Escape the winter blues with summer bargains
February 17, 2009Recession and bad weather combine to send sun seeking Brits to warmer pastures.
As snow, sleet and rain descend upon it, the UK swaps fleeces for flip-flops in search of bargain busting destinations according to Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading price comparison website where you search the most deals on the market.
Francesca Ecsery, General Manager for Cheapflights.co.uk says, “The initial excitement of snow was short lived as parts of the UK turned to slush while others iced over leaving many stranded or stuck at home.
This combined with the recession gloom and lingering post holiday blues has sent Brits trolling sunnier climes in search for quite literally, light at the end of an overcast tunnel.
So when it comes to turning the heat up on the temperatures but turning it down on your wallet, as consumer champion, we recommend you move away from the Eurozone tradition and set your sights on long and mid haul destinations instead.
The name of the game here is ‘bargain busting’ so wherever there’s sunshine and your Pound goes further is the place to be.”
The top ten hotlist of recommended bargain busters includes:
1) Dalaman – the perfect blend of Occident and Orient where the exchange rate converts at £0.40 from Turkish New Lira
2) Thailand – perennial favourite with backpackers who indulge in fine food and drink on a budget
3) Orlando – excluding theme park entry, Orlando is popular with families looking to make their Pound stretch further
4) Malaysia – food and history combine to illustrate Malaysia’s melting pot of cultural and religious influences
5) Antalya – one of Turkey’s international resorts offering the choice of mountains, city or beach
6) Marrakech – otherwise known as “The Rose City” referencing its pink painted buildings, it houses one of the world’s most renowned markets in Djemaa el-Fna square
7) Bolivia – famous for its salt planes and home to possibly the world’s only salt hotel, The Salar de Uyuni
8) Jamaica – the birthplace of Rastafarianism, reggae and rum that served as the film set for one of 007’s most famous movies, Dr. No
9) Playa Del Carmen (Mexico) – popular for its varied offerings including the Mayan ruins of Tulum, swimming with the dolphins at Xcaret or bar hopping along Quinta Avenida
10) Barbados – the island paradise prized by divers and photographers for its underwater world of picturesque caves
Among the newer locales suggested by Cheapflights.co.uk are exotic picks such as Malaysia, Bolivia and Playa del Carmen. Although Bolivia is a landlocked country, it offers plenty of sunny adventure for the intrepid traveller such as the renowned salt-planes of Uyuni juxtaposed by sweltering Amazon jungles. Being one of the region’s poorer nations leaves it unexploited and cheap to visit. For example, an imported beer in Bolivia costs a mere £0.70* compared with the average price of a beer in the UK, which costs around £3.**
Malaysia is a mishmash of European influence set along the shores of the Malay Peninsula enjoying year round temperatures of 21-32 degrees Centigrade. Its eastern side is more traditional and the west more developed. Peak season, runs from May through September, with off peak going from November to March. To compare the cost of drinks again, an imported beer in Malaysia rings in at £1.37,*** almost half the price of a beer in the UK or Eurozone. For an ultra cost saving trip, visit towards the end of peak season where you can enjoy good temperatures, lower prices and less crowds.
And last but definitely not least is Mexico’s latest up and comer, Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera surrounded by miles of white sand that stays cool beneath your feet no matter what the temperature. The tourists of its neighbouring resort Cancun have yet to discover Playa del Carmen making it cost effective whatever the time of year, but for the cheapest time to visit, try end of September just before start of peak season. For an idea of pricing, the cost of an imported beer in Mexico is £0.60, but as it’s renowned for its own produce, try local beers like Dos Equis, Sol and Estrella; not only do they taste better, they cost slightly less at just £0.50**** a bottle.
To find cheap flights to these money saving destinations or simply gather more information, explore our Travel Guides section.
-Ends-
** http://www.whatprice.co.uk/food-drink/beer-prices.html#ale
*** http://www.tefl.com/home/col_survey.html?ci_id=cou-129
**** http://www.tefl.com/home/col_survey.html?ci_id=cou-138
For further information please contact: Rooster PR: Laurel Greatrix tel: +44 (0) 20 7953 7616 email: laurel.greatrix@rooster.co.uk Web: www.rooster.co.uk
