Sun’s Travel Editor Lisa Minot answers YOUR travel questions – from countries you should swerve to the home of €1 beers

I'm a single mum. Where's the best budget friendly (ideally around £500) places to travel in the UK with two small kids? - Martha

"A holiday park is the ideal budget holiday for you when you’re travelling with kids with plenty of activities on tap to keep them amused.

Have you thought about travelling with a friend who also has kids? That will cut the cost of accommodation and give you - and the kids - pals to play with!

My tips would include the likes of Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Essex - you can get a seven-night break over the May half term from just £439 in total for a two-bed caravan.

The park near Clacton has heated indoor and outdoor pools, a 200ft flume, big playground and multi-sports court to keep them busy."

We're an older couple with a few health problems but still active. We would like to go abroad we fancy a coach trip to Italy but the travel insurance puts me off any suggestions? - Judith

"A coach holiday is the perfect trip for those who still want to travel but would love the experts to take the reins while they sit back and relax.

With a knowledgeable guide to show you the sites and enhance your experience, it’s a savvy way to travel.

Of course, as you get older, travel insurance can be more expensive and a challenge for those with pre-existing medical conditions as insurance companies regard the risk of you claiming is greater.

We have found using a travel insurance broker can be helpful as they can access lots of different companies.

One we rate here at The Sun is Insurancewith.com which is an award-winning broker that covers over 5,000 conditions. Or look at BIBA.org.uk, the British Insurance Brokers Association, where you’ll find a directory of companies that offer reasonable rates to those with pre-exisiting conditions. You can call them on 0370 950 1790."

I love Spain but can't afford the high prices this year, where can I get the same weather, beaches and food and drink for cheaper? 

"For bargain booze, lovely beaches and value holidays, Bulgaria is a good alternative to Spain.

It sizzles in 28degree temperatures throughout the summer and has frequently been named one of the cheapest holiday destinations.

While many love the bustling resort of Sunny Beach, the lesser-known resort of Nessebar on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is also worth exploring.

Apart from one road running onto the mainland, the town is completely surrounded by water.

With narrow cobblestone streets and ancient ruins its a great destination to enjoy a value-for-money holiday with beers costing just one euro and a meal at a mid-range restaurant setting you back just £10.

Seven nights B&B at the 3* Hotel Mirage right on the beach in May is just £316pp with Jet2holidays and that includes your flights, 10kg of cabin luggage, 22kg of hold luggage and transfers."

As a retired couple in our 70's, can you suggest any underrated spring or autumn city breaks? - Julie

"‘Shoulder season’ breaks which fall between peak and off-peak are all the rage right now.

As a retired couple, you’re not bound by school holidays like families and can take advantage of the fact you can escape not just the punishing prices of peak time travel but also the highest temperatures.

One of my favourites for an autumn or spring city break is Valencia in Spain.

This underrated city on the shores of the Mediterranean gives you the best of all words with a huge swathe of golden sand on the coast as well as a fascinating old town stuffed full of lovely shops, bars and tapas restaurants.

On the city’s outskirts are the rice fields where they grow the main ingredient in their classic dish, the paella. And the Turia Gardens - a park that snakes from the city to the sea in what was once a riverbed - offers not just miles of green space but cafes, ponds, fountains and more.

The city is easily accessible with lots of low cost flights from the UK and temperatures in May and October are a very comfortable 24 degrees."

Current passport rules

"We’ve had lots of readers asking questions regarding passports so I thought I’d do a quick reminder on what the current rules are so everyone can check their passports before travelling this year.

Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.

But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.

First, check the date your passport was issued. In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.

Then check your passport expiry date.  You'll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.

Of course, these rules only apply to European destinations - make sure you check the requirements of any country you are planning to visit as they could require you to have more than three months on your passport."

I have read Albania is an up and coming destination. Would you recommend it? Is it ready for tourists. Where is best to stay? - Alan

"Yes definitely! With cheap flights and even cheaper drinks, a holiday on the Albanian Riviera might be the answer to your prayers this summer.

It's a destination dupe for pricer Italy and Greece with stunning coastlines.

Vlore sits in the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains along both the Adriatic and Ionian sea coasts. Further south, Dhermi is one of the largest and most famous beaches with white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters.

Ksamil is close to the Greek border and has been dubbed the European Maldives. Flights direct to the coastal resort with Wizz Air start from just £55."

I'm scared of flying but want to go abroad. Where's the best place to get to by either ferry or train? I'm married with two pre-teen kids. - Leanne

"The possibilities are endless! It’s never been easier to travel across Europe and beyond without taking to the skies.

With two pre-teen kids, there’s lots of options. Jump on a Brittany Ferry to France or Spain and combine it with a trip to a Pierre et Vacances resort, these are very similar to Center Parcs but much more affordable and with plenty to keep kids happy. Or how about embarking on a cruise?

There are more ships than ever before departing from the UK and the likes of P&O and MSC have fabulous facilities for children from water parks and climbing walls to kids clubs and cinemas and you can enjoy waking up in a different destination every day without having to pack and unpack!"

Is it safe to travel to Tenerife? I've got a holiday booked and don't want to lose the cash... and I also need a holiday! - Sarah

"Of course it is! While there have been a lot of reports on the demonstrations by locals across the Canary Islands, their issue is not actually with the tourists; their economy depends on their government and the lack of affordable housing.

This has to some extent been exacerbated by the rise of AirBnB style rentals squeezing locals out of their home towns and I do have some sympathy with this.

But these well-covered demonstrations are now over and the island is very definitely welcoming visitors.

Like all the Canary Islands, travel to Tenerife is very safe."

Is it possible to get a cheap deal at Center Parcs during the school holidays? Share your secrets if so!! - Anna

"I’d love to give you the secret to a cheap Center Parcs trip but sadly, that’s a bit like asking for the Holy Grail! Center Parcs enduring popularity - and high occupancy rates - mean demand far outstrips supply leading to those terrifying peak season prices.

But there are other resorts across the UK that I think offer the same feel and facilities of Center Parcs at a far cheaper price.

Bluestone in Wales is 5* National Park resort is set in 500acres with lodges and a huge water park as well as hundreds of activities from kayaking to axe throwing. Science workshops, mermaid schools, panning for gold and bushcraft are some of the other fun activities too which can be pre-booked.

Like Center Parcs, the resort is car-free so you can rent bikes and buggies to get around the park. There’s even a spa for adults with hydrotherapy pool and sea-salt cave.

When we did a comparison last year,  a seven-night break at a lodge in Bluestone costing £1,108 for a family of four on July 26. A similar lodge at Center Parks Woburn Forest would cost £1,408 for the same dates, or £1,598 at Longleat Forest - more than £500 extra."