A savvy traveller renowned for her budget-friendly holiday tips has revealed some enticing alternative destinations to the popular hotspots of Spain, Portugal, and Greece that promise affordability along with a quieter experience.
Known online as Em's Budget Travel, Em has mastered the art of economical globetrotting despite holding down a 9-5 job, and now shares her wisdom in planning cost-effective escapes with her TikTok audience. Over recent years, she has turned what started as a hobby - discovering and organising cheap getaways for herself, friends, and family - into an online sensation, once even snagging a 14-night Cancun holiday complete with flights and accommodation for less than £350.
Many people are now looking ahead to their summer vacation plans but are wary of overspending. Em has posted a TikTok video providing three fresh and budget-friendly holiday ideas.
Montenegro
Leading her recommendations is Montenegro, situated in the Balkans. In her TikTok video, Em confesses: "To be honest, I kind of wanted to gatekeep number one because it's my favourite country I've ever been to."
She paints Montenegro as a Croatia-like gem but with fewer crowds and more affordable prices. Em praises the nation, stating: "It has the perfect combination of stunning scenery with so many beaches and islands but then also mountains."
Em continues to extol its virtues, declaring: "It has the clearest and bluest water I've ever seen and really good value accommodation. Plus, it's quite a small country so it's easy to get around and you can fly there from £35 return." She said: "The country is Montenegro in the Balkans."
According to Visit Montenegro's website, visitors can enjoy distinctly different climates within the country. Montenegro's coast benefits from a "pleasant Mediterranean climate with 240 sunny days a year" and during the summer, temperatures typically hover between 30 and 35oC, whilst winters are described as "wet and mild."
The website further informs: "Podgorica, the capital city is one of the hottest in Europe during summer with temperature sometimes above 40oC. Once you climb above 1,200m during summer, you'll be chilled by the fresh mountain air and temperatures around 25oC."
Montenegro offers tourists an array of attractions. They can stroll through Kotor Old City, a historical medieval town with charming cobbled streets, ancient buildings and stunning views, or embark on a hiking adventure at Lovcen National Park.
Armenia
Turning her attention to Armenia, Em praised the country for its "amazing scenery, beautiful mountains and loads of history." She remarked on the local hospitality, mentioning there are "really friendly people" and claimed it boasts some of the "best brunches" she has ever enjoyed.
Em managed to snag a flight to Armenia for "about £80 return" where she explored Yerevan, its capital. Armenia, with its highland continental climate, experiences hot summers (temperatures around 30oC−33oC in Yerevan) while the winter sees average lows between 1oC−3oC, making it a destination of contrasting seasonal beauty.
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is renowned for its grand Soviet-era architecture. The city is often referred to as the 'pink city' due to the distinctive colour of the stone used in many of its main buildings, as noted by Solos Holidays.
For those seeking adventure, there's the opportunity to ride the world's longest non-stop aerial tramway, which stretches 5.7km from Halidzor village to the historic Tatev Monastery in the south. Alternatively, visitors can unwind on a beach by Lake Sevan or delve into history at the cave village of Khndzoresk.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Em concluded her list with Bratislava, stating: "And finally if you're looking for a weekend break on a budget then this city would be perfect. It has a really charming old town, yummy food and lots of really cute coffee shops, plus an impressive castle with great views and you can fly there from £28 return. This city is Bratislava in Slovakia."
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is nestled in central Europe, bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. The city experiences warm summers and cold winters, with light snowfall being a common occurrence.
Tourist attractions include the majestic Bratislava Castle, perched on a hill above the old town, offering panoramic views of the city. Visitors can also explore the Blue Church, renowned for its baby blue hue and Art Nouveau architectural style.
