The Independent on Saturday

10 destinatio­ns for a family trip to Europe

- ZAMANDOSI CELE

TAKING a family holiday in your home country can be pricey but imagine the cost of a family trip to Europe. From currency exchanges to visa costs, it could end up becoming expensive.

Thankfully, there are affordable European destinatio­ns to explore as a family.

Deluxe Holiday Homes conducted a study to identify the most affordable destinatio­ns for safe family travel.

The study looked at the 10 most searched travel destinatio­ns in Europe including data from Google Flights. The study also calculated safety rate, family room numbers on booking. com, the average cost of a family room and eating out as a family of four at each destinatio­n.

The top 10 most affordable European destinatio­ns for family travel:

1. Romania

Romania tops the list, with a composite score of 74.7. This destinatio­n is attractive for families, thanks to the lowest cost of family rooms, at $135, and dining out, at $35.

2. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic notched a score of 68.8, placing it in second place. Its safety rate is higher than Romania’s, while the accommodat­ion and eating out costs are slightly more than Romania’s.

3. Croatia

The third most affordable destinatio­n for a safe family holiday is Croatia, with a score of 67.7. Croatia also has affordable costs for accommodat­ion and eating out.

4. Finland

Finland is ranked fourth, with a composite score of 64.9. Finland provides high safety across the country and is a great choice for families who enjoy a Nordic experience.

5. Portugal

The most searched country on the list, Portugal, is fifth. Portugal offers more affordable options for staying and eating out than Finland and Croatia, although the safety rate is slightly lower.

6. Netherland­s

The Netherland­s ranks sixth, with a composite score of 63.7. It is appealing for the safety it provides, and is the third most searched country for a holiday, even though it has the highest family room rates on the list at $300 (R5 700).

7. Spain

Spain takes the seventh spot, with a 63.3 score. Spain offers great family accommodat­ion (It scored 9.6 on this measuremen­t – the highest on the list), combined with accessible prices.

8. Germany

Germany, scoring 61.6, is the eighth most affordable destinatio­n for a safe family holiday. Its appeal is based on the blend of safety, high availabili­ty of family accommodat­ion, with lesser costs for accommodat­ion and eating out.

9. Malta

Coming ninth on the list is Malta, with a score of 57.5. Even with the smallest amount of family accommodat­ion options on the list, Malta’s rich history and Mediterran­ean charm appeal to families.

10. Belgium

Belgium rounds off the list, offering an affordable and safe destinatio­n.

A spokespers­on from Deluxe Holiday Homes said that with the rise in crime and conflict globally, safety along with budget was a priority for families planning their travels.

“We’re noticing more families asking about the safety of their accommodat­ion choices, even in countries traditiona­lly viewed as safe. This shift is leading to a higher demand for destinatio­ns known for their stability and low crime rates.”

 ?? ?? A FAMILY enjoying some time at the beach. | Pexels
A FAMILY enjoying some time at the beach. | Pexels

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