Simon Calder recommends affordable destination for autumn that’s ‘wonderful’

Travel guru Simon Calder knows a thing or two about holidays and one location has held his heart since the 1980s. Now, the destination is up and coming – but prices are stuck in the mid-1990s.

Albania is an up and coming tourism destination, but as Calder told ITV’s This Morning, he’s known about it since before it was cool.

Calder was chatting to hosts Ben Shepherd and Cat Deeley from his hotel in Durres Albania this morning, saying he had flown in the previous night.

“The sun has come out, it’s absolutely gorgeous and it’s one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Albania,” he told the pair.

In addition to its beauty, Calder said the prices in Albania are incredible. A pizza and a pint for approximately £6, and his bus from the airport to his hotel – a 30 mile journey – would have only cost him a couple of pounds; if he hadn’t missed the last one.

Luckily for him, the people in Albania are some of the most friendly and welcoming you can find.

Calder said as soon as it became clear he had missed the bus he found himself surrounded by locals helping him get a taxi – and telling him exactly how much he should pay to avoid being scammed.

He said Albania is currently a bit of a no man’s land when it comes to package holidays, but he suspects within the next few years they will begin to wise up.

Flights to Albania leave daily from major airports across the UK – and with paradise just a three hour flight away, why not put it on your list?

If, like Calder, you want to stay in Durres then there’s no shortage of things to entertain you. Durres is known for its massive Roman amphitheatre with intact mosaics which you can wander through and admire.

Tripadvisor rates this attraction highly with one person describing it as a must see.

One traveller explained: “This place is absolutely wonderful. I noticed that a lot of people take pictures from the outside and do not wish to spend 200 lek which is little less then £2 to go and see it inside. I think it’s their loss and they choose not to support further recovery of this beautiful place.”

However, if a beach holiday is more your style then Durres is perfect for that as well – it’s crammed with beaches brimming with white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters.

After a long day of exploring, you will have worked up an appetite so why not try some of Duress’s fresh seafood? Calamari, fish and octopus are all available and delicious due to how freshly they are caught and cooked.

Another delicious treat is Japrak – minced meat and rice rolled into wine leaves and cooked for a long time to develop a rich and savoury flavour.