The hot travel news for the fast-approaching summer holiday season is that Eastern Europe represents fantastic value! The Post Office® City Costs Barometer compares in-resort costs in 25 European and North American cities to reveal the best value destinations right now.
In fact, 8 out of the top 10 cities on the list are in Eastern Europe!
The Post Office® travel survey compares the price of 12 key tourist essentials such as 2 nights city center accommodation, entrance to a museum and various meals and drinks to produce a comprehensive comparison of 25 top holiday resorts across the world.
Hungary’s capital city of Budapest has risen to the top of the list thanks to low prices and favourable exchange rates. Lisbon is the cheapest option within the Eurozone and comes out at half the cost of Rome and Amsterdam! And the hot holiday tip from the survey is Dubrovnik in Croatia which was identified as the top ‘emerging’ city!
Number one city on the list, Budapest offers rich baroque and art nouveau architecture, intriguing museums and cruises along the picturesque Danube River. Discover the Hungarian State Opera House which dates back to 1884, walk the deeply historic Castle Hill district which was rebuilt following extensive World War II damage and admire the opulence art nouveau wonder of the Gresham Palace. And with the typical accommodation and in-resort costs coming in at under a third of those of Copenhagen and Stockholm, Hungary is sure to be a hotspot this summer!
Second up is Vilnius in Lithuania which is one of the 3 countries within the Baltic States. Find out for yourself why Vilnius was the co-host of the European Capital of Culture in 2009. The largest and oldest Baroque town in Europe has earnt Vilnius covetable UNESCO World Heritage Status. Explore the beautiful St. Peter & Paul’s Church, learn about the city’s’ history at the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum and wander the Europos Parkas which is the center of Europe, geographically.
And the third city revealed by the survey is Warsaw in Poland. Pockets of history and heritage remain after the city was bombed extensively following World II. The result is a curious blend of modern architecture, old districts and intriguing cultural sights. Top things to do in Warsaw include walking the historic Old Town, taking in the exhibits at the Gestapo Headquarters Museum and admitting the poster art installations at the Wilanow Poster Museum and Palace.
Top 10 Cheapest Holiday Hotspots for Summer 2013
- Budapest, Hungary
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Warsaw, Poland
- Riga, Latvia
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Belfast, Northern Ireland
Thanks to the Post Office® for the details and the full City Costs Barometer details can be viewed on their website.
What do you think about this survey?
Where are you going this summer and have these findings influenced your travel?
