3 Of The Best - Europe without the Euro

Don't you just hate the way visiting your favourite destination in the E.U has become so expensive? Are you missing the good old days when the British pound actually held its own against other currencies and you could stretch your cash that little bit further on holiday?

Yep, we do too and that's why we've drawn up this rough guide on other great destinations in Europe that aren't in the E.U, making your money work as hard as it should be on holiday.

1.Croatia

This gem of a country is still relatively untouched by tourism when compared to some of the other holidaying Goliaths, but is one of the more picturesque and interesting options. If you're after a holiday that is filled with adventure, then this is the option for you. It's known as the land of 1,000 islands for good reason, and on your holiday you can expect to take in tranquil mountains, idyllic coastlines and renowned national parks. A trip down the Dalmation coast is a must for sight-seeing activities and car rental is very reasonable. To put Croatian prices into perspective, the average pint is the equivalent of £2.00...Sold yet?

2. Bulgaria

With its deserted beaches, picturesque mountains and medieval outposts, Bulgaria is a delight to visit in the Summer when temperatures hit 30°c. The pound is worth around 3 Bulgarian levs and if you steer clear of the main tourist resorts, this represents great value. If you like a drink, perhaps consider the tourist trap of Sunny Beach where the pubs and bars offer buy-one-get-one-free drink deals throughout the night.

3.Turkey

This popular destination seems to receive and more British visitors by the year and is it any wonder with its cheap and cheerful package deals to the main holidaying hot-spot of Bodrum and soaring Summer temperatures. Because of these factors, Turkey is slowly becoming more and more expensive and prices are beginning to show signs of coming into line with the rest of the E.U, but for now prices hold their value and the pound performs well for eating out and your holiday water-sports

You will find a glut of low-cost retailers offering fantastic deals on holidays to these areas. We suggest staying online to find the very best deals.

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's Cosmopolitan Capital

Kuala Lumpur offers the traveller looking for a city break something elevated above the norm for this is not your regular South-East Asian city. As one of the most cosmopolitan in the region, Kuala Lumpur offers you a whole host of sights that infuse the tradition of a Malay city with booming modernism that has transformed the city into a hub for World business and trade.

You can visit such iconic locations as The Petronas Towers in the centre of the city which allow you to peruse a panorama of KL that stretches as far as the eye can see. The antithesis of the Petronas towers are the Batu caves, located on the outskirts of the city. A short bus drive takes you to this breathtaking natural wonder that also acts as a place of worship for Malaysia's Hindu population.

For the more cultured, Kualu Lumpur has plenty to offer. The Islamic arts museum contains a multitude of artefacts that convey how Islam is perceived by a range of cultures and the building itself is work of art with it's decorated walls and huge domed ceilings. For something a little different, you could visit either of the city's famous Bird or Butterfly parks showcasing a range of exotic and colourful species from around the globe.

Being Malaysia, you are also spoilt for choice in the food department. You can visit any of the-street food stalls for cheap, yet delicious treats or head to a restaurant for a spot of fine-dining and a choice of International cuisines.

The top three alternative World cuisines

Forget Indian, Chinese, Italian or French! Why not treat your taste-buds to something a little different on your next trip and visit a country that provides alternative fine fare whilst providing you with an eye-opening holiday.

This quickfire list of the top 3 alternative foody destinations will give you a helping hand.

1)Thailand

Characterised by the use of fresh herbs, fish sauce and rice, Thai cuisine provides the biggest departure from standard Western foods. For a real kick, you can try some eye-wateringly strong tastes such as raw beef and fermented fish paste!

2)Mexico

You've probably already had a taste of Mexico through supermarket all-in-one box-sets, but for genuine Mexican fare head to the place of source! Mexican dishes are characterised by spice and simplicity and an amalgamation of ancient cultures that have combined to create perfection over many centuries

3)Japan

Japanese is rapidly becoming the food of choice for the hip. Characterised by seasonality and a reliance on fresh fish, Japanese cuisine is filled with smooth textures and strong tastes that can be overwhelming at first for Westernised tastes.