Five of the best destinations for a dream holiday at budget prices.
Spanish Mediterranean, Cultural Seville, Scottish Highlands, Touring Europe, and Tanzania Safari.
Fabulous travel destinations at prices to suit your budget…seems like a dream? All you need is a bit of imagination and guidance from the locals!
Forget cheapo and rowdy mass destinations and choose a classy alternative, a memorable experience that’s tailor made to fit your pocket.
Dream Holidays at Budget Prices
These are my 5 choices for amazing spring, summer, autumn and winter getaways…
Villajoyosa, Costa Blanca (Spain)
Picturesque fishing village on the Mediterranean.
Imagine relaxing on your own private balcony overlooking the ocean, lazing by a tropical pool, bathing in the warm turquoise Mediterranean sea, dining at a seafront restaurant in a traditional fishing village, sipping cocktails at a cool beach bar on a long summer’s night… my idea of Heaven on Earth, Villajoyosa on Spain’s Costa Blanca!
This small seaside town has a Caribbean look, houses with brightly coloured façades and a wide sandy beach with shady palms. It’s a great destination for people of all ages… for couples, friends and families with small children. Special dates include the lively ‘Moors & Christians’ Fiesta in July which features a unique ‘sea battle’ of international fame.
Villajoyosa is just 5 minutes by car from mega tourism hub Benidorm – theme parks, water parks, nature parks and nightclubs are among the attractions – and a short drive into the mountains and picturesque Guadalest Valley.
Where to Stay in Villajoyosa
Come along in June and share in my secret; go down to Playa del Torres on Midsummer’s’ Eve, throw petals, fruit and coins into the wind at midnight, step into the sea and make a wish come true…
Take a look at my favourite holiday rental apartment in Torres Beach >>>.
In fact, this is where we stay ourselves. It’s a bright 3 bedroom apartment on a lovely complex with pools, which is ideal for family and friends. The panoramic seaviews are absolutely stunning, and you can actually see both sunrise and sunset from the terrace!
Read our Related Post on Villajoyosa beside the Mediterranean and check out our Costa Blanca Guide on the beach resorts and mountains, historical cities and inland villages of Alicante Province.
Seville, Andalucia (Spain)
Culture, history and romance in Andalusia.
Looking for something a little more culturally stimulating? Then the sophistication of Seville will undoubtedly appeal to you!
Some of the special events you can enjoy in June include open-air evening concerts in the gardens of the Alcázar, a fascinating tour of the historical city centre in a typical horse drawn carriage, a leisurely walk through the beautiful parks and avenues to admire the jacarandas in flower, a romantic cruise on the Guadalquivir river, and end the day relaxing on a terrace sipping cocktails or a glass of cool wine on one of these long warm summer evenings!
Seville has an amazing cultural heritage, much of it dating to the times of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the Americas. Highlights include Seville Cathedral and the Giralda, Royal Alcázar fortress palace, Archive of India, Torre de Oro tower, Plaza de España…
We chose to stay at Hotel Alcázar which overlooks the park and is conveniently located for seeing all the sights (check-out their luxurious junior suite which has the most awesome views!).
In summer, it’s a great idea to combine your city break with a trip to ‘Costa de la Luz’ a fabulous stretch of Atlantic coastline some 100km away from Seville…
We love the glorious long white sandy beaches at Conil de la Frontera, a typical village with whitewashed houses and a lively atmosphere.
Or stay for a few days in San Lúcar de Barameda down on the Guadalquivir Estuary and opposite Doñana National Park. It’s one of my favourite places in the whole of Spain!
Read our Related Posts on Conil de la Frontera (Costa de la Luz) and Seville, and get full information on Hotel Alcázar, Sevilla.
Aberfeldy, Perthshire (Scotland)
Discover the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
A breath of fresh air, peaceful green scenery, ancient castles, friendly rural hamlets, hill walking, touring whiskey distilleries or gin tasting in Edinburgh, not to mention the wonderful seafood and Angus steak… Scotland is my idea of heaven!
We love the little town of Aberfeldy in the heart of Highland Perthshire, pretty much in the centre of Scotland. It’s a great base for a holiday or few days, far away from the madding crowds.
Summer is the ideal time to explore Scotland as the weather is visitor-friendly and you can take advantage of the long evening light. Generally, this is the best time to visit the UK.
Stay in a cosy comfortable cottage where you can truly relax at the end of the day in style. Watch the horizon at night and you’ll notice a faint flickering white light – well that’s the authentic northern lights.
We stayed at Cruck Cottage in Dull, a historical hamlet just four kilometres away from Aberfeldy. It’s a stylish modernised cottage which is 300 years old. From the garden there are fabulous views over the countryside to Ben Lawyers and Glen Lyon.
The owners, who are true descendants of the Shaw Clan, are animal lovers so you are welcome to bring your pets along on holiday. They can also suggest a range of suitable local walks and day trips.
If you live outside Britain, look for a low-cost flight to Glasgow or Edinburgh, then hire a car or get the train to Pitlochry.
Read our Related Post on Aberfeldy (The heart of the Scottish Highlands).
Safari in Tanzania
Passion for adventure in Kilimanjaro.
Do you dream of Africa? I do, I have done since I was a child, imagine watching free-roaming lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, zebras, rhinos… I’ve been checking the different options and decided to see Tanzania, my great African adventure!
