With sterling at an all-time low against the euro and dollar, Marisa Duffy and Syma Mohammed choose the best winter breaks that still offer great value for money

Marisa Duffy and Syma Mohammed

Cost-conscious consumers could do well to snub the traditional destinations of Spain, France and the US next year.

The power of the euro means that while last summer a 20 meal would have cost you £14, it now works out at £18. If you are still determined to get away from home, however, destinations outwith the eurozone can still offer good value for money once you get there.

Turkey
Situated just outside the eurozone, Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular short-haul destination. The coastal beach resorts have always attracted visitors but there is plenty to explore inland.

New York might have been the retail break destination of recent years, but Istanbul offers significantly better value. The pound has held its value against the Turkish lira, and is worth the same amount as it was last year. Turkey's largest city is the fastest-growing city break destination in Europe, and has seen an 18% increase in British visitors this year.

Flight: Edinburgh to Istanbul with KLM from £242 return, visit www.klm.com.

Hotel: A double room at the four star Arden Hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district at the beginning of February is £46.88 per night. See www.laterooms.com.

Must see: Kariye Museum. Also known as the Chora Church, this eleventh-century Byzantine church was turned into a mosque in the sixteenth century and is now a museum. The walls are covered with remarkable mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Christ.

Entry is approximately £5.

Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is an excellent destination if you are on a strict budget and would prefer to pay for costs up front. Nearly all holidays to the Dominican Republic are all-inclusive. Consequently, food, snacks, drinks and even selected entertainment will be covered by the package price, which means you will need very little spending money. What is included will vary between hotels, so it is best to check the small print to see what is on offer.

Packages to the Dominican Republic tend to be great value as, on average, the length of stay is for two weeks but the cost is equivalent to one week at other destinations in the Caribbean.

Hotel and flight: Fourteen-day all-inclusive package at the three-star Celuisma Tropical Playa Dorada with Thomas Cook costs £582 per person, flying from Manchester. BMI has return flights to Manchester from Glasgow or Edinburgh from £85.10. Visit www.flybmi.com.

This beach-front property offers three restaurants and three bars, one of which is adjacent to the beach.

They also offer a full-service health spa, fitness equipment and an outdoor pool. The kids' club provides entertainment and activities for younger guests.

An unlimited amount of hot, soft and alcoholic drinks (excluding international brands) is served for a minimum of 12 hours.

Must see: Cabarete, which is easily reachable via the hotel's courtesy bus, is the adventure capital of the Dominican Republic. It is one of the best places for surfing, wind- surfing and kite-surfing. Alternatively, if you'd prefer something less strenuous, the Amber Museum is a good place to visit and buy amber.

Cuba
Although the pound has fallen slightly against the Cuban peso, Cuba remains a must-visit destination for two reasons. First, Fidel Castro's handover of power combined with the election of Barack Obama this year means that the US's economic embargo looks close to being lifted - which may affect the country's unique charm and culture.

Secondly, Cuba is an incredibly cheap country to visit, mainly because there is little you can spend your money on. Cigars and rum are probably the most expensive purchases you can make and even they are cheap by British standards. From the fading grandeur of Havana, with its riot of colours, to the lush fertile valleys of Pinar del Rio and the white sandy beaches, Cuba remains a feast for the senses.

Hotel and flight: One week's all-inclusive at the four-star Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa near Guardalavaca in Cuba with First Choice costs £549.40 per person. Transfers are included, flying from London Gatwick.

The hotel is located on the privately-owned Playa Yuraguanal, with watersports and a beach activity centre, and is near the region's natural parks. It is 15km from Guardalavaca, which is close to some fabulous dive sites.

Must see: Nearby Bahia Naranjo houses a natural aquarium, where seals and dolphins put on a lively show. Visitors can also swim with the dolphins.

Kenya
Kenya is celebrated for its wildlife safaris, and is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, elephants and the wildebeest migration. However, there are several other good reasons to visit Kenya.

It has scenic attractions such as the beautiful Indian Ocean beaches along its eastern coast, imposing mountain peaks - most notably Mount Kenya - and searingly hot deserts. It also has a fascinating blend of cultures - African, Asian, Portuguese and Omani - which is reflected in the excellent cuisine.

Although tourism was affected by political violence earlier this year, ABTA predicts the Obama effect will help the tourist industry recover. Although the Kenyan shilling has risen against the pound, it still provides great value for British tourists.

Hotel and flight: One week's half-board at the three-star Mnarani Club in Kilifi with First Choice costs £395.48 per person, flying from Manchester. BMI has return flights to Manchester from Glasgow or Edinburgh from £85.10. Visit www.flybmi.com.

Mnarani Club sits on Kilifi Creek and merges with the Indian Ocean, with a privately-owned white sandy beach only 300m away. There are lots of great fishing spots nearby and the colourful and arty town of Kilifi is also close.

Must see: Watamu Marine National Park is made up of beautiful coral reefs and plentiful sea life, and provides one of the best places for snorkeling and diving in Kenya.

Egypt
The coastal resort of Sharm el Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The ancient fishing village became popular with divers in the 1980s but also attracts those seeking some winter sun. Much of the best scenery, however, is underwater: there are brightly-coloured coral reefs and exotic marine life is abundant, much of which is unique to the area.

Hotel and flight: Seven nights all-inclusive at the four-star Three Corners Palmyra Resort, plus return flights from Edinburgh to Sharm el Sheikh with Flyglobespan, from £389pp. (January 7 to 14). Visit www.flyglobespan.com. The resort is in the bay of Nabq, which is a 15-minute drive from the coral beaches, five minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the old city centre.

Must see: Lazy Day Red Sea Snorkelling Cruise includes visits to three sites within Tiran Island Ras Mohamed national park. It costs £36 per adult and £18 per child, and includes lunch on the boat. Visit www.dosomethingdifferent.com.

Mexico
Mexico traditionally has been popular with Americans and Spanish-speaking tourists, but in recent years it has become increasingly popular with British tourists looking to go further afield. With a strong exchange rate (currently 20 Mexican pesos to the pound), Mexico is not only great value, but can provide something for everyone. It has fabulous weather, beautiful beaches, amazing culture and plenty of adventure. For those who prefer beach destinations, Cancun and Acapulco are among the most popular commercial resorts. For those interested in history and ancient civilisations, the Aztec Teotihuacan archeological site and the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan peninsula are not to be missed.

Hotel and flight: One week all- inclusive at the three-star Caribbean Princess, Cancun, costs £490.08 per person, departing from Manchester on February 3. BMI has return flights to Manchester from Glasgow or Edinburgh from £85.10.

Visit www.flybmi.com. Return transfers are included. The hotel is located within the the Cancun hotel zone and is located close to Cancun's beaches and nightlife. It also features two swimming pools, a poolside whirlpool bath and a mini-gym.

Must see: Chichen Itza, a world heritage site, which was recently declared one of the new seven wonders of the world. Although approximately 117 miles from Cancun, it's too good to miss.

South Africa
A beautiful climate, staggering scenery and chance to experience a safari make modern South Africa a dream destination. The fact that the rand has been faring badly against the pound, and is now 12% weaker than it was last year, makes it more affordable for UK visitors. While airfares to South Africa are not cheap, after touching down there are a number of excellent budget accommodation options.

Flight: Glasgow or Edinburgh to Cape Town with KLM costs from £560.89 return. Visit www.lastminute.com.

Hotel: The funky Daddy Long Legs hotel in Cape Town is a cheap but stylish option. Each room has been designed by a local artist and costs £50 per night in the high season.

Visit www.daddylonglegs.co.za or call +27 21 422 3074.

Must see: Table mountain dominates the city's skyline and a visit makes for a memorable holiday highlight. Experienced hikers can get to the top for free under their own steam. However, most visitors opt for the revolving cablecar which costs R130. (£8.80). From the top you can enjoy views which stretch as far as the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope.

Croatia
Croatia continues to be good value for British travellers. Although the growth in the Croatian economy means that the amount of Croatian kuna that you can exchange for sterling has fallen over the past few years, it is still possible to get nearly eight kuna to the pound. This means a coffee would set you back £1 and a three-course meal around £14.50.

Although Croatia tends to be a popular destination in the summer, particularly around Dubrovnik and the magnificent sandy beaches on the Adriatic coast, places such as Zagreb are equally alluring in the winter. With its imposing medieval architecture, fashionable restaurants and proximity to ski slopes, Zagreb makes a good alternative city break.

Hotel: Double bed and breakfast for one week at the four-star International Hotel, which is 800m from the city centre and close to restaurants, bars and shops, costs £289 per person. Prices are based on two sharing.

Flight: Croatia Airlines flies to Zagreb from Glasgow on Saturday January 31 for £225.30 per person. For more information, visit www.opodo.com Must see: Croatia may not compare to the Alps in terms of snowfall, but it is much cheaper than other European ski resorts. For skiing, visit Sljeme, which is just a few kilometres to the north of Zagreb, or the Croatian Olympic Centre at Bjelolasica near Karlovac. Both are easily reachable by car, bus or train.

The Olympic Centre also offers snow- boarding, in addition to snowboard and ski lessons.

Bulgaria
If you're going skiing this winter, you might want to consider Romania, Bulgaria or Slovakia. Ski resorts in these countries have just been named as the best value in the world for UK skiiers in a Post Office survey. Lift passes, drinks and food are all significantly cheaper and Bulgaria is particularly good for beginners and families.

Flight and hotel: Seven nights at the three-star Hotel Prespa in Pamporovo plus return flights from Manchester with Thomas Cook costs £219. To book, visit www.neilson.co.uk or call 0845 070 3460.

Must see: If you tire of the slopes and the apres-ski scene you could opt for an excursion to the nearby Bachkovo Monastery.

Iceland
Traditionally one of the world's most expensive countries to visit, Iceland's financial meltdown means it has appeared on the bargain hunters' radar. With the island's dramatic geology, the famous Blue Lagoon plus stylish bars, cafes and boutiques in the ultra-cool Reykjavik 101 district, this has always been an attractive destination.

Flight: Glasgow to Reykjavik Keflavik from £387 return with Icelandair. Visit www.opodo.co.uk. Hotel: Two nights at hotel Skjaldbreid, on Reykjavik's main shopping street, start at £79 for a double room, (www.centrehotels.com).