Overseas Versus Homegrown: Where to Go On Holiday In 2013
When money is tight, it is important to seek value in everything you do, including the family holiday. Recently, there has been a lot of talk in the media about the idea of a ‘staycation’ and how these UK-based holidays are becoming increasingly popular.
So, what exactly are the pros and cons of an overseas break compared to a ‘homegrown’ holiday?
Weather
In the UK, we’re notorious for discussing the weather, but when the general climate is as unpredictable as it has been lately, this is hardly surprising.
Britain undoubtedly has some wonderful beaches, and scenery that rivals anything else on offer around the globe. However, the unpredictable nature of the weather often overshadows these attractions.
An attractive beach is very little use if you are huddled in your car taking refuge from the wind and rain, and sadly, this can be the case at any time of year in the UK.
Of course, you don’t have to travel too far to find countries that have a far more temperate climate than ours. The Mediterranean coastlines of Spain and Portugal are far more likely to offer sun-kissed weather, so it is worth noting that holidays in these countries are cheaper than ever.
Prices in Spain have fallen by 20 per cent on last year and by 15 per cent in Portugal’s Algarve. This reflects the way in which both countries are eager to attract tourists.
Cost
We might often be encouraged to consider the idea of a ‘staycation’, but UK consumers may actually be losing out financially if they decide to opt for the UK ahead of an overseas break.
A three-star double room in Bournemouth, for the first week of the school summer holidays, would cost £385 compared to £217 at equivalent accommodation in Portugal’s Albufeira.
Holiday essentials are also cheaper in many European destinations, including Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Greece, according to research by the Post Office. For example, the average price of a basket of ten items you might be likely to buy on holiday, such as coffee and sun cream, cost £46.34 in the coastal resort of Albufeira in Portugal, compared to £65.96 in Blackpool and £78.01 in Bournemouth.
You can see how little booking a foreign holiday could cost by looking online at The Co-operative Travel.
