The world’s best value for money destinations for Brits have been revealed, with Vietnam topping the list for the first time.

Second in the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report rankings is South Africa, another long-haul hotspot, with Kenya in third.

The most expensive destination in the world is Tamarindo in Costa Rica, which languishes in 40th place. Next is New York, which ranks second from the bottom. There, beer costs an average of £5.82 per bottle.

The findings are from the 18th Post Office Travel Money Worldwide Holiday Cost Barometerand are based on the costs of eight ‘tourist items’ in forty resorts and towns, making comparisons between the costs of a beer, a three-course meal, insect repellent and sunscreen.

In Vietnam’s Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this basket of goods totals £51.18. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, holidaymakers planning a trip to Tamarindo won’t get change on £158.04 if they buy the same items.

Second-place Cape Town has been knocked off the top spot for 2023 thanks to a five percent price increase, taking the basket to £54.35.

Kenya, loved for its combination of safaris and beach holidays, comes in at number three thanks to a basket total of £54.93.

Many of the destinations have seen local price increases, but once prices are converted to sterling, holidaymakers at 19 long-haul destinations, including six in Europe, will still pay less than a year ago.

Tokyo has risen in the rankings to move into fourth place after costs fell by 16.2 per cent to £59.05.

The Algarve in Portugal, where prices fell by 1.2 per cent, came in at number five (£59.69), overtaking Turkey (ninth, £66.07) and Bulgaria (seventh, £62.49). Traditionally Bulgaria offers great value for money, but prices have risen by 6.4 percent, resulting in a sharp increase to £62.49.

Sunny Cyprus is the fourth European destination in the top 10, while Paphos sneaks into 10th place at £73.32.

Tropical Bali is eighth overall, while Sharm el-Sheikh is sixth at £61.37, thanks to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

Cancun, Mexico, has seen a dramatic decline, topping itself from a place in the top 10 to 33rd, as a result of a 16.7 percent price increase. The goods now stand at £127.10 thanks to the strong Mexican peso.

Holiday concerns and intentions

Two-thirds of Britons planning a trip abroad admit that the strength or weakness of the pound will be a factor in their decision-making.

Another concern is prices. Eighty-four percent of people, rising to 89 percent of family travelers, are concerned about the cost of meals and drinks.

Budgeting is also a top priority, with 90 percent worried about crushing their budgets and the cost of flights and ferries.

The holiday pay will largely come from savings, with 40 percent admitting that the money will come from existing income. Many are thinking about how they can save even more: 32 percent of holidaymakers choose to travel during the cheaper intermediate periods, when costs are lower.

Currencies

In other results, the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report shows that the euro is by far the best-selling currency, with an eight percent increase in sales and a strong indicator of where people will travel in 2024.

This is followed by the US dollar and in third place the Australian dollar.

When it comes to the fastest growing currencies, the Egyptian pound has shown the biggest growth this year at 656 percent. Closely followed by the Chinese yuan with 589 percent, followed by the Japanese yen with 266 percent.

The best deal will be found in Turkey due to the collapse of the Turkish lira. In 2024, visitors can expect to receive 81 percent more liras than a year ago. However, prices in restaurants and bars in Marmaris have more than doubled in the last twelve months, so if you’ve been there before, expect a big increase.

Egypt is also a good choice for 2024. With a drop of over 71 percent, visitors can now earn an extra £208 on a £500 purchase.

If you consider Japan or Kenya, the pound sterling has appreciated by more than 16 percent against both the Japanese yen and the Kenyan shilling over the past twelve months.

Vietnam, Prague and Thailand are also showing strong share price gains and if you go Down Under to visit relatives, the British will earn seven percent more to spend on their holiday allowance.

Top rated holiday destinations

When it comes to the highest-rated holiday destinations, perennial British favorite Spain still takes top spot with 86 percent, despite falling to 14th on the Barometer after recording a price increase of 9.3, with goods came in at £81.45.

It is closely followed by Portugal and Greece, both of which receive an 82 percent rating from holidaymakers.

