Simon Calder shares ‘wonderful’ and ‘cheap’ destination for 2023

Simon Calder, the journalist and travel expert, recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to share his top Mediterranean holiday destinations for this year that are both beautiful and affordable. He said that some of these countries have amazing beaches, good food and warm weather, and the best part is that they are completely unspoiled, such as Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania.

Simon recommended “Bulgaria, in Eastern Europe – obviously a very popular package holiday destination”.

Bulgaria is a very affordable summer spot with direct flights from London for less than £100 one way.

Some of the most “beautiful places” to visit in Bulgaria, according to travel experts at Globalgrasshopper are the Black Sea beaches and Sozopol, on the coast.

“The country has a bit of everything and all at very affordable prices,” they explained and recommended the Black Sea beaches for a summer holiday.

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The travel experts also suggested visiting the historic town of Nessebar, also by the coast and “known as the Pearl of the Black Sea which is easily one of the best places to visit in Bulgaria”.

Another “beautiful ancient seaside town” is Sozopol, one of the oldest towns on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline and “a popular fishermen’s village and seaside resort”.

The closest airport to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is Burgas and luckily, WizzAir and TUI have direct routes to the city at very affordable prices.

On Tripadvisor, many tourists shared amazing reviews with the majority saying that Sozopol Old Town is a must-see.

He also suggested other “affordable” European countries, such as “North Macedonia” and the “Polish Riviera”.

The travel guru explained that North Macedonia “is going to be on the holiday map from May because holiday company TUI is putting on flights from Manchester and Gatwick to Lake Ohrid which I have been to, absolutely gorgeous, not proper sea, but extraordinarily good value”.

Sopot, on the Polish Riviera, is an “absolutely beautiful resort and it’s also incredibly good value,” Simon added.

“Prices are back to the 1990s, whatever you’re paying in Spain, Italy, basically halve it. You’ll be paying far, far less for everything and there are loads of cheap flights. It’s not the warmest sea you’re going to have, and it’s not the Mediterranean, but on the other hand in July and August, it’s absolutely fantastic.”