Tourists on self-catering trips abroad should shun most resort shops and head for out-of-town supermarkets to get the lowest prices, according to a UK survey.

Basic provisions for a one-week family holiday in the Portuguese Algarve, for example, are 48 per cent more expensive at a resort mini-market than at a supermarket, the survey by Post Office Travel Money and holiday company Cosmos showed.

Those able to get to supermarkets would also get better value in Lanzarote, Crete, Minorca, Majorca and Limassol in Cyprus.

Including items such as bread, milk and breakfast cereals, supermarket costs in the Algarve were €69 for one week, but as much as €102 at an in-resort mini-market.

The next best-value supermarket prices, €73, were to be found on Spain’s Costa Blanca, which was one of the few destinations surveyed where resort prices were better value than supermarket ones.

The biggest disparity was in Majorca, where the provisions cost €106 in supermarkets but were as much as €164 ­– or 53 per cent more – in resort shops.

Of the destinations in the survey, Limassol had the highest supermarket prices, with the provisions costing €119.

Andrew Brown, of Post Office Travel Money, said: “Self-catering can be a great way to save money on holiday but the wide price variations makes it important to do some homework before booking.

“Our research shows that well over half of families bust their holiday budget by hundreds of pounds and food shopping is one of the main reasons why.”

Bosses don’t switch off on holiday

Almost three-quarters of managers will check work e-mails while on holiday, research has found.

More than half (53 per cent) admitted they will call the office at least once during their annual leave, said employment law resource Employersguide.

The consultancy questioned 2,551 managers from various industries in Britain.

“If you wish to take a proper holiday then leave the phone and laptop at home – it’s a no brainer,” said Alan Price, Employersguide managing director.

“My advice is to put an out-of-office response on your e-mail and this will let people know that you are not to be contacted and see if there is anyone that can share the workload.”

No need to Shrop around for deal

Shropshire is the top UK spot for self-catering holidaymakers wanting to watch their spending this summer, according to a survey.

The county, which boasts Shrewsbury and market towns among its tourist attractions, is the most affordable destination for a one-week holiday rental from June to August 2014, TripAdvisor found.

Including two-bedroom holiday rental accommodation, one dining-out meal and basic groceries, a Shropshire self-catering trip cost €695.The next best-value was Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland €697 followed by Lincolnshire (€699), Derbyshire (€700) and North Yorkshire (€770).