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The pound is close to parity with the euro and holidays on the continent suddenly look less enticing, but that's no reason to stay at home.
If you're prepared to travel further afield, you'll find sterling goes further, too, with tour hạ long 2 ngày 1 đêm-haul holidays better value than winter-sun breaks in Italy, France or Spain. Yes, the flights might seem expensive, but they will prove worth it once you're there. Here, JOANNA TWEEDY picks the best-value destinations...
COSTA RICA 
£1 =687.22 colons 
After plummeting in 2014, the colon is the fastest-rising currency in the past two years thanks to the country's tourist drive.

This year sees no sign of a slow-down, but it still presents good value. Buy a (fantastic) coffee in the capital for £1.90. 
This lush, Central American country has put itself firmly on our holiday maps, with direct flights from the UK and new, smart resorts.
Costa Rica is still cheaper than the Caribbean for eating out, but offers the same relaxed vibe. The downside? U.S. travellers are smitten with its coastal hotspots, so beaches can get crowded.
Costa Rica has put itself firmly on our holiday maps, with direct flights from the UK and new, smart resorts.

Pictured, Arenal National Park, Balneario Tabacon hot springs in Fortuna
Safety rating: Usual tourist rules apply, but it's generally safe. Watch out for Zika virus warnings.
Best time to go: Mid-November to April.
Budget: All-inclusive at the five-star Riu Guanacaste resort starts from £797 for seven nights, including flights, firstchoice.co.uk
Mid-range: Responsible Travel has nine-day wildlife holidays to Costa Rica's rainforests from £629, including accommodation and tours.

Flights to San Jose from £496, ba.com
Luxury: Stay five nights in a bungalow at the Pacuare Lodge eco-resort in the Costa Rican rainforest from £1,900, including transfers, meals and river tours, pacuarelodge.com.
See above for flights.
SOUTH AFRICA
£1 = 16.86 South African rand
The rand dropped to a historic low in 2015, but Brits can still enjoy around 46 per cent more value than five years ago when the rate was around 11.4 rand to a pound.

A proper coffee will set you back around £1.10.
If the Call The Midwife Christmas special whetted your appetite, then you're in for a treat. The Rainbow Nation promises iconic sights, world-beating wildlife and zero jet-lag.
What's more, the sorry state of the rand kynghidongduong.vn offers fantastic value against sterling.

A family of four can expect to pay £60 for a slap-up three course dinner in Cape Town or Johannesburg.
A family of four can expect to pay £60 for a slap-up three course dinner in Cape Town ,above
Safety rating: South Africa's high crime rate is well documented, but the vast majority of tourists enjoy incident-free holidays.

Escorted tours are a good option for first-time visitors.
Best time to go: From now until April.
Budget: Stay at the Parliament Hotel in Cape Town from £66 a night, parliamenthotel.co.za.
Flights to Cape Town with British Airways cost from £899 during May half-term, ba.com
<div class="art-ins mol-factbox floatRHS travel" data-version="2" id="mol-acc71960-d3a6-11e6-a7c0-33d52a7b6d42" website the Costas for Costa Rica! There ARE holiday bargains to be had