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.’

Experts have warned of a trend where people on social media are trying to renew their sofas with paint.

The trend is trending on TikTok and Instagram reels with over 29.7 million views as creative fans try to save money with their DIY projects.

Videos filmed by TikTokers in the UK show them splashing multiple layers of paint onto their sofas before scrubbing and sanding to achieve an even finish.

But while sofa makeovers may look good at first, experts have warned that they will soon become ‘dry, uneven and crusty’, and people risk ruining an ‘expensive canvas’.

Molly Mackinder, 25, who lives in Essex, shared her sofa makeover in a videoas she changed it from light blue to cream.

Molly mixed four parts water with one part chalk, before spraying the fabric with water and painting on the mixture. She went over it with a sanding sponge to work the paint in and added additional layers before going over it again with sandpaper.

The DIYer said she was ‘happy’ with how it turned out, but admitted the makeover had left it ‘patchy in places’.

She wrote on her TikTok account @mackingahouseahome: ‘Painting a sofa?!! I’m glad I did it because it saved me the purchase of a new couch and I’m happy with how it turned out… but I probably wouldn’t do it again.

“It took SO much paint and took forever waiting for the fabric to dry between each coat!”

Meanwhile, Emma Carberry, from Glasgow, who runs interior design company Form And Balance, said she turned to the sofa painting trend because she wanted a ‘sumptuous sofa’ but only had a second-hand one to work with.

She transformed her gray coach using a deep olive green and said a ‘little TLC’ had made it look ‘iconic’ while saving ‘a fortune in soft furnishing costs’.

While people in the comments were clearly convinced – praising the makeovers as ‘stunning’ and ‘so good!’, experts have warned those at home not to rush out to get out their own brushes.

Michael Rolland of The Paint Shed warned that painting is not a ‘simple hack’ and said: ‘DIY sofa painting is all the rage on TikTok with viral videos showing a fun, simple, eco-friendly and affordable way to redesign your furniture.

‘However, this could be one of those trends where what you see is usually not what you get. The only easy thing about painting a sofa is that it’s easy to make big mistakes, which can lead to unnecessary costs.

‘People expect their painted sofas to look like real quality pieces, but that is not the case with this trend. Fabric paint, even the good stuff, is unlikely to cover up any wear or imperfections.

‘It’s even less likely to feel like the material of a brand new piece of furniture. Preventing paint from becoming dry, uneven and crusty is much more difficult than Tiktokers show.

“A sofa is a very expensive canvas that you can ruin, and this is almost inevitable without experience or expertise.”

If you still want to update your sofa, Michael advised that there are easier and more cost-effective ways to breathe new life into it.

Less risky options include sewing a removable cover, purchasing a slipcover, or investing in quality pillows.

A DUPE expert has shared her $11 alternative to the popular $24 Milk Makeup blush.

Besides the wallet-friendly price, she also raved about the makeup dupe’s softer finish.

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Kelly (@kellygooch) shared the beauty find in a TikTok video.

“Dupe alert! The Milk Makeup cream blush is so popular here on TikTok, but the full size is $24,” she said.

She showed off the blush wand and examined the coral blush on the inside of her wrist to show its finish.

“This cream blush from Flower Beauty is so similar,” she said, holding the $10 Flower Beauty Gel Crush Lip & Cheek.

“The only real difference is that Flower is more dewy,” she said.

Under the Milk Makeup swatch, she rubbed the blush dupe to reveal a more radiant finish.

Milk Makeup currently features six core and five new shades, including a peachy pink to true red to a rosy beige range.

Flower Beauty’s line includes six options, from coral to deep burgundy.

The Flower Beauty blush also contains more product, with 10 grams compared to Milk Makeup’s six.

Both stains can be used on the cheeks and lips for an instant pop of color.

However, the formulation differed as Milk Makeup’s blush is cream-based while Flower Beauty’s version came in gel form.

Those with drier skin types may prefer Flower Beauty, whose gel formulation claims to boost hydration.

“The unique gel texture contains pure pigments that glide over the skin in one refreshing stroke, giving it a wave of moisture that lasts all day,” says Flower Beauty.

“A multi-tasking dewy finish with a mixed berry scent blends softly and beautifully for an instant burst of hydrating color.”

