Company news · 4 min read · April 1, 2026

Smart destinations for the summer

Holiday Extras recommends Albania, Cyprus, Malta and Montenegro as smart summer choices for UK travellers looking to avoid extra hassle, crowds and rising costs.

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As holidaymakers firm up their 2026 travel plans, Holiday Extras says conflict, travel advice changes and new border processes are making some destinations harder to navigate. Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, says travellers looking for sun, value and fewer complications should consider destinations such as Albania, Cyprus, Malta and Montenegro. These locations offer warm weather, direct flights from the UK and fewer of the queues, crowds and rising costs expected in more in-demand Western European hotspots.

As holidaymakers flock to cement their holiday plans for the year ahead, new policies, FCDO travel advice, and global conflict mean some destinations are off limits for now, or come with complications that add an extra layer of complexity.

Holiday Extras says the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is leading many travellers to adjust their plans, with demand shifting towards familiar Western European destinations such as Spain, Greece and Portugal.

But that shift brings its own challenges. Spikes in bookings for those destinations are coinciding with industrial action in some of Spain's tourist hubs, while airports around Europe are under pressure to implement the new Entry/Exit System (EES), adding the risk of more complication, crowds and queues at border control.

That means some destinations are likely to become not just busier, but more expensive too. Holiday Extras says there are still warm, beautiful and affordable alternatives that can be reached on direct flights from the UK without compromising on quality.

Best for avoiding bureaucracy and the crowds

Albania

Wedged between Greece and Montenegro, Albania offers all the charm of an Adriatic break without the cost and bureaucracy of travelling to an EU destination, and crucially, none of the EES queues either.

With destinations often dubbed "Europe's Maldives", Albania offers stunning beaches, exceptional food and historic towns reminiscent of the places travellers already love in Greece or Croatia, but without the costs that come with mass tourism or the added friction of entering the Schengen Area.

What's going on with EES?

Navigating the EU's new entry system

Cyprus

The popular island destination remains a strong option for guaranteed warm and sunny weather. Sitting in the EU but outside the Schengen zone means travellers can avoid the EES completely.

Holiday Extras says confidence in Cyprus had dipped in recent weeks, but its Real Time Destination Tracker shows the destination is just as popular with holidaymakers as it was last year, with a 1% year-on-year increase in bookings to Paphos.

Cyprus offers soft sand, striking rocky coves, fascinating architecture and plenty for those interested in Greek mythology, including the Rock of Aphrodite, the mythological birthplace of the goddess of love.

Best for avoiding crowds from travellers pivoting away from the Gulf

Malta

For an island only 27km long, Malta punches far above its weight. Well known enough that almost everyone has heard of it, yet still underrated enough that far fewer people have actually been, it is an ideal early summer choice.

Three thousand years of history are packed into the country, which offers an extraordinary density of monuments, fortifications, cathedrals and archaeological sites. Even when popular Mediterranean resorts are more crowded than usual, Malta can still offer quiet corners that feel like a genuine discovery.

Montenegro

Breaks to Montenegro are like what breaks to Croatia and Greece were twenty years ago: beautiful, accessible, and not yet overrun.

Most of the UK's budget airlines fly direct to Tivat from multiple UK airports, placing travellers within easy reach of Kotor, one of the most spectacular town settings in Europe. The Budva Riviera and Durmitor National Park are also standout choices, and all the better enjoyed without the crowds.

Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, said:

"The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is leading holidaymakers to adjust their travel plans, with many opting instead for familiar destinations in Western Europe, including Spain, Greece, and Portugal.

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"This shift in demand comes with its own challenges, as spikes in bookings for these destinations coincide with industrial action in some of Spain's tourist hubs, and as airports around Europe are under pressure to implement the new Entry/Exit System ahead of the deadline in April, adding an extra layer of complication, crowds, and queues at border control.

"Not only are these destinations expected to become significantly busier, but more expensive too, yet other locations that are warm, beautiful, safe, and reachable on direct flights from the UK will be quiet by comparison, and offer an affordable alternative without compromising on the quality of your break.

"Those that can be flexible will get the best deal, but if you're planning ahead, Albania is one of the best choices. Offering everything we love about countries within the EU, it comes without the crowds and costs that the shift in demand will create. Malta and Montenegro are some others that are happily hassle-free, with fewer tourists that means EES won't feel quite as much pressure during peak times."

The complete Iran conflict holiday guide

Safety, rights, destinations and costs — everything UK holidaymakers need in one place.

Notes to Editors

For more information contact: The Holiday Extras PR team at GOLD79 on [email protected].

About Holiday Extras: Holiday Extras is the only place to go for your holiday extras, offering the best choice, value, and service in the market. Its AI-powered, hyper-connected and ultra-personalised app transforms ordinary trips into extraordinary journeys by finding the right airport parking, airport hotels, lounges, transfers, insurance, car hire, and other holiday extras for every trip.

Established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over 8 million travellers each year. When booking with Holiday Extras, if plans change, no matter what the reason, Flextras ensures it will always be easy and free to cancel the booking and reschedule for another date. The company has been listed eleven times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.

The Holiday Extras booking app is available to download now via a link at HolidayExtras.com.

About Seamus McCauley: Seamus McCauley is Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, the UK market leader in holiday extras including airport parking, airport hotels, airport lounges and travel insurance.

He is able to speak on a host of topics related to the travel industry, from new legislation and travel rules that will impact UK holidaymakers, such as EES and ETIAS, to top destinations and ways holidaymakers can save money.

He is a regular commentator in the media and has appeared across BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC News, Sky News Radio, the Daily Express, Independent, and Daily Mail.