6 of the Best Value Destinations for Family Holidays in 2017
The pound may have taken a hit in the aftermath of last year's EU referendum, but there are still plenty of bargains to be had for Brits in search of an affordable family escape in 2017. We've rounded up this year's best value holiday hotspots, from European beach resorts to long-haul breaks.
The Algarve, Portugal
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours
Currency: euro
Not only is the Algarve one of Europe's sunniest spots, it's also officially the cheapest place to go on holiday according to the Post Office Holiday Money Report 2017. The report compares average costs of holiday essentials (bottled water, sun cream, wine, beer) across 44 countries and the Algarve topped the chart as the cheapest destination worldwide for the second year running. As well as being affordable on the ground, budget airlines including easyJet and Ryanair offer cheap flights to the region's main airport, Faro. Popular beach resorts including Vilamoura and Albufeira can be reached in less than 30 minutes from the terminal.
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Pula, Croatia
Flight time from the UK: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Currency: Croatian kuna
The launch of new flights to Pula from Heathrow (BA), Stansted (Jet2) and Bristol (easyJet) have made it easier than ever to explore Croatia's stunning Istrian Peninsula. While Dubrovnik's ancient city walls throng with cruise day-trippers and "Game of Thrones" fans, this Adriatic hotspot is a crowd-free alternative for a laid-back family break.
And because of its Italian influence (it's less than two hours from Trieste and was once part of the Roman Empire), you can expect top notch food and wine for a fraction of the price you'd pay in Italy. Horrible Histories fans will love the city's Roman amphitheatre; alternatively, head north to access family-friendly Blue Flag beaches.
Malta
Flight time from the UK: 3 hours
Currency: euro
It may not be as popular as the Balearics or the Canaries, but the island of Malta is all the better for it. You won't find lounger-packed mega resorts here. What you will find is a sun-kissed coastline surrounded by some of the cleanest waters in the Med, a greater density of historic sights than any other country and more than 300 sunny days a year.
Take your budget-conscious brood to the resort of Sliema, where a glass of wine will set you back around £2 and bottled water is just 44p according to the Post Office Holiday Money Report 2017. As well as being affordable, it's also a hassle-free family base for Brits as English is an official language and everyone drives on the left.
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Scotland
To avoid any unwelcome currency fluctuations you could always play it safe by holidaying at home. And 2017 is a great year to book a staycation: according to a recent study, room rates in the UK have dropped by 13% since 2015 and measures to force rail companies to display their cheapest fares more clearly will be implemented in May. There's plenty going on in Scotland for families this year including the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival and the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (why not board the "Hogwarts Express" in Fort William or check out JK Rowling's haunts in Edinburgh?).
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Cape Town, South Africa
Flight time from the UK: 12 hours
Currency: South African rand
OK, it may not be the cheapest place to get to, but once you're there, you can get a lot more bang for your buck in Cape Town this year. Day-to-day costs are surprisingly low and it's one of the world's cheapest holiday destinations according to the Post Office Holiday Money Report 2017.
Plus the Mother City is only two hours ahead of the UK so unlike other long-haul destinations, you won't have to contend with jet-lagged juniors. Don't miss a family trip to the Spier Wine Farm where the kids can enjoy a grape juice tasting event as you sample some of the estate's award-winning wines.
Kyrenia, North Cyprus
Flight time from the UK: 6 hours (to Ercan); 4 hours, 40 minutes (to Larnaca)
Currency: Turkish lira
North Cyprus is an affordable option for families this year as the value of the Turkish Lira continues to struggle. Touted as one of Europe's best-kept secrets, the region is home to a string of beautiful beaches, bustling harbours and Byzantine sights.
The old town of Kyrenia makes a great base for families as the surrounding mountains provide a pleasant climate with cool breezes and warm, sheltered waters. Jet2 launches a brand-new flight route to Larnaca from Stansted in April (Kyrenia is a 75-minute drive from Larnaca in the south).