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XBOX is a big fan of collaborations and there are more Xbox consoles on the market than any other current console.

There seems to be a custom console for every type of fan, from Barbie to Willy Wonka, and from Palworld to Porsche.

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Xbox even released a new SpongeBob SquarePants Xbox Series

The latest Xbox Series

To mark the launch of Final Fantasy 14 coming to Xbox, the company is giving away a specially designed custom console.

This special Xbox Series

There are also two gold halos surrounding the console, decorated with similar crystals.

It is also shown with a custom controller with the same gold, light blue and crystal design.

However, delving deeper into the fine print reveals that the winner won’t be able to use the FF14 model as their main console at home.

The description reads: “Non-functional. Can be used as a work of art.”

It’s unclear if this includes the custom controller that has no additional parts added.

Those looking to claim the prize won’t have to worry about leaving without a console, as the prize package also comes with a functioning Xbox Series X.

As part of the prize, they will also receive a Final Fantasy 14 Complete Collector’s Edition and a year’s worth of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Unfortunately, only residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico can enter to win as the giveaway is location-based.

You will then need to follow the official Xbox Twitter account for your country and the English Final Fantasy 14 account.

Retweet the promotional message with the hashtag #XboxFFXIVSweepstakes for a chance to win the bundle.

Xbox estimates the value of the bundle at around $1.3k, so it’s one of the more expensive giveaways they’ve offered.

If you want to read more about Xbox, check out this great Xbox deal on a game rated 96.

There’s nothing like a relaxing dip after a hard day.

And you can add a little something extra to your bath time by dropping a bath bomb into the water.

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But you don’t have to splurge on an expensive retail version; you can easily make these yourself. . .

MIX IT: To make about four balls, mix 100g baking soda (£2.50, B&Q), 50g citric acid (£2.25, B&Q) and 50g cornflour (£2.50, Tesco).

Then, in a separate bowl, pour two tablespoons of olive oil – sunflower or coconut oil also works.

From here you can get creative and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and a few drops of food coloring to the olive oil.

Gradually add the oil mixture to the dry ingredients while continuing to beat.

You may need to add a few more drops of water to make the mixture moist enough to clump together. Continue whisking while adding additional drops of water.

GET IN SHAPE: Spoon your mixture into half-sphere silicone molds (£3, Amazon) and pack the mixture tightly so it binds together.

Let dry for about four hours.

To make a whole sphere, you need to squeeze half spheres into their molds and let them dry together.

Bath bombs don’t have to be round; you can put them in any shape you have, like stars.

USE YOUR CREATIVITY: Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with adding additional accents, such as petals. Simply press them into the molds before adding the mixture.

You can add Epsom salt or biodegradable glitter (£2.50, Hobbycraft) when making your bombs. The activity is great for older children.

BATH GIFT: Bath bombs make a beautiful handmade gift. All you have to do is wrap them all in cellophane and tie them together with a ribbon. Please note that they can be fragile and are therefore best delivered by hand.

• All prices on the page are correct at the time of going to press. Offers and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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ADD a royal touch with Vera Wang’s Princess eau de toilette, reduced from £64 to £24 at lookfantastic.com.

TO RESCUE: £40

Cheap treat

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LIDL has reduced Allini Prosecco Spumante from £5.49 per bottle to £4.49 until Wednesday. Receive the offer via the Lidl Plus app.

TO RESCUE: £1

Great exchange

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If you like Kinder Bueno chocolate milk, you’ll love the taste of Biona Organic duo chocolate hazelnut spread, £5.80 from Ocado. Or save with Asda’s duo spread for €1.85.

TO RESCUE: £3.95

PLAY NOW AND WIN £200

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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we give away £100 to 250 lucky readers. Whether you’re saving or just need some extra cash, The Sun can help.

Each Sun Savers code entered equals one raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you earn and the greater your chances of winning!

WITH the official start of spring just days away, many of us Are taking our favorite dresses out of the closet.

While your closet may be bursting at the seams, there’s one floral dress you’ll want to add to your collection—and you can pick it up with your groceries.

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Fashionistas are even raving about the Rose Ruched Blurred Floral Mesh dress from Sainsbury’s – calling it ‘stunning’ after spotting it in the supermarket aisle.

