour bus ride away. There is a reason why Tirana is an up-and-coming destination - everything is cheap. From attractions to food, I spent no more than £100 in Tirana. And for coffee lovers, it is a great spot as caffeine is a big thing in the city which set me back less than £2. If I wanted to grab a pastry or sandwich too, I could have for less than a fiver total. Much of the city can be seen from just walking around, which means you don't have to spend much money on doing things. The central square sits in the middle of the city and often hosts a market to explore. One thing that I regret not doing and would spend money on if I returned? Staying at Bunk'Art 2 - a former bunker that has been turned into a museum. - Cyann Fielding, Head of Travel 10 £2 coffee and cheap flights makes Tirana a great cheap destination Credit: Alamy
The Sun
21-05-2025
- The Sun
Our travel team's favourite affordable Europe holidays including hidden islands, quiet beach towns and cheap cities
STILL planning that European holiday but on a budget? Knowing where to go this summer without splashing the cash can be tricky. But there are still some amazing ways to see bucket-list destinations without spending too much. 10 The Sun Travel team have used their expert knowledge from travelling the globe to find their affordable destinations to visit this summer. Greek island hopping by cruise Want to enjoy the delights of the glamourous Greek islands Santorini and Mykonos without breaking the bank? A seven-night cruise visiting SEVEN Greek islands onboard the Celestyal Journey this June will set you back just £84 a night and include all your food. I tried one of this Greek cruise line's shorter four-night cruises and still managed to tick off five islands including the Instagram favourites of Mykonos and Santorini alongside the gentler delights of pretty Paros and Rhodes. Celestyal's ships are smaller - and older - than many other lines but their size means they can get closer to the action and the Greek hospitality onboard is second to none. This cruise on the Celestyal Journey includes the chance to enjoy the delights of both Santorini and Mykonos after dark, with the ship arriving at 8am and not departing until 2am. Other stop offs include Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Milos and Athens. And with breakfast, lunch and dinner all included as well as your tips, wifi and entertainment, it's a great-value way to enjoy the A-lister islands without paying a fortune. And going in June - when the weather is guaranteed to be gorgeous - will mean fewer crowds than in peak season. - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 10 Discover Europe's Secret Isles: Top 8 Underrated Destinations Northern French coastal towns France has heaps of coastline, but its fancy French Riviera usually hogs much of the limelight followed by the south west of the country that looks out over the Atlantic. Which is a shame, because many of the coastal towns in the north of the country are both very easy and cheap to get to, and a great way to spend a few days. Two of my favourites are Wimeraux in the in the Pas-de-Calais region, and Trouville-Sur-Mer in Normandy. They are both particularly great as they can be reached within 30 minutes of a French car ferry port, which can be taken from £97. Wimeraux is a quaint seaside town with a beautiful sandy beach and promenade, lined by elegant Belle Epoque villas. The town has a number of hotels from £99 and holiday apartments from around £80 a night, and the little bistro restaurants have retained the old French charm. Despite its proximity to Calais, it feels largely undiscovered by Brits - but it's perfect for a few days on the continent before you fill the car up with cheese and wine on the return journey. Meanwhile, Trouville-Sur-Mer has long been a popular holiday destination with both the French and the Brits. It's a large coastal town with a huge sandy beach and some very nice seafood restaurants, as well as a grand casino. Equally great for wasting a few hours are the many brocantes that populate the surrounding countryside in quaint barns. 10 Cesme, Turkey The Brits have been infatuated with Turkey as a summer holiday destination for decades now, and the prices for hotels and plane fares have risen accordingly. But the town of Cesme on the country's Aegean coast , about half an hour's drive from Izmir is still largely undiscovered by tourists. I paid for some £40 flights last summer and spent a week exploring the area's beaches and attractions. Cesme has seen a boom in fancy restaurants and bars in recent years, with several high end establishments now holding Michelin stars. 