The cheapest place to go on holiday abroad this year is...
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If you're looking for a cheap holiday this year, forget Spain and the Canaries and head instead for Croatia's Dalmatian coast.
A new survey from Tripadvisor has found that the area, which includes Dubrovnik, is the most affordable holiday rental hotspot in Europe.
A price comparison of popular holiday rental destinations found that the average cost of a self-catering apartment in Dalmatia costs £264 per bedroom per week-£10 cheaper than Andalucia in Spain, which came second and claimed 'cheapest rental' the title last year.
France's Provence came out as the most expensive: at £558 per person per bedroom at nearly double that of Dalmatia's coast.
Cheapest (and most expensive) flight destinations 2012
- More expensive than last year: Dalaman, Turkey<p> While holidays to <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Turkey/">Turkey</a> still represent great value for money for Brits, Fly.com's price comparison found that flights to Dalaman have increased by 25 per cent since last year, with the average flight now costing around £264.</p>
- Cheaper than last year! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil<p> It's one of the world's most vibrant holiday destinations, and this is the year to book a flight! The average air fare for 2012 is £586. Last year, prices were around £709 - so they were 17 per cent more expensive. <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/rio/">Don't miss our guide to Rio de Janeiro.</a></p>
- More expensive than last year: Kos, Greece<p> Despite the fact that overall holiday prices to <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Greece/">Greece </a>have been falling due to the recent unrest, the average price of a flight to Kos is up by a whopping 47 per cent. This year, you'll pay around £236 for a return flight. Average prices for 2011 were just £160.</p>
- Cheaper than last year! San Diego, USA<p> Last year, <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/San%20Diego/">San Diego</a> was named America's luckiest city by <em>Men's Health</em> magazine, and holidaymakers are getting lucky with airfares too. Flight prices are down by 13 per cent for 2012. They now average at £468, compared with £535 last year.</p>
- Cheaper than last year! Dubrovnik, Croatia<p> Dubrovnik is fast becoming <em>the</em> European holiday choice for savvy travellers, not least because Croatia still represents great value for money for Brits. And the even better news is that average flight prices to Dubrovnik have fallen by 41 per cent. This year you'll pay £137 (last year, prices averaged at £233). <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/01/15/city-break-guide-dubrovnik-croatia/">Don't miss our guide to Dubrovnik</a>.</p>
- More expensive than last year: Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt<p> Despite the turmoil that has continued in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Egypt/">Eygpt </a>since February 2011, causing a sharp fall in the the number of holidaymakers, flight prices to Sharm el Sheikh have risen sharply. Last year prices hovered at around £296. You'll pay 21 per cent more for a return flight this year, with prices averaging at £357.</p>
- More expensive than last year: Las Palmas, Canaries<p> A duty-free haven with sunshine all year it may well be, but average flight fares to this <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Canary%20Islands/">Canary Island </a>hotspot are up by 9 per cent this year. You'll pay an average of £224 this year, compared with £206 12 months ago.</p>
- More expensive than last year: Murcia, Spain<p> <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Spain/">Spain </a>still comes top of the list the most searched-for holiday destinations, according to latest results from Skyscanner. But flight prices to certain destinations are looking steeper, with fares to Murcia up by 30 per cent. According to Fly.com, average flight prices have leapt from £125 in 2011 to £161 for 2012.</p>
- Cheaper than last year! Miami, Florida<p> The USA ranks second in Brits' most searched-for destinations. And 2012 is a particularly good year to book a flight to <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami </a>- prices are 23 per cent down. Fly.com says the average flight price for this year is £453. This is down from £587 last year. </p>
- Cheaper than last year! Florence, Italy<p> Italy is one of the top five most popular destinations for Brits - and the good news is that air fares to Florence for 2011 have plummeted. According to Fly.com, prices now average at £108. This is nearly half the price for 2011 (£204) - a total reduction of 47 per cent. <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/florence/">Don't miss our travel guide to Florence.</a></p>
Ten great adventures in North Dalmatia
- See the lush landscape of Pag by bike<p> If you love cycling and want to travel to Croatia with your bike, the island of Pag is the perfect place to cycle and discover the variety of scenery and landscapes. There are over 115 kilometres of bike trails and the best time to explore the island on two wheels is spring when Pag is covered in fragrant lavender. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, the 14 marked cycling paths will take you to the glorious coastline or the untouched interior of the island. Which trail do you choose? Try the Vodice which starts on the town beach, passes wonderful beaches and coves and through the countryside where you can rest under the shade of the pines by the St Jerolim chapel before you end up in Novalja.</p>
- Work those arms and kayak through the River Cetina<p> One of Croatia's best places for freshwater kayaking is the River Cetina. The lush region is surrounded by quaint villages and the lower end of the river with its tall canyon wall and slow, flatter areas is perfect for kayaking. If you're feeling more adventurous head to the upper regions of the river for white water rafting where the water moves faster with plenty of white water rapids and rugged rocky outcrops. If you get tired of kayaking or rafting, the clear water is ideal for swimming too.</p>