Perfect for the changeable Spring In nice weather the dress is a fitted midi-maxi with long sleeves and a small side slit.

It is made of lightweight mesh polyester material functions a beautiful floral design and is fully lined for extra coverage.

On the Sainsbury’s website, the product description read: “Make a statement this season in our long sleeve mesh midaxi dress.

“In a beautiful pink shade with a blurry floral design functions a ruffle on the side for a flattering look. Complete your chic outfit with a pair of ankle boots boots.”

You’ll have to run to the checkout if you want to grab this bargain, though, as it’s already starting to sell out.

Originally available in sizes 8-24, the website says there is limited stock left even though the dress has only just hit shelves.

Unsurprisingly, this floral dress is quickly selling out, as those who bought it say it looks ‘more expensive’ than its £22 price tag.

Shoppers are so obsessed with the fashion find that it has an impressive 4.8 star rating online.

A satisfied customer said: “A beautiful dress and looks more expensive than it is. Excellent quality and the fabric and colors really stand out.”

Meanwhile, others were amazed at how flattering the bodycon dress was and loved the ruffles on one side.

Another added: “Beautiful dress, easy to pair with heels for a night out, or casual with a biker jacket and boots for daytime…the ruffles on the side give shape to the body.’

“I bought this dress online. It looks so fantastic. I bought my normal size 10 and it fit just right. Very forgiving in the tummy area,” wrote a third, revealing that they had altered the dress to flatter their figure.

They wrote: “It can be rolled further to change the length too. I wore mine with brown sock boots. But there are so many great colors in the fabric that you can choose to match accessories with.

“Can be great as a day or evening outfit. Love it!”

If you weren’t sold yet, a fourth even stated that they had received lots of compliments after picking up the dress from Sainsbury’s.

“It’s beautiful and everyone says how Nice it is,” they revealed, giving the dress five stars judgement.

As stock is limited online, we recommend you visit your local Sainsbury’s branch to avoid missing out on this sensational mesh dress.

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Home construction professionals share their tricks of the trade for making living rooms look expensive.

The hacks will stand the test of time as interior design trends change.

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Australian-based new-build home builder Redink (@redinkhomes) have amassed more than 221,000 followers on TikTok, where they share home inspiration.

They went viral on the social media app after sharing three tips to transform living rooms.

The experts in dream home design showed a beautifully decorated living room with plenty of space despite the sofa, chairs and coffee table.

“How to make your living room look expensive,” read the text on the screen.

“First, mount the TV on the wall and hide the wires.

“Two, let in as much light as possible.

“Third, don’t use matching furniture sets. Change things.”

They showed a flat-screen TV mounted on a white wall with a black table decorated with vases underneath.

There were no visible wires where the TV was plugged in, for a clean look.

The almost floor-to-ceiling windows on one side naturally illuminated the space.

A gray sofa was the statement piece as it featured cushions in different colors and an artistically placed throw.

Meanwhile, two strategically placed linen armchairs with wooden arms and legs added to the casual feel of the space.

More than 6,7000 viewers liked the video and many people were curious whether the striking decor had been purchased.

“Love the coffee tables,” one person wrote.

“Where does the console table under the TV come from?” another commented.

The TikTokers did not respond to the requests and left some people guessing how else they could recreate the look shown.

The console table looks strikingly similar to the Burke Iron Console that is sold Pottery Barnwhile brownwood coffee tables can be found at Walmart.

“How do you hide the wires lol,” one viewer asked.

“You run the TV cable from the back of the TV down into the wall to a power source where it is hidden,” replied another.

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Trench coats are impossibly cool, no matter what situation you wear them in. They’re not just for detectives anymore, that’s for sure. All kidding aside, they are always great to pair with an outfit to up your luxury quotient. They are also always great to wear to work or to formal occasions because they always serve. And if you’re looking for a trench coat to add to your wardrobe, we’ve found the perfect trench coat that won’t cost a whole paycheck but will certainly look the part.

You’ll want to make a trip to Walmart to get the Free fitting modern trench coat, which is an incredible $49 at Walmart. Yes, you read that correctly. That’s not even a sales price. It’s always so affordable. And it looks like you spent hundreds on it, as you can see in the photo. It’s available in multiple sizes, it’s chic and could very well become your new favorite coat in the future.