10 But my favourites were the relaxed seafood restaurants along the harbourfront, where a meal for two can still cost under £50. Much like the restaurants, several luxury boutique hotels have moved into the area in recent years, but you can still get a room for under £50 a night. It's worth hiring a car to explore the local vineyards and some of the quieter beaches along the peninsula. Lisbon, Portugal No matter how popular it gets, Portugal still seems to top the affordability charts when it comes to European holidays. And while Lisbon has certainly seen prices rise substantially over the last decade, cheap Ryanair flights, affordable hotels and budget eats mean the Portuguese capital can still be a very wallet-friendly destination. Flights are still available from £100 next month, despite us entering peak holiday season, and decent rooms can be found from around £70. Plus, when you get there, so much of Lisbon is cheap. For starters, it's a very walkable city (if you're ok with hills and steps), and the bars sell wine by the glass for as little as £2.50. Then there's the pastel de nata's - one of the country's most popular dishes can literally be bought for £1. Time Out Food Market is also an excellent place to visit if you're looking for fantastic food at affordable prices. - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel Faro islands, Portugal The Algarve is another part of Portugal Brits love going for a cheap holiday. But most tourists flying in to Faro head straight out of the city and over to the beach resorts. Yet there are some amazing tiny islands that you almost have to yourself and are extremely cheap to get to. My favourite was Ilha Deserta, also known as Barreta. The speedboat from the mainland only cost a few euros, and takes just 20 minutes. It's often called the Caribbean of Portugal, and I had to agree when I was the only one walking the quiet golden sands. The only thing on the island is the restaurant Estamine which is a must-visit, serving freshly caught seafood. Otherwise there is also Isla Armona, slightly more built up but still just a few euros to visit but with a few cheap ice cream shacks as well. A few euros to get your own 'private island' makes it a bucket list trip. Seville, Spain Seville is often seen as one of the cheaper Spanish cities, and there are some great ways to save money when there. For example, you can get free tickets for two of the top attractions, if you know where to look. For the Royal Palace, there are free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm on the website during the summer season. And for the Cathedral, every day there are free tickets between 2pm and 3pm. Make sure to visit Bar Alfalfa too - it's loved by locals and you can get a coffee and toast for just €2.10. - Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor Tirana, Albania After a three hour flight, I was in Tirana - the capital of Albania - having spent only £45 on a return flight from London. Another couple of quid got me from the airport to the city - only a half-an-hour bus ride away. There is a reason why Tirana is an up-and-coming destination - everything is cheap. From attractions to food, I spent no more than £100 in Tirana. And for coffee lovers, it is a great spot as caffeine is a big thing in the city which set me back less than £2. If I wanted to grab a pastry or sandwich too, I could have for less than a fiver total. Much of the city can be seen from just walking around, which means you don't have to spend much money on doing things. The central square sits in the middle of the city and often hosts a market to explore. One thing that I regret not doing and would spend money on if I returned? Staying at Bunk'Art 2 - a former bunker that has been turned into a museum. - Cyann Fielding, Head of Travel
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Celestyal strengthens partnership with Qatar doubling calls to Doha over the next three years
The agreement was announced at the Arabia Tarvel Market this week, doubling the number of guests Celestyal will bring into Doha over the next three years, with twice weekly calls during the winter season, alongside the existing three-year homeport arrangement. Last year, Celestyal launched the 'Desert Days' itinerary onboard the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey, homeporting from Doha, Qatar. The first season saw 14,500 guests sail into Doha with 10% coming from the GCC and surrounding regions experiencing the Celestyal product. Following the success of the inaugural season, which was extended due to the demand, the cruise line will now return to the region with two ships in December this year, and feature twice weekly calls to Qatar. The seven-night 'Desert Days' cruise sails roundtrip from Doha, calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, with an overnight stay in Dubai. Prices start from $1478 for two people on a seven-night voyage, with all meals, soft drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities included. In addition, the recently refurbished 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery will join her fleet mate for the next three winter seasons, sailing the new-to-2025 three-, four- and seven-night 'Iconic Arabia' cruises. Sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi, the itinerary includes calls at Doha, Khasab, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, and maiden visits to Ras al Khaimah. Prices start from $718 for two people on a three-night voyage, and $918 for two people on a four-night cruise, with all meals, soft drinks Wi-Fi and gratuities included. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: "It's a privilege to extend and strengthen our partnership with Qatar Tourism, Visit Qatar and Mwani Qatar. As one of our landmark homeports, Doha is a firm favourite amongst our guests, which is why we're excited to be doubling our calls to the region over the next three years, with twice weekly calls throughout the winter seasons. 