Which? reveals the eight best-value destinations for a 2020 package holiday from Phuket to Cyprus

The best-value destinations for a 2020 package holiday have been revealed by Which?

The consumer champion analysed hundreds of travel comparison site prices over two years and found eight hotspots – from Phuket to Sicily – where it says seven-night packages for two won’t break the bank. Scroll down for some essential bucket list advice…

Phuket, Thailand

Consumer group Which? says that package deals to the Thai island of Phuket, pictured, next year are ‘very reasonable’

With its soaring hills, lush rainforest and exquisite sandy beaches, no wonder Phuket has been used as the setting for several James Bond films.

And it has a licence to offer thrillingly reasonable holiday deals, apparently.

The best deal Which? found was a seven-night package at a hillside resort departing from Heathrow in mid-March for £613 per person.

Once you’re there, you’ll find eating out can be ‘remarkably cheap’, thanks to the weak Thai baht. 

Which? notes that a Thai-Western fusion meal at a restaurant will only cost around £20 per person including drinks.

Catania, Sicily

According to Which?, flight prices to Catania in Sicily, pictured, have dropped 27 per cent since 2018

According to Which?, flight prices to Catania in Sicily, pictured, have dropped 27 per cent since 2018 

Sicily is a ‘notoriously pricey’ destination – but flight prices to the ancient Unesco-listed port of Catania, which lies beneath Mount Etna, have dropped 27 per cent since 2018, says Which? 

One of the best packages the consumer champion found was a seven-night B&B deal with a room overlooking the Aci Trezza Gulf, with flights departing from Luton in early May, for £309 per person.

Which? also notes that a mid-priced seafood restaurant meal for two with drinks there costs around £40. 

Faro, Portugal

Which? says that Faro in Portugal, pictured, is often ‘over-looked’ despite being ‘habitually excellent value’ 

Located in the ever-popular Algarve, Which? says Faro is often ‘over-looked’ – despite the area being ‘habitually excellent value’.

The consumer group reports that flight prices to Faro have dropped by 33 per cent since 2018 and that a tapas meal for two in the city including drinks costs around £30.

The best deal Which? found was seven nights B&B in a harbour front hotel in early May, with flights from Gatwick, for £396 per person.

Sidari, Corfu

Sidari, pictured, a resort on the north coast of the Greek holiday island of Corfu

Attractive Sidari, on the north coast of the Greek holiday island of Corfu, is ‘routinely good value’, according to Which?

And it says that it will be no different in 2020 ‘thanks to the low cost of eating out at family-run tavernas and budget-friendly hotels’. A meal for two at a cosy taverna will ‘cost around £30’.

The consumer group found a deal for a poolside self-catering maisonette in a private complex in May for just £203 per person for seven nights with flights from Heathrow.

Candolim, Goa

Which? says Candolim, pictured, is one of Goa's 'quieter resorts' and is a 'great-value long-haul pick'

Which? says Candolim, pictured, is one of Goa’s ‘quieter resorts’ and is a ‘great-value long-haul pick’

According to Which?, Candolim is one of Goa’s ‘quieter resorts’ and is a ‘great-value long-haul pick’.

It notes that fresh seafood curries are a local speciality and that a meal for two including drinks is around £14.

Researchers found one deal to Candolim that costs £733 per person for seven nights in a poolside room, with flights departing from Heathrow in mid-March during the dry season.

Larnaca, Cyprus 

Flights to Larnaca in Cyprus, pictured, have dropped by 22 per cent vs 2018, says Which?

Flights to Larnaca in Cyprus, pictured, have dropped by 22 per cent vs 2018, says Which? 

The seaside city of Larnaca boasts temples, churches and castles and getting there is cheap says Which?, with flight prices down 22 per cent vs 2018.

The consumer champion also points out that day trips and eating out there is often ‘great value’ with a meal in a local taverna with drinks costing around £30 for two people.

For those willing to travel in early October, Which? found a seven-night package with accommodation in a beachfront apartment with a sea view for £399 per person, flying from London Stansted.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria 

Which? says that Sunny Beach, pictured, is 'consistently cheap even at the height of summer'

Which? says that Sunny Beach, pictured, is ‘consistently cheap even at the height of summer’

According to Which?, Sunny Beach is ‘consistently cheap even at the height of summer’. 

And with the pound strengthening against the Bulgarian lev in recent years, experts say that ‘your money will stretch far when you are there’. For example, a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant including drinks costs just £30 for two people.  

There is a seven-night package to the resort in mid-May that comes in at £307 per person. It includes accommodation in a hotel close to the beach and flights from London Stansted. 

Sitges, Spain    

Sitges in Spain is stylish, says Which?, has an eye-catching baroque church and boasts 17 beaches

THOSE 2020 SEVEN-NIGHT PACKAGE DEALS AT A GLANCE 

CANDOLIM, GOA – £733pp

PHUKET – £613pp

LARNACA, CYPRUS – £399pp

FARO, PORTUGAL – £396pp

CATANIA, SICILY – £309pp

SUNNY BEACH, BULGARIA – £307pp

SITGES, SPAIN – £274pp

SIDARI, CORFU – £203pp

Source – Which? Travel 

 

According to Which? Sitges (pronounced Seet-chehs) is ‘more upmarket than its consistently good-value prices would suggest’. 

Traditional tapas for two at a restaurant in the affluent town is around £30 including drinks, says the consumer group. 

It found a seven-night stay in a ‘cosy poolside room’ with B&B and flights from Gatwick in mid-May for £274 per person.

Sights include an eye-catching baroque church and a rather splendid promenade – and sunseekers will enjoy having 17 beaches to choose from. 

Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: ‘Uncertainty over the value of the pound may have resulted in widespread booking paralysis but there is no need to put your holiday on hold indefinitely when there are still good value package holidays to be found.

‘Flight prices to Portugal have dropped by up to a third in recent years, and a glass of wine there is just £3. 

‘If you fancy a trip further afield, you still won’t need to splurge on spending money, with the weak Thai baht meaning you can dine out in Phuket for a fiver.’  

 

 

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