Top ten cheap Holiday Locations close to Home

Many people this year are only now looking for a holiday destination due to uncertainty in the economy. Not only that, but they are looking to keep a lid on the budget. The travels companies are slashing their prices in an effort to bring in customers, things are hotting up and there are bargains to be had.

By Mike Stock

We decided to compile a list of what we consider the top ten locations within a reasonable distance that provide value for money. This list is by no means decisive as everybody's tastes and requirements are different, but we hope that it will provide some help. Obviously countries outside the Euro are going to have an advantage in this list due to the exchange rate.

Number 10

Croatia

We all know about the beautiful coastline and the charming towns and cities, but is it possible to holiday in Croatia on a budget? Well the low cost airlines are flying here so at least the cost of traveling should be reasonable. Croatia has a reputation as being inexpensive even though prices have been rising the last few years. Yet it is still cheaper than many other destinations. It has the advantage of not having the Euro as its currency and so is not suffering like so many of the Mediterranean locations.

Number 9

Portugal

Always a favourite, when we talk about Portugal we are usually talking about the sunny Algarve, the major tourist destination in the country. Its' long stretch of coastline has over 100 beautiful sandy beaches and is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. If you are looking to reduce costs, you might consider heading further north. There are superb beaches along the Atlantic coast between Lisbon and Oporto.

Number 8

Tunisia

Tunisia is brimming over with history and natural beauty that a country many times its size would struggle to equal. With a beautiful sandy Mediterranean coast, Tunisia is a good choice for a sun-sand-and-sea holiday. But it's well worth exploring further is the funds permit as the country offers some of the world's most iconic attractions, including the city of Carthage, the Sahara and the village of Matmata, famous for being used as a location in Star Wars.

Number 7

Italy

Not the first choice for sea and sun although it is not lacking in this area, there is so much more to tempt the tourist to Italy. Many of the low cost airlines fly here and most also offer deals on car hire. It's also worth taking into consideration that Umbria is better value than Tuscany and seaside resorts in Puglia and Catania are much cheaper than the Neapolitan Riviera. If its culture, history and architecture you are after, then Rome, Naples or Venice are a must.

Number 6

France

Always a favourite, France is a location that is easy to reach however you travel, most of the low cost airlines fly here and ferries are numerous, not to mention the channel tunnel. All are offering discounts at the moment to tempt the holidaymaker. A perfect way to see this country on a budget is just to jump in the car and drive there.
Whatever you style of vacation, from sea and sun, to hiking through the countryside or taking a city break, there are plenty of offers available.

Number 5

Spain

According to data, Spain is still holding its own as a holiday destination. There have always been cheap holidays to be had here and this has not changed. The difference now is that Spain is being affected by the Euro and is under more pressure from the likes of Turkey and Egypt. This is the land of the all-inclusive package deal and not to be overlooked,  if you book at the very last minute you could get an incredible bargain.

Number 4

North Cyprus

North Cyprus is only now becoming known as a holiday destination. This part of the Island is Turkish Cypriot and so the Turkish Lira is the standard currency, although the Euro and Pound are accepted at most places.
The government are actively trying to bring in more tourists and so there are deals to be had. If flying to the North, you will have to land in Turkey and sit on the tarmac for 30 mins but another alternative is to fly to Larnaca and take a taxi over the border.

Number 3

Egypt

Being in the Euro has many economic advantages. But the downside is that, for holidaymakers, the Euro zone is not as cheap as it used to be. Many countries whose used deliver good deals are now pricing ordinary people out of the market. This is leaves the field free for locations like Egypt. Add to this the fact that Easyjet now fly to Sharm el Sheikh and you soon see why this location is becoming so popular.
Sharm el Sheikh has become a popular holiday destination and the Red Sea offers some good opportunities for scuba diving as well as water skiing and wind surfing. This is a good alternative to a Mediterranean vacation.

Number 2

Bulgaria

We decided to put Bulgaria 2nd due to the low cost of flying there, again Easy jet fly here although not to the coast but there are plenty of low cost package holidays and low cost flights.
The currency in Bulgaria is the Leva which is pegged roughly 2:1, so 2 Leva is about equal to 1 Euro. Prices are cheap especially if you move inland and away from the tourist areas.
There are miles of sandy beaches although the Black sea cannot compete with the Mediterranean. The country is fascinating and beautiful and well worth getting off he beaten track to explore, although the villages can be rather run down in the rural areas.

Number 1.

Turkey

So what makes Turkey the top of our list? Not only does Turkey offer sun and sea with a Mediterranean coast to die for, but getting there is easy and cheap compared to many other locations. Easy jet alone now flies to Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman.
This is a country outside the EU and as such has not been affected by the ups and downs of the Euro zone. In fact Turkey has fared reasonably well during the economic meltdown.
If lying on a beach is not your kind of holiday, then visiting the many beautiful towns, cities and countless historical locations will inspire you.
This country is often touted as the New Spain which is both positive and negative but whatever your needs, there is somewhere here that will fulfil the criteria.