A single dad embarked on a six-hour round trip to Kosovo for the day, spending just £88—less than the cost of a typical day at the British seaside.
Ultra-budget holiday to Pristina
Aleksander Sikora, 41, enjoys going on day trips to take a break from his demanding role as a single dad, and last month he undertook a 24-hour journey to Kosovo. The Farnham, Surrey resident used his day off from his role as a retail employee trainer to discover the city's landmarks and sample local dishes in the capital, Pristina. Despite the lengthy six-hour return journey, Aleksander felt he had enough time to experience the city's distinctive culture, and believes the modest expense makes it ideal for anyone considering a day trip.
He said: "I share my trips to inspire single parents who are struggling during difficult moments to go on day trips to relax and unwind. I'm trying to motivate and build up people who are not sure if they want to do it."
Cheaper than Brighton
Aleksander continued: "I decided to go to Kosovo because I've never been there before and it's something a bit different to just going to Spain or Portugal. It's cheaper than a seaside day out, a train from London to Brighton could be around £40, and with food and drinks it could be over £100. It's perfect for an ultra-budget holiday; you won't spend millions, and you can clear your head and relax."
Aleksander regularly takes day trips overseas to unwind and escape his responsibilities as a single father to his two children, aged 17 and 20, and has already enjoyed over 10 holidays this year—from Faro to Monaco. Eager to explore somewhere off the beaten track, he searched online and found Wizz Air return flights to Kosovo for just £42.
Exploring Kosovo's culture
Having only declared independence from Serbia in 2008, Kosovo is a relatively young nation, and Aleksander was keen to immerse himself in the country's rich culture. He had also hoped to soak up some sunshine in the Balkan state, though his trip coincided with the June heatwave. "It was about 30 degrees. I didn't know we were going to have the same weather in the UK," he said.
On June 22, Aleksander rose at 3am to make his way to Luton Airport ahead of his 7:25am departure to Pristina, the nation's capital. Prior to travelling, he spent £10 on an eSIM to ensure he had internet access throughout his trip, and a further £20 on airport parking. The flight lasted approximately three hours, and with Kosovo sitting one hour ahead of the UK, a frustrating delay meant he didn't touch down until 1pm. Upon landing, he hopped on a bus into the city centre, costing £6 for a return journey, before setting off to discover the key sights.
Sights and local cuisine
Among his stops were the Cathedral of Mother Teresa and the National Library of Kosovo, which has earned the rather dubious title of the "ugliest building in the world". "The library was my favourite part because it's so unusual," he said. Aleksander also visited the Newborn monument, a symbol of Kosovo's declaration of independence, as well as the statue of Bill Clinton, unveiled in 2009 to commemorate the former US president's pivotal role in securing Kosovo's independence.
Eager to sample the local cuisine, Aleksander picked up some jam pastries for just 80p. "They were as big as my hand; you can really fill up on them," he said. He also bought a sandwich for three euros, along with a bottle of water and an energy drink, which set him back just £2 in total. Throughout his visit, Aleksander spoke with numerous locals, describing them as remarkably "positive" and "helpful".
Return journey
After a packed day of sightseeing, Aleksander made his way back to the airport for his 11:55 pm flight home, arriving back in bed by 3 am. He said: "I would absolutely recommend Kosovo as a day trip. I know the flight is three hours, but it's a completely different way of life, and I made some great memories."
Aleksander's trip breakdown: Flights: £42; Parking near Luton Airport: £20; Bus into city centre: £6 return; eSIM: £10; Pastries and a sandwich: £8; Water and energy drink: £2; Total: £88.
