Holiday Hardship: 1 Pound to 1 Euro

With the Euro currently matching the Pound almost 1 for 1 in the exchange rate, holidays in Euro zone have never offered such scant value.


Just five years ago the pound was riding high in the currency exchange market with one pound able to buy €1.5. At present the pound is worth around €1.12. This marks a dip in the value of the pound of around 25%.
The recession of 2008 could be largely attributed to this weakness in value. During the recession the pound saw significant losses, but much of Europe was experiencing similar economic turmoil so holiday makers were not affected significantly.


The aftermath of the recession has really hit the pound hardest.With Britain's close economic links with America, the knock-on effect of America's disastrous approach to the credit crunch saw the pound struggle further whilst the Euro began to strengthen. The Euro bank also took a hard-line approach to inflation. Whilst the British banks cut interest rates drastically to encourage spending and boost the economy, the European central bank refused such measures, leading to a quicker recovery.


So, post-recession the pound may not be in as bad shape as the Dollar, but it lags behind the far superior Euro.


For holiday-makers, the struggling Pound does have its plus points.It represents fantastic value for tourists from Europe who can experience savings of around 20%. This also means that holidays at home are perhaps the best choice for Brits themselves wishing to save a few pounds; and lets face it, our economy needs all the help it can get at the moment and what better way than exploring some of Britain's best holiday spots.

City Breaks on the cheap!

Looking to get away from it all this weekend? With this quickfire guide we present a rundown of the top city breaks that offer culture and sites in spades whilst taking it easy on the credit card.
1.Marrakech

Budget airlines are currently offering return trips to Morocco’s most interesting city for as little as £50. Once there you can enjoy warm to scorching temperatures and a treasure-trove of wonderful sights. Whether it's Marrakech's famous Square of the Dead or one of it's many century old excavations, Marrakech has plenty to do for those looking for a budget city break that is a little different from the usual.

2.Prague

Prague still offers great value for the discerning British tourist. Flights to this Eastern European gem are cheap and food and drink prices are in line with the lowest in the EU. As well as this, you get some of the most astonishing architectural marvels in the whole of Europe and an atmosphere of charm that is reminiscent of a bygone era.

3.Istanbul

Turkey's most populous city is also one of its most interesting. Istanbul was the centre of the Ottoman empire and you will find the Topkapi Palace conveys the scale of this huge military force to the extent that half a day is needed to fully appreciate it. To pick up Turkish bargains, head for the Grand Bazaar where you will be faced with shopkeepers looking to haggle for the best prices on extravagant Turkish carpets and handbags.

4.Sofia

Sofia is the ancient capital of Bulgaria – a recent inductee to the EU. As you would expect from an ancient city, there are many cultural curiosities that you can feast your eyes upon such as the ancient turrets and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. You can also peruse a number of museums and the city zoo. Sofia is warm year-round and can get extremely hot in the Summer.

Marrakech's Djemaa-El-Fna

Holiday car rental tips

Renting a car on holiday can often make the difference between whether your holiday is filled with joyous excitement or monotonous, resort driven boredom. A car allows you to see aspects of your holiday destination that you would be otherwise unaware of and gives you the freedom to do what you like, when you like.

Despite all of these evident plus points, car rental is often fraught with potential landmines just waiting to be stepped on by your size nines....

So, here at 'The Travel Source' we've pooled together all of our expertise to formulate this quick and easy guide to what you should be looking out for when renting your car.

First things first. Establish what sort of car suits your requirements best. You certainly will not need a gas-guzzling 4X4 if you're going to be doing most of your driving around the windy back roads of Barcelona with your other half. You should only be opting for anything bigger than 3-door if venturing out with the family or if you are planning on driving the length and breadth of the South of France!

If you know that you require a car before you leave for your destination, then shop around online for the best price first. Searching for the best deal online also provides you with an idea of what you should be paying for your vehicle when you get to a dealership abroad.

If you are buying abroad, be sure to check for any hidden costs that the retailer may try to implement into your deal. You may think you are getting a good price, but come the end of your tenure you may find extra costs for mileage and insurance so read all small print before signing. If you have purchased prior to arrival, make sure that the car you pick up from the airport matches the one you have agreed upon. If it isn't, the company has breached it's half of the agreement and you could recoup any extra costs.

Watch out for the method in which you are going to be charged for fuel. Most retailers provide you with a full tank and expect you to refill upon finishing your rental agreement. But there are some firms who will ask you to pay for your fuel upfront. This is an often expensive ploy as the price of the fuel can be inflated and you will find that you are paying for a full tank which you are unlikely to use.

Insurance is another potential stumbling block. The standard insurance that comes with your car is likely to have a monumental excess in the event of an accident and is unlikely to cover you for very much. The retailer is unlikely to actually tell you very much about your policy for these very reasons. They may offer you a policy that provides more but once again you will incur more costs. The best way to avoid any insurance issues is to drive safe and ALWAYS drive within your limit. The worse thing that you could possibly do is charge up a mountainous 'B' road on your first day of driving. Get used to your vehicle before attempting anything a little more risqué and you will find that all driving challenges will quickly become a breeze,

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