BEST-VALUE DESTINATIONS

ARE your priorities sunshine, a decent beach and keeping costs down? If you are travelling in July or August, then it has to be Europe and the Med. Going to long-haul hotspots such as the Caribbean or Florida will cost a family of four at least £2,000 extra.

1. TURKEY

The country is very much back on the holiday radar after security fears in the past couple of years. Leading travel companies have expanded their programmes to the country’s resorts massively for this summer, so there are plenty of deals. The Turkish lira has also weakened significantly against the pound compared to a year ago – Marmaris is the second-cheapest European resort for day-to-day costs, according to the Post Office’s latest holiday costs survey. Seven nights self-catering at the Ekinci Palace in Dalaman, departing on May 1, costs from £161pp, including flights from Gatwick (airtours.co.uk).

2. BULGARIA

The cheapest resort? Based on the Post Office’s analysis (and my firsthand experience), it’s the big and very brash Sunny Beach on the Black Sea coast, where a threecourse meal for two, with wine, can be yours for around £26. Seven nights all-inclusive at the Imperial Hotel in Sunny Beach, departing on May 3, costs from £254pp (teletext.co.uk).

3. THE ALGARVE

If you want somewhere more salubrious but still affordable, consider the Algarve, which has the lowest day-to-day costs of any resort area in the Eurozone, according to the Post Office survey. Seven nights all-inclusive at the Yellow Alvor Garden, departing May 3, costs from £307pp (firstchoice.co.uk).

4. HURGHADA

The Red Sea resort is crying out for business, so deals galore can be found – for a week-long all-inclusive package at a four-star hotel in mid-May, you’re looking at under £400pp, including flights. Seven nights at the Pharaoh Azure Resort, departing on May 1, costs from £322pp (tui.co.uk). Prices correct at time of writing