Holiday resorts slash cost of food and drink
Holidaymakers heading for the Med this year look set to make some big savings.
Food, drink, entertainment and basic supplies will all cost Brits less this year, despite the falling pound.
Indeed, says Post Office Travel Money, "With three-quarters of the Post Office's 40 bestselling currencies weaker against sterling than a year ago, the majority of holidaymakers heading overseas should find that their money stretches further."
Its researchers totted up the cost of eight products - a cup of coffee; bottles of beer, cola and mineral water; sun cream; insect repellent; an English newspaper and a family meal.
And, they found, Portugal's Algarve region topped the chart, with the basket costing just £29.32. Just a few pence behind was the Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach, where prices have fallen by 18% since last year.
Meanwhile, the weakness of the Hungarian forint has help the country's capital, Budapest, overtake the Czech capital of Prague as the best-value European city break destination.
"In Europe, the best deals are likely to be in Portugal and Bulgaria, where increased competition to attract tourists has resulted in lower prices," says Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money.
"Once the exchange rate is factored in, tourists should see their spending costs shrink. For those travelling further afield, Cape Town, Bali and Tokyo look good bets."
Prices are down by 20% in Cape Town due to sterling's strength against the South African rand, making it the lowest-priced long haul destination surveyed and the third cheapest overall.
Prices have also dropped noticeably in Spain, Malta, France and Italy.
The bad news is that anybody travelling to the US, the Caribbean or the Gulf states can expect to pay more, thanks to the dominant US dollar.
"This really is a year when the holiday budget could spiral out of control if you haven't done your homework and checked prices for tourist staples in the destinations you are considering before booking," says Brown.
Indeed, he says, families could find themselves spending hundreds of pounds less for their food and drink in some European countries than in others.
Holidaymakers can check out the costs of different destinations on the Post Office's Travel Barometer here.
