EASTERN PROMISE

A summer holiday in Europe normally conjures images of sea and sand in the Mediterranean. But the Baltic and Adriatic coasts have much to recommend them, writes Simon Calder

- Simon Calder

Despite the puny pound, a bargain-basement waterside holiday in Europe is still a possibility. Just move beyond the obvious tourist destinations and head east – to the likes of Poland, Latvia and Albania – where you will find a warm welcome, intriguing history, and a touch of the exotic.

Here are my top five tips to enjoy the beach away from the usual holiday crowds.

Sopot, Poland

The Baltic coast of Poland is sea-bathing heaven, though the water could be a touch warmer. The shore comprises a couple of hundred miles of sandy beach. And my favourite spot is the handsome 19th-century resort of Sopot – just a 20-minute train ride from the city of Gdansk, beyond the former Lenin shipyards. You can enjoy a vast swathe of soft white sand and benign sea on a beach that is ideal for young families, and 20th-century prices.