Travel creator Aarya Patil, 26, from Bristol, has built a reputation for curating luxury-looking experiences at budget-friendly prices. She shares her top three destinations for travellers short on cash but craving new sights and sounds.
Montenegro: A Cheap Adriatic Gem
Montenegro, a small country on the Adriatic coast, welcomes about 2.6 million tourists a year, making it relatively undiscovered compared to neighbours like Italy and Croatia. That means it's still pretty cheap, especially during shoulder season.
Patil travelled there last September, staying in the coastal town of Herceg Novi, dubbed the 'City of Sun' for its weather and subtropical plants. She paid around £60 a night for a beachfront apartment at the four-star Hedera Residences, while easyJet flights into nearby Tivat average at £68. She says the best deals come when booking at least three months ahead.
Her top tip: hire a car when staying off the main beat. She paid about £100 for three days, and petrol costs were low. Having a car let her visit the Budva Riviera, with its 2,500-year-old medieval Old Town, sandy beaches, and nightlife—without summer crowds.
Albania: Combine It with Montenegro
For a longer holiday, Patil recommends a 10-day road trip combining Montenegro and Albania. Direct flights to Montenegro in peak season can cost £180 one-way in August, while flying from the UK to Albania is affordable year-round. For example, on August 19, Wizz Air flies from Luton to Tirana for £19.
In Albania, she based herself in Sarandë and Ksamil, a resort village in Butrint National Park known for white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and small offshore islands. 'Ksamil was chill, quiet, and felt expensive. It's a good option as it combines beaches, food, and bars,' she says.
She stayed at the four-star Hotel Deneol for £51 per night, though rooms jump to at least £200 in July and August. 'We had a direct view of the ocean from our bed, and there's a private beach,' she explains.
However, Metro's Travel Editor Alice Murphy has seen how Sarandë has become a victim of its own success, with multi-storey hotels covering the bay and beaches littered with bottles, cigarette butts, and sunbeds—too much tourism.
Morocco: A Rich Experience Without the Cost
Patil spent a long weekend in Marrakech and fell in love with the country's vibrant culture. 'There's something so magical about Moroccan streets—every corner feels like art, and every door looks like it belongs in a storybook,' she recalls.
She explored traditional souks selling spices, leather, and textiles, and stayed in riads—traditional houses with courtyards, plants, and fountains, often converted into boutique hotels. 'They sum the country up so well: on arrival, you're served Moroccan tea, and breakfast and lunch are an immersive experience, surrounded by trees and birds chirping.'
Getting there is cheap too: in September, easyJet has fares from London Southend for £36, when daytime highs average 33°C.
