How to holiday outside the Eurozone
Poor old Sterling. Once the pride of Britain, it has lately taken an almighty kicking on the international exchange rates, and that’s hit travellers hard. At many airport exchange desks, one Pound now buys less than one Euro.
One solution is to pick a destination outside the Eurozone. Here are some to consider.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is Europe’s best-value destination, according to the 2019 Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Report. Sunny Beach, a resort on the southern Black Sea coast, was cheapest of 20 destinations surveyed. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine cost an average £21.88 compared to £44.45 in Majorca and £80.67 in Sorrento, Italy.
Sunny Beach has a 9km-long stretch of golden, Blue Flag-certified beach and crystal-clear blue water. It has a long season from spring through autumn, but temperatures in summer are rarely scorching. Expect about 25ºC. Book with the specialist company Balkan Holidays which also has some bargain ski options in Bulgaria.
South Africa
It’s a long flight, but the continued weakness of the rand against other currencies continues to make South Africa a great bargain. And what a country it is, with game parks, iconic cities, stunning beaches, whale watching, delicious food, great wine and so much more.
First timers shouldn’t miss Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, the Winelands, the self-drive Garden Route and the malaria-free Kruger National Park. You’ll need at least two weeks. Mahlatini has some great travel ideas, or check out i-escape for stylish hideaways and hip hotels.
Turkey
If you insist on the Med, you’re going to find Turkey considerably cheaper than the likes of Greece and Spain. It’s a large, diverse country but the Aegean coastline — with its turquoise waters and small ports—is understandably the most popular tourist region. The best resorts include Kalkan and Kas. The Post Office survey found that in Marmaris, dinner for two with wine costs an average £34.09.
Prices are considerably lower if you can avoid the peak summer weeks and travel in the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October. These are actually better months to experience Turkey, without the crowds or searing heat of summer. Simpson Travel is a good source of upmarket hotels and villas, while Cachet Travel has discovered some of the most characterful and good-value places to stay.
Egypt
It’s had its ups and downs, but our enduring fascination with Ancient Egypt will ensure the country never falls off the tourist map. A generous exchange rate ensures that even three-star tourists can enjoy five-star opulence, and there are delights around every corner, from world-class street food to renowned dive sites in the Red Sea. You shouldn’t miss a cruise up the Nile.
For winter sun, it’s hard to beat Sharm el Sheikh for value. Keep an eye on the latest Foreign Office travel advice.
Thailand
I spent 2.5 weeks travelling independently around Thailand with my daughter this summer, some 25 years after my first visit. Inevitably, some things are much more expensive than they were, such as tourist excursions, luxury hotels and internal flights. However, there are still tremendous bargains to be found on every corner, with mid-priced accommodation, street food, spa treatments and budget restaurants all cheap as chips.
If you want to get beyond the obvious, check out Experience Travel Group which offers street food tours, homestays, hidden temples and unspoilt island hideaways. Turquoise has a great selection of family holidays in Thailand.
The Gambia
It’s a small country with a small strip of coastline on the west coast of Africa, but The Gambia is a great option for cheap winter sun. It’s easy to reach, with direct flights from the UK taking just six hours. Once on the ground, you’ll find the prices of food, drink, excursions and souvenirs are very low.
The collapse of Thomas Cook in September 2019 has created some turbulence for the tourism industry in The Gambia. Some hoteliers have lowered rates as a result, but flights are now at a premium. Check out the specialist operator The Gambia Experience, which has added three new flights from UK airports. It always has some deals on the table.
Cuba
There are bargains across the Caribbean, providing you avoid the French islands where prices are quoted in Euros, but Cuba remains one of the best-value destinations, partly because it offers so much more than tropical beaches. Salsa and mojitos for a start.
Don’t just stay in one place. Combine city with beach and consider a self-drive itinerary. For the best deals, try Cuba Direct, a specialist tour operator founded and run by a Cuban family living in London.
Not forgetting … the UK
One obvious way to avoid changing your Pounds to Euros is to stay in the UK. You could explore Scotland with McKinlay Kidd, exploring lochs and glens, whisky distilleries and remote islands, travelling by train and ferry. Or escape the crowds to enjoy some of the best of British countryside by renting a cottage. Try holidaycottages.co.uk or Rural Retreats. In Wales, Sheepskin has some gorgeous places to stay.
And you can still feel like you’re heading overseas by visiting the Channel Islands. Jersey has a charming mix of British and French influences, though prices are in Sterling. There are flights from more than ten airports across Britain plus ferries from Poole. Best places to stay include Greenhills for couples and the Merton Hotel for families.
- Visit 101 Holidays to find the 10 most popular holiday destinations.