Not far behind are the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, as well as Cyprus, Croatia, Malta and Turkey, all of which have impressive viewing figures of between 75 and 79 percent.

Bulgaria, in tenth place, has a 73 percent good value rating, while Croatia is only three points lower.

Thailand tops the list for the highest approval ratings of the 16 long-haul hotspots, with 71 percent considering it good value, ahead of Mexico, Egypt, the US and the Caribbean.

Commenting on this year’s results, Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘The barometer results highlight how important it will be this year to consider how the strength of the pound has affected individual destinations.

‘Holidaymakers looking to travel long distances can expect to get better value for their money as the pound has gained ground in most destinations.

‘By comparison, sterling’s gains against the euro have been more modest, so it’s worth comparing destinations across the eurozone to see which offer the cheapest prices. Portugal and Cyprus seem to be the best choices for bargain hunters.’

Saudi Arabia has announced its latest hugely ambitious construction project for the world’s longest resort rooftop sky pool at 250 m².

Treyam is billed as a ‘raised haven’: a luxury complex stretching over a desert lagoon, with a nearly half-kilometre-long swimming pool on the roof.

It’s the latest vision the kingdom has unveiled as part of its plans to build a massive new futuristic city called NEOM. But it remains to be seen whether the project will ever be built.

The team behind NEOM said: ‘Treyam offers its guests a bold design with minimal land intervention, offering guests an elevated retreat where they can relax, recharge and enjoy the majestic natural environment.

‘Strategically located opposite the opening of one of the most beautiful, azure lagoons on the southern side of the Gulf of Aqaba, Treyam forms a luxurious gateway that invites guests to experiment with an active lifestyle.’

The design shows the 250-room hotel and resort and the 450-metre-long rooftop infinity pool, which sits 36 meters above the water.

It is said that guests will feel like they are floating with ‘breathtaking panoramic views of the lagoon’.

Designs show that the bridge’s facade will create a sunset-like illusion from a distance.

The upper and lower floors offer panoramic views of the tidal lagoon below and the vast sky above, blending into the landscape while maintaining the natural integrity of the coastline.

NEOM says it is designed for adventure and effort.

The resort offers a variety of activities such as sailing, diving and other water sports, as well as land sports.

There will be a luxury spa and gourmet restaurants.

NEOM made the announcement about the latest plan yesterday.

MailOnline contacted NEOM to find out what stage of planning the project is at and whether construction has actually started yet, as well as the expected cost and expected completion date.

Treyam adds to a growing list of extremely optimistic projects that are all part of the new city of NEOM in Saudi Arabia.

NEOM was launched in 2017 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It lies in a vast area of ​​previously largely empty land, about the size of Belgium.

Located on the northern coast of the Red Sea, the location has a slightly cooler climate than the surrounding area.

NEOM has captured global attention since its inception with its hugely ambitious plans – and in terms of ambition, one project clearly takes the top spot.

The line was announced in July 2022 and construction began shortly afterwards.

It is a building straight out of a science fiction film, a half kilometer high, 200 meter wide, completely mirrored strip with a length close to the distance from London to Birmingham.

The idea of ​​having an entire, virtually self-sufficient society within the building arose from the idea that if an urban area is in a straight, narrow line, transportation will be more efficient.

The line would have no roads or cars and would be served by ultra-rapid transportation systems.

Proposed buildings such as the 170-meter-long Line, whose dimensions are large enough to create a self-sufficient environment, are known as arcologies.

When the Line is completed, it will be by far the largest building ever built on Earth.

The Line, like the rest of NEOM, has received a lot of criticism.

Some have said that it is Saudi Arabia that is trying to distract the world’s attention from their human rights abuses.

Others say there is hypocrisy in the environmentally damaging construction processes that create supposedly environmentally friendly buildings.

NEOM reportedly has a completion date of 2050 – and if so, it is believed it will have cost a sum of $1 trillion (£783.5 billion) by then.

A fascinating map shows how bears, wolves and lynx are distributed across Europe and how close they are to holiday destinations.

For thousands of years, the land predators have lived across the continent, from eastern areas of Poland and Romania to Italy, France and Spain.

