Reports today suggest that the pound sterling has hit a 31-year low against the dollar, sparked by the uncertainty surrounding Theresa May’s closely-guarded Brexit plans.
Meanwhile in Spain, El Pais newspaper has today announced that tourist numbers continue to rocket year on year. 2016 smashed its own record with a rise in visitor numbers of 9.9%… that’s a staggering 75.3 million foreign visitors, an increase of 7.2 million (according to Spain’s Energy and Tourism Ministry).
In spite of the tumbling pound, which is set to continue to fall, it is surprising to learn that the Moorish far south of Andalucia remains an unexpectedly competitive option for price-conscious savvy wanderlusts, even while taking the cost of flights into account.
LemonTree.Media compared the average price of the kind of basic items you would buy when on a long romantic weekend away. The results were astonishing.
For the comparison, they chose two destinations that would appeal to culturally-aware, travel-savvy couples - one in Spain, and one in the UK.
The British option is Sherborne in Dorset, a charming English market town in a wonderful rural setting with countless cosy pubs and access to stunning country walks. Its Abbey is spectacular, and the centre is filled with wonderful independent shops for curious mooching.
The Spanish option is medieval Vejer de la Frontera, a hilltop ‘pueblo blanco’ with views towards the Rif mountains in Morocco. Forget Costa del Sol, Costa Brava and Costa Blanca – this lesser-known Atlantic coastline is wild, luminescent and jaw-droppingly beautiful.... it is a destination in Spain that never fails to surprise first-time visitors, and the weather is bright and sunny for much of the year.
It is also incredibly romantic.
LemonTree.Media compared the cost of some basic items, all of which add up to make a real difference while on a weekend away:
Glass of red Rioja wine (175ml)
UK Price (www.halfmoonpubsherborne.co.uk) - £3.80
Spain Price (La Bodeguita, Vejer de la Frontera) - 1.13
Cup of white coffee
UK Price (www.halfmoonpubsherborne.co.uk - £2.10
Spain Price (La Bodeguita, Calle Marques de Tamaron, Vejer) - £1.13
1 night in a boutique hotel/guesthouse
UK Price (www.TheEastburyHotel.co.uk) - From £155
Spain Price Casa Shelly - From £92
Lunch for 2 in a Top 5 restaurant on Tripadvisor (based on 2 people sharing, rating as at Jan 2017)
UK Price (www.greenrestaurant.co.uk) £62
Spain Price (Viña y Mar, Vejer de la Frontera) £48
Litre of unleaded petrol
UK Price (www.petrolprices.com) - £1.19
Spain Price (www.elpais.com/gasolineras) - £0.94
About Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer is magical and unspoilt, and in 2016 officially became one of the most beautiful towns in the whole of Spain (www.lospueblosmasbonitosdeespana.org). It was colonised by the Moors for over 500 years, so there remains a clear Arabic influence everywhere you look. The old town is made up of enchanting labyrinthine streets dotted with little bars and restaurants, and people are remarkably friendly and warm (though not too good at English, so brush up on your basic Spanish).
It is the perfect getaway for a Valentines Day break.
Casa Shelly is a stunning boutique guesthouse right in the heart of the old town. It is within a beautifully restored traditional old house, and has been impeccably decorated by Amparo Garrido, a renowned interior designer from Seville. The guesthouse is for adults only to ensure tranquility (and an optimum romance rating).
Book by visiting Casa Shelly
Note to Journalists:
Please send all enquiries to Sol Sanchez de Muniain:
Sol@LemonTree.Media
Tel: +34 619 986 618
For images of Casa Shelly, please click here: https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AIouhYdD2A5k4g4&id=6E5...
For high resolution images of Vejer de la Frontera, please contact Sol@LemonTree.Media.
All information provided is accurate as at 16.01.2017.
Flights from UK Stansted to Jerez (40 minutes’ drive from Vejer) start at £64.88 (Ryanair.com).
All information based on an exchange rate as at 16/01/2017 of 1.13 (ft.com).
Spanish venues used for comparison:
Casa Shelly - Boutique Guesthouse: www.CasaShelly.com
Restaurante Viña y Mar, Calle Nuestra Señora de la Oliva, 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Spain
Bar La Bodeguita, Calle Marques de Tamaron, 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain
UK venues used for comparison:
The Green Restaurant, Sherborne: www.greenrestaurant.co.uk
The Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne: www.theeastburyhotel.co.uk
Further calculations:
Total price of accomodation/food/drink in Sherborne (based on 2 adults sharing for a duration of 3 days):
Accomodation: £465
Drinks (based on 3 x glasses of wine each per day and 2 x coffees): £93.60
Food (daytime - pub/bar lunch): £52.50
Food (restaurant - evening meals):£186
Total: £797.10
Total price of accomodation/food/drink in Vejer (based on 2 adults sharing for a duration of 3 days):
Accomodation: £276
Drinks (based on 3 x glasses of wine each per day and 2 x coffees): £34.50
Food (daytime - pub/bar lunch): £42
Food (restaurant - evening meals):£144
Total: £496.50
Total including fights (for 2 people flying with Ryanair from London to Jerez): £626.26