Booking cheap holidays

It’s that time of year when the world and his dog seem to be flying off to exotic locations and returning bronze tans and smug grins. What is the cash-strapped, desperately pale student to do?

Luckily we’re on hand to give you some advice on getting the best price for packages, flights and accommodation.

Where to go

Luckily there are a myriad of beautiful destinations only a couple of hours’ flight away that can also be enjoyed at minimum expense.

Eastern Europe

Eastern European has become extremely popular with holiday makers, not least those looking for culture on a budget.

Stag-lovers’ favourite Prague has the obvious attraction of cheap drinks, but retains its evocative medieval atmosphere; towering church spires, grandiose cathedrals and stately towers nestle in the city’s maze of walled courtyards and cobbled streets.

Budapest’s two areas – Buda and Pest, straddle the Danube and offer two cities in one, both sharing equally stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage. Its nightlife is known for its vibrancy and remains extremely wallet-friendly; happily the leafy parks and tranquil hills of Buda can be enjoyed for free.

Or head to Latvia, with Riga’s medieval old town and early 20th-century art nouveau districts making it a memorable city to explore. It boasts plenty of cheap accommodation – there’s no shortage of hostels - and its famous, and gigantic, market makes for bargains galore.

Western Europe

Package holidays: love em or hate em, but with perhaps just a little bit of luck they can get you a convenient holiday in some beautiful locations where you’re sure to get your week’s share of sunshine. For a holiday under £200, take a chance, put your inner control freak to rest and embrace the bargainous joys of the package holiday.

Of all the west European countries though, Portugal is known for its value. Its capital Lisbon is full of charm; giving you a maze of a city to explore alongside sun-drenched beaches.

Further afield

With the euro exchange rate currently unfavourable, heading to more exotic climes can offer even better value.

The sun drenched beaches of Morocco are only a short distance away. With some beautiful architecture and rich cultural history, you can haggle the low prices to your heart’s content .

And nearby Tunisia, with its beaches, oases and oriental old town of Tunis, also offers a healthy amount of bang for your buck.