Posted on Saturday, 6 October 2018

Much is made of the well-heeled baby boomer, kicking back on cruise ships and in top-end resorts. But not all seniors are laden with FTSE stocks and two pensions. Does that mean older people with more limited means can't enjoy a holiday? Not at all - especially if they choose a low-cost destination to make their funds stretch further. Here are four destinations to consider - each offering the same magical ingredients: history, culture - and a very reasonable cost of living.

Greece

Few country's rival Greece for the sheer quality and number of its historical sites - some of which were considered ancient even at the height of Rome's power. Stunning islands and beaches, amazing food, warm locals and a reliable sunny climate make Greece a winner with almost everyone - but particularly those on a budget.

Seniors will find their money goes two or three times further there than in Italy or Spain, and perhaps four or fives times further than in the UK, France or Germany. A meal with wine costs as little as 7 euros, while accommodation is similarly low-cost.

Berlin

Want the grandeur of an old European capital, but without the horrifying price tag? Avoid the extortions of London or Paris in favour of the bohemian German capital, Berlin. Scores of museums and art galleries fill the bullet-pocked buildings of Berlin, including the fascinating DDR Museum and Stasi Museum, which offer a profound insight into the dark inner workings of old East Germany. Darker still is the Jewish Museum, covering the holocaust.

There's also the Currywurst Museum and the East Side Gallery - a section of the Berlin Wall covered in now-classic graffiti. Get around on the expansive and inexpensive U-Bahn.

Going by Numbeo data, Berlin is a whopping 30 per cent less expensive than London or Paris.

For seniors, Berlin is safe and easy to get around, with a laid-back café lifestyle, perfect for relaxing between museums and art galleries.

Czech Republic

Sadly, the days of 25 pence beers in Prague are well and truly over. Happily, you can still get a pint for £1.20 - a figure that wouldn't quicken the pulse of even the most budget-conscious traveller. And if beer isn't your thing, be assured that restaurant meals, hotels, museums and all manner of attractions are much more reasonably priced than in the UK. Czech Republic's affordability is largely down to it having its own currency, which is notably weaker than the pound or euro.

Of course, it's not all about low prices. The Czech Republic - and Prague in particular - possesses an abundance of historic attractions. Enjoy the capital's unmissable Old Town Square, boasting the world's oldest working astronomical clock, while making time for the historic Vyšehrad castle and the majestic St Vitus Cathedral. More modern attractions include Frank Gehry's Dancing House and the Lennon Wall, dedicated to the late Beatle.

Croatia

Greece is hard to beat in terms of affordable beach breaks - but Croatia just about manages it. Its own currency, the kuna, is considerably weaker than the euro, meaning hotels, food and transport are all cheaper here. For older travellers on a budget, that means good quality accommodation for a superb price, a well developed tourist industry and plentiful historic cities - including ancient Dubrovnik, crumbling old Zadar and Split, famed for its Diocletian's Palace.

While all these destinations are safe for seniors, it's important to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy in case you face illness, injury, theft, baggage loss - or any number of other unwanted events.

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