Today, some of their habitats are closer to tourist destinations than visitors may realize. And a recent bear attack, which hospitalized two people in the Slovak town of Liptovský Mikuláš on March 15, has drawn attention to their presence.

Find out how close your favorite European holiday spot is to bears, wolves and lynx using the interactive map below from MailOnline Travel, based on data from the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE).

Brown bears

According to research, up to 18,000 brown bears live in 22 countries in Europe the LCIEciting data from 2016.

France and Spain are among popular holiday destinations with a growing population of brown bears. This includes Spain’s Cantabrian Mountains, which number between 321 and 335, and the French Pyrenees, where there are 30.

The animals, which can weigh up to 50 pounds (320 kg), can also be found in a part of the Alps that includes Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. The population here is between 45 and 69 years old.

The largest population (7,360) is found in the Carpathians of Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.

While the most far-reaching group is the ‘Dinaric-Pindos’ (3,950), which spans Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.

Wolves

According to figures from Statistics Netherlands, there are approximately 17,000 wolves spread across Europe the LCIEwith nine population groups in 27 countries – more than half of the 44 in Europe.

A growing number of wolves prowl the central European lowlands of Germany and Poland, where between 780 and 1,030 wolves live, as well as in the Alps of Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland (420 to 550).

Just like the brown bears, the Carpathians have a healthy wolf population (3,460 to 3,849). But unlike the bears, this extends to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia.

The largest wolf population is the Dinaric-Balkan group (about 4,000), found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.

Other groups include those in northwestern Spain and Portugal (estimated at 2,500 in 2007), Finland (about 200), and Norway and Sweden (about 430).

Lynx

Europe is home to 8,000 to 9,000 lynxes, spread across 11 groups in 21 countries. LCIE data shows.

The predators, which feed on animals such as deer, birds and sheep, are mainly found in Finland, which has a stable population of 2,500 people.

As with bears and wolves, a large population is found in the Carpathian Mountains (2,100 to 2,400) of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Other groups include the Scandinavian lynx found in Norway and Sweden (1,300 to 1,800), the Jura lynx found in France and Switzerland (140), and the Baltic lynx in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine (1,200 to 1,500).

The only two growing populations are found in the Harz Mountains of Germany (46) and the Alpine region of Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland (163).

Forget being just a hotspot: South Korea is 'on fire', according to a TikTok traveler.

Adriana Neptuna asks: 'Why isn't this a more popular holiday destination?', adding: 'It's literally chock full of fun things to do.'

Australian-born Adriana cites one attraction in particular as an example: the Sky Capsule in the coastal city of Busan, which she calls in a TikTok clip as 'definitely a bucket list activity'.

The Sky Capsule is a railway elevated to a height of 10 meters (32 ft), with passengers traveling back and forth along the beach in colorful pods decorated with quirky cartoon characters and retro designs.

Adriana told MailOnline Travel: 'It gives you 360 degree views of the incredible scenery. On one side is the rugged coastline and on the other are beautiful forests, mountain ranges and the city of Busan.'

She remembered going at sunset, which “definitely added to the magic.”

The 2km journey takes about 30 minutes, says Tripadvisor, and runs from Haeundae Mipo to the beach town of Cheongsapo.

According to figures, a one-way ticket for two people costs only 30,000 South Korean won (€ 18). Haeundae Blueline Park (HBP).

The park, which operates the Sky Capsule, said the ride is part of an old abandoned railway line that has been transformed as part of an “environmentally friendly initiative.”

Adriana explained that each capsule seats four people and is private, meaning you “don't share with anyone you don't know.”

Turning to the history of the railway, she praised the overall regeneration project as “something that tourists can now appreciate,” which encourages them to “explore more rural areas along Busan's coast,” including the “excellent glass walkways that look out into the sea'. '.

Other visitors to the Sky Capsule gave it mixed reviews Tripadvisor.

'MissIndy' said it is 'a beautiful coastline, but you can experience it better by walking the route', while 'Jon M' called it a 'typically overrated 'tourist attraction'.'

