For a European beach vacation with a difference Simon recommends the Bulgarian Riviera by the Black Sea. Spanish hoteliers are now opening hotels in Bulgaria and offering Spanish hotel standards in a low cost destination. Romania also has some Black Sea resorts but they are not as developed.
The capital cities of Sofia in Bulgaria and Bucharest in Romania are worth exploring says Simon. He also recommends winter skiing in both countries because it’s challenging for beginners and the Greek-style food is different and not what you usually get on a ski vacation.
There is a downside to vacationing in cheap and fast developing destinations. You have to be prepared for a few surprises. For somewhere with higher standards, look at Slovenia. Slovenia’s not great for beaches but good for city breaks and fly-drive holidays.
For the more adventurous, Belgrade in Serbia, the southern part of former Yugoslavia, is a great undiscovered city.
Simon’s hot tip: newly scheduled flights from Gatwick to Bosnia. Bosnia is being gradually developed as a place for adventure travel with a very green agenda so visitors can tread sensitively upon this beautiful landscape.
The food in Bosnia is good quality and the prices are very low. Sarajevo has some great hotels and they are getting better.
For somewhere pioneering, what about the historic city of Mostar? Its famous bridge symbolizes the unity of different cultures.
For somewhere slightly off the wall, Albania is a very exciting destination. It’s the strangest place in Europe and there are now daily flights to Tirana. Albania also has some of the finest and unspoilt beaches on the Adriatic. Dures, just 30 miles from the capital of Tirana, has good beaches but maybe they are not yet quite ready for offering the sort of tourism people have enjoyed in other countries such as Croatia. You need an adventurous spirit to make the most out of Albania.
And finally Russia: it’s the world’s biggest country yet so few people go there. When the Soviet Union collapsed people thought everyone would visit Russia because it was easy, manageable and fun. In fact, the visa rules have got even tougher. But it is well worth persevering!
Simon recommends the world’s greatest train ride: the Trans Siberian from Moscow across to the Pacific. For just a flavour of this fascinating country, try a short break to St. Petersburg, one of Europe’s finest cities. It’s a very manageable destination.
Simon’s tip: spend the three or four hours on the flight over learning the Russian alphabet so can use maps and street signs. Then you won’t feel quite like a stranger in a strange land. If you love the Russian way of doing things, go to St. Petersburg - the gem of Russia.
Simon Calder, Travel Writer
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