Baltic has cheapest festive market breaks

CHRISTMAS shoppers hoping for a bargain market break should head to the Baltic, research has revealed.

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, was the cheapest of 11 Christmas markets in Europe, as surveyed by Post Office Money.

A two-night break for two in the city costs £538 – making it a third cheaper than a getaway in Stockholm, the most expensive on the list. Researchers calculated the cost of return flights, B&B accommodation, airport to city transfers, two evening meals for two with wine, coffee, festive drinks, and snacks in the Christmas market to rank the cities.

They found that Tallinn was 4% cheaper than a year ago because local prices have dropped, counteracting the effect of the weaker pound.

Riga in Latvia came in second at £547, while Prague, Czech Republic, was ranked third at £582, thanks to low-cost eating out.

In western Europe, Munich was found to be the best value festive break. A trip to the German city – which boasts one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets – costs £609, researchers found.

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said: “The great value available in these two Baltic capitals helps to dispel the idea that UK tourists will be seriously out of pocket wherever they travel abroad after sterling’s slump in value.

“Of course, this is not the case everywhere in Europe, so the challenge for people planning trips in coming weeks will be to do their homework.”