Sterling Brexit boost is a Christmas cracker for Brits

BRITONS should find their money travels further if they jet off to a magical Christmas market during this year’s festive period.

Sterling has picked up after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement reduced the likelihood of a no-deal, rising 5 per cent against the euro and 10 per cent against the Swedish krone compared to this time last year.

Continental Christmas breaks are up to 25 per cent cheaper in total, amid stronger competition for the tourist pound.

Britons should head for the Baltic or Balkans to find the best value, new research from the Post Office shows.

Riga in Latvia is the cheapest of the 13 European cities it surveyed, costing £497 for two flights, with transfers and B&B accommodation. This includes two evening meals with wine and coffee, plus drinks and snacks at the market. Zagreb in Croatia is second cheapest at £523, followed by Tallinn in Estonia at £531.

Lille in France offers the best value in Western Europe, with prices down almost a fifth on last year, to £575. The journey takes just 82 minutes from London Waterloo, on the Eurostar.

Next best value destinations are all in Eastern Europe – Prague in the Czech Republic, Krakow in Poland, and Budapest in Hungary.

However, Stockholm in Sweden is around 20 per cent cheaper than last year at £625, with Copenhagen in Denmark, down more than 25 per cent to £655. Vienna was the most expensive surveyed at £776.

Head of Post Office Travel Money, Nick Boden, said the stronger pound is not the only reason. “There is more flight and hotel availability, resulting in strong competition for business.”