6 great-value picks for your next holiday

Best for: Stepping back in time

The perfect place for wandering around historic spots, Ohrid’s ​​​​​​a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient churches, a Roman amphitheatre and a hilltop fortress. Food and drink are cheap here too, so pop into little bakeries for a sweet treat or try specialities like fresh trout in family-run restaurants.

Top tip: For a showstopping look at the lake, visit the Church of St John at Kaneo. It’s up on a cliff and the view at dusk – with the church all lit up and the sun setting over the water – is one you won’t want to miss.

Best for: Beach days

Dolno Konjsko’s made up of a handful of hotels and a stretch of pebble beach – ideal if you like the sound of spending your days swimming in the lake or in your hotel’s pool, laying back on a lounger and sipping drinks on a sun terrace. And for exploring the sights in Ohrid, taxis are easy on the wallet and can get you to the Old Town in 15 minutes.

Top tip: Hotel Bellevue and Hotel Granit are both All Inclusive. Stay at either to get all your meals and some drinks sorted ahead of time and covered in the cost of your trip.

Best for: Local charm

St Johann’s full of pastel-coloured buildings with wooden shutters and balconies spilling over with flowers. You can get a taste of local culture by sipping a beer in the brewery and browsing the weekly farmers’ market for cheese, schnapps and handmade crafts. Plus it’s only a 15-minute bus ride from Kitzbühel, a popular town where you can spend an afternoon strolling the lively cobbled streets and people-watching outside cafés.

Top tip: Enjoy the free weekly concert in the town square, where bands take to the stage and everyone gets together for an evening of fun and dancing.

Best for: Walking

Take in stop-you-in-your-tracks scenery around Alpbach as you​​​​ follow paths along the valley, through meadows dotted with alpine flowers and past some of the 105 working farms in the area. And you can also catch gondolas and cable cars up to mountaintop trails and views as far as the eye can see. Along the way, there are plenty of authentic huts to stop at for a bite to eat – maybe classic dumplings or a sweet slice of strudel.

Top tip: Use your Alpbachtal Seenland Card – which is included with your stay – to get free daily trips on mountain lifts along with unlimited bus rides, weekly guided walks and entry to the local Farmstead Museum.

Best for: An under-the-radar pick

As one of the lesser-known spots on Lake Garda, Maderno tends to be more affordable too. And it’s got a great ferry service so you can still boat hop to must-see places like Garda town and Bardolino. There’s also loads to do right here, from beaches and gardens to walking and sightseeing – Maderno dates back to 900 BC and you can wander among the ruins of a Roman villa and 14th-century paper mills.

Top tip: For a few euros, take a tour of the Paper Museum to learn about the area’s past, see centuries-old tools and maybe even have a go at making your own sheets.

Best for: An authentic feel

Until 1932, the only way to get to Limone was by boat – it’s held onto its charm and is still one of the quieter towns around. Amble along little cobbled lanes lined with honey-coloured houses and traditional restaurants, and visit the surrounding lemon groves to breathe in that citrus scent. For a different day out, catch a 20-minute ferry ride over to Malcesine, which is known for its beautiful hilltop castle.

Top tip: There aren’t many All Inclusive options around Lake Garda but the Hotel Leonardo da Vinci is one of them. It’s got two restaurants, several bars and a self-service spot where you can help yourself to drinks and ice-cream.

Now you’ve got an idea where you want to go, you just need to choose when – quieter months like May and September are the best time for a holiday if you’re after a good deal – and you're all set.

Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.

Author: Courtney Sparham

Last updated: 15.02.2023