Avoid the Euro for a cheap short break this winter

In these times of recession many of us have opted to forego our usual European city break. But there are still ways to do a weekend on the continent without spending a fortune. Traditional mainstays such as Paris and Rome were always expensive, even when Sterling was fighting fit. Now prices there are astronomical due to the demise of the pitiful Pound - a miniscule glass of beer on the Champs Elysees or Piazza Navona can easily set you back a whopping £8 these days.
So the trick now is to look beyond the Eurozone for a bargain break. Sterling can still go a long way in a lot of European destinations, it's just a case of seeking them out. Here's my recommendations:

Prague: The Czech capital's popularity with British stag groups over the last ten years has put many city-breakers off Prague. But those in search of red lights and debauchery have largely headed elsewhere now to the much-touted 'new Pragues' such as Bratislava, Riga and Tallinn. This leaves us now with a beautiful city full of astounding Baroque architecture, welcoming traditional pubs and all very easy on the wallet. Prague is still heaving with tourists but nowadays you've little chance of having your excellent £1 pint of Budvar ruined by an annoying group of Trevor and Dwains shouting "oi oi savaloy!"

Flights depart from Manchester with bmibaby and Wizz Air from Liverpool. Returns start from £50.

Reykjavik : While Iceland’s infamous financial crash of 2008 may have been bad news for the nation's economy, its tourism industry on the other hand is booming. This once prohibitively expensive nation of geysers and Bjorks is now much more appealing to travellers due to the dramatic fall in the Icelandic Crown, leaving Reykjavik as a newly affordable city break location with prices now broadly in line with those in the UK. Despite being a city of just 120,000 people Reykjavík has a raucous nightlife scene. Party till 6am in the bars on the city’s main street Laugavegur, safe in the knowledge that you can spend the next day relaxing in the geothermal waters of the world-famous Blue Lagoon.

Icelandair fly from Manchester 3 times a week with flight+hotel+excursion packages from £249

Marrakech: OK not strictly in Europe but with just over a 3 hour flight time it's a great short break destination with a difference. Savour the sights and smells of this beguiling North African city while taking a stroll through its world famous main square, the Djemaa el-Fna. Head through the crowds gathering around the snake charmers and street performers and set up camp at one of the many food stalls where you can sample delicious Ginseng tea and grilled Merguez sausage. And with its now mesmerising number of riads to choose to rest your head in, it's not hard to find traditional hospitality at a budget-friendly price in this fabled Moroccan city.

Easyjet fly from Manchester with fares starting from £70 return

Come to Dubai but leave your conscience at home

Just back from a weekend in Dubai. Bit of an unusual choice for my first post on a blog about cheap travel breaks but some friends are working there and against my prior judgement I begrudgingly agreed to go and visit them.

So did I like Dubai? No. It's sunkissed, superficial and soulless. If glitz, glamour and gluttony are your only motivation for a break then go for it, you'll probably like it. Yes the aspiring western middle classes love Dubai and that's why they come in their droves, in search of the city's much-touted 'affordable luxury'.

Who cares if the Bangladeshi hotel porter is working his 19th hour of the day in his 50p an hour job. Who cares if he gets bussed in from his squalor-ridden labour camp on the outskirts of town where he shares a tiny bedroom with 9 other men in horrific conditions. Who cares if he can't go home because the people traffickers took his passport and won't give it back 'til he pays back his plane fare that got him there. Who cares! He calls me 'sir' and so he bloody well should! I've paid good money for this!

That's what we come here for you see.... affordable luxury.