Weekend breaks:
Anyone thinking about escaping from the wet Scottish autumn may be looking at the usual tourist hotspots, though there is the potential to save up to £550 by heading further east.
While Eastern European cities have been cheaper than those in the west for some time, the fall in the value of the pound against the euro has widened the gap, meaning Scots wanting a long weekend away could end up saving hundreds of pounds.
A trip to Amsterdam, known for its culture and vibrant nightlife will cost nearly £600, but if you’re wanting a long weekend of culture and clubbing without a massive price tag a trip to Bucharest will come in three times cheaper with all the punch of a Dutch brownie.
With its bunting, bands and bars, the buzz of Romania’s capital makes it a strong rival to Amsterdam’s legendary nightlife.
Paris is the first place that springs to mind for a romantic get away, but it comes with a less than romantic price tag of around £550. A mini-break in Warsaw is less than half the price while a stroll around Bucharest’s Rose Garden will save lovers more than £100 a day. Better still, flights from Glasgow International Airport to Romania come in at round £70 per person each way.
Exploring another nation’s capital and rich history on a budget has always been a big draw for Scots, and Russia has impressive architecture and history in abundance.
Although flights to Moscow cost more than £100 per person each way from Scottish airports, it will only cost £40 a day for eating, drinking and sightseeing. By comparison, a day in Madrid comes in at £128, triple the price, so try swapping paella for pirozhki to make your money go further.
But the prize for cheapest city break goes to Sofia in Bulgaria with flights from Glasgow International airport costing as little as £9 each way and the total cost of a three day holiday coming in under £200.
Simon Phillips from travel money specialist No1 Currency has this advice for those wanting a weekend away on a budget: “With Autumn upon us and many people running low on leave, weekend breaks to Europe and especially popular this time of year, but people who only visit the usual suspects may miss out on some hidden gems.
“When looking into a romantic getaway of city break with a friend, think about the price of the trip as a whole.
“Cheap flights don’t always mean cheap holidays – don’t forget you still need a roof over your head and food in your belly.
“The weak pound against the euro means the Eurozone is more expensive than ever, and if you’re on a tight budget choosing a trip east rather than west Europe could cut your costs in half.
“To get more bang for your buck, the one tip that always holds true is plan ahead.
“Consider pre-ordering your holiday money, shop around for the best rate and never leave it to the airport to buy your currency.”
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