In a more positive review, 'Fikri' praised the 'great train', adding: 'The place is so beautiful and there are lots of great stations where you can stop and take a photo. But be careful, because it is quite windy there. I really like this place.'

To give advice to future visitors, 'Hyejin L' advised to travel towards Mipo Station to Cheongsapo 'if you want to see the sea better' and then take the walking path back to Mipo Station 'to get a good feel for nature' .

The Sky Capsule is one of the many ways to explore Busan Beach with HBP.

On its website, the park says the attraction is part of an “environmentally friendly redevelopment of the old East Sea South Line railway facility.”

This also includes the Haeundae Beach Train, which runs past the Sky Capsule, on the ground floor.

The sightseeing railway “has six stops along the scenic coastline from Mipo to Songjeong,” according to Korea to do.

For those who prefer walking, the Busan Green Railway is a coastal walking path on a wooden terrace that runs alongside the beach train and covers the same distance, according to the website.

For more information from Adriana, visit www.wanderlicious.co.uk/post/sky-capsule-busan-haeundae-blueline-park And www.tiktok.com/@wanderlicious.adri.

K’gari dingo attack: Second young girl attacked at popular Queensland holiday destination this month

https://usmail24.com/israel-hamas-war/By Zak Wheeler for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:05 EST, January 12, 2024 | Updated: 06:21 EST, January 12, 2024

 

 

Dubai has been crowned the most popular destination in the world for the third year running by the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations.

The winners for the 2024 awards were identified based on the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings specific to several award subcategories from travellers on Tripadvisor for accommodations, restaurants and things to do in destinations worldwide over the 12 months between October 2022 and September 2023.

Tripadvisor says of third-time winner Dubai: ‘Everything feels extra spectacular in Dubai, from the ultra-modern Burj Khalifa to the souks and malls filled with gold and jewellery vendors. It’s a place where if you can dream it, you can do it, whether that means skiing indoors, dune-surfing in the desert, or zip-lining above the city.’

London retains its crown as Europe’s number one as well as its third-place position in the global ranking, trailing behind second-place Bali, Indonesia. The rest of the global top five is made up of Hanoi in Vietnam (fourth) and Rome (fifth). The highest-ranking American destination is New York, which has slipped from 23rd to 25th overall.

Other popular destinations to make it into the top 10 are Paris (sixth); Cancun (seventh); Marrakech (eighth); Crete (ninth) and Hoi An in Vietnam (10th).

The rest of the European top 10 ranking, meanwhile, is made up of Rome (second); Paris (third); Crete (fourth); Istanbul (fifth); Barcelona (sixth); Madrid (seventh); Lisbon (eighth); Amsterdam (ninth) and Florence (10th).

Looking at the other categories in the awards, the list of ‘Trending Destinations’ – locations around the world seeing the greatest year-over-year growth of interest on Tripadvisor – is topped by Tokyo. Describing the Japanese capital, Tripadvisor says: ‘The city is famously cutting-edge, yet its ancient Buddhist temples, vintage teahouses, and peaceful gardens offer a serene escape—and a reminder of its past.’

The silver medal goes to the South Korean capital of Seoul, where Tripadvisor suggests visiting the N Seoul Tower ‘built atop a peak in Namsan Park’ and the teahouses of Insadong, which ‘give you a taste of Korean flavour’.

A third Asian destination completes the top three – Halong Bay in Vietnam – where Tripadvisor recommends renting a kayak or taking a tour to explore the area’s ‘amazing limestone islands, rock formations and caves’.

The rest of the top ten Trending list features Palawan Island, Philippines (fourth); Sapa, Vietnam (fifth); Bogota, Colombia (sixth); Pattaya, Thailand (seventh); Alajuela, Costa Rica (eighth); Phnom Penh, Cambodia (ninth) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (10th).

In the ‘Best of the Best Nature Destinations’ category, which celebrates travellers’ appetite for adventure and the great outdoors and sets out to inspire budding explorers who are planning bucket list trips, Kathmandu is number one.

The Nepalese capital is followed by Halong Bay in second and Egypt’s Hurghada, which bags the bronze medal after missing out last year with fourth place.

