Fort of Paphos / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by simon.hedge

Many of us are looking for ways to tighten our belts and make sure not a penny is wasted, without sacrificing our annual holiday. Choosing a destination that has lots of low-cost attractions is therefore a good choice, and holidays to Paphos certainly fall into this category.

Indeed, while there are plenty of luxurious hotels in the city – which you should be able to find some great deals for online – this does not mean it is lacking in affordable activities. From awe-inspiring historical sites to glorious beaches, some of the destination’s best attractions can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Seek out the best harbour views at the Fort of Paphos

One of the simplest ways to make the most of your break is to take a walk and soak up the excellent views. Among Paphos’s most scenic spots is its harbour; to see it at its best, head to the Fort of Paphos.

Kids will especially love going here, because to reach it you have to cross a stone bridge perched over a moat. Once you’re at the fort itself, which is home to cannons pointing out in several directions, you’ll enjoy the finest views of the harbour to be had in the city.

Hit Municipal Beach

Another easy way to get the most out of your Paphos break for less is to hit the beach. Indeed, many of us visit destinations such as Cyprus purely for the warm weather, so heading to the coast is bound to feature on your to-do list.

Many of the local stretches of sand have Blue Flag status, making them great for family holidays. The Municipal Beach, which is perfect for swimming, is a particular favourite.

Paphos hotels, Cyprus / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Verity Cridland

Explore the Tombs of the Kings and other archaeological sites

The city’s most famous attractions are its archaeological sites and, fortunately, they do not cost a lot to visit. So, even if you are on a tight budget, you should be able to explore them fully.

Among the best places to see are the Tombs of the Kings, which are spread out over a fairly large area. This series of chambers and tombs was used to bury residents belonging to the higher classes – but not, as its name suggests, kings – between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD.

What draws many visitors is their impressive interiors, the Doric pillars of which earned the Tombs of the Kings its regal name, as well as their peristyle court structure inspired by Egyptian architecture. While the tombs are certainly impressive, you should not expect to see many treasures and artifacts inside, simply because over the years they were stolen by grave robbers.

If you’re keen to explore the local history a little further, head to the House of Dionysus, where you can see a splendid, well-preserved mosaic laid out on the floor. There are several old houses which have this kind of mosaic flooring – often depicting myths – but the House of Dionysus is the most famous.

By choosing to visit low-cost – yet still very exciting – attractions such as these, you can really make the most of your getaway without blowing your budget.

Author Bio: As a fan of Greek history and architecture, Matt has travelled much of the region. This summer he’s looking to escape the chaos in London and has arranged his Sani holidays

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Town hall and Place Jean Jaures, Tours, France by Tango7174

City of Tours was established during The Hundred Years’ War, between the years of 1337 and 1453. At that time, the three smaller cities were merged into one and such created the present Tours. Already in Gallic-Roman period Tours was an important city and in the Middle Ages it became rich. It gained fame mainly due to the famous tomb of the bishop of St. Martin, who is now buried in the crypt of the new basilica. The city flourished during the Renaissance as well, at that time, thanks to the silks, jewellery and weapons. But after that the city became to fall followed by several centuries of decline, which was completed by the devastation of the World War II, during which the city of Tours became a temporary capital of France (10–13 June 1940). At that time the city suffered great losses and only a few relics remained standing undamaged. However, those sights still show the original shine and glance, which had the city at the peak of its fame during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Best part of the city of Tours is its quarter of Saint-Julien spread along the river. It is full of trendy restaurants and antique shops. It is good to start your tour at the busy quarter of Place Plumereau, which is lined with cafes and restored half-timbered buildings. Nearby is the Hotel Gouin – a Renaissance building that now houses the Musée de l’Hôtel de Gouin, which exhibits art and archaeological collections.

Tours Cathedral, France by Dave Hamster

Through the Pont Wilson from 1978, which is a true copy of the original stone bridge of 18th century, you can get to the former Abbey of Saint-Julien. The facility now serves to the wine museum – Musee des Vins de Touraine. Also charming is Musée du Compagnonmage located next to it. This museum is dedicated to the history of craft guilds and trade.

Recently renovated Cathedral of St.-Gatien dominates the skyline of the city. The tower rises to a height of 87 meters, and overlooks the Old City. It was built in the period from 13th to 16th century and is an excellent example of the development of Gothic architecture. Its very complicated façade combines several architectural styles that were typical for the particular century at the time of its construction. The interior of the cathedral is built in the late Gothic style.

Tours is generally quiet and peaceful town but offers everything you can expect from your relaxing and truly French holidays.

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Gothic bridge with baroque statues achieves a length of 109.75 m and the width of 6.25 m. It stands on the six pillars of granite blocks and has seven arches – six circular (from the original Gothic structure) and one segment. There were originally two bridge towers, but unfortunately, none of them has been preserved.

The bridge is decorated with sandstone sculptures from 18th century.

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Vikos Gorge is 20 km long and 400 m wide but at some places it is only a few meters wide. Its walls are high in some places over 1000 meters. Due to its size, the Vikos Gorge ranked the world’s deepest canyons and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Onno Zweers

Part of the Vikos Gorge is covered by the National Park Vikos-Aoos, which was founded in 1973. Except of canyon, there is also Tymfi mountain, river Aoos and several villages. The main part of the gorge stretches from village of Vikos to the village of Monodendri. The river Voidomatis flows through the canyon which constitutes the breathtaking scenery. Along the gap there are several view-points, offering breathtaking views. In the local unspoilt countryside there are many species of plants and animals such as bears, deer and foxes, which are protected by park.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Onno Zweers

The area around the Vikos Gorge is ideal for many sports. Among others, climbing, mountain biking and of course hiking, which is the most popular. It is better to hike with a guide as it is very easy to get lost here. There are ongoing organized excursions, including a tour through the Zagori picturesque villages and famous stone bridge.

You can get to the Vikos Gorge e.g. by public bus transportation service. The journey from Athens to Zagori takes about 7 hours.

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While the Lake itself is supplied with water by a number of different inflows, the most important and famous one is that of the Savica River. The river is fed by the Dolina Sedmerih Jezer which is located deep underground. It is just outside of Komarča where the Savica River burst from the walls and thus creates the most famous waterfall in all of Slovenia; the Savica Waterfall.

Savica waterfall, Slovenia by Nigel’s Europe

The waterfall itself travels a distance of more than 38 meters and falls more than 51 meters into the pool below. Also another smaller waterfall falls nearby falls only 25 meters, but creates a very unique and picturesque combination which creates “A” shape. The pool has been artificially dammed in order to slow down the erosion associated with the powerful Savica Waterfall. From there, the water then flows into the Bohinj Lake.

There are many ways to access the Savica Waterfall, including by car and by foot. The falls are located only four kilometers away from Ukanc and while it is possible to drive the distance, most people often prefer to walk in order to enjoy the awe-inspiring views even more. There are several paths and signs that lead to the Savica Waterfall which can be reached in just under an hour from the village. However, in order to get the best view the Savica Waterfall you will need to walk across the stone bridge that crosses the Mala Savica and pay the necessary entrance fee in order to access the best viewing point above the Savica gorge.

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