Travel column with Katie Butler of Total Travel: Holiday pounds go further if you know where to look
There is nothing quite like a Yorkshire family when it comes to making their holiday money work hard.
We all enjoy a bit of sunshine, but if we can save a few quid while we're at it, even better. That's why the annual Post Office Family Holiday Report always catches my eye. Rather than looking at the cost of the actual holiday, it looks at everyday bits and bobs that soon add up once you are away – coffees, ice creams, sun-cream, drinks and a family meal out.
This year's results make interesting reading. Topping the table for value is Portugal's Algarve, where a basket of ten typical holiday purchases for a family of four costs around £140. Better still, prices have actually fallen slightly compared with last year. It just so happens the Algarve is where I am booked this year with my family, bonus.
Bulgaria's Sunny Beach takes second spot, with Costa Teguise in Lanzarote close behind. Spain continues to dominate the top ten with Menorca, the Costa Brava, Tenerife, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca all proving excellent value for families. Turkey's Marmaris and Paphos in Cyprus also make the list.
It is when you compare those prices with somewhere like Sorrento in Italy that the difference really stands out. Stunning scenery and wonderful food? Absolutely. Cheap? Not so much. The same basket of holiday essentials costs nearly twice as much, and a family evening meal with drinks can easily reach £150. None of that means you shouldn't visit places like Sorrento one day, it simply proves that knowing what you will spend once you arrive can make a real difference to the overall cost of your holiday.
The report also found that although most families are planning an overseas holiday this summer, the vast majority admitted they went over budget on their last trip. Not sure that will surprise many parents. It is amazing how quickly a few drinks, snacks, ice creams and the odd tacky gift seem to empty your wallet.
Talking of holidays, cruise fans have something to look forward to as well. Norwegian Cruise Line is giving both Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem a serious refresh. New adults-only Vibe Beach Clubs are being added, complete with private bars, hot tubs and luxury loungers, while the spas are getting a major upgrade with salt rooms, charcoal saunas, ice rooms and new wellness areas. Norwegian Jade will even be getting a Starbucks onboard, which I'm sure will keep plenty of passengers happy first thing in the morning.
Not to be outdone, Cunard's elegant Queen Victoria heads into dry dock this October for a three-week refurbishment. Alongside refreshed public rooms and upgraded suites, she'll also welcome a new wellness café and extra cabins before returning to sail the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords and Canary Islands.
On to last week, August remains the busiest month for new bookings, closely followed by September as more people discover the joys of travelling after the school holidays. Majorca continues to hold on to top spot, Antalya in Turkey is second, while Tenerife completes the current top three.
Whichever destination you choose this year, a little homework before you travel could leave a few extra quid over for those extra treats.