This explains why many smaller European countries are looking newly attractive. Albania, Latvia and Lithuania still have average short-term rental prices below €100 (£87) a night, according to PriceLabs, which collects publicly available data from Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com. Food, museum tickets and tourist taxes also tend to be lower than Western Europe’s summer heavyweights.
Value snapshot: Slovenia
Central four-star room: €120-160 (£105-140; $140-187)
Dinner for two at a smart-casual restaurant: €50-70 (£43-60; $58-82)
Public transport ticket: €1.30 (£1.15; $1.53)
Museum entry: €8-13 (£7-11; $9-15)
Coffee and pastry: €5-8 (£4-7; $5-9)
Slovenia might be this summer’s best example of compact European charm. Its small size (it’s roughly the same size as Wales) means most of its highlights are within just a few hours’ drive, allowing travellers to fit in lake swims, wine tastings, city strolls and mountain views. Travel experts often compare its scenery to Switzerland and northern Italy, but without the costs and the crowds.
Savvy travellers have already caught on. Luxury operator Unforgettable Travel Company has seen a 286% year-on-year rise in bookings to Slovenia, especially among active travellers.
“Slovenia offers better value for accommodation, travel and expenses compared to more popular destinations; about 15% more affordable than Austria and 25% more affordable than Switzerland,” said Charlotte Wells, the company’s global director of product and operations. “For families, Slovenia is considered a safe and easily accessible destination, which means shorter travel times and more affordable prices.”
With its castle-topped old town and compact centre, Ljubljana is an excellent alternative to Europe’s busier summer capitals.
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