Dear potential Tinder match no. 13892, and all your fallen comrades who came before: your love of travel isn’t a unique selling point. Funnily enough, everyone likes going places that are a bit hotter and sunnier. If money was no object, we’d probably all be on a Thai beach right now. Unfortunately, getting out the country is sometimes trickier than the avid travelites would have you believe.
Too often, the options for travelling seem to fall into three restrictive categories. First up are the budget-free travellers, who reside on Instagram, always perfectly balanced on the back of a camel as they ride into a Moroccan desert sunset. Their travels look incredible but when you google the geotagged hotel they just stayed at and find the prices, it will give you heart palpitations. Next are the backpackers. AKA, the guy on your timeline who’s just uploaded a million selfies with the new “fellow nomad” best friend they found at their hostel. Yes, the pictures are sensational, but the grim realities of hostelling get old, fast. Finally, you have the package holidayers. The upsides are a pool, a nearby beach and as many pina coladas you can drink for 500 quid a week. It’s a functional kind of bliss, but you’re swapping true Instagram glory for the safety of a cookie cutter holiday.
Or, there’s fourth, secret travel option. One where you can get the ‘grams of the former on the budget of the latter.
The trick is to take your lower-end budget somewhere it will stretch much further. Which is easier said than done. Usually by the time a place has made its way onto your social feeds, the cat’s out the bag and the five star hotels cost five star prices. So, we’ve done the snooping for you to find the best value travel spots of this year. Forget St Bart’s, Marrakech and Shanghai and get on board with Cartagena, Essaouira and Xian. Think of it like unlocking a really good bonus level; the game looks the same, but suddenly you only need half the ammo to get a high score (or in this case, a ton of Instagram likes). Plus, you’ll be able to update your Tinder bio to, “major skill: travelling like a king on the budget of a student”. Much more right-swipeable.
1. Essaouira, Morocco
The laid-back alternative to Marrakech you never knew you needed. Basically all the Moroccan aesthetic of the former, sans the crowds, pollution and high prices. With a cracking beach and exceptionally fresh (affordable!) seafood thrown in to boot. And because Essaouira is only just appearing on peoples radars, you can stay in a beautiful Riad for half the price of the capital.
Stay: In an authentic Riad. From £27 a night.
2. Barichara, Colombia
Colombia is THE destination to get to this 2018. It started appearing on the travel scene last year after a long time as a "no-go" area. But it's a lot more peaceful now (President Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016), and in that sweet spot of not-too-touristy but not-too-rough-and-ready. Basically, go this year, before the prices sky rocket (they will. Trust me).
Stay: In a whole house (sleeps 13!), with a pool. From £65 a night.
3. Gaziantep, Turkey
When you think of Turkey, Gaziantep won't be one of the first spots that jumps to mind. But it should be. It's just as beautiful as the countries more well known destinations, and as one of only eight UNESCO Creative Gastronomy Cities in the world, it's a dream for foodies.Think of it as a better priced, more authentic Istanbul. Plus it's the pistachio capital of Turkey. What more could you want?
Stay: In a restored historic stone building. From £31 a night.
4. Tallinn, Estonia
Named the best value destination in the world in Lonely Planet's 2018 Best in Travel guide, you'd be mad not to pay a visit this year. It's had a bad rep as a lads on tour destination for far too long – yes, the beer is cheap, but there's so much more to offer. Think fairytale-esque architecture, highly instagrammable food and heaps of culture.
Stay: In a beautiful apartment in old town. From £32 a night.
5. Hunan, China
You just need to take a look at the pictures to see why you need to visit Hunan. THOSE. VIEWS. Head to Zhangjiajie, an amazing sandstone canyon, to appreciate them over the world’s longest glass bridge. Fenghuang is another mind-blowing spot: a historic town that literally hangs over the Tuo river. And the prices are just a breathtaking: you can go mega budget for less than a tenner a night, but my pick would be to stay somewhere that would cost £100s a night anywhere else, but is ridiculously affordable here.
Stay: In a B&B in a mountain village, £30 a night, or in a luxurious apartment on the edge of a national park, £61 a night.
6. Porto, Portugal
Lisbon is great, but Porto is where you need to head to this year. Portugal's second city, it's wonderfully free from crowds, but just as good. The views are spectacular, thanks to the town being built in the side of steep banks either side of the Douro river. It's also a major foodie spot: Portuguese tarts everywhere you look, bacalhau (salt cod), francesinhas (meat and cheese toasties with beer sauce) and more. And enough port to swim in – it is the city's namesake afterall. All at prices WAY cheaper than the already very reasonable capital.
