Boom! Our Young And Broke Article was so damn popular we just had to pop another one out. Now, bring your mind to……..Holidays……..
For some of us, they seem like impossible dreams. As we listen to friends and co-workers describe their amazing voyages around the world, it can be hard to take. But if you’ve been paying attention, you already know that fantastic voyages don’t have to be just for the wealthy. And now we’re back with another instalment for you. Here are another 7 places you can enjoy without spending millions. Because being young and broke is no excuse to stay at home …
Mallorca: Party in Palma
Everybody wants to go to Mallorca. The island can sometimes feel like Europe’s biggest amusement park for grown-ups, and even if you’re travelling on a budget you can still feel like a prince(ss) here. How about this for a day out? Take a morning climb up the craggy rocks of Sa Gubia, then cool off on the beach at Cala Mayor before grabbing a bite and a pint at the Joan Frau bar in Palma. In the afternoon it’s off to the east coast for some snorkelling at Cala Santenyí, before rounding off the day in Palma’s lively Santa Catalina district.
In the ‘excellent’ rated design hostel Fleming you are just 200 metres from bus and train connections and about two kilometres from the city centre with its majestic cathedral. Beds in a 6-person dorm can be found for as low as £19 a night. Flights to Palma are favourable all year round, for example:
A car hire for touring the island is available from the airport from as little as £4 per day!
Glasgow: Subcrawl in Scotland
We could all use a city break, and if there’s one city that knows how to have fun on a budget, it’s Glasgow. Scotland’s largest city has something for everyone. Are art and culture your thing? You’re in luck – most of the city’s museums are free. Looking for something a little edgier?
Grab a fried Mars bar and head to King Tut’s for a night of music in the bar where Oasis were famously discovered. Or if you prefer the great outdoors, Ben Lomond, the mountain overlooking the famous Loch, is easily accessible and provides an invigorating day out. For sports fans, little needs to be said to hype the Old Firm, now back in head-to-head action after a few years’ break. And if a whisky tasting sounds too fancy, you can always go for a famous Glaswegian tradition – the subcrawl: 15 underground stops, 15 pubs.
Marseille: Seaside Séjour
Just because you’ve been to Paris a few times doesn’t mean you’ve ‘done France’. Marseille, the country’s second-largest city, is nothing like the capital. The southern city, known for its gritty, colourful atmosphere, offers you a completely different side of Gallic culture, one infused with warm weather, sandy beaches, and a multi-ethnic mixture of cultures – all at a heavily reduced price compared with the more upscale delights of Paris.
Here, everything revolves around the sea. Don’t miss the old harbour, where you’ll see the fishermen showing off the day’s catch. In the distance lies the island fortress Chateau d’If, the famous prison depicted in the Count of Monte Cristo – take a boat out for the tour, and return for a fishy feast, or a quick couscous from one of the many Maghrebian eateries around the Cours Belsunce.
Outside town are the beautiful Calanques, deep blue-green fjords cut into limestone cliffs. These provide breathtaking views for a coastal walk, as well as a challenge for the climbers.
Oh, and have we mentioned – flights from London are ridiculously cheap:
On KAYAK, finding the perfect holiday for your budget couldn’t be simpler: With KAYAK Explore, see the most beautiful beaches, amazing cities or peaceful getaways with their respective prices, all laid out for you on one easy map.
Bucharest: Little Paris at Little Prices
Bucharest likes to view itself as a smaller version of Paris, but once you look past its knock-off Arc de Triomphe and Champs-d’Élysées, it’s actually got its very own style. With its mixture of Romance and Eastern European cultures, it’s a unique vibe: high-end fashion models walking down streets lined with both luxury stores and Communist-era block style apartments, gorgeous public parks, and a booming nightlife clubbing scene.
While Berlin gets all the attention, Bucharest has undergone an equally impressive shift since it overthrew its dictatorship in 1989, and to many, it is the next European capital waiting to be discovered. Traces of past excesses are visible (the Parliament building, originally built as the palatial residence of a megalomaniacal leader, is the largest building in Europe). However, as many young Romanians will tell you, they are not interested in the past. Now their city is blossoming: everywhere you look are museums, student bars, cafés and clubs.
Of course, all this uplifting talk is not everybody’s cup of tea. If you’re the type who prefers the darker edges of history, the eerie Castle Bran, aka ‘Dracula’s Castle’ is just a few hours drive away…
Hamburg: Sexy in St Pauli
We can’t mention France’s largest port city without speaking about Germany’s. The stylish old Hanseatic city, with its stately sandstone city hall, has a reputation as a liberal, freedom-loving, anything-goes kind of place.
This is perhaps best exemplified by its red-light district St Pauli, but the city as a whole takes pride in its status as a historic city-state, a distinction preserved to this day. For the best introduction, take a boat tour for a view of the city sights from its network of waterways. With more bridges than Amsterdam, you’ll be surprised at how extensive the canals are. When you’re hungry, stop off for a Döner, then hire a bike to explore the city streets like a local. Then it’s time to decide on your plans for the evening.
A stroll around the sex shops of St Pauli? A night of experimental noise at Hoerbar? Why not both? This is Hamburg, after all.
When you’re ready to rest, head back to the ‘good’ rated Meininger Hotel Hamburg City Center with rooms from £21 and a central location, the price speaks for itself.
If you want to find the perfect hotel for you in the right part of the city, try KAYAK Heat Maps. Simply click on ‘Show map view’ in the the top right-hand corner of the results page where it says ‘Go to map view’. From here you can filter by what’s most important to you: Shopping? Food? Nightlife? Stay in the ‘hood that’s best for you.
Rhodes: A colossally good time
One of Greece’s largest islands, Rhodes is actually located just off the coast of Turkey, just 50-odd kilometres from Marmaris. In ancient times, it was known as the site of one of the seven wonders of the world – the Colossus of Rhodes. And though the immense statue, unfortunately, fell into the sea in 226 BC, the island is still a splendid place for a trip.
Fair warning, due to its near-constant good weather, amazing beaches, and warm water for snorkelling, it can be crowded, but on the other hand, it has good weather, amazing beaches, and warm water for snorkelling. And though the crowds can be escaped with a little ingenuity, low prices are ubiquitous.
For example, the ‘excellent’-rated Hotel Galaxias offers rooms from just £17 a night . You don’t have to be broke to appreciate that.
Capri & Ischia: Monastic Fantastic
The islands of Capri and Ischia have a reputation for grandeur going back to ancient times. As such, their inclusion on this list may come as a bit of a surprise. But don’t be fooled, good times are still to be had here on the cheap: take one of the two ferries in Naples, and prepare for a taste of luxury.
In Ischia, you can experience things like a mogul. In the ‘excellent’ rated Paradise Beach Hostel from £13. You won’t pay a lot, but you’ll feel like a five-star luxury tourist. Hidden behind a charming vineyard, the hostel is really breathtaking, with sensational sea views, a large roof terrace, and even a swimming pool.
In Capri, on the other hand, you could always stay in a monastery, not the most affordable accommodation in the island town of Anacapri but totally stunning nonetheless. Don’t worry, monk’s robes and tonsures are completely optional, but even were this not the case, the location would make this lodging a compelling option. Just a few minutes’ walk to the Blue Grotto, the spectacular limestone cliffs or down to the Mediterranean. Anacapri is also a gorgeous option where one night in the ‘excellent’-rated Hotel Casa Caprile costs from £50 per night.
Note: These rates are based on search queries made on KAYAK.co.uk on August 14th, 2017.The prices are quoted in GBP. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