Making up the remainder of the top 10 are Mauritius (fourth); Lombok, Indonesia (fifth); Kauai, U.S (sixth); Zanzibar Island, Tanzania (seventh); Grand Cayman, Caribbean (eighth); Kruger National Park, South Africa (ninth) and Martinique, Caribbean (10th). 

Aimed at history, art and culture fans is the ‘Best of the Best Culture Destinations’ ranking. Tripadvisor says that the category sees ‘two new entries for 2024’, with Cusco, Peru, in second place and Agra, India, third on the podium.

‘But it’s Cuba that takes the top spot, climbing five places from last year to be named No1 in the world,’ it adds. Completing the top five are Fes, Morocco (fourth), and Athens, Greece (fifth).

Other culturally rich destinations in the top 10 are Dublin, Ireland (sixth); Colombo, Sri Lanka (seventh); Hue, Vietnam (eighth); Edinburgh, UK (ninth) and Tokyo, Japan (10th).

Next up? It’s the foodie category. The ‘Best of the Best Food Destinations’ ranking ‘serves up a diverse culinary delight’, says Tripadvisor, which points out that Europe ‘takes half of the top 10 world spots’. They are Rome (second); Crete (third); Florence (fifth); Barcelona (seventh) and Lisbon (ninth).

‘But it’s Hanoi, Vietnam, that comes out top for foodies on Tripadvisor, climbing two places this year to claim the number one spot in the world,’ it adds.

The remaining foodie destinations making up the top 10 are Cusco, Peru (fourth); New Delhi, India (sixth); New Orleans, U.S (eighth) and Phuket, Thailand (10th).

In a ranking dedicated to U.S destinations, crowned champion New York is followed by Oahu (second); Las Vegas (third); New Orleans (fourth) and Miami Beach (fifth).

There are two new categories this year, one of which is the ‘Best of the Best Sustainable Destinations’, which recognises ‘winners from around the world deemed to have strong commitments to sustainability’. Here, Copenhagen takes the gold followed by Stockholm, second, and Bordeaux in third.

‘Europe is leading the way when it comes to environmentally responsible cities, taking eight of the top 10 spots,’ Tripadvisor notes.

Aimed at romantic getaways, the other new category this year is the ‘Best of the Best Honeymoon Destinations’, where Bali takes the crown followed by Hoi An, Vietnam, in second place, and Maldives third.

Commenting on the 2024 ranking, Sarah Firshein, head of editorial at Tripadvisor, says: ‘Winners like Dubai, Tokyo, Paris, and Marrakech indicate that our community has an unbridled appetite for destinations with vibrant arts-and-culture scenes, top-notch restaurants, and seemingly limitless attractions and experiences.

‘It’s also great to see a rebound on long-haul trips to Asia, with the region having fully opened up post-pandemic. As Tripadvisor’s Trending Destinations list shows, travellers are keen to get out there and explore with gusto.’

See the winners across all subcategories here: tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Destinations.

Greece’s anger over Rishi Sunak’s criticism of its prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has upset travel companies and one or two locals who guide millions of British visitors to the bleached Acropolis.

‘The Acropolis is our most important monument; “Imagine if someone removed the clock from Big Ben or sold the Eiffel Tower?” says Athens Walks founder Kostas Chatzivasileiou.

But all is not lost. The city is doing well and recovering from an economic crisis and years of Covid lockdowns.

A record four million British visitors traveled to Greece this year, as the capital Athens became a ‘Greek’ destination, rivaling Berlin or Barcelona as a city break for foodies and art lovers.

At the top end of the market, hotel openings such as The Dolli and One&Only have put a spring in Athens’ step. Last summer, the number of visitors paying to see the Acropolis rose by 80 percent, meaning long lines and cancellations to avoid overcrowding. Undeterred, more than 17,000 people climbed the rocky hill in Athens every day to take a selfie with the Parthenon in the background.

And now those in power have decided to increase the cost of a visit. From July 2025, the registration fee will increase from €20 per person to €30.