Combine a photographic safari with a trek up the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, and a stay in exotic Zanzibar Island for a few days relax, my ultimate dream holiday!
It’s not as expensive to visit Africa as you think… look for a good flight offer; then speak to a reputable local tour company, such as the guys we are going with, Step to Kili, who design custom made tours and suggest an itinerary to fit! You choose your level of accommodation – luxury hotel, a traditional lodge or the pure adventure of camping under the stars by the awesome game reserves. Tanzania on a budget is possible!
Safaris range from 1 to day several days experience taking in various wildlife conservation areas: close to Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha National Park is great for watching elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras and antelopes. With luck you may spot the occasional leopard, one of the most exciting animals to see on safari.
Adventure into the heart of Africa, on a legendary safari across the vast Serengeti plains, the most famous place in the world for sighting lions.
Lake Manyara wildlife area is another must…tree climbing lions, herds of elephants and flamingoes flock to this massive soda lake, beside the legendary Great Rift Valley. The Tarangire River flows along the valley floor, the rolling landscape dotted with giant Baobab trees and Acacia woods, the swamplands attracting masses of wild beasts.
Don’t miss a wildlife safari into fascinating Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Park where you can observe the largest concentration of game in the world including rhino and big cats (cheetahs, lions and the rare leopard), eland, buffalo, giant elephants, herds of zebra and wildebeest.
For the more athletic, the Kilimanjaro summit beckons. The highest peak in Africa at 5896m above sea level it’s known as the ‘rooftop’ of Africa. Book with a local tour guide who will take care of any permits required, arrange porters to carry your gear, make camp and meals, etc. You should acclimatize to the altitude slowly and hike one of the longer routes (preferably more than 5 days).
Combine an exciting safari or trek with a break in Zanzibar, one of the most exotic islands in the world… depending on your budget you can fly over, or catch the ferry from Dar es Salaam. Accommodation to suit all pockets ranges from basic homestays to the extremely luxurious.
Touring Europe in Motorhome
The ultimate European road trip.
Take to the road, the sky is your limit! June and July are the best months to see Europe climate wise as pleasant weather is guaranteed. Europe is a large continent it goes without saying, so where do you start?
Hire a motorhome from a reputable company who’ll advise you on everything you need for a carefree holiday. There are smart 2, 4 and 6 berth vehicles available and prices can be very reasonable. Preparing for your summer RV road trip is easy if you plan the route beforehand, take into account the number of days you’ll be away, and source conveniently located caravan parks in advance.
If you have your own family camper van the whole trip will work out much cheaper as you won’t need a rental vehicle. Pack everything into your ‘rolling home’, bicycles, kids and pets…and take to the road! Popular itineraries include the major historical Spanish sites in Granada, Seville, or Barcelona, and then head for the capitals of Europe.
Take in the cultural and architectural heritance of the European Continent including Porto, Paris, Luxembourg, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Florence, Sofia… in fact, wherever the fancy takes you. Do your own thing or let the experts arrange everything for you!
A chauffeur driven motorhome is an entirely different experience. Admittedly it’s towards the high end bracket and not within everyone’s range, but the all-inclusive package includes a motorhome with your own personal driver, breakfasts, snacks and beverages, campsite fees, petrol, bicycles, and exclusive entrance tickets to the main sites at the places you have chosen to visit along route.
It’s an increasingly popular trend, particularly popular with professional people and families who are looking for an original way to tour the European continent. Plan where, when and how long to stop over at each place… it beats sitting on a bus with 50 other harassed tourists and lugging your cases on and off at every destination.
Related Posts on Spain
In these Related Posts you can read about some of the best areas in Spain for a motorhome holiday:
Road Trip Costa Brava (3 Day Itinerary From Barcelona)
Enjoy a road trip along the Costa Brava. This 3-day itinerary from Barcelona is packed with suggestions for activities, places to see and must-have experiences. Read more >>>
Alicante Travel Guide (Costa Blanca)
The Costa Blanca is a famous stretch of coast in southeastern Spain, where a warm Mediterranean Sea bathes an infinite diversity of white sand beaches and pebble bays encircled by distant mountain peaks. Read more >>>
There are so many things to do in Málaga (Spain), lots of history, great food and beaches. Visit Málaga – sun, sea and history on Spain’s Costa del Sol. Read more >>>
Related Posts: Spanish City Guides
Visiting Spain and only 3 days to see Granada? Don’t worry, here’s our ultimate city guide! Granada is possibly the most enchanting city in Spain… the lively ‘old town’ full of pretty plazas with ancient monuments and alfresco eateries on every corner, the wonderful world heritage site Alhambra Palace and gardens.
Córdoba historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage City in Southern Spain. Here’s our choice of 25 sites to see and the top things to do when you visit Córdoba.
The panoramic view from our bedroom terrace at Hotel Alcázar was stunning – Seville skyline was backlit by the sunset, the unmistakable Giralda tower and a dozen church spires piercing the sky. We arrived in Seville late afternoon, just in time to see the sun setting over the city
Barcelona is considered one of the coolest cities in the world!
The capital of Catalonia Region on Spain’s northern Mediterranean coast, Barcelona city is an open-air museum with a multitude of fascinating things to see and do.
Once called Lucentum by the Romans, the City of Light is a name that beautifully describes this vibrant Spanish city bathed by the Mediterranean sunshine. The capital of Alicante Province in southeast Spain is a convenient base for discovering the Costa Blanca.
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