travel tips

Europe’s quietest beaches

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by Gemma Askham

Arriving at the beach and discovering you have it all to yourself is one of life’s greatest joys. But it’s usually an elusive pleasure – unless you know where to look. Even in the age of social media leaving no stone untagged, it is possible to unearth secluded spots that deliver sapphire waters without a carpark tailback. From wild dunes and oil-painting coves to shallow, swimmable seas, these 5 beaches bring the goods – but few of the people.

FRENCH ATLANTIC COAST, BORDEAUX

Bordeaux and beach sound like an unlikely pairing. Which explains why a magnificent 200-mile stretch, only an hour’s drive west, remains largely forgotten even in August. The sand is Caribbean golden, with a long walk out to a slowly deepening sea, and little shelter apart from dunes. Some beaches offer facilities: Hourtin Plage channels a Byron Bay energy, with juice stalls, surf schools and camping. At others, such as Plage de la Jenny, it’s just you and nature.

OROSEI, SARDINIA, ITALY

To define ‘perfect beach’ you need only book a flight to Sardinia, where an eye-catching coastline abounds in every direction. For the quietest picks, it’s an east-west split. The eastern Gulf of Orosei is fantasy-island stuff: seemingly endless strips of amber-hued sand, such as Spiaggia Su Barone and Cala Luna, sit beside vibrant blue waters and deeply perfumed pine trees.

XEROKAMBOS, CRETE

Inside Sitia’s Unesco Geopark, the winding, thyme-scented roads around Xerokambos village lead to a spectacular coastline where untouched nature coexists with shallow, family-friendly waters. North of Xerokambos, Alatsolimni’s fine-sand beach is within walking distance of meze-serving tavernas, yet remains blissfully secluded thanks to its salt marsh.

ILHA DE TAVIRA, ALGARVE

Around 45 minutes from Faro, Ilha de Tavira is a sand spit inside the flamingo-trodden Ria Formosa Natural Park – an estuary landscape featuring spacious swathes of sandy beach and traditional fishing boats, where Portuguese Water Dogs still dive down to retrieve fish from nets

CALA PILAR, MENORCA

TikTok may have rumbled the paradisical beauty of Menorca’s Cala Mitjana and Cala Macarelleta, making towel space on their floury sands an early-bird privilege, but Cala Pilar remains blissfully under the radar. It’s in a marine reserve on the northern coast, so getting here requires some (suitably attired) footwork for the 40-minute forested hike from the carpark. Your reward is the final wow moment when the wooden boardwalk snakes down and the beach suddenly appears.

The 5 cheapest countries to travel to

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According to MoneyWeek

5. COSTA RICA

Costa Rica tops the charts for the best place to retire in 2024, according to the latest index by International Living. The destination might be among the smaller Central American countries, but it has tonnes to offer. It’s a quiet destination with access to both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, jungles to explore, and volcanos to hike.

Average daily cost: £94

Average accommodation cost per person: £48

Average daily meals cost: £20

4. HUNGARY

Budapest is a beautiful historic city with lots to offer at affordable prices. The countryside is home to picturesque villages and beautiful valleys, rivers, thermal baths and mountains to enjoy. If you’re looking for a city break, there’s plenty to do with the capital broken up into two parts to explore – Buda (the quieter side of the city filled with sights to see) and Pest (an area filled with tourists and more hustle and bustle). 

Average daily cost: £55

Average accommodation cost per person: £27

Average daily meals cost: £14

3. THAILAND

Don’t be put off by expensive flight costs. If you’re looking to travel east, the lower cost of accommodation and meals in Thailand can make up for pricey flights. The country is known for its jungle temples, tropical beaches, delicious food and bustling cities. Again, Thailand offers the best of both worlds – you can find city life and night markets in Bangkok and Phuket, but if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down, its islands are a must including Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui. 

Average daily cost: £67

Average accommodation cost per person: £29

Average daily meals cost: £14

2. INDONESIA

Bali regularly ranks as one of the best places to visit in the world, but with over 17,000 islands Indonesia has plenty to offer – from orangutan colonies to volcanoes to beautiful beaches, all of which you can enjoy for low prices. For a more city vibe, its capital Jakarta offers culture, museums and lively evenings. 