'Following a very successful first season in the Arabian Gulf with Celestyal Journey, we are delighted to be doubling our capacity in the region for the next three years, with Celestyal Discovery joining her fleet mate from December this year. We know there is a real demand for the Arabian Gulf, and we are proud to be at the forefront of showcasing this region. As a cruise line that offers deeply immersive experiences, we proudly promote the destinations we visit and in a booming city like Doha, new and returning Celestyal guests are sure to find something fresh and exciting to do.' Celestyal's shore excursion programme includes 10 Qatari excursions that will transport guests to the heart of the state, including tours that explore the cultural icons of the destination, trips that combine high teas, mosque visits and beach stays, and full day excursions curated by the contracted DMC that may include the Falcon Souk, Grand Mosque and luxury boutiques and exceptional local museums. Celestyal reports that during the first season the most popular Qatari excursions were 'The Quest to the Inland Sea' which gives guests a snapshot of local life before transporting them into the desert and onto the large tidal bay recognised for its national heritage, and a 'Cultural Journey Through Doha', which takes guests from Souk Waqif, Pearl Qatar-Island, Katara Cultural village and culminates at Dhow Harbour and the beautiful Museum of Islamic Art. Both are half day experiences which start from £54 / €62/ $69/ A$103 per person Prices are in line with Celestyal's current offers, valid to May 31, 2025, and also feature a 'kids fare for free' promotion on third and fourth berths. There is a 'Two-for-One Shore Excursion' offer which is also combinable on select seven-night sailings from April 2025 to March 2027, and applies to specific excursions only. About Celestyal Celestyal, an award-winning and year-round cruise company, continues to set the standard for unmissable travel experiences in the Greek Islands, the Adriatic, and the Arabian Gulf. Built on a foundation of unique Greek heritage, the company excels in delivering exceptional hospitality, ensuring genuine cultural immersion both onboard and onshore. Operating two brand new vessels, accommodating up to 1360 passengers each, Celestyal prioritizes highly personalised services, establishing a high-end environment that welcomes over 140,000 passengers annually from more than 130 different nationalities. About Visit Qatar Visit Qatar is the main arm of Qatar Tourism. Visit Qatar's mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, enhancing Qatar's calendar, becoming the leading MICE destination in the region, diversifying events and luxury experiences. Visit Qatar is rooted in Service Excellent, boosting the entire tourism value chain, and increasing local and international visitor demand in Qatar. Through Visit Qatar's network of international offices in priority markets, cutting-edge digital platforms, and marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector. About Qatar Tourism Qatar Tourism is the regulatory body of the tourism sector in Qatar. Its mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, and delivering luxury experiences. With a clear vision to strengthen Qatar's position as a premier family-tourism destination distinguished by service excellence, Qatar tourism aims to diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend by encouraging private sector involvement and investments.
Arabian Business
15-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Cruise giant Celestyal inks three-year tourism deal with Abu Dhabi
Global cruise operator Celestyal said it signed a three-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) to promote the emirate as a key destination among the liner's guests. The multi-year partnership, agreed at Seatrade Global in Miami, will also aim to further establish the cruise line's affiliations to the region, Celestyal said in a media release. Celestyal boosts UAE ties Celestyal is set to return to the region with two ships in December this year, featuring three weekly calls to Abu Dhabi across the winter season until March 2026. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said the company considers it a privilege to sign the three-year agreement with DCT Abu Dhabi. 'Abu Dhabi is a diverse and stunning destination, which is why we're excited to not only homeport there, but also include three weekly calls to the city throughout the winter season for the next three years,' he said. Haslett said the company looks forward to working closely with its agent partners to showcase everything it has to offer. 'The cruise industry in the Arabian Gulf is on track to welcome record passenger numbers in the coming years, and after a strong first season in the region, we're excited to bring the very best of this special part of the world to our guests for many years to come,' he said. The cruise operator's shore excursion programme includes nine Abu Dhabi excursions that transport guests to the heart of the emirate. These include half-day tours taking in the best of Abu Dhabi, food and culture explorations, theme park visits, VIP beach days, as well as classic desert safaris and attractions. Last year, Celestyal launched a seven-day 'Desert Days' itinerary, onboarding the 1,260 guests Celestyal Journey, sailing round trip from Doha and calling at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The successful extended inaugural season ran from November until March 2025, and will feature for a minimum of three seasons.
