Leading international currency expert, ICE (International Currency Exchange), has named Russia, Mexico and Brazil as its top spots for alternative holidays where UK travellers can get the most value for their Sterling compared to the previous six months.

With the strength of the US Dollar and Euro against the Pound, it is now the time to consider alternative holiday destinations. As the Pound has recently fallen an amazing 30% against the Dollar and a huge 12.5% against the Euro, ICE has looked at the value of Sterling across many currencies, comparing the exchange rate on 17th August 2008 to the current rate, in search of good news or, better still, a bargain.

Top 3 alternative destinations for Skiing

Top 3 alternative destinations for Family Breaks

Top 3 alternative destinations for Sun

Andrew Hamilton, Head of Marketing at ICE, says: "Our research has shown that while Europe and North America are getting lot more expensive for UK travellers, there are some great alternative destinations well worth checking out this year to make the most of our stretched holiday budgets."

For skiing holidays, there are actually over 100 ski areas across Russia and many resorts are set to boom in development and popularity over the next few years. Consider the Russian elite, heli skiing, less crowds and the best reason to go is the Rouble has recently weakened 11.2% against Sterling.
Czech Republic does not have the biggest mountains and longest runs but offers excellent value. Unlike many currencies, the Pound has strengthened by 7.9% over the past 6 months and is now much better value.

Sweden already markets itself as an alternative to the Alps as the ski resorts are set in wilderness as opposed to the more purpose built resorts of Europe. Their alternative to the Euro currency, the Krona, has decreased against Sterling by 4.57% since August 2008.

Family breaks in Mexico offer great value. The value of the Mexican Peso to the Pound has weakened by 9.1% in the last 6 months. With bustling cities, beautiful beaches, deserts, swamps and 26 world heritage sites, Mexico can offer something for the whole family.

Alternatively in Norway, Sterling has weakened against the Krona by only 1% since August 08. With return flights from the UK starting from £40 and the costs of transport, groceries, accommodation and admissions similar to the UK, equivalent travelling throughout beautiful Norway can be done on a budget.

Then for outdoors, adventure, theme parks, camping, shopping, golf, mountains, skiing, festivals, culture and history; Canada has it all for the family. While Sterling has fallen about 11% against the Looney (as the Canadian Dollar is known), it's not as spectacular as the fall against the US Dollar.

With its warm weather and brilliant sunshine, its tropical natural beauty, and countless protected environmental reserves, Brazil amazes foreign tourists. The long haul return flights start from £500 and when compared to Europe and North America, Brazil is cheap. The Brazilian Real has weakened against the Pound by 6.4% since August.

New Zealand is known for its amazing landscapes, pleasant climate and being the backdrop of Lord of the Rings. They also say New Zealand is laid back and runs a slower pace where nothing much changes. Well the good news is that the value of New Zealand Dollar has fallen by 5.7% against Sterling in the last 6 months.

Sun worshippers should head to Oz. Official figures indicate that about 50,000 Brits head for Australia each year and they are the ones that don't come back. Brits are now able to get 3.6% more value for their Pounds than they would have 6 months ago.