Average daily cost: £48

Average accommodation cost: £26

Average daily meals cost: £13

1. LAOS

This destination in southeast Asia remains the cheapest country to visit. Despite being landlocked, Laos boasts more than 4,000 islands to visit. Its natural beauty remains largely untouched, and visitors can enjoy tasty local food, jungle treks, and temple visits as well as waterfalls in the mainland.

Average daily cost: £12

Average accommodation cost: £5

Average daily meals cost: £5

One-bag packing hacks to change the way you travel

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by Jacks Flight Club

If you’ve ever tried flying anywhere on a budget, you’ve no doubt run into low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air or easyJet. With fares that are often dirt-cheap, it’s hard not to be lured in…

But when it comes to actually booking your flight, you quickly find out that these prices come with seemingly endless additional fees for things we used to take for granted. Sitting with your travel companions, having a drink (even water!), and—their top moneymaker—bringing a regular-sized cabin bag onboard can apparently be classified as true luxury these days.

That’s where so-called “one bag travel” comes in. More than just a logical way of being tight-fisted and sticking it to the man by refusing to pay up, it’s become a whole way of life with a passionate online community. In fact, many travellers prefer the one-bag life, even when they don’t have to pay extra for a checked bag

how on earth are you meant to pack for anything longer than just a couple of days using only a “personal item”?

The community of minimalist packers over on One Bag Travel has most of the answers you could possibly want.

Their example packing lists for different lengths of trip and destination are good for inspiration, but it’s the Carry-On Travel Backpacks section that is worth its weight in gold (or would be, if it weighed anything). It’s basically a comprehensive database of backpacks suitable for use on different airlines, including dimensions, capacity, user reviews and links straight to Amazon.

Rummaging around the site, I also spotted an ‘ Ultimate Guide to Packing for Carry-On Only Travel’. There are lots of handy pointers there to get you thinking practically before you pack, especially when it comes to being selective about the clothes you bring. That said, I personally draw the line at the suggestion of only bringing one pair of underwear!

Check out these budget items from Temu

The single supplement—the bane of every solo traveller’s budget!

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For anyone who isn’t familiar, it’s a charge that anyone travelling alone may have come up against when booking hotels or cruises in particular—especially if the room you book is designed for multiple occupancy. To make up potential losses from one less person in a room, guests have traditionally been expected to pay extra on top of the standard rate.

These days, hotels tend to be priced by the room regardless of how many people are occupying it. On top of that, it’s much more common to find single-occupancy rooms at lower prices. The same goes for cruises, with cabins designed for solo seafarers commonplace on newer ships.

When it comes to booking tour packages, there are also quite a few operators that won’t charge you double for going it alone. In fact, there are now so many companies that specialise in running tours for solo travellers that we would likely be here all day if we tried to list them.

That said, getting a private room is not a given if you join a solo tour. As anyone who’s ever booked a hotel will know, the cost of a single-occupancy room is rarely half that of a double. Many operators keep costs down by pairing you up to share a twin room with another traveller, unless you choose to pay a little extra for a private room.

Here are our top recommendations for tour operators that won’t charge you a hefty single supplement, if at all:

  • Intrepid Travel – More than half of travellers taking an Intrepid tour are going it alone, so you can decide whether to buddy up and share a room or pay a “small extra charge”. Trips range from exploring the streets of Budapest and Transylvanian castles to a gruelling trek to Everest Base Camp, and they run tours catering to various demographics and budgets.
  • G Adventures – Another one that receive rave reviews for their solo trips. They also work with the “modest additional fee” approach to private rooms for anyone who wants their own space. Around 40% of their guests are solo travellers, with ages anywhere from 20s-60+. They also offer tours for all kinds of travel styles, be it 18-35, wellness or a spot of luxury.
  • Flash Pack – Specialising in solo travel for those in their 30s-40s, 98% of Flashpackers join trips alone. They focus on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so you can generally expect these trips to be a bit fancier and more expensive than other companies. They’re big into the social aspect of their tours, and take great care to pair travellers with a roommate they’ll mesh well with. Once again, single rooms are available upon request for an extra fee.
  • Jules Verne – Unlike the rest of the pack, JV negotiate special “No Single Supplement” dates on over half their group tours, where single travellers can actually get a room to themselves for no additional cost. They also run solo-only tours, so you can be sure you won’t be surrounded by couples or groups of friends who already know each other.
  • One Traveller – These trips cater exclusively to the mature solo traveller, with most travellers in their 50s-70s. All their trips prices are based on single-occupancy rooms with ensuite facilities, so you won’t have to worry about sharing at all. They’re based in the UK, but offer trips all over the world.

