Cool prices at top holiday hotspots

Although the pound has taken a pounding against the currencies of many favourite holiday destinations, there are still some holiday hot spots whose currencies are even weaker and offer great value to visitors from the UK.

South Africa - although not a cheap destination due to distance, a holiday here represents excellent value as one pound currently buys 14 rand as compared to less than six rand three years ago.

An eight-night holiday in May combining return flights, transfers, five nights with breakfast in Cape Town with a three-night, full-board safari lodge stay with games drives is £1990 per person (twin share) with Premier Holidays, premierholidays.co.uk.

Turkey - with the Turkish lira weakening, this destination remains great value for money and there's still over two lira to the pound, on a par with a year ago.

Seven-day guided city breaks - including a range of walking options - to Istanbul are available with HF Holidays. The cost is £445 per person, twin-share (land-only) or £649 inclusive of return Heathrow flight and transfers. Also includes six nights' four-star hotel with breakfast, a programme of city walks, plus the services of an HF Holidays' leader, hfholidays.co.uk.

Czech Republic - the strength of the pound against the koruna combined with the low cost of drinking/eating out - a pint of lager is under £1 - make this a terrific value-for-money destination.

With Vacansoleil, a family of six can enjoy a week's stay in a fully equipped Fiji mobile home at the Praha Klanovice campsite - set within a modern sports area in a suburb of Prague and within easy reach of the city centre - in May from £344 per party inclusive of midweek return Dover-Calais crossing for car and passengers. If no ferry is required, deduct £90, vacansoleil.co.uk.

Poland - there has been a recent rise in the value of the pound against the Polish zloty - with the current exchange rate around 4.5 zloties to the £ - which makes this the ideal time to visit the country.

A three-night Krakow city break at the centrally-located four-star superior Ostoya Palace Hotel costs from £219 per person, based on two sharing with Cities Direct. Price includes return flights from Luton on 2 March and accommodation with breakfast, citiesdirect.co.uk.

Canada - For those who fancy a trip to North America, but are thwarted by the poor US exchange rate, check out Canada, says Bon Voyage. Although the pound has dropped a little against the dollar in recent days, visitors can still bag a great deal and enjoy affordable prices once there.

Bon Voyage is offering 12-night Alberta/British Columbia fly-drives - including visits to Calgary, Banff, Whistler and Vancouver - from £1125 per person (twin share) in May inclusive of return flights from Heathrow, taxes, all-inclusive car hire and three-star hotels throughout, bon-voyage.co.uk.

Bulgaria - Those who like to hang out where the beer is cheap - 70p, on average - should head to Europe's cheapest destination this summer and the glorious beaches of Bulgaria.

Olympic Holidays is highlighting a special offer at the three-star Polyusi Hotel in a quiet location yet close to the centre of the resort, Sunny Beach, and a saving of £83 per person. The revised price for seven nights with breakfast here is just £331 per person, based on twin share, including return Gatwick flights - on 1 June - and transfers, olympicholidays.com.

Australia - not cheap to get to of course but the pound sterling still buys two Australian dollars so the living is easy - takeaway pizzas around £3.45 and car hire from £20 per day. Save even more by choosing to stay in a serviced apartment - with all the benefits such as leisure facilities and restaurants - which tailor-made specialist, Freedom Australia, says can save up to 35% compared to staying in hotels.

The operator features more than 120 apartment complexes including the Goldsbrough - a stylish Victorian warehouse conversion overlooking Sydney's Darling Harbour. A two-week holiday in May including international flights from Heathrow, 14 nights' room only accommodation, starts at £1249 per person based on two sharing, freedomaustralia.co.uk.