Brits spend least on Valentines Day getaways

They say you can’t put a price on love, which is probably just as well for Brits.

New research has revealed that out of all of Europe, loved-up Brits planning to jet off on a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day will part with just £131, making them officially the most miserly country in the continent.

This marks a drop from what Brits shelled out last year for a Valentine’s Day break for two, sending the UK sliding down the romance chart, acknowledging all of our European counterparts in the process. We are not only the least generous, but also the least organised, as the research reveals that Brits finalise their plans just six days before the big day.

This is according to lastminute.com, which found that cash-strapped busy Brits are finding it tough to scrape together the funds for a romantic break. However, this approach is understandable given the news that the cost of living in the UK is 11% higher than the international average.

Figures from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) showed that the spiralling costs of energy, transport and property are adding up to an enormous living premium for those living in the UK, where it is now more expensive to live than the USA, Spain, Germany, Italy and France. The research revealed that if prices of housing, commercial property, energy and transport were pulled down to the international average over the next decade, every UK household would make annual savings to the tune of £2,000.

Taking this into account, it is no longer a surprise that the French splash out more on Valentine’s Day breaks than UK-based lovebirds. But while the French spend £183 for a short break, even this wasn’t enough to secure the top spot. According to the study, it is Germans who proudly hold the number one position as Europe’s most romantic country, spending an average of £214 on Valentine’s breaks this year. Staying true to their reputation organised Germans also booked 23 days in advance. If you are travelling overseas this Valentine’s Day, be sure to take out travel insurance beforehand.

Date Created: 08/02/2013