![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255274653.jpg\")
The medieval Place Plumereau in Tours old town (Photo: Faabi\/Getty Images)Tours, France\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\tA month-by-month guide to escapes on the continent without the peak season price tag \u2013 even during school holidays\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n
With summer fast approaching, 76 per cent of UK travellers are looking to take more holiday this coming season compared with last year.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s according to travel search aggregator Skyscanner, whose latest annual Smarter Summer Report looks at British holidaymakers\u2019 plans. <\/p>\n
Even if you haven\u2019t yet made a booking, it\u2019s still possible to find a bargain \u2013 particularly if you\u2019re happy to be flexible. According to Skyscanner\u2019s research, three quarters of travellers surveyed said they were open to choosing a less-well known destination over a popular one in order to save money.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are some extremely cheap options to lesser-visited destinations available in high season \u2013 including a week in Fez, Morocco in July with flights from Stansted for \u00a3102pp return and accommodation with breakfast at the four-star Riad Dar Pierre for \u00a3371 for two \u2013 some tried-and-tested spots are also more affordable than you might expect. <\/p>\n
These are some of the least costly places to visit during June, July and August where you can secure a holiday for under \u00a3500 per person.<\/p>\n
June<\/p>\n
Skyscanner\u2019s research reinforces that shoulder season is the time to avoid peak prices and crowds \u2013 and 38 per cent of Britons said they were considering travelling in June or September. This is an excellent month to take a child-free break while the weather is warm but destinations are less busy. <\/p>\n
The medieval Place Plumereau in Tours old town (Photo: Faabi\/Getty Images)Tours, France\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tours, central France, is known as a gateway to the Loire Valley, making it a superb base to explore the region\u2019s chateaux and vineyards. The city is packed with historical attractions such as its gothic 12th-century cathedral, Saint-Gatien, and other striking architecture.<\/p>\n
Return flights from Stansted with Ryanair are available for as little as \u00a331pp, while a week at the Hotel Mirabeau<\/a> in the city centre costs from \u20ac743 (\u00a3629) for two people. According to cost of living database Numbeo, a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs an average of \u00a342. <\/p>\n Once you\u2019re there, spend time wandering the city\u2019s old town, with its half-timbered houses, or head out to the wider region on a wine tour.<\/p>\n Trieste, northern Italy, is significantly less well-known than nearby Venice and Verona, but its position on the coast \u2013 close to the Slovenian border and this year\u2019s borderless European Capitals of Culture (Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy) \u2013 makes it well worth a visit for those who like to like to combine a cultural city break with beach time.<\/p>\n We found return Ryanair flights from Stansted for \u00a340, and a week in a self-catering studio apartment at the Hotel Roma<\/a> starts at \u00a3876 for two people. Numbeo data shows a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs \u00a350, on average. <\/p>\n Must-visits in the city include the Piazza Unit\u00e0 d\u2019Italia, the largest seafront square in Europe, packed with historic restaurants and cafes, and the Castello Miramare, set right on the cliffs above the Adriatic Sea. Tickets from \u20ac12.<\/p>\n To cool off, head for a swim at one of Trieste\u2019s beaches \u2013 favourites include rocky Barcola and I Topolini, the latter flanked by semi-circular 1930s terraces looking out to sea. <\/p>\n July<\/p>\n Holiday prices soar when school terms end, but travelling in July doesn\u2019t have to break the bank. Skyscanner\u2019s research shows that the cheapest week to travel this summer is from 7 to 13 July \u2013 which is good news for those not restricted to holidaying outside of term-time \u2013 and there are some good deals for families too.