Cheap European city breaks – the alternatives to the popular weekend holiday destinations
By opting for Bordeaux instead of Paris or Izmir instead of Istanbul, tourists not only save a fortune on hotels, food and drink, they also escape the crowds
NOW that the summer is over, many Brits start to look at romantic, fun-filled or festive city breaks as a short holiday option during the winter months.
But instead of looking at the classic destinations like Rome and Paris, why not pick the lesser-known options this year.
By opting for Bordeaux instead of Paris or Izmir instead of Istanbul, tourists not only save a fortune on hotels, flights, food and drink, but they also escape the crowds.
has come up with some alternative break destinations, based on the price of accommodation, the percentage of restaurants classed as "cheap eats," the price of a pint and the cost of a taxi.
Read on to find out more...
Swap Paris for Bordeaux
Paris is a bucket list destination, but with that comes the price tag and the crowds, so instead try Bordeaux, with its large number of wineries and a reputation for great food.
The price of a pint is £5.22 compared to £5.84, but more importantly, you'll get to do a load of wine tasting and touring of local vineyards.
Rooms can be found for as little as £62 for two nights in November
Swap Istanbul for Izmir
Turkey has been having a resurgence among Brits this year, and Istanbul is no exception.
Its beautiful basilicas, palaces and mosques means it attracts tourists from all over the world, but there are plenty of other city destinations with culture and history by the bucket-load.
Try heading to the country's third largest city - Izmir, which is home to some of the largest collection of Roman ruins outside of Pompeii.
Afterwards, take a tour of the local vineyards and olive groves, then relax with a pint of beer - which costs £1.27 compared to £2.49 on average in Istanbul.
Rooms can be found for as little as £25 for two nights in November
Swap Barcelona for Girona
Barcelona may have the Sagrada Familia and Gaudi's Garden, but the TV series Game Of Thrones was filmed in Girona's Jewish Quarter and city cathedral.
Also, Barcelona's disgruntled locals have been protesting against mass tourism in the last couple of years.
Rooms can be found for as little as £86 for two nights in November
Swap Amsterdam for Groningen
Amsterdam's maze of canals, world-class museums and infamous coffee shops make it one of Europe's most popular city break destinations - and the prices reflect that, as do the crowds.
Instead, head to Groningen - a city with 201,000 inhabitants that was founded around 950AD.
Wander the streets or take a boat ride along the canals to take in some of the classic Dutch architecture.
Rooms can be found for as little as £98 for two nights in November
Swap Rome for Florence
Rome has culture, history and great food - but so does Florence.
Tourists will be spoilt for choice as to what to see over the course of a weekend, from the Florence Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery - home to Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation” - to the Palazzo Vecchio.
If nothing else, the price of a pint of beer is £3.60 compared to £4.24.
Rooms can be found for as little as £78 for two nights in November
Swap London for Manchester
London might be the capital, but Manchester has arguably the best music scene in the UK and some of the best football clubs in the world.
You also get far more for your money - 35 per cent of food outlets are classed as cheap eats, compared to 27 per cent in London.
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Booze is cheaper too, with the price of a pint coming in at £3.15 compared to £4.
Rooms can be found for as little as £76 for two nights in November