Recent surveys revealed that celebrities play an increasingly important role in holiday choices. In fact, one in four adults admit to having an interest in the holiday habits of celebrities and a massive 80% of adults have booked a destination because an influential celebrity had visited. However, as most of us are not lucky enough to have similar budgets to celebrities, making similar holidays seem unattainable, the team at Wizz Air advise on how we can visit the celebrity-approved destinations on a budget.
Italy
As a cornucopia of sights, tastes and lifestyles that vary from region to region, it is easy to see why Italy is adorned and graced by some of the richest and most powerful celebrities from around the world. From the high-end shopping streets of Milan, which boasts some of the most expensive stores, to the peaceful nature of Lake Como which promises the perfect combination of peace and quiet with glamour and Instagrammable sights, Italy is undoubtedly a spectacular country to visit.
If you’ve been on Instagram for more than five minutes this summer, you will have seen a photo of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. 34 miles along the Italian southern coast, the Amalfi Coast became a draw for celebrity holidays, weddings, and honeymoons. Unmistakably Mediterranean, the Amalfi Coast hosts bright colours, crystal clear waters and dramatic shoreline. Previous visitors include none other than Beyonce and Jay-Z, but also JLo, Sienna Miller and Reece Witherspoon even honeymooned here.
Now you may be thinking “if Italy is adorned by such A-List celebrities, then how can I afford to follow in their footsteps?” However, with affordable flights to Italy now readily available and the average hotel room costing €78 per night in Naples, which is the closest city to the Amalfi Coast, achieving this luxury can be even more attainable.
Spain
Spain has been a much loved and incredibly popular holiday destination for decades and has hosted many celebrities from reality stars to even members of the Royal family, proving Spain offers something for everyone.
The second home for TOWIE stars, Marbella has become synonymous with glitz and glamour thanks to spin-off shows such as The Only Way is Marbella. Although it may seem expensive to holiday like the reality stars, one of the main reasons that Spain is such a popular destination is because of the low prices. With an average meal costing just €31 and a hotel room averaging €98 a night, Marbella is not as expensive as you might imagine.
It’s not just the Spanish islands that get attention from celebrities. Celebrities such as Kendall Jenner and Shakira have been known to visit Barcelona and spend time between the Gothic old town and sandy beaches. As far as city breaks go, Barcelona makes for a great one as it’s a compact city with extensive metro and bus connections that helps make getting around easy and inexpensive.
Portugal
Frequently visited by the likes of Ronaldo, Pamela Anderson and Madonna, Portugal is a cultural and historic haven that boasts some of Europe’s best climates all year round. Those who love to both relax and tick key sights off their bucket list can visit the capital Lisbon, where tourists can spend their days wandering through the pastel-coloured buildings and end the day sitting on one of the many Atlantic beaches, watching the sun go down.
Or in a similar way to that of Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Alex James and even Prince William, you could head south to the Algarve. Fly into Faro, the capital of the Algarve region, and indulge in delicious seafood dishes that are native to the region. With an average meal costing just €29, you can afford to indulge without worrying about breaking the bank.
Greece
As no place in Greece is more than 137km away from water, it’s no wonder that the country is so popular for those seeking rest and relaxation. While this may seem like absolute paradise, Greece is also incredibly affordable making it the perfect destination for those seeking luxury on a budget. The average hotel room is around €131 per night, however, this can rise during peak season.
With over 227 inhabited islands, each with its own style and personality, each island can offer a different type of holiday depending on what the travellers want. For example, Santorini is one of the most instagrammable islands in the world and subsequently draws an average of two million travellers every year, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t a great family destination. In fact, Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor went on their first family holiday with their baby, Sienna, back in 2020.
For those seeking a romantic getaway, be inspired by Little Mix’s Leigh-Ann Pinnock, who also visited back in 2020 and was pictured with her fiancé before welcoming their twins in 2021.
Croatia
Croatia as a travel destination has grown in popularity in recent years and with good reason. More and more people are discovering its abundance of historic sites, incredible wildlife and crystal clear waters. Not only is Croatia in general loved by high-profile holidaymakers, such as Tom Cruise and Snoop Dogg, but Dubrovnik has particularly become popular, partly thanks to the filming of Game of Thrones.
Croatia is coined as being “indulgently affordable” especially when it comes to food and drink. Croatian cuisine is all about using fresh and seasonal ingredients to make up the traditional, ancient recipes, but for reasonable prices. Not just meals but a pint of beer is around €3, and a glass of wine is on average around €4. Add these low prices to inexpensive flights and Croatia makes for the perfect low-cost holiday destination.