Stay: In a traditional house that comes with a spectacular garden. From £44 a night.
7. Piran, Slovenia
Reason's to visit Piran: 1. it's the best preserved historical town on the Adriatic, and is full of Venetian gothic architecture. 2. The seafood is incredible 3. It's essentially Cinque Terre and Portofino minus the bonkers prices.
Stay: In an apartment with an ocean view veranda. From £81 a night.
8. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
An absolute gem, this is a small city in the state of Guanajuato. Think Barcalona and Cartagena good looks minus the prices. Also, the Mexican Peso is currently down, so it's even easier to get to know the city without blowing your whole budget.
Stay: In a three-storey tower. From £59 a night.
9. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I don't know why Kuala Lumpur isn't more of a destination in Asia. People go on and on about Vietnam, Thailand and Japan (which don't get me wrong, are all brilliant). But where's the KL love? It's a corker of a city. Gorgeous city lights, an amazing food scene (street food! crab restaurants for days!), and tons of beautiful sights a stones throw away. Plus you can stay in a literal skyscraper with pools on the top floor for about £30 a night.
Stay: In a skyscraper aparthotel with an infinity pool. From £38 a night.
10. Mostar, Bosnia
Beware: Mostar will steal your heart and refuse to give it back. Stari Most, the bridge in old town is one of the most glorious bridges I've ever seen. And I never thought I'd be saying that about a bridge. It's a tradition for local men to jump off it. There's equally gorgeous sights nearby, like the waterfalls perfect for a daytrip outside the city, and Blagag Tekke, an ancient monastery on top of the Buna River. And as Bosnia isn't really on the mainstream travel radar yet, it's still reasonably priced, and relatively crowd-free.
Stay: In a homey hotel in the centre. From £21 a night.
11. Dakar, Senegal
Dakar is one of the best spots to head to for a first time trip to Africa. It's a super modern city but still has all the beach you can ask for. And you can get some beautiful places to stay at equally beautiful prices.
Stay: In a studio with a lush private courtyard, £21 a night, or a gorgeous hotel on the coastline, £56 a night.
12. Port Salut, Haiti
Before it's 2010 catastrophe, Haiti was known as the "pearl of the Caribbean". It's time we started getting away from all the negative stories surrounding it and started seeing the positive: the island is rebuilding, and an injection of tourism money would help that along no end. And Port Salut is BEAUTIFUL. It's at complete odds with many of the horrifying stories surrounding the island, with white sands, crystal clear waters and very affordable beach accommodation.
Stay: In a beach front resort. From £73 a night.
13. Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor bay is a UNESCO wold heritage sight, and it's easy to see why. The historic walled old town surrounded on all sides by mountains is a hell of a sight. And the prices are still very good: go before things start to creep up the same way they're doing in Croatia, Montenegro's neighbour. Pro tip: if you like parties, stay in the town, which is a nightlight hotspot, otherwise stay outside the old town for peace and quiet.
Stay: In a peaceful, private B&B carved into the bay. From £64 a night.
14. Koh Lanta, Thailand
Thailand is a tricky one. Generally, the prices are good, but it's hideously overcrowded with tourists, particularly along the coastline. Just go to Phi Phi island and you'll see what I mean. Or, you could take my word for it, skip Phi Phi altogether, and head to Koh Lanta. An island near Krabi province, it's in the same area as all the most famous islands, but is still incredibly undiscovered. Think empty beaches, clear waters and the kind of peaceful vibe that probably existed on other parts of Thailand pre-The Beach (Leo has a lot to answer for).
Stay: In a beach-front bungalow (from £22 a night) or if you can afford it, a 5* luxury resort (from £150 a night).
15. Naples, Italy
Italy is so beautiful, but a lot of the country is now very overpriced as record numbers flock to it's most famous sights. Head to Naples instead. It's not on the main tourist beat, but is still gorgeous, with dramatic views of Mount Vesuvius in the background. It's also one of Italy's most historic, most art-filled and most delicious cities. And some of it's churches will genuinely make you go, "Rome? I don't know her."
Stay: In a simple private room with one hell of a view. From £28 a night.
16. Karpathos, Greece
Don't get me wrong, I'm as mad keen to get to Santorini as the rest of the world. But the prices. The prices make my heart weep. In the meantime though, there's Karpathos. This Greek island is seriously underrated – it's just as picturesque, has tons of history, the kind of picture perfect Greek architecture you see on postcards, and more turquoise waters than you can shake a stick at. All for a third of the price of the more famous islands.
Stay: A studio in the capital with a glorious terrace and panoramic views. From £37 a night.
