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The October half-term ‘sunny money holiday barometer’

Travelex’s top ten destinations for great value and sunshine

Travelex is launching its October half term ‘sunny money holiday barometer’ – a top ten list of the overseas destinations best for last minute sunshine and great value. Despite the recent heat wave, Brits have suffered the UK’s worst summer in over 18 years and the leading foreign exchange specialist is gearing up for what it anticipates to be one of the busiest October half…

Travelex is launching its October half term ‘sunny money holiday barometer’ – a top ten list of the overseas destinations best for last minute sunshine and great value. Despite the recent heat wave, Brits have suffered the UK’s worst summer in over 18 years and the leading foreign exchange specialist is gearing up for what it anticipates to be one of the busiest October half terms as record numbers of sun deprived families look to head abroad for some last minute sunshine.

Compiled by a panel of experts, Travelex’s ‘sunny money holiday barometer’ uses a combination of historical and predicted weather reports coupled with currency stats showing the relative strength of the Pound at each destination to reveal a definitive list of the best top family holiday destinations for the imminent half-term break.

Travelex top 10 half term getaway destinations
1: Egypt
2: Turkey
3: Kenya
4: Jamaica
5: Trinidad and Tobago
6: USA
7: Dubai / Abu Dhabi
8: Spain
9: Greece
10: Bulgaria

Egypt
Top of Travelex’s ‘sunny money holiday barometer’ is Egypt, which is practically shower-free all year round and boasts an average temperature of 27 degrees in October – more than double the UK’s average temperature in the same month. The rise of Sterling against the Egyptian Pound (up 9% year on year) combined with a glut of cheap package tours to popular Egyptian resorts also help to make the country a very appealing choice. Holidaymakers exchanging £500 will get 352 Egyptian Pounds (equivalent to £42) more than they would have done 12 months ago, which would get you more than thirty pints of beer in a local bar in the popular resort of Sharm el Sheikh.

Turkey
Enjoying an average of 12 hours sunshine a day – more than five hours more than London – and a minimum temperature of 20 degrees in October, Turkey takes second place in Travelex’s barometer.

As well as sunshine, travellers can take advantage of the fact that the Pound is up a massive 23% against the Turkish Lira compared to this time last year meaning that a family exchanging £500 will get 267 more Turkish Lira (that’s just under £100) than they would have done 12 months ago.

Kenya, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago
Kenya takes third place in Travelex’s ‘sunny money holiday barometer’. Brits taking the ten hour flight from London will be rewarded with some of the best October temperatures. Its traditionally dry climate also means that sun worshippers can enjoy comfortable temperatures of 20 degrees as well as nearly eight hours of sunshine. Brits will also get great value for money as the Pound is up 19% against the local currency, the Kenyan Shilling, compared to this time last year. This means that holidaymakers exchanging £500 will get 11,252 Shillings (£81) more than they would have done a year ago – enough for two meals out for a family of four at the Sarabi Pool and Supper Club in Nairobi.

In fourth and fifth place are the popular long haul destinations of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. With Sterling up over 1% against the Jamaican Dollar and up 2% against the  Trinidad and Tobago Dollar compared to this time last year and with average October temperatures of 29 degrees in Jamaica and 27 degrees in Trinidad and Tobago,  these sun drenched islands are popular choice for British holidaymakers this half term.

Travelex’s research shows that package tour operators are currently offering flights and accommodation during October to much loved resorts such as those in Florida for less than £450 per person, meaning the USA takes 6th place in the barometer. The rise in the value of the Pound against the US Dollar which is up year on year, means that visiting Brits will get more for their money than they would have done a year ago.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi
In 7th place are Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, both offering year-round sunshine and a healthy exchange rate to the Pound. The Pound is up against the UAE Dirham compared to this time last year meaning Brits can indulge themselves in the shopping haven more than ever before.

Spain’s Canary Islands
While Sterling is actually down against the Euro (down 3.3% compared to this time last year), cut price package deals to popular European destinations are helping to keep Spain in Travelex’s top ten. Spain’s Canary Islands take eighth place thanks to great deals such as family packages to Gran Canaria offering 3 star accommodation in Maspalomas for a week for as little as £260. The island’s great climate is also a winner being 13 degrees hotter than the UK in October.

Greece
Another Eurozone destination, Greece, bags ninth place in Travelex’s barometer. With a climate that’s, on average, 9 degrees hotter than the UK in October, Greece is that perfect shorts and t-shirts weather for sun seekers this half-term. Brits are also being enticed by some great value last minute deals to many of the popular Greek resorts.

Bulgaria
Bulgaria takes tenth position in Travelex’s barometer. Despite the Pound being down 3% on the Lev compared to a year ago, Bulgaria is the feel good resort perfect for those families looking to get away from it all quickly, offering a sunny climate and a great choice of budget package deals.

Peter Davies of Travelex says, “Following a dreadful summer here in the UK, we’re expecting many families to take advantage of the post-peak bargains and seek out the sunshine this half-term. The combination of special offers and better rates means families have a wide range of choice when it comes to picking a last minute autumn getaway. Our holiday barometer showing the best choices for those looking for great value and warm weather should be a helpful tool for Brits dashing abroad for a last minute sunshine break this half-term.

“Trips to Egypt and Turkey are proving especially popular thanks to the strength of the Pound against both local currencies meaning holidaymakers have more money to play with. Despite the Pound continuing to struggle against the Euro, the Eurozone will continue to be popular with British holidaymakers. To those travellers we’d recommend ordering currency at Travelex.co.uk to take advantage of our Price Promise to secure the best value travel money.”

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Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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