The best way to beat the queues, especially in high season, is to pre-book a group tour online – ideally the earliest ‘skip the queue’ ticket at 9am, which includes entrance fee plus a two-hour guided tour with a licensed guide. This prevents the more expensive guides from bothering visitors at the entrance to the site.

Visit out of season for a completely crowd-free experience.

Early spring or October are the best months. Go at 5:30 PM for those beautiful sunset photos, as well as half-price entrance tickets, for €10 per person.

Most importantly, wear your most comfortable sneakers as there are 200 smooth marble steps to the Acropolis. Additionally, keep in mind that the campsite itself is full of uneven, rocky paths. And don’t forget a hat and a bottle of water.

No food is allowed and nothing is sold inside, so don’t come hungry.

As you enter, you come to the most impressive vantage point: the iconic southwest corner of the Parthenon monument, where the missing Pentelic-carved marble frieze once formed the famous crowning centerpiece.

As far as calling them “the Elgin Marbles” is a phrase best avoided here. They were supposedly ‘purchased’ while Thomas Bruce, 7th Lord Elgin was British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century; so the suggestion of ownership is generally not welcome. Instead, guides call them “statues and sculpted reliefs of the Parthenon.”

Break for lunch or a drink on the balcony of the nearby Acropolis Museum cafe and there is also a wonderful shop where you can buy souvenirs.

Meanwhile, many Acropolis guides believe the recent ruffling of feathers over the Elgin Marbles has worked to their advantage.

“This altercation has put the campaign in the spotlight at a global level, which can only be good news,” one of them said.

And it’s probably not bad for visitor numbers either.

For the first time in a decade, the Bulgarian ski resorts of Borovets and Bansko have lost their position as the best value in Europe.

Their crown has been taken over by Italian Bardonecchia for the 2023/24 winter season.

The resort is rated as the best value for adult skiing in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report 2023, with Bankso dropping to sixth place on the chart.

The most expensive resort, the research shows, is Zermatt in Switzerland.

The report, in collaboration with Crystal ski holidayswas compiled by comparing the total cost at 36 resorts of a six-day lift pass and ski/boot hire for one person, plus ski school (five to six half days) and a range of drinks and lunch on the slopes.

According to the report, the total for Bardonecchia is £532 per person, putting Borovets in second place for the first time since 2019.

Prices at the Bulgarian resort have risen 8.2 per cent year on year to £554, the research shows.

Bansko, which was rated best in 2018, comes in sixth place thanks to a year-on-year price increase of 18.1 percent, bringing the cost per person to a total of £642.

The cheapest French resort according to the survey is Le Corbier, where a total of £611.32 confirms third place. It is the first time that a French ski resort is in the top three destinations.

Italian resort Livigno is in fourth place at £614, while Baqueira Beret, the first Spanish ski resort to be included in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report, is in seventh place (£696).

Overall, Italian resorts continue to represent the best value for British skiers among the ‘big four’ ski destinations (Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland), with three more resorts in the top 10: Sauze (fifth, £639), Sestriere ( eighth, £699) and La Thuile (ninth, £710), the report reveals.

With prices only slightly higher than last season, Finnish resort Ruka completes the top ten with the best value (10th, £735) for adult ski trips.

At the other end of the spectrum, Switzerland is the most expensive ski country in Europe, with the three resorts on the list each costing more than £1,000 per person.

The research shows that Zermatt, the most expensive resort, costs £1,334.76, followed by Wengen (35th, £1,259) and Saas-Fee (34th, £1,164).

Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘The cost of ski resorts is likely to play a major role in destination choice this year, as the rising cost of living in Britain puts pressure on the amount of money ski enthusiasts have available for their vacation. annual winter sports holiday.

‘The good news is that prices are lower in some popular holiday resorts and where they have risen, the increases are not as high as you would expect given inflation across Europe.’

Budget-conscious families will find the lowest prices for a weekly lift pass, ski equipment, tuition, meals and drinks at Jahorina (£1,657) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of eight new ski areas introduced in the family ski resort report this season.

Jahorina is the cheapest for a family of four (two adults and two children, aged six and eight) of the 32 ski resorts surveyed, narrowly beating Italy’s Passo Tonale (second, £1,678), where prices have fallen by 6.6 per cent have declined.

