With Christmas and New Year over, many families are looking forward to the summer holidays. January is traditionally one of the busiest months for people making travel plans for the year.
And now, travel expert Simon Calder has given suggestions for the best holidays destinations for 2023, and where to get the best value for money. When asked on BBC Breakfast for the biggest deals he gave his top tips as Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania.
He said: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal and in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria - obviously a very popular package holiday destination." Portugal has long been a popular destination and won favour from the British travel industry after becoming the first country in Europe to ignore Brexit-based passport lane alterations.
This meant that unlike in other EU countries that make a distinction for UK passports as ‘rest of the world’ Portugal effectively still treats UK visitors as if they were part of the EU allowing them to use fast-track queues. Meanwhile, Bulgaria is known for its cheap skiing and package holidays which Simon recommends for their ability to give people the most value for month.
He also stressed that package holidays are definitely the way to go "in terms of consumer protection". Simon also said that after speaking to easyJet holidays there are a couple of places that are set to be popular in 2023 that are perhaps a little off the beaten path.
Three tiny south eastern European countries, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro have been tipped by easyJet as up-and-coming holiday destinations. Simon says these holiday spots are growing in popularity because they are 'very cheap' with Montenegro and Albania offering beach holidays by the Adriatic for a fraction of the price of holidays to Croatia or Italy.
He added: “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.”
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