Travel expert Chelsea Dickenson constantly looks for methods to reduce the costs of travelling, whether that’s wriggling her way around airline baggage fees, packing tips, and swapping popular holiday destinations for overlooked spots. Chelsea, more popularly known as Cheap Holiday Expert, recently spoke of underrated city breaks which need to be on your radar, especially if you’re trying to save a couple of quid, without compromising on the excitement of travel.
Chelsea recently partnered up with Boots to curate ready-to-go bundles containing all the essentials for festivals, beach trips, and adventures so customers can get the essentials items they need in one place, and without having to fork out a small fortune. Over half of Brits (53 per cent) admitted they’ve forgotten to pack something on a beach trip, with 41 per cent saying the same for hiking or adventurous days out. One in five Brits (21 per cent) have turned up to festivals without something important.
As Chelsea loves a bargain, she’s constantly on the hunt for destinations where she can stretch her money further. There’s one European city Chelsea believes is criminally underrated, despite the country receiving an outpouring of love for its coastal spots over the past few years.
She told the Express: “So one place I think should be on more people’s radar, it’s really interesting, because Albania has been getting lots more attention, but more for their Riviera…I’m saying their capital Tirana is absolutely gorgeous.”
Albania’s capital city is slap-bang in the centre of the country, flanked by mountains and hills, including Dajti. The city itself was founded by an Ottoman Albanian general back in 1614, becoming an independent nation in 1912, nearly 300 years later.
Chelsea described the city as being great for those who enjoy greenery, offering a number of outdoor space to relax in under the summer sun. When the weather is on your side, you want to explore their cafe and restaurant scene.
Chelsea continued: “They have such a brilliant cafe and restaurant culture, so there’s so many outdoor places to sit. I was getting their traditional pastries for I think 45 pence each.
“So you can eat super affordably.”
There’s a plethora of Balkan pastries on offer in the city, with one Albanian pointing to the likes of borek, kadai and baklava. There’s also kompekaj, a close cousin of the popular baklava.
A friend from Tirana shared some insights in the local culinary scene. Kernace Zgare Fatosi is the place to go if you enjoy tucking into kofta, breads and yoghurt. A local tip? Visit at dusk for an amazing atmosphere.
If you’re looking to tuck into some traditional Albanian dishes, head to Restorant GjinoKastra for some traditional pacha – or stew – with some unexpected ingredients… like sheep head, if you’re into those things. They too recommended trying some Turkish coffee, but be aware that these coffee shops are always packed.
For some cultural musings and sights, consider Skanderbeg Square, Kalaja e Tiranes (Tirana Castle), the New Bazaar in Pazari i Ri, and Sofra e Aruit, a bear cafe with bears within touching distance.
Chelsea also touched on the city’s bar culture, such as Blloku. To enjoy a drink while taking in the view of the city, the rooftop at the Xheko Imperial Hotel is “amazing”.
Another bonus to visiting Tirana? The cheap flights. Chelsea tipped the Albanian capital as one of the few locations where you could score a return flight for approximately £40 during off-peak season.
A flight from London Stansted with Ryanair in September could see you shell out just £15 per way. Chelsea managed to save costs, only spending £100 on a three-day, two-night stay in the city.
“You know, holidays are getting more expensive,” Chelsea said. “It’s one of those places that you can go and do not have to spend a fortune.”
The ready-to-go bundles will be available on boots.com containing all the essentials for festivals, beach trips, and adventures. The three bundles are £20 each, consisting of five to seven products and with savings of over £10.