World4Traveler

WHERE'S going to be fine in 2009? We may be skint but hell will freeze over before most of us decide to give the holiday a miss.

Research has shown we'd rather give up anything – from the gym membership to takeaways — than our two weeks of fun in the sun.

But we'll be keen to get good value – so check out all-inclusive deals in the Med and Caribbean or consider self-catering in a country you can drive to such as France.

Caravan holidays both here and abroad are coming into their own for 2009 – they are perfect budget breaks for families and there is a huge choice of fantastic, modern sites on offer.

So where will you be travelling in 2009? I've come up with my top list of places I think deserve your dosh, plus there's a host of predictions from those really in the know – the bosses of some of the UK's top travel firms.

MY TOP 3 SHORT HAUL

UNITED KINGDOM – last year's 搒taycation� might have been a washout but surely it can't be that awful THREE years running, can it? Our beautiful coastal resorts deserve a boost this summer and will almost definitely get it with families hoping to save cash holidaying closer to home.

CROATIA – very much an undiscovered gem with beautiful beaches and ports and good value cities.

BULGARIA – it may be basic but you won't be able to beat it for cheap beach fun this summer.

MY TOP 3 MID-HAUL

EGYPT – scores highly for year-round good weather, cultural gems such as the pyramids and cheap flights.

TURKEY – showing a massive rise in popularity as we look for cheap, all-inclusive deals. Just don't expect paradise to be pretty.

MOROCCO – combine the heady thrills of Marrakech with the country's laid-back beach resorts.

MY TOP 3 LONG HAUL

CUBA – outside of the dollar and laughing all the way to the bank with the amazing crumbling city of Havana combined with incredible Caribbean beaches.

MEXICO – with the Americans too poor to get away, there are fantastic deals to be had at the all-inclusive resorts in party towns such as Cancun.

SOUTH AFRICA/THAILAND – offer great value but approach with care following civil unrest. Both boast areas of amazing beauty such as Krabi, Thailand.