Spanish family trips 'increasingly expected'

Families who take trips on ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao or other Spanish destinations will be in good company, as the cost has fallen significantly in recent years and the increasing tendency of Britons to take their children on overseas trips at a young age has been noted.

One reason Spain may be popular is that it is the second cheapest destination in the world - and the least expensive in Europe - in which to take an overseas break, according to the latest Post Office Holiday Money Report.

The study noted that the cost of a Costa del Sol holiday is 40 per cent cheaper than five years ago, when it first carried out the research.

Only Sri Lanka costs less, something many families might wish to skip as it is a long-haul flight away, something that would cost a lot more even if the cost is lower once there.

Another reason to choose Spain identified in the survey is the exchange rate, with the last three months seeing the value of sterling rising 6.4 per cent against the euro. This may get even better in the months ahead as questions have been asked about the very future survival of the European single currency.

Travel firm Dialaflight noted recent research has shown the typical ten-year-old has been abroad four times by that age, whereas two-thirds of their parents had not gone overseas by that age.

Spain is one of the most popular destinations identified in the survey, along with Greece and France.

A spokesperson for the firm observed that it is now "the norm" for parents to take young kids with them on holiday, adding: "Modern day parents may feel that there is an expectation to take their children abroad; some may just want their children to look back on their family holidays with fond memories."

Posted by Andrew Smith

Plymouth - Santander

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

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15/04/2012 - 16/05/2012

£134

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Portsmouth - Bilbao

Car + 2 Return

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13/03/2012 - 14/03/2012

£408

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Plymouth - Santander

Car + 4 Return

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29/04/2012 - 02/05/2012

£414

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