Telegraph
09-04-2025
- Telegraph
A visit by cruise ship will change your mind about the Gulf states
To describe Ali, our ebullient tour guide, as a proud Emirati would be something of an understatement. As he led us through Dubai's glitzy playground – where every scene screamed wealth and excess – he reeled off the city's long list of world-beating attractions with the puffed-up gusto of an excitable teenager. 'When we want to build something, we look at the biggest in the world and build bigger,' he explained. 'We are only content with number one.' He was not wrong. Not only does Dubai lay claim to the world's tallest building, biggest observation wheel (spanning 250 metres), and largest suspended aquarium; it also has its eyes on bettering Las Vegas's ground-breaking Sphere entertainment complex, with plans for a £4 billion futuristic wonder called the Moon: a 274 metre replica of the real thing, with a 4,000-room hotel and 10,000 capacity arena, which will even glow at night. 'It won't be like the Sphere,' he declared triumphantly, leading us towards the big daddy of Dubai's skyline, the Burj Khalifa. 'We will put that in our pocket.' The lifts catapulted us up to the observation gallery in seconds – and at ear-popping speed – where we then walked through the wrap-around viewing platform, marvelling at the Lilliputian proportions of our surroundings. Far below, multi-lane highways wound like tarmac ribbons around skyscrapers that resembled Lego blocks. I'd witnessed this concrete jungle from a different and equally spectacular perspective the previous afternoon, as we steadily approached the city aboard cruise ship Celestyal Journey. Gradually, as we crept across the Arabian Sea, Dubai's shadowy skyline appeared like a mirage on the horizon, the distinctive sailboat silhouette of Dubai's famous Jumeirah Burj al Arab hotel ahead of us, and beside it, the palatial outline of the lavish Atlantis, The Palm resort. But whether viewed from high above, or from across the glimmering water, my reaction had been much the same – and moreover, a far cry from the one I had expected. The Gulf is, after all, a region which seems – to those of us who have not yet made its acquaintance – large, brash and somewhat unapproachable. With its size, its splendour and its starkly contrasting cultures, it can seem an overwhelming place for a traveller to tackle. Visit by ship, however, and an easy, cost-effective and practical solution presents itself. I sailed with Greek line Celestyal – one of the few to offer winter sailings through the Gulf states, with round-trip voyages from Dubai and Qatari capital Doha – and found the region, and its lesser-known corners, all but laid out at my feet. Accessibly, manageable and gently explained by our wealth of excellent guides. Escaping the chill of the British winter, we took in not only the UAE's gleaming hyper-city and its nearby capital, Abu Dhabi, but also Bahrain's capital Manama, with its maze of streets in the souk and grandeur of the Al Fateh Grand Mosque; and the beach and wildlife resort of Sir Bani Yas Island, formerly a barren outpost and now a holiday playground. With only 1,260 passengers, our ship's compact size enabled it to slip into Khasab on Oman's isolated northern Musandam peninsula, close to the network of desert fjords stretching among the stark rough-hewn slopes of the surrounding mountains. We set off to explore these inlets, dubbed the Norway of Arabia, in a traditional-style Arabian dhow, but were not alone. Racing past us was a convoy of speedboats piled high with tarpaulin-covered cargos steered by illicit balaclava-clad crews. 'Iranian smugglers,' said our guide Khalid, as the unorthodox cavalcade whizzed by in full view of two official patrol boats in the harbour. 'There's no problem with the police. They are sleeping,' he laughed. As we motored deeper into the fjords, the constant buzz of the smugglers' boats receded and the remoteness of our tranquil surrounds hit home. We passed Telegraph Island, named after a short-lived British communication post built to aid messages between Britain and India in the 1860s, then turned back towards Khasab, escorted by a lone dolphin who, cresting the dhow's bow wave, effortlessly kept pace as we clicked our cameras. All was quiet and calm – a world away from the superlative cities; yet another face of this captivating region that I might never have known existed. Essentials Sara Macefield was a guest of Celestyal (0808 2803543; which offers a one-week Desert Days round-trip sailing from Doha from £569pp, including soft drinks, WiFi and gratuities (flights extra). Calling at Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Departs January 17, 2026.