This year’s report shows that more than half of family resorts – 13 of the 24 previously surveyed – have seen price declines. The biggest drop – 8.9 per cent – ​​is in Ruka (£2,098), Finland, which has moved up to seventh place in the family list. Among the 12 other family resorts that have recorded year-on-year price falls, Rauris (sixth, £2,085) is the only Austrian resort to feature in both top 10 tables.

The most expensive resort in the family rankings is Austria’s Kitzbühel, where the total cost for a family of four rises to £3,260.53, the report shows.

Laura adds: ‘Many parents who take their children on ski holidays want them to go to ski school and the costs of this can significantly increase the ski holiday.’

The findings come as consumer research carried out for the Post Office supports reports from the travel industry of a surge in demand for European ski holidays following heavy early snowfall in the Alps.

The survey of 2,001 adults showed that a significant number – 12 percent (246 respondents) – are planning a ski holiday between December 2023 and April 2024.

Chris Logan, Managing Director at Crystal Ski Holidays, says: ‘With the rising cost of living, offering value for money when it comes to ski holidays is more important than ever before.

‘We continue to see strong demand for destinations that offer great value to price-conscious Brits, with Italy remaining a firm favorite for our customers for the 2023-2024 winter season.’

Visit www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-money.

You might know Leeds as the original ‘motorway city’, or as the birthplace of M&S, or maybe for its football team, but almost certainly not as a city-break destination.

However, as I soon discovered, Leeds is fast becoming a cultural and foodie hotspot with delights around every corner.

It’s small enough to get around on foot but it also boasts gorgeous coffee shops, fancy restaurants, and a plethora of markets and intricate shopping arcades.

As the city gains in popularity, it’s easily holding its own against the more obvious city-break destinations.

But if you still need convincing here are six brilliant reasons why Leeds should be on your radar…

1. There are glorious Victorian and Edwardian Arcades

For shopping, the city’s glorious Victorian and Edwardian arcades off Briggate are sublimely impressive, especially around Queen Victoria Street where the largest expanse of stained glass in the UK sits. This multi-coloured 749-square-metre (8,062 sq ft) canopy was designed by architectural artist Brian Clarke. Now, the covered street links into the Victoria Quarter, home to chic designer store Harvey Nichols and many upscale international boutiques.

While Thornton’s Arcade, the first of Leeds’ historic arcades, is studded with Gothic arches and church-style lancet windows on upper stories. Plus, there are winged lions and painted dragons on the blue and red iron trusses that support the glass roof. And Robin Hood, Richard the Lion-Hearted, Friar Tuck, and Gurth the Swineherd – characters from Sir Walter Scott’s 1819 novel Ivanhoe – strike the quarter hours on the arcade’s period animatronic clock.

There’s a similar animatronic clock in the Grand Arcade of 1897, but this arcade’s retailers are all independent, including a comic emporium, a skate shop, a camera store, and a gourmet coffee beans outlet.

County Arcade was erected in the late 1890s by London Palladium designer Frank Matcham, with his Empire Theatre as the anchor destination. The theatre is now the Harvey Nichols store, the first to make the leap from London (now there are ‘Harvey Nicks’ in other cities, too). That leap was in the mid-1990s and inspired other upscale retailers to open in the arcade, transforming it into an enclave of poshness.

How posh? There are no flashy corporate logos allowed on the shopfront signs. Instead, the carved curved mahogany shopfronts all feature nameboards picked out in the same Art Nouveau font. Threaded with period cast and wrought iron struts and refloored in the 1990s with finely detailed mosaics, the County Arcade is retail therapy on stilts.

When I was recently in County Arcade for an evening reception hosted by Harvey Nicks we were entertained by a singer from Opera North, the only resident opera ensemble outside London.

2. You can visit the birthplace of M&S – Kirkgate Market 

Many cities have covered markets, but Leeds’ Victorian-era Kirkgate market has an extra-special claim to fame. It’s where M&S was born.

