THE best value holiday resort for a family summer getaway has been revealed – and this year it’s a bargain holiday resort with cheap flights and cheap beers.
Holiday bargain hunters will find the lowest resort prices for 2024 in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, according to figures released by the Post Office.
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The annual Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report looks at the prices in some of the most popular destinations to find out where families can save money while still getting away for the summer.
And it turns out that Bulgaria’s top Black Sea resort is the most currently the most affordable spot, having overtaken Marmaris, last year’s best value destination.
From a comparison of costs in 16 European holiday hotspots, Sunny Beach topped the list, with high inflation meaning the Turkish resort was one of 12 destinations to see price rises.
At just over £110 for 10 items – including lunch and evening meals, snacks, drinks, suncream and insect repellent, Sunny Beach has taken back the top spot in the Family Holiday Costs Barometer.
That’s despite it seeing a almost a 10 per cent (9.8%) rise in prices since last July.
Even so, prices for a family evening meal remain lower than most, at £59 for three-courses, including drinks.
That’s a rise of only £3 when compared with last year’s costs.
Prices in general are pretty cheap around Sunny Beach, with a pint costing around the £1.30 mark.
Getting there is pretty reasonable too, with flights available for £86 return and hotels nearby available for £37 per night for two.
What’s more, flights take around three-and-a-half hours, making it pretty accessible, while the area lives up to its name during the summer months with temperatures reaching the high 20s and low 30s.
In Marmaris, the prices British visitors are likely to pay have risen by 17.6 per cent to £117 for the same items, according to research by TUI and local organisation Marmaris Info.
High inflation has resulted in a doubling of prices in some places.
Even though the pound has continued to rise steeply against the Turkish lira, the improved exchange rate only reduces the amount extra that Brits will pay on their Turkish trips this year.
Behind Marmaris in third is the Algarve, which remains “easily the best value of 14 Eurozone destinations surveyed”, according to the Post Office.
However, it has also seen a big surge in prices of 18.4 per cent.
Still, at £124 for the same prices in both Sunny Beach and Marmaris, prices in Albufeira are a massive 84 per cent lower than in Spanish hotspot Ibiza, which was the most expensive in the survey at £229 for the same products.
This year’s analysis again found that big price variations persist across Europe, with Ibiza costing twice as much as Sunny Beach.
Elsewhere, Paphos in Cyprus offers good value, after seeing a rise of just four per cent to £144 over the last 12 months.
That saw the resort move up to fifth place in the table overall.
Four destinations saw prices fall, including fourth-placed Costa del Sol, which has closed the gap with the Algarve after seeing costs drop 0.7 per cent to £138 for the reviewed items.
The biggest fall of 7.2 per cent to £155 was in Lanzarote, helping the Canary Island rise to seventh place from 13th last year.
Majorca (-1.2 per cent, £166, 9th ) and Crete (-02%, £180, 15th ) also saw price reductions.
PARENTS have been told the three ways in which they can make family holidays with kids so much easier.
Three experts have weighed in with their advice on what to do in order to make your getaways as stress-free as possible.
Family holidays are always exciting but having kids of a certain age can mean that things are more difficult than they need to be.
Thanks to Travel Weekly, here are three ways that those with young toddlers can have the best holiday possible.
Clarisse Chapolard, who is responsible for overseeing and caring for Club Med’s customers, says that booking off-peak flights ensures a quieter plane and airport – providing a more comfortable experience.
“Staff will generally be more available to help too,” she adds. “Flights can be the biggest headache with small children, so travel short-haul where possible.”
Clarisse also recommends making sure there are activities nearby to your accommodation to keep toddlers happy.
Having a child-friendly hotel can make the world of difference to your family holiday, especially when parents are looking for some time to themselves.
Founder and chief executive of Martinhal Resorts, Chitra Stern, said: “Accommodation needs to be child-friendly and safe, but also stylish and comfortable for parents.”
Finding somewhere with bed protectors, stair gates, steps in the bathrooms and furniture with round edges will prevent any unnecessary injuries or accidents.
Alan Cross, director of travel agent relationships for Jet2holidays, has recommended parents to look at package holidays for peace of mind, ease and assurance.
“Families with toddlers may appreciate dedicated facilities like kids’ clubs, children’s pools, creches, playgrounds, cots and highchairs,” he said.
Package deals can also include free child places, single-parent deals and discount codes, catering for more than a standard family of four.
Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: “Even though sterling is stronger now than last July, price inflation across Europe means that families need to allow for increases in meals,
drinks and other tourist costs in their spending budget.
“Doing some holiday homework before leaving home could help to reduce the chances of busting the budget while abroad.”
