As Blue Monday, dubbed the gloomiest day of the year, looms on 20 January, a leading travel expert suggests that planning a spring break could help lift the spirits. With April just around the corner, a budget-friendly stay at a UK university or a sunny escape to Spain may offer the perfect antidote to the winter blues.
Blue Monday, often criticised for its lack of scientific basis, marks a confluence of post-Christmas debts, broken resolutions, and dreary weather. Lily Smith from UniversityRooms.com argues that whether or not the date is officially the most depressing, many people could benefit from planning a trip to break the gloom.
Budget-Friendly UK Staycations
Ms Smith highlights the appeal of university accommodations in the UK as an affordable and atmospheric option. For example, St Catharine’s College in Cambridge, recently awarded Cambridge’s Best Overall Customer Experience accolade for overnight stays, is offering rooms this March and April.
Located in the heart of Cambridge, the historic college provides modern, accessible, and sustainable facilities. Guests can enjoy a night at St Catharine’s for £110, including bed and breakfast. Ms Smith notes that April, with its longer daylight hours and milder weather, is an ideal time to visit.
Sunny Escapes in Spain
For those seeking warmer climes, Spain offers university accommodation at budget-friendly rates. Bilbao, known for the iconic Guggenheim Museum, boasts affordable stays at Residencia Micampus Bilbao, where rooms with private bathrooms and kitchen access are available for £49.69 per night. The Basque city is forecast to enjoy highs of 19°C this April.
Alternatively, visitors to Valencia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast can stay at Residencia Universitaria Burjassot, just 10 minutes from the city centre, for £47.08 per night. For a slightly higher rate of £70.88, guests can book at the Colegio Mayor Galileo Galilei on the Polytechnic University campus, with ensuite rooms, balconies, and air conditioning.
Year-Round Opportunities
Ms Smith emphasises that university accommodations are not limited to spring. “Summer is an excellent time to book, with most students vacating their rooms,” she says. Across the UK and Spain, universities offer stays in major cities, providing affordable options for holidaymakers.
For those keen to shake off the January blues sooner rather than later, more information about St Catharine’s College accommodation can be found at universityrooms.com. Details of Spanish university stays are also available on the website.
By planning an April getaway, travellers can look forward to brighter days and a refreshing change of scenery—just the cure for Blue Monday’s gloom.
