HALF TERM is approaching, with families thinking about making the most of the chance to enjoy a last-minute getaway with the family.
Those planning a trip may be tempted by a break at a holiday park, like Center Parcs, but the breaks come with a hefty price tag.
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Numbers put together by eurochange, shows that it can be cheaper to fly the whole family to Europe and cover accommodation costs for 4 nights, than it is to visit the popular resort chain in the UK.
The currency exchange company looked at the cost of a four-night stay at Center Parcs, Whinfell Forest, Cumbria for a family of four, from February 12-16, which came to £1,249.
They then compared that to the cost of flights and accommodation for two adults and two children under 15 across Europe, based on data from Skyscanner and Booking.com from January 22, 2024.
Several places offered cheaper rates than Center Parcs, including destinations in Cyprus, Turkey, Portugal and Spain.
The cheapest of those was £704 cheaper than the stay at Center Parcs, with flights and accommodation for the family available from £545 was Paphos in Cyprus.
Laura Evans-Fisk from eurochange explained that year-round sunshine and some famous tombs are among the best reasons to visit the holiday hotspot.
She said: “Paphos is a great destination for a half-term family trip. Aside from its abundance of golden beaches, there are lots of cultural and historical attractions too.
“The famous Tomb of the Kings is definitely worth a visit, a huge necropolis about 2 km north of Paphos itself.
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“The abundance of underground tombs date back to the 4th century, making them a fascinating attraction.
“With year-round sunshine, you can expect temperatures to reach highs of 17 degrees in February, so another great option for some half-term sunshine.”
Dalaman in Turkey is also cheaper than Center Parcs, with stays available from around £200 less.
Beaches and ancient artefacts are high up on the main reasons people head to the region.
Sarigerme and Iztuzu beaches are both great for families, with plenty of open space, restaurants and boat hire options.
However, eurochange also recommends taking a day trip to the mud baths in Dalyan.
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Elsewhere, a trip to Faro in Portugal could save you as much as £187 on a trip to a holiday park.
The Algarve region has miles of beautiful coastline and caves to explore.
Faro city is worth a visit too, with quaint cobbled streets to wander in the old town, and beaches with bright blue waters surrounding it.
Meanwhile, trips to both Tenerife and Mallorca offered sunny winter escapes for less than a stay at Center Parcs, with deals found for £95 and £71 less, respectively.
Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands and has 20C weather in February, while Mallorca has plenty of activities, including forests, valleys, beaches and cities.
Laura Evans-Fisk said: “Half-term can be a very expensive time for families, and it can be tricky to work out your best options when it comes to booking a break.
“With soaring costs during school holidays for hotels and resorts in the UK, it can often be much cheaper to go abroad.
“You can get a lot more for your money too as a result of the exchange rate, so it can often be a lot cheaper when it comes to paying for accommodation and eating out.
“Turkey for example, is a little more expensive to travel to, but is then incredibly cheap once you arrive. All you need to do now is get your travel money sorted.”
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Meanwhile, these are the cheapest short haul winter sun destinations.
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