Looking for somewhere to host that much-needed catch up with the girls? We’d all like a time-out from daily life to meet up with old friends, whether it’s a session on the beach, a relaxing spa break or a shopping trip to end all others, but sometimes that group holiday seems less than affordable. Here are five of this summer’s hottest destinations for a girl’s week away, that won’t leave a dent in your savings.
Costa Blanca, Spain
A classic girls’ destination, the resorts of Spain’s south-eastern shore offer an appealing combination of lazy days filled with sunshine, and vibrant nights, filled with cocktails and dancing. If Benidorm or Torrevieja aren’t for you, try upmarket Valencia further north. With prices dropping everywhere in Spain at the moment and cheap flights widely available to get you there, you can still soak up the culture and share the tapas to your heart’s content; the city is also handy for the beach, only 15 minutes away.
Malta
A small and unassuming Mediterranean island compared with fast-paced Ibiza, Malta boasts stunning waterside cities, diverse historic sites and a crop of golden beaches on its northern shores. If you’re looking for night-life, St Julian’s is the main, boisterous resort to the east, while those who simply want to catch up with old friends can head out to Ramla Bay on Gozo, the tiny neighbouring islet.
Paris
The ultimate girls’ shopping trip, Paris is more accessible than ever nowadays, what with the Eurostar adding to the various speedy travel options. If art’s more your thing than chic designer stores, hang out in the Bohemian district of Montmartre, check out the original Moulin Rouge and all the real-life sets from Amelie, or run the length of the Champs-Elysees with your mates for prime photo opportunities.
Morocco
Bargain-hunting in the souks of Fez, going for a soothing spa treatment in Marrakech or reclining on the beaches of Essaouira; Morocco has all your girly holiday needs covered. Stay in a courtyard riad or rent a low-cost beachfront villa and fill up on some of the most flavoursome cuisine in the world. With direct flights from the UK only lasting a few hours, a dazzlingly different break on the African continent is easier than you may think.
Bulgaria
Try a more unusual seaside jaunt this summer in Bulgaria. As a non-Eurozone country, Bulgaria promises cheap flights and low spending costs, but these come with Blue Flag-standard beaches and a backdrop of beautiful wooded hills. Stay on the picture-perfect Black Sea coast, at resorts like Sunny Beach or get a dose of culture for you and your pals at historic ports like Nessebar. The warm weather will linger all the way into September, perfect for those bargain off-peak deals.