Sofia, Bulgaria / antonella sinopoli

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is one of the cheapest eastern European cities to visit and stay in, and by extension one of the cheapest on the continent. The city displays much of its history in its architecture, starting with the city walls, much of which remain largely intact since their establishment in its 7th century days as a regional capital in the Holy Roman Empire. The frescoes of the St George Rotunda date from the 12th century, while the edifice’s foundations date back to the Roman settlement of 4th century Serdica, the original site of the city. Since then, the city’s older buildings trace its time from Byzantine, Ottoman and medieval Bulgar fortresses through the neoclassical period and into the prefabricated socialist-era apartment blocks.

The city also boasts a large number of classical theatres, which remains the country’s most popular performing art, followed by the combined National Opera and Ballet company, established in 1891. Free hiking and cycling tours are a great way to see the Sofia’s extensive green and mountainous areas without leaving the city limits. Bulgaria is still a very cheap place to visit, and 4 (and sometimes even 5) star hotels are affordable if you book sufficiently ahead of time.

Guimarães, Portugal

An average-sized city in the slightly cooler northern region of the country, Guimarães is a real hidden gem that is begging for travellers to seek it out. Tucked away in a lush, secluded valley in the district of Braga, the city was founded around the 9th century by a local noble who conquered the region for the then-kingdom of Galicia, and since the 12th century been considered the seat of Portuguese nationality and the home of the Portuguese conquistadores. In 2012, Guimarães was named European Capital of Culture, and not without good reason.

Despite its size (only around 190,000 in the greater urban area), the city is home to a large number of musuems, galleries and theatres, principle among which is the Alberto Sampaio museum. Opened in 1931, it contains a huge collection of pieces from the city’s history during the 14th-16th centuries. On the first weekend of August, there is the Festas Gualterianas, in honour of Saint Gualter, featuring fireworks, street performers and musical performances, and the spectacular Battle of the Flowers.

Dorset, England

Of course, if the cost of physically getting across the seas is too much, you don’t even have to pass through customs to have a great holiday on the cheap. The south-west of England has long had tourist centres in Devon and Cornwall, but Dorset is just as calm, quiet and picturesque without facing the same high prices and tailbacks as its neighbours. Even better, if you get yourself a bus pass, you can see most of the county without straying from the public transport system.

This holiday might be strictly for the hardcore hiker, as getting the most out of your stay will rely on your capacity for long walks and creative use of wireless internet if you want to stay tuned in the goings on beyond the hills and beaches. The best place to pick up some tips on where to stay while on the Jurassic Coast is Countryside and Coastal, with its range of B&Bs and hostels.

So don’t panic if your budget is looking fine this summer: just take a look outside of the usual haunts.

Catherine Halsey is based in Edinburgh and writes for a digital marketing agency. This article links back to Skype.com.

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I mean…£8 for a coffee anyone?

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by GeekGrunge

But France has plenty more to offer the jaded traveller, and I’m going to show you how to put some joie back in your vivre.

France is the third largest country in Europe, with over 547,000 square kilometres to explore, outside of Paris you will feel like you have France to yourself. By car, you will find it safe, fast and really enjoyable if you keep off the auto routes and keep on the B roads.  Alternatively, you could take the train, using France’s super-fast TGV network. You could hop around the whole country in a fraction of the time.

Secret: the South of France is not the sunniest

The first region I am going to tell you about is the Poitou Charentes, with the regional capital of Poitiers.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by sybarite48

This actually is the sunniest region in France, although not a lot of people know that! This is where you get those famous fields of sunflowers and lavender that you see on the postcards in souvenir shops in Paris!

It is famous for its coastal oyster beds, and the French themselves holiday here, stressed out Parisians in particular, holiday at the Ile de Rey or Ile d’Orelon. These are two beautiful islands just off the coast near La Rochelle, these are the perfect spots for beach life and cycling breaks.

Culinary treats are on offer at Rochefort, for their wonderful fromage, or the vineyards of Cognac should keep you well oiled for an afternoon or two!

Next door to this is the region of Aquitaine, most famous for its incredible natural coastal parks of sand dunes and big waves of the Atlantic Ocean, so the silver surfers among you will not be disappointed. It is a really popular spot for camping, as the camps are nestled in woods right next to the sea.

Or you can try Biarritz if your camping days are over, five star hotels and fantastic regional cuisine will await your arrival.

Aquitaine borders the Pyrenees mountain range, offering hikers and climbers plenty to do. The regional capital is Bordeaux, so is home to some of the finest wines known to humanity, so a bottle or two to take home is definitely recommended.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ryan Gsell

Mix it up

If the South of France is more alluring, but you don’t want the high prices and crowds, Languedoc-Roussillon will be much more your scene. It borders the easterly side of the Pyrenees, with Spain only a very short drive away, meaning the cuisine here is very fusion, with tapas and chorizo often found on the menu.

Fringed by the Mediterranean, the pace of life is slower. From here, the Canal du Midi winds its way from the south coast, all the way to Bordeaux, and offers the budding cyclist miles of hassle and car free cycling along the shady tree-lined avenues.

A must-see is the incredible town of Carcassonne, a town perched high on a hill top, preserved since mediaeval times – you will really feel like you are on a film set, but people actually still live in the town.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Henri Sivonen

Closer to home

If a long journey puts you off, you could drive from the south of England over to Picardie in the north of France in just six hours, including the ferry ride that is!

History buffs will be fascinated by the Somme region and its bare, tree-less fields, a relic from the extensive bombardment it endured during the First World War. The war cemeteries are dotted all over the area, and serve as a reminder of the fallen soldiers.

If you are a pork lover, Picardie is the place for you! Sausages, hams and pates in every kind of variation can be found here. It is also a gastronomic centre for Maroilles cheese, and be careful of the locals brandishing the local calvados – that stuff is not for sissies!

Instead, stick to the local cider, made from the acres of apple orchards from the region.  If you get bored, it’s only a 2 hour train journey to Paris!

Please comment on your secret French finds, whether it be cities, towns or even cuisine dishes!

Kate Dawson is an appreciator of fine food and even nicer wines. She currently blogs for Optegra.  Their Clarivu procedure offers fast cataract surgery recovery times. Refractive surgery has never been easier or quicker.

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One of the best preserved and maintained monuments is a fortress Talao (Torre Talao). It offers a great view of miles of beaches and cliffs.

View Scalea – one of the most visited sea-site resorts in Calabria, Italy in a larger map

In the historical center of town you can see a Norman castle from 11th century, monastery, ruins of Judas tower, Palazzo dei Principi from 13th century, Church of San Nicola in Plateis from the 8th century, Palazzetto Normanno from 12th century, a former prison Cimalonga tower from 15th century and many more.

You can see here a lot of exotic plants. For example, cedar. The whole region was named right after this slow-growing tree as Cedar Riviera. The tree grows up to a height of 40 to 60 meters with a trunk diameter of 80-200 centimetres.

If you don’t find something you are looking for right in Scalea, then go to the neighboring national park – Parco Nazionale del Pollino. Here you can see another amount of plants as well as protected animals, caves and several gorges, such as Argentino River Valley, the gap in Lao or Romito cave with the pre-historic graffiti.

View Scalea – one of the most visited sea-site resorts in Calabria, Italy in a larger map

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