- Go off road in Velebit on a Jeep safari<p> Many of the most attractive spots in the Velebit mountain range can only be accessed by an all-terrain vehicle, so a Jeep safari is the best way to check out the jaw-dropping views and explore the historic roads. A few of the attractions you'll come across on the drive include the Tulove Grede, the Zrmanja River canyon, the Krupa monastery and the spring of Krnjeza - the shortest river in Croatia. The Hotel Rajna organises Jeep safaris with drivers who really know their stuff and take you deep into the valleys with many stops for taking photos, walking and even swimming in the summer. Visit <a href="http://eng.hotel-rajna.com/" target="_blank">hotel-rajna.com</a></p>
- Bungee jump off Sibenik Bridge<p> What better way to take in the views of the gorgeous Sibenik Riviera than by bungee jumping off the town's bridge? All you need is a strong stomach and the courage to actually jump! The bridge is 40 metres in height with a 362-metre arch range. It's the ideal way to get active while on a cultural break in Sibenik and will make for a memorable experience. From the bridge you can see the town and Sibenik's archipelago. Think you're brave enough? Bungee jumping season is from July to September. Visit <a href="http://www.bungee.com.hr/en/" target="_blank">bungee.com.hr</a></p>
- Take a hike in the North Velebit National Park<p> With an endless range of rocky peaks that reach up to 200 metres high, the stunning landscape of the North Velebit National Park is ideal for hiking. Put on your hiking boots and grab some trekking poles to experience the unique area that covers 109 square kilometres. One of the best spots is the Lukina jama pothole, which is set within the Hajducki kukovi peaks and has a depth of 1,392 metres making it the eighth deepest pothole in the world. Considered the most beautiful hiking trail in Croatia, the Premuzic trail was built through the Rozanksi kukovi area offering safe walking along the edges of massive cliffs and abysses with gorgeous views of the sea and the Kvarner islands. Visit <a href="http://www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr/novi_web/Velebit_eng/index.htm" target="_blank">np-sjeverni-velebit.hr</a></p>
- Snorkel and dive at the Kornati National Park<p> Take to the water at the Kornati National Park and dive into the undersea world where the famous Kornati crowns (steeps and cliffs) can be explored. There are organised visits by diving centres and seven zones for diving including off the islands of Visovac, Kornat, Zut, Piskera, Kaprije and Zirje. You will need to contact a diving centre that has the permission to organise dives in Kornati. Some of the fascinating things you may see include wrecks, red coral found as high as 25 metres, octopuses, crustaceans, sea slugs and fish in a variety of colours. If you don't have a diving certificate snorkelling is just as memorable in the Kornati islands and you can see plenty from just peeking into the blue depths of clear sea. Visit <a href="http://www.kornati.hr/eng/index.asp" target="_blank">kornati.hr</a></p>
- Try adrenalin activities for all in Lika<p> Quad biking around the mountains, paintball, archery, caving, climbing and human foosball - there's something for everyone at Rizvan City in Lika. The adrenalin park in the Velebit Nature Park is perfect for a day out with friends or for the whole family with a huge range of activities to try. You can enjoy manoeuvring from tree to tree, climbing a wall or whizzing through the air on a zip wire. There's even a giant swing for three people to try at once. Plus, you can spend the night at the adrenalin park in cosy accommodation. Visit <a href="http://www.adria-velebitica.hr/" target="_blank">adria-velebitica.hr</a></p>
- Go extreme climbing in the Paklenica National Park<p> If you're looking for a good spot to go climbing, the Paklenica National Park is Croatia's most popular centre with outstanding natural beauty and various rock climbing routes, from single pitch sports routes to big wall rock climbing of up to 350 metres long. There are over 340 routes and Paklenica is ideal for beginners or the most experienced climbers. The best time for climbing at the park is between April and October, and every year the Big Wall Speed Climbing competition takes place at the end of April. Climbers from all over Europe and of all ages are attracted to the park, so don't be surprised if you see the youngest of climbers taking easily to the rocks. Visit <a href="http://www.paklenica.hr/Paklenica_en/Paklenica_Penjanje_en.htm" target="_blank">paklenica.hr</a></p>
- Get on your horse in Knin on a riding break<p> For a great adventure in Knin go horse riding where you can choose from small family farms to modern horse riding centres with riding schools and expert teaching. Just outside the historic town, there are seven rivers, three lakes and Dinara, the highest mountain peak in Croatia, that offer a picturesque backdrop for riding in Croatia. Knin is also a popular spot for therapeutic riding with the Association Grabarije Knin offering teaching for safety, horse management and riding.</p>
- Swim wild in the Krka National Park<p> Ever swam by a waterfall? For a unique experience at the must-visit Krka National Park grab your costume and take an epic dip in the clear and natural water at the park. Skradinski buk is the waterfall you can swim at and although you can't swim directly under it, there is a large area at the end for swimming. The waterfall is known as one of the loveliest in Croatia and one of the country's best natural features, so even though the water may feel a little cold, you'll want to jump in to experience the beautiful waters. Visit <a href="http://www.npkrka.hr/" target="_blank">npkrka.hr</a></p>
