DITCH the classic European escapes for these lesser-known gems – that’s the advice from experienced Wizz Air flight attendant, Niko.
She’s not a regular cabin crew, though as Niko has been with the airline since the very first flight in 2004.
Niko told Sun Travel: “Tirana, the capital of Albania, is an overlooked destination.
“The beaches are beautiful – it’s even been called the European Maldives. You can hire paddleboards and go into secret sea caves on the clear water.
“The food is great too, and the price of accommodation is very low.”
Albania is extremely cheap for Brits, with coffees costing around 167Lek (£1.47).
Pints of local beer around 250 Lek (£2.11) and small imported beer bottles costing 350 Lek (£3.07).
As for where to stay, you can find a room at a 4-star hotel for an average of £76 per night.
But for anyone on a budget, we found stays for as little as £7.20 per night on Booking.com.
Another affordable activity in Albania is heading to the spa.
The highly rated Ritual Spa in the capital has 60-minute massage services for as little as 4000 lek (around £35).
The average price in the UK is between £55 to £90.
Now, for the beaches, there are plenty near Tirana, from Spille to Durrës and Lalez Beach.
But if you want the Maldives experience, you’ll have to head further south.
This seaside village of Ksamil is where you’ll find crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sandy beaches.
Travellers on Tripadvisor have advised that you’ll likely need to hire out sunbeds on the beach, but this is relatively cheap.
One reported going to the Orange Beach Club where they paid €10 (£8.60) for two sunbeds and access to the infinity pool.
Ksamil is four hours from the capital of Albania and can be reached by bus or taxi.
Check out more tips about Albania from locals who live there – including 40p dishes.
With Wizz Air, you can fly from London Luton to Tirana from £19.99 in August.
Another top Eastern European destination Niko recommends visiting is Sibiu in Transylvania.
The city is landlocked so there are no beaches nearby, but there is still plenty to see.
Niko added: “I’ve been to Sibiu in Romania several times already.
“You have the mountains, so there’s lots of nature, the food is amazing, everything is cheap and the people are so friendly.
“And you should try Papanasi. It’s a Romanian dessert that’s like a doughnut. It tastes amazing, but not good if you’re on a diet.”
A Papanasi is a fried or boiled cheese doughnut, typically served with sour cream and jam. It’s soft on the inside and crispy on the outside – and you can pick one up for around £4 in Romania.
Everything is cheap and the people are so friendly
According to Wise, the cost of a three course meal for two in Sibiu costs an average of 175lei (£30).
Beer can cost as little as 5lei, which translates to just 85p. And the price of an average Cappuccino is 12lei (£2).
The city is known for its charming and colourful old town and there are still lots of medieval walls and towers to have a look at.
While in Sibiu, take a look at The Bridge of Lies which has lots of legends and myths behind it – and when lit up at night, can make for a great picture spot too.
According to Tripadvisor, another must-see spot in Sibiu is Muzeul Astra, the largest open air museum in Europe.
The Big Square, which is historic and filled with market stalls, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Flights from Birmingham to Sibiu with Wizz Air start from £35.99.
Niko really knows her stuff on where to visit, as she’s been flying with Wizz Air from the very beginning – including its very first flight in 2004.
At the time, Wizz Air had just one aircraft which had no luggage compartments, just shelves, and there wasn’t a built-in oxygen system either.
Thanks to her 26-year-long cabin crew career, there aren’t many places Niko hasn’t been yet, but there is one on her list – Tromso.
The city in Norway is dubbed the Arctic Circle capital.
Niko added: “I want to go to Tromso to see the Northern Lights. I’ve never seen them, even flying as cabin crew – that’s next on my list.”
One Travel Writer visited Tromso where they went on a boat trip and even spotted wild orcas.
You can fly from London Luton to Tromso from £49.99 with flights starting in October 2025.
