Families looking for the best value from their summer holiday should head to Bulgaria or Turkey, says a new report from Post Office Travel Money.

A new report from Post Office Travel Money and Tui reveals that British families seeking affordable summer holidays should look to Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach and Turkey’s Marmaris for the best value.

The annual Family Holiday Report compared costs across 16 European holiday destinations, with Sunny Beach narrowly beating Marmaris to claim the top spot.

Despite a 9.8 per cent price increase since last year, Sunny Beach offers the lowest resort prices, with a basket of 10 common holiday items costing just over £110.

This includes meals, snacks, drinks, and essential items such as suncream. Marmaris follows closely behind at £117, although it has seen a more significant price rise of 17.6 per cent due to high inflation in Turkey.

The Algarve in Portugal remains the most affordable destination among the 14 eurozone locations surveyed, with prices in Albufeira coming in at £124 for the same basket of goods.

However, the report highlights substantial price variations across Europe, with Ibiza being the most expensive destination at £229 for the same items – nearly twice the cost of Sunny Beach.

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, advises families to research costs before travelling to avoid overspending.

“It can be hard to say no to children on holiday but one way to avoid big bills for beach items is to pack what you can in the suitcase before you go and give your children a set amount of pocket money so they can choose what to spend to an agreed limit,” she says.

This comes as the report finds that 73 per cent of families exceeded their budget by an average of 55 per cent on their last holiday, spending an additional £312 on top of their planned £566 budget.

The report also introduces a new “Children’s Beach Barometer”, revealing that families could spend between £153 and £279 on beach-related items and activities for children during a week’s holiday, depending on the destination.

Phillip Iveson, commercial director at Tui UK & Ireland, notes that despite the impact of the cost of living crisis, there are still plenty of value destinations for families. He highlights the continued popularity of all-inclusive holidays and self-catering options as budget-conscious travellers seek ways to control their spending.

Iveson says: “Our all-inclusive offerings continue to be in high demand, as customers appreciate the convenience of having everything covered and knowing exactly what they can spend on meals, activities, and other items when they’re in destination. Self-catering options continue to remain popular as well, reflecting a budget-conscious approach by British travellers who are opting for different holiday options that work for their personal circumstances.”

by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER