Aarya Patil loves to travel. In her 26 years, has already visited some pretty epic destinations in Europe and beyond.
But the Bristol-based content creator insists that travel doesn’t need to be expensive.
In fact, she’s earned quite the reputation online for curating luxury-looking experiences at budget-friendly prices.
Here, she shares her favourite destinations for when you’re short on cash, but craving the sights and sounds of somewhere new.
Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country on the Adriatic coast of southern Europe.
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A stone’s throw from Italy, and bordering the Balkan holiday favourite, Croatia, little Montenegro welcomes a humble 2.6 million tourists each year.
That means it’s relatively undiscovered compared to its more popular neighbours.
For Aarya, that means one thing: it’s still pretty cheap.
Especially when you travel during shoulder season, like she did last September, and swap touristy cities like Kotor and Podgorica for lesser-known spots.
While she was there, she stayed in a coastal town called Herceg Novi at the mouth of the Bay of Kotor and the foot of Mount Orjen.
Dubbed the ‘City of Sun’ for its excellent weather and lush subtropical plants, staying here significantly reduced the price.
Aarya paid around £60 a night for a beachfront apartment at the four-star Hedera Residences, while easyJet flights into nearby Tivat average at £68.
She says she always gets the best deals when she books at least three months before a trip.
Top tip: If you’re staying outside of the main beat, hire a car. Aarya paid around £100 for three days, and didn’t spend much on petrol.
Having a ride also allowed Aarya to visit the Budva Riviera.
The town of Budva boasts a 2,500-year-old medieval Old Town, copious sandy beaches, and nightlife.
Plus, travelling out of season meant Aarya avoided the summer crowds. No sunbed wars here.
Albania
Thinking of a longer holiday? Aarya recommends combining Montenegro and Albania into a 10-day road trip.
She notes that direct flights to Montenegro in peak season can be expensive (in August, one-way fares can cost £180), whereas flying from the UK to Albania is affordable all year round.
On Wednesday, August 19, you can fly from Luton to Tirana for £19 with Wizz Air.
If you rent a car, Aarya says it’s a breeze to commute between the two countries. In Albania, she based herself in Sarandë and Ksamil.
Ksamil is a popular resort village on the southern Albania Riviera, inside Butrint National Park.
Famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and small offshore islands, everyone (including Aarya) describes it as an affordable Mediterranean alternative to the Maldives.
‘Ksamil was chill, quiet, and felt expensive. It’s a good option as it combines beaches, food, and bars,’ she says.
Aarya stayed at the four-star Hotel Deneol for £51 per night.
However rooms jump to at least £200 in July and August, and she tells us why: ‘We had a direct view of the ocean from our bed, and there’s a private beach.’
However, it’s worth noting that while Aarya loved Sarandë (she travelled in October when there were fewer tourists), Metro’s Travel Editor Alice Murphy has seen firsthand how it’s become a victim of its own success.
Alice recalled approaching the Instagram-famous paradise and seeing a sprawling mass of multi-storey hotels that covered Sarandë’s horseshoe-shaped bay.
On the beaches, she saw empty beer bottles, cigarette butts and sunbeds covering every inch of sand. Put simply: too much tourism.
Morocco
Morocco bless you with a rich travel experience that doesn’t require spending a fortune, Aarya says.
She spent a long weekend in Marrakech and fell in love with the country’s vibrant culture.
‘There’s something so magical about Moroccan streets — every corner feels like art, and every door looks like it belongs in a storybook,’ she recalls.
‘The intricate details, faded colours, textured walls, and little alleyways make you slow down and appreciate the beauty in the smallest things.’
Aarya explored traditional souks, open-air bazaars selling everything from spices, leather and textiles, and stayed in riads — something she recommends every visitor do in Morocco.
‘These are traditional houses or palaces with open central courtyards, indoor plants, and fountains, often converted into intimate boutique hotels.
‘They sum the country up so well: on arrival, you’re served Moroccan tea, and breakfast and lunch are an immersive experience, surrounded by trees and birds chirping.’
And, if you want a taste of luxury outside your hotel, Aarya says there are plenty of premium cafes with a high-end feel, but low prices.
Getting to Marrakech won’t break the bank either. In September, when daytime average highs reach 33°C, easyJet has fares from London Southend for £36.
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