The weather is warming up and that means one thing: holiday season is on the horizon. But as the cost of living continues to bite and household budgets are stretched thinner than ever, knowing exactly when to book your getaway could make all the difference.
Despite the economic pressures, Brits are keener than ever to escape this summer. According to Skyscanner’s latest Smarter Summer Report, more than three-quarters (76%) of UK travellers say they plan to take more holidays than they did last year. And in a sign of just how much value-for-money matters, a huge 87% said they’d be willing to change the dates of their trip if it meant getting a better deal.
The report revealed that the most affordable week to travel during the school summer holidays is the one beginning July 7. That’s when prices are at their lowest on average - crucial information for the nearly half of British holidaymakers who say they’re planning a summer getaway but haven’t yet booked.
It seems more and more of us are getting savvy when it comes to securing savings. More than a third of Brits say they’re now deliberately avoiding peak dates to cut costs, while 33% are picking destinations where their spending money will stretch further. With some of Europe’s most famous hotspots overwhelmed by mass tourism, the lure of quieter, less pricey destinations is stronger than ever.
Overtourism has become a large issue, with cities like Venice and Santorini struggling under the weight of millions of annual visitors. So it’s no surprise that 55% of UK travellers say they’d rather explore somewhere unusual this summer - while 44% are actively looking at destinations they wouldn’t normally consider.
And there are some real gems to be found. The report revealed ten top-value destinations where return flights cost less than £106. These include the fairy-tale charm of Bremen and Baden-Baden in Germany, the mountain town of Poprad in Slovakia, and even the gateway to the Sahara, Ouarzazate in Morocco.
Here are the top alternative destinations to visit this summer:
