A pinch of salt is pertinent, though, as these figures are skewed by the Post Office’s somewhat inconsistent itemisation. While it lists a single drink, ticket or pass in its breakdown, it prices both accommodation and dining for two people – and its minibreak prices are calculated by simply tallying up this list. As such, the tariffs are neither applicable per person nor per couple.
However, as a barometer, the report does give some useful insights into affordability trends – and as Andrea Godfrey, Head of Baltics travel specialist Regent attests, Vilnius is certainly refreshingly cheap.
“You can find many budget-friendly options there, especially when compared to Western European cities,” she says; “a simple meal at a local restaurant can cost €7–15, and public transport fares are reasonable. A four-course tasting menu is €50 per person in Ertlio Namas, an amazing journey through the history of Lithuanian cuisine. In the UK that would be around £75, or higher in London.”
How Britain’s prices compare
The inclusion of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the report leads to some unfavourable comparisons with other nations’ cheaper hotels and dining – but not when it comes to culture. Entrance to the top museums and art galleries in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast is free of charge, whereas in Vilnius they cost on average £8.45 and £7.12 respectively (though on the last Sunday of each month, many are free of charge, says Godfrey).
Of the four UK capitals, Cardiff offers the best value overall (£324.80 for a minibreak) and Edinburgh is the priciest – due to high accommodation prices, which are up eight per cent since spring.
In general, hotel rates are falling however: the biggest savings can be found in Nice (down 42 per cent since spring), Berlin (-35 per cent), Tallinn (-34 per cent), Warsaw (-33 per cent) and Lille (-30 per cent), with double-digit decreases in a further 22 cities across Europe. The lowest overnights can be found in Tallinn, which ranks ninth overall: here, a two-night stay in a three-star hotel costs just £104 for two adults.