<\/p>\n A summer trip to the Greek islands is always a good idea, and Corfu is one of the most affordable this summer. <\/p>\n Jet2 Holidays<\/a> has a week for two adults and two children on the Ionian island from \u00a31,866, including return flights departing from Manchester on 29 July, checked baggage, transfers, and self-catering accommodation at the three-star Paradise Hotel Apartments in the northeastern tourist town of Sidari. <\/p>\n Alternatively, EasyJet<\/a> has return flights in July from Liverpool from \u00a3148pp for a 24 July departure, and a week for a family of four in a garden room at the Corfu Aquamarine Hotel, in the relaxed coastal town of Nissaki, costs from \u20ac915.<\/p>\n Barbati, Agios Gordios, and Paleokastritsa are among Corfu\u2019s best beaches, all with crystal-clear waters, while Unesco-listed Corfu Town has plenty of history to soak up. Young families will enjoy a day at Aqualand water park; tickets cost from \u20ac26 for adults, \u20ac20 for children under 12, and under-threes go free.<\/p>\n A Ryanair flight from Stansted to the pretty city of Reggio Calabria<\/a> in southern Italy will set you back from \u00a361 return (\u00a3147 for a departure on 24 July, when most schools have broken up) \u2013 and a week at the four-star Hotel Continental <\/a>costs from \u20ac774 for two on a B&B basis.<\/p>\n For families of four, the four-star Casual Life Suite<\/a> apartments has a two-bedroom unit from \u00a3943 for a week, self-catering. <\/p>\n Take a trip along Reggio Calabria\u2019s Lungomare \u2013 or boardwalk \u2013 to explore the city\u2019s pebble beaches. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Museum is home to significant collections from sites in ancient Magna Graecia. Entry costs from \u20ac6 (\u00a35.05); free on the first Sunday of each month.<\/p>\n August<\/p>\n The latest Holiday Habits report from the Abta travel association shows that August remains the most popular month for foreign travel among Britons, with 23 per cent of older families \u2013 those without very young children \u2013 tending to holiday then. However, there are affordable trips despite the month\u2019s desirability.<\/p>\n Ibiza, Spain <\/p>\n Ibiza isn\u2019t just a haven for clubbers, but a great family destination too, with beautiful coastline and laid-back atmosphere. Family-favourite beaches include the wide and sandy Cala Llonga, with its calm waters, and Cala Bassa, which has turquoise waters and a lively atmosphere. <\/p>\n Flights are available for \u00a355 from Manchester, \u00a357 from Newcastle and \u00a376 from Birmingham, all with Ryanair. A week\u2019s self-catering at Apartamentos Bon Lloc <\/a>in the quiet, family-friendly town of Santa Eulalia on the east coast starts at \u00a31,291 for two adults and two children.<\/p>\n Expedia, meanwhile, has a package with return EasyJet flights from Gatwick (returning to Luton) and a week\u2019s self-catering Vibra San Marino Aparthotel in western San Antonio Bay, slightly outside the party town, from \u00a3491pp. <\/p>\n Among the island\u2019s child-friendly attractions is the Aquarium Cap Blanc. Housed inside a natural cave, it\u2019s perfect for spotting sea creatures native to the Balearics, with entry \u20ac5 for adults and \u20ac3 for children. Acrobosc is an outdoor adventure park, ideal for thrill-seekers of all ages, with plenty of climbing-based activities. Entry from \u20ac15pp.<\/p>\n Faro, in southern Portugal, is the gateway to the popular Algarve region. <\/p>\n![\"Grignano](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255274666.jpg\")
Grignano bay in Trieste is popular for sea bathing (Photo: Massimo Scarselletta\/Getty Images)Trieste, Italy <\/p>\n![\"Barbati](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255274812.jpg\")
Barbati Beach in Corfu (Photo: KroXi\/Getty Images)Corfu, Greece <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255275176.jpg\")
A neo-gothic style villa on Lungomare Falcomata in Reggio Calabria (Photo: Markeliz\/Getty Images)Reggio Calabria, Italy <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255275791.jpg\")
The Ria Formosa lagoon at low tide (Photo: Sparks Photography\/Getty Images)Faro, Portugal <\/p>\n