The first stall — an outdoor pitch — was opened by Polish Jewish immigrant Michael Marks in 1884. Marks’ small trestle table sold Dewhirst-sourced haberdashery and more with the tagline ‘don’t ask the price – it’s a penny’. Two years later, the penny bazaar moved to an indoor stall inside Kirkgate Market, and Dewhirst cashier Tom Spencer joined the expanding business with a half-share in 1894.

During the M&S centenary year in 1984, a commemorative clock was unveiled in Kirkgate Market’s 1904 extension, 180 metres from the location of the first outdoor stall. 

Today, adjacent to the clock, there’s a heritage M&S stall selling penny bazaar memorabilia (and Percy Pigs).

M&S’s official archives are stored in the Michael Marks building on the western campus of Leeds University. The Kirkgate Market stall and the university are linked with an M&S heritage walking tour, which explores the history of the company in Leeds.

3. There are independent boutiques and eateries galore at the Corn Exchange

A short stroll from Kirkgate Market is the Victorian Corn Exchange, a Grade I-listed rotunda filled with independent boutiques and eateries.  

Corn traders required soft natural light rather than direct sunshine — all the better for showcasing grains — which is why the Corn Exchange’s domed glass-and-wooden roof floods the interior with diffuse daylight. 

Opened in 1864, the building was still operating as a hub for corn traders in the 1980s, although by the end of that decade, it had been turned into a shopping centre.

The tremendous natural light illuminates an eclectic range of retailers and cafes today including Owt, the place to find amazing French toast that, says co-owner Esther Miglio, isn’t French toast at all.

‘It’s our in-house bread and butter pudding, fried, and very decadent,’ she confided.

4. This hidden gems foodie walking tour

Foodies will adore the city’s Hidden Gems Food Tour led by company founder Ellen Miller. 

‘The city’s compact size helps because the independent food businesses get to know each other and often collaborate,’ said Ellen. 

She added: ‘Leeds feels like a small town, which is lovely.’

On my private tour with her we headed to the relatively new Empire Café where food has been served from the location since at least 1884. 

Today you can dine on flame-roasted rotisserie chicken and the crispiest roast potatoes. 

While at Eat Your Greens, we had bruschetta with homemade basil pesto, heritage and vine tomatoes, and the most amazingly yummy cashew cream. 

The tomatoes were from the Isle of Wight, but the rest of the veggies on the menu were grown by Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, just a few miles away. 

Eat Your Greens staffers collect the farm’s produce by bicycle. The cafe-cum-shop has an in-store bike rack for staff and customers.

But one of Ellen’s most popular destinations isn’t a restaurant at all – it’s the Chilli Shop on Merrion Street. 

Owner Frank Jay locked us in for a private tasting. ‘You’re the first people in Britain to try this new dessert chilli sauce,’ he told us as we tucked into tiny samples of sweet chilli sauce over ice cream.

5. Owl hunting

Manchester’s symbol is a bee, Newcastle has its magpie – the official emblem of Leeds is the owl.

There are three owls on Leeds City Council’s coat of arms, and there are at least 25 locations around the city where you can spot sculptures, paintings, and ornaments depicting these wise-looking birds. 

There’s a brilliant walking trail that links the locations, and once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll spot owls almost everywhere in the city: framed in friezes, perched on railings, and topping buildings. 

It’s a great way to get to know the city too!

6. Dakota Deluxe Hotel

Rising from the newly pedestrianised Greek Street and just a short stroll from the city’s train station the Dakota Deluxe Hotel is Leeds’ only five-star hotel. 

It’s a swords-into-ploughshares high-rise built on a former multi-storey car park site in 2017. 

Our corner suite had a delicious view down to a corner office building — it’s great to wallow in luxury on a deep velvet sofa wrapped in a woollen throw while watching folks whiling away at a desk job.

Black-and-white photographs of Hollywood legends adorn the walls of the hotel’s bar and restaurant, again evoking a timeless elegance. A bespoke, small box of hotel-branded chocolates and some bubbly on ice awaited us on arrival.

Carlton can be found tweeting at @carltonreid and his videos can be found at www.youtube.com/@cyclingnews.