Overview
- Travel writer Simon Calder published his picks on Friday and recommended Montenegro, Portugal and Bulgaria as budget-friendly options for summer 2026.
- Calder points to a Jersey Island Holidays affordability study when saying Montenegro ranks among Europe’s most affordable countries and to Kotor Bay’s UNESCO-listed scenery as a key draw.
- For Portugal he singles out Lisbon and nearby towns like Cascais, Estoril and Sintra while urging visitors to explore the lesser-known Setúbal Peninsula and local seafood spots such as O Barbas.
- He praises Bulgaria for low prices, soft sandy beaches and good value hotels, saying visitors can stretch their money further there than in many Western hotspots.
- The coverage blends expert recommendation, a private-sector cost study and Tripadvisor traveller quotes, which could steer budget holidaymakers toward these lesser-known alternatives this summer.