1. Dine at La Boqueria in Barcelona

You’ll notice that in Spain locals know how to eat well on a budget. My most memorable meal there was also one of my cheapest – in ‘La Boqueria’, the public market on Las Ramblas. Like so many visitors to Barcelona, I was there to tick tourist attractions off my list. But, among the fruit sellers and fishmongers, I noticed some stalls with high benches and bar stools, where sharply dressed Catalans were tucking into several courses. I joined them, for an unforgettable meal tapas and a small beer (pints – ‘una pinta’ in case you do want to order one – are unusual in Spain, where locals tend to opt for smaller volumes).

2. Get your retail therapy in Egypt

Egypt is cheap by global standards, so it’s a great place to shop for luxury goods. Seek out Bedouin markets and fair-trade outlets where you can pick up silver jewellery, Egyptian cotton, or beaded and embroidered clothes and textiles – and bring a little affordable luxury home.

3. Pamper yourself on a Thai beach

Although it might cost you more to get to some further flung destinations, the cost of living there is often much cheaper, helping to balance the overall cost of your holiday. Some tlc is just the ticket to revive you after the long haul south. You’ll be amazed at how little it costs to get an authentic Thai massage anywhere in Thailand, or to treat yourself to a manicure, all while soaking up the restorative rays of the sun. I had my shoulders pummelled and my toes painted on a Koh Samui beach, and felt like a million bucks for next to nothing.

4. Unwind over a cocktail in Venice

A visit to the birthplace of the Bellini – Harry’s Bar, in Venice – could set you back a little (although who says you can’t treat yourself to one, as long as you don’t get carried away!). As a world-famous bar, Harry’s can charge a premium. But every little Venetian backstreet seems to have a wine bar, and most are inexpensive. Bartenders all over the city are dab hands at mixing this gorgeous peach and prosecco cocktail – and it’s sublime on a summer night.

5. Sip a banana licuado in San Telmo

In Buenos Aires’ oldest neighbourhood, the prices are low – so everyday luxuries come cheap. To indulge in some true refreshment, try a banana licuado, while watching tango partners dance their hearts out nearby. Banana licuados are Latin America’s take on the banana smoothie, but longer and cooler because it majors on the crushed ice and milk. It’s a great energy hit for a weary traveller, and also an unbeatable hangover cure, I’m told.

Any ideas on affordable treats at your favourite destinations, let us know!

One of the best holidays of my life was a solo trip. My husband and I had planned a Spanish cycling tour (we were newly married and I was 27).  But, at the last minute, a work conference came up that he couldn’t miss. I decided to go it alone.

Along the way – as I cycled along a Vía Verde (‘green way’) from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Costa Brava – I met locals who were welcoming and helpful. But still they asked: “Aren’t you worried about travelling alone?” But the experience made me realise that successful solo travel depends on a mixture of things:

1. Know your comfort zone

I admit it: I’m a free spirit and stubborn to boot. So I was determined to enjoy my holiday, even all the solitary bits. But if you’re at your best in a buzzing social scene, yet curious to go solo, consider package tours and popular destinations where you’ll always be at the heart of the fun.

2. Do your research

Before I left on that trip, I knew where I’d stay each night, and I’d either booked my accommodation or made contact in advance. I’d also looked into back-up plans. (Where else could I stay if my plans changed? What were other transport options?) I had all the maps, contact details and information I needed in print. Planning ahead gave me immense peace of mind.

3. Use your common sense

Cheap holidays to Spain are perfect when you need to get away on your own, but you want to save the big bucks for something with family or friends. Spain’s a truly tourist-friendly destination. Still, as a solo female traveller, I used my head about where to hang out. Truck-stop cafés for dinner? Definitely not. If I felt uncomfortable, I kept moving. And I was careful with my belongings. When I stopped in pretty Sant Feliu de Guixols for a swim, I locked my bike and secured my luggage at the local bus station. In a country I’m less familiar with – Egypt, for instance – my common sense might tell me to join a tour instead of going totally solo.

4. Get active

My trip was action-packed all the way. I made friends by joining fellow cyclists partway and greeted family groups who took to the path on Catalonia’s ‘National’ Day. There were meditative times among spectacular scenery, brilliant stopovers (the old town of Girona was a highlight), village visits for market shopping and chats with curious Catalans. I never felt lonely. But on another solo trip, to Barcelona’s big, bustling metropolis, I felt completely alone. If you’re somewhere where people are too busy to stop and chat, plan to avoid the blues by booking up some of your time – with cooking courses in Turkey, yoga retreats in Goa or climbing tours in Sardinia, to name just a few possibilities.

Have you ever travelled solo? What was it like for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.