Grab the Free fitting modern trench coat for only $49 at Walmart!

This polished coat features a double-breasted silhouette that you can throw in the machine and wash if it gets dirty, and is made from 100% cotton. That makes it a great option for mid-season wear and for staying warm when you don’t need a big, massive puffer coat to keep you comfortable. Plus, the two-tone look is as unique as you are.

Grab the Free fitting modern trench coat for only $49 at Walmart!

For just under $50 you won’t find a similar jacket anywhere, especially one of this caliber. And if you want something classic to rock with all your spring outfits and not have to be stuck in your closet every time the weather turns, this is what you want. It keeps you warm with lightweight material and cool when you need it most. And you look like you just stepped out of a 50s detective movie. So that is a big plus.

Don’t simply freshen your home with spring cleaning, but renew it with inspiring furniture.

Getting a new season glow-up has never been more affordable

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Here are our top five spring picks that offer a stylish lift for under £10.

SOFT, SOFT

Spread bright pillows on the sofa or bed to instantly improve the atmosphere in the rooms.

Product tip: Livarno living cushion €5.99 or two for €10 at Lidl (in stores from Sunday 10 March).

COVER GLORY

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Versatile throws can be used to update chairs, sofas or beds.
for a cozy feeling.

You can even use them as hanging wall decorations.

Product tip: Dreamscene waffle single throw in mink, £5.50 at onlinehomeshop.com.

SIPPER STAR

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Lighten the morning with a coffee cup in pastel shades.

Product tip: Lynton mug, £1.50 at Dunelm.

FLOOR THEM

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Replace shaggy winter rugs that make a room feel heavy
a light and airy alternative.

Product tip: Livarno rug for €9.99 at Lidl.

BEST FRIENDS

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Combine color, nature and a sweet scent with a beautiful flowering plant.

Product tip: Hyacinth bulb in a pot, €1.99 at Lidl.

PROUD householders looking for Pottery Barn style curtains at a fraction of the price are in luck.

The more expensive home furnishings store is far beyond the budget for many.

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But there’s an Amazon dupe that costs a third of the price.

Anna Dani Brooks (@annadani) shares her “honest style reviews” on TikTok.

In this aftershe pitted more expensive curtains against cheaper versions.

“Today we’re comparing the best curtains from Pottery Barn Emery, but way too expensive, with dupes from Amazon,” she said.

To help viewers, she had one of each hanging in a window.

“On the left is the ivory pottery shed,” she said.

This curtain was lined with cotton, so little light filtered through.

“So you have the beautiful texture of linen flax on one side and it’s a light ivory cream. It has a cotton lining. It reads nice and airy and bright,” she said.

Then she moved on to a budget version, the Amazon dupe in barley. Did it hold up against its more expensive counterpart?

“This looks much browner. I would go with white if you’re looking for more of that ivory color,” she said.

“As for the texture, it has the same linen flax.”

However, the lighting effect was different.

“As the light filters through, it becomes more brown and yellow, which is very different from the Pottery Barn,” she said.

Unlike the Pottery Barn curtains, this Amazon dupe did not have a cotton lining.

She had another option Amazon if you were looking for darker shades.

“I wouldn’t exactly call this curtain a dupe. It’s just another good curtain option,” she said.

“You do miss the flax you have at the Pottery Barn Emery,” she wrote.

However, there were even more positives.

“It has a room darkening panel in the back. It’s better for a bedroom. And you don’t get those yellow undertones.”

But they worked for her and hung them in her office.

In her final assessment, she thought the Pottery Barn curtains were the best. But you get what you pay for, she thought.

“Pottery Barn one is still superior. This certainly applies to the cotton lining.

“However, for $190, it’s just not feasible to furnish your entire home,” she said.

But the Amazon dupes were good budget alternatives.

“I got these for $32 per panel. I would recommend these for bedrooms if you are looking for a more affordable option,” she said.

“The other Amazon that really looked like a dupe of the PB Emery, just minus the liner. That ranges from about $35 to $55.”

Commenters approved of her evaluation.

“I was seriously considering the Pottery Barn for a bathroom but I don’t want to spend that much. Thanks,” one person said.

“This is the best show-and-tell. Thank you,” said another.

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