It is also worth checking out: https://solotravelerworld.com/solo-travel-deals/

Planning a holiday? Watch out for these scams

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It’s the time of year when we might be planning our summer vacation and looking to treat ourselves to a well deserved camping trip/seaside adventure/tropical getaway. So, let’s take a look at common holiday scams and top tips to protect your money this summer.

Holiday booking scams

Looking for the perfect getaway? Then searching online seems like the ideal place to start. But first things first – is the website you’re looking at what you think it is?

Criminals will set up fake websites offering deals that are ‘too good to miss’ so you need to do some research to make sure that you’re not sending a fraudster on the trip of a lifetime.

  • Check the URL. Is someone trying to impersonate a legitimate company? Make sure the company name is spelt correctly and check the domain; retail sites rarely use .org for example
  • Make sure you have a secure connection. Check the address starts with https:// and ensure the padlock symbol is shown next to the URL
  • Look out for spelling/grammatical errors or links on the page that don’t work. Genuine companies will make sure there are no silly mistakes on their sites!
  • Don’t click on links sent to you by unsolicited emails. This is a big red flag.
  • Check reviews. Sites such as Tripadvisor or Trustpilot will tell you if people have had a good experience with a company. Watch out for fake reviews though; if multiple comments were posted at the same time or have similar content, this could indicate they’re not real
  • Thinking of a package holiday? Make sure it’s ATOL protected. This means that if the company collapses, you’ll get support and financial help. Find information on how to check if your holiday is protected on the ATOL website

Fraudsters will also use social media to advertise non-existent flights and holidays. Just because a social media profile or post has lots of followers and positive comments, it doesn’t mean it’s legitimate, so it’s of utmost importance to thoroughly research any companies advertising deals on Facebook, Instagram or other sites. Look for the company’s website using the above tips and never send money by bank transfer to a company you’ve not investigated.

Accommodation booking scams

There are numerous legitimate websites that list properties available for holidaymakers to rent. Scammers may post fake listings on sites like this, so make sure you follow the guidelines on the company’s website. Sites like Airbnb will often direct you to their own payment platform, so use this to take advantage of the protections they have in place.

Holiday cancellation refund scams

In the unfortunate event that your holiday or flight gets cancelled by the provider, be cautious of anyone approaching you offering to help you with obtaining a refund. Make sure you deal directly with the company you booked with originally as criminals may contact you in the hopes of getting hold of your personal details.

When you’re abroad

So you’ve finally made it to your dream destination… but criminals never rest! Continue to protect your money by ensuring you:

  • Don’t let your card out of your sight, especially in bars and restaurants
  • Never give out your PIN, even if someone tells you they’re the police
  • Cover your PIN when making any purchases or withdrawing cash
  • Make sure transaction notifications are turned on in the app. If you don’t recognise any payments, lock your card straight away
  • Keep your bank phone number handy and let them know as soon as possible if your card or phone is lost or stolen.

India’s Golden Triangle

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The Taj Mahal is near the top of every traveller’s list as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, but it’s only one of the amazing sites of India’s “Golden Triangle”.

The established tourist route includes the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra, the city of Jaipur, and the country’s capital, New Delhi. Convenient air connections mean most people begin their trip in Delhi

Old Delhi is full of chaotic energy, where livestock, vehicles, and street food vendors all weave frantically between one another. It’s an assault on your senses that you have to experience at least once.

On now to Agra, and the thing we’ve all been waiting for—the Taj Mahal. You can absolutely do it under your own steam, but to get the most out of your visit, members recommend hiring one of the government-certified guides waiting outside or booking a private tour.

