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MONEY BELT-ER

The cheapest holiday spot for families this summer is Marmaris in Turkey

THE best-value place to go on holiday in Europe for UK families has been named by Post Office Travel Money.

Turkey is the cheapest place for Brits to head, with prices at the resort of Marmaris 36 per cent cheaper than last summer due to the pound’s growth against the lira.

 Marmaris in Turkey is 33 per cent cheaper this summer than last due to the growth of the pound against the lira
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Marmaris in Turkey is 33 per cent cheaper this summer than last due to the growth of the pound against the liraCredit: Alamy

If you’re in Marmaris you can expect to get a bucket and spade for 82p, a banana boat ride for £6.53, a Mars or Magnum ice cream for 73p and an inflatable lilo for £1.45.

After comparing prices for common expenses in 15 popular European holiday destinations, researchers found that prices have fallen in Turkey, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, the Balearic islands, the south of France and Italy.

A drop in local prices and a small rise in the value of sterling against the euro and other European currencies accounts for the increased spending power of UK holidaymakers.

The second cheapest location on the list was Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, where prices are down 6.4 per cent year on year.

 Sorrento in Italy is a lot pricier than Marmaris, where your shopping will be three times more expensive
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Sorrento in Italy is a lot pricier than Marmaris, where your shopping will be three times more expensiveCredit: Getty - Contributor

Spain's Costa del Sol was in third place despite a five per cent price rise in price, followed by the Greek islands of Crete (down 1.1 per cent) and Corfu (down 24.2 per cent).

The most expensive destination in the report was Sorrento, Italy, where the same basket of goods is almost three times more expensive than in Marmaris.

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said there are "big variations in costs between the European resorts".

He went on: "It really will pay dividends to do some homework to get a realistic view of the holiday cash you will need for meals, drinks and other tourist staples.


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"If you haven't already booked and are looking for a late deal, the low resort prices in Turkey and Bulgaria make these countries great bets for wallet-watchers.

"In the Eurozone, Spain is still great value and the low prices we found in Corfu make Greece a good tip too."

Mini-tsunami has hit tourist beaches in parts of Majorca and Menorca

Tour operator Thomas Cook reported in April that the number of UK visitors to Turkey this summer is surging, with package holiday bookings up 84 per cent year on year after security concerns eased.

The growth is driven by families, who make up 61 per cent of bookings to the country.

Sun Online Travel previously revealed the latest information on whether it's safe to travel to Turkey on holiday.

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