Would you like to dip your feet in Caribbean sand and sip an Aperol while looking out at crystal-clear turquoise water? But maybe you don’t feel like leaving two paychecks in the Bahamas. And besides, the flight there takes almost 20 hours! So where to go then? Croatia again? Well… that has gotten quite expensive too...
Luckily, there are several affordable destinations that hardly anyone talks about. And that’s really a shame, because the beaches there look like they were cut straight out of a postcard. Let’s take a look at them!
The European Caribbean or Maldives. That’s what Albania is often called, although the biggest masses of tourists still haven’t discovered it yet. And that’s good news for you! Because Albania is a real treasure.
In this corner of Europe you might not expect dazzling white sand and turquoise sea, but they are there, and they will instantly draw you into an exotic mood. You’ll hardly even realize that you’re only a 2-hour flight away from the Central Europe.
You’ll find sandy beaches mainly on the northwestern coast, but also in the south in the Ksamil area. However, if you prefer pebbles – which you don’t have to keep shaking out of your pockets for a month after returning home – Albania also offers rocky beaches.
But its charm doesn’t end there. You’ll also find the Albanian Alps with their wild nature, or Theth National Park with picturesque waterfalls. You can even see mountain peaks from some beaches, and swimming with that view is truly worth it!
And the best part? Prices in Albania are about 30–60% lower than in Croatia. That leaves you with more money for drinks or perhaps for the traditional dish tavë kosi.
TIP: Did you know you can pay for accommodation with employee benefits from Edenred, Pluxee, or Up and save even more? Just choose any hotel on Booking.com and copy the link into this form. It takes only 2 minutes. Then you can start looking forward to your trip!
You can also enjoy very pleasant swimming in Bulgaria. The beaches are golden and sandy, with a gentle entrance into the clean sea, which makes them perfect even if you’re traveling with children.
Once you get tired of sunbathing, go on a trip to explore the architecture. Bulgarian architecture is truly majestic. Colorful palaces and monasteries look completely different from what we’re used to in the rest of Europe.
Some of them are even carved directly into rock, such as Aladzha or Ivanovo.
Prices in Bulgaria are about 30–40% lower than in Croatia, so you can reward yourself with a big portion of ice cream or refresh yourself with a traditional Shopska salad.
This magical part of the Balkans is only a 2-hour flight away from Central Europe.
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The port city of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera has a huge number of hotels competing with each other. Thanks to that, you get an absolutely perfect price-to-quality ratio.
For a very reasonable price you won’t just get a shabby hostel – no, you can also find beautiful all-inclusive accommodation.
The Turkish sea is wonderfully clean and warm like tea. Stretch out on the beach with a mojito and enjoy the view of the turquoise beauty, above which the mountains rise. And don’t miss the Düden Waterfall, which falls directly into the sea!
In the evening, when temperatures drop, head into the city. This destination is famous for its nightlife and beautiful historical monuments from the time of ancient Rome.
If you’re traveling with children, you can enjoy fun at the aquarium, dolphinarium, or amusement parks.
Prices in Antalya are about 20–40% lower than in Croatia, and if you fly from Central Europe, you’ll arrive in this exotic destination in just 3 hours.
Majestic mountains, beautiful beaches with crystal-clear water, national parks, and picturesque architecture reminiscent of the Italian city of Venice.
You’ll find this combination all in one place – in affordable Montenegro.
A vacation here costs about 10–30% less than in Croatia, and for that price you get a lot!
Of course, you can enjoy swimming at beaches along the turquoise Adriatic Sea, but you shouldn’t miss exploring the fantastic nature and charming towns.
Visit the national parks Durmitor with the Black Lake, Lovćen with views of the Bay of Kotor, or Biogradska Gora with one of the last primeval forests and the beautiful Biograd Lake.
The towns of Kotor and Perast look like they came straight out of a postcard too.
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TIP: Did you know you can pay for accommodation with employee benefits from Edenred, Pluxee, or Up and save even more? Just choose any hotel on Booking.com and copy the link into this form. It takes only 2 minutes. Then you can start looking forward to your trip!
Greece isn’t just Athens and Santorini. There are many islands where you can enjoy a seaside vacation at prices comparable to Bulgaria. And there’s plenty to choose from!
Popular places with a great price-to-quality ratio include the Chalkidiki peninsula and the islands of Crete, Naxos, or Corfu.
Wherever you go, you’ll feel like you're in heaven. You’ll be welcomed by turquoise water, long sandy bays, and gentle entrances into the sea.
And where should you go after a swim? Try tzatziki in a traditional tavern or visit archaeological sites such as Knossos on Crete.
Greece is a country woven with mythology and ancient architecture. If you want more from your vacation than just cocktails on the beach, Greece will definitely become your yearly tradition.
Do you receive employee benefits at work from Edenred, Pluxee, or Up? And did you know you can conveniently pay for your vacation with them?
Just choose any hotel on Booking.com and copy the link into this form. It’s very simple – you’ll be all set in 2 minutes. Then all that’s left is to pack your bags and look forward to a well-deserved relaxation.
And for more tips on where to go on vacation, follow our Instagram.
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