Once again, visiting early tends to be the best way to avoid huge crowds, although sunrise is a popular time to get the classic Taj picture. Don’t try to wait for a moment without other people in the background, that time is unlikely to come!

If you have more time, the gardens (and wildlife) surrounding the intricately designed Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (aka the Baby Taj) are a dreamy spot to explore. Agra’s own Red Fort is another great example of Mughal architecture, even better preserved and more accessible than its namesake in Delhi.

Around 25 miles from Agra, the fortified ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri is often missed off tight schedules. It’s easy to spend a day here, soaking in the grandeur of the palace buildings, mosque and pavilions, which were designed as the first permanent Mughal settlement.

For those who’ve had enough of the red sandstone, it’s on to Jaipur, which is called the “Pink City” due to the colour of the buildings.

While Jaipur may not be as hectic as Delhi on the whole, it’s still a very busy place, so allow yourself a couple of days there. As well as the essential visit to the Amber Fort make time to see the Patrika Gate, and its daily musical fountain show, and the iconic Hawa Mahal palace.

You can spend hours just photographing the colourful buildings as you walk onwards to the City Palace and make sure you include Nahargarh Fort at the end of the day for sunset views over the city.

Japan in 2024

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If you are thinking of visiting Japan in 2024 there are a couple of extra-special events in the calendar.

Our trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival returns, with departures in February ’24. Visit this fascinating festival to marvel at enormous snow and ice sculptures in the shape of cute characters, ice caves and architectural landmarks. Combine this with bullet train journeys through wintery landscapes and an ice-breaker cruise for a unique take on Japan – a great way to experience Japanese culture for the first time, or for an alternative view if you’ve already seen Japan in the warmer seasons.

Or, if springtime is more your season, did you know Japan is famous for its cherry blossom? In 2024 the blossom trail is expected to start from mid-March and run until early April. Join one of our bestselling Japan trips at this to be treated with a spectacle for the eyes, with landscapes blooming in pink and white as you explore this fascinating country.

The holiday hotspots where your pound goes furthest

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BY RUTH EMERY

Three years on from the UK’s first lockdown, many holidaymakers are gearing up to travel abroad again. But where can British travellers get the most for their money?

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you’re looking to save money on your holiday, then there’s good news for anyone planning to travel abroad this year. British holidaymakers now enjoy a better exchange rate in five out of six of the most popular foreign holiday destinations compared to three years ago.

According to analysis by travel money specialist No1 Currency the pound has strengthened considerably against the Argentine peso, Turkish lira, Egyptian pound and Sri Lankan rupee since 2020, meaning British tourists will find their money goes a lot further when visiting those countries.

Anyone going to Argentina will enjoy the biggest boost, with sterling more than trebling in value against the peso (up 234.6%), while those flying to Turkey will also get a much better exchange rate (the pound is up 205.8% against the lira).

Travellers going to the States or countries that use the euro, like France, Spain or Greece, will also receive a better – albeit more modest – exchange rate compared to March 2020.

The pound has risen by 5.4% against the euro since the UK’s first lockdown, and by 6.4% against the US dollar.

At the other end of the scale, sterling has shed a tenth of its value (down 9.3%) against the Australian dollar, meaning it’ll be more expensive for British tourists to go shopping, pay for meals in restaurants or grab an iced coffee. Sterling also buys nearly a fifth fewer Mexican pesos (down 18.9%) than it did in March 2020.

Simon Phillips, managing director of No1 Currency, comments: “No-one will be celebrating the anniversary of Britain’s first lockdown, but three years on from our national confinement, the pound’s rising value offers a bright spot for anyone planning a summer getaway.

“The pound in your pocket now goes further in the vast majority of the countries typically visited by British tourists. For example, the pound has doubled in value on Egypt’s popular Red Sea coast and in Sri Lanka, which offers palm-fringed beaches and year-round warmth.”

Kenya, Japan, Mauritius, Colombia, Hungary and Jamaica make up the rest of the top 10 holiday hotspots, where the currencies have fallen the most against the pound.