Christmas in the sunshine - where would you go?

[ChippyMinton]

Pondering something different for next year - a week in the sun, no cooking, stuff for older teens to do. Tell me about your dream destination please

We thought about Egypt or Tunisia?

Not warm

I have a friend currently in Tenerife she keeps posting pics of the family by the pool, looks very warm and they are having a great time.

I went to the Canary Islands on Boxing Day four years in a row. Weather was always lovely and warm and nice light evenings too.

We went to Albufeira 2 years ago, Christmas Eve to NYE. It was pleasantly warm, and very quiet (which suited us). We prebooked to have our Christmas dinner in a bar, which was lovely. Rest of the time we lazed by the pool, in our apartment, and wandered about. Would definitely do it again.

We used to always go away at Christmas

California
Florida
Hawaii
Lanzorate
Barbados

Don't feel the need now I'm out of the fast lane job, life is more relaxed but pay day ain't the same.

Watching with interest

Cheeky bump

I was in Dubai at the beginning of Dec, was lovely.28 every day. Stayed near the Marina, plenty of places to eat and a few bars also. Some amazing places to have brunch also, usually about £80-£100 per head though

We went to Fuertaventura last year for Christmas. It was warm and sunny, our hotel did a great gala dinner for Christmas Day, and it was not too expensive. However, whilst warm, the sea was cold. We did swim in it because we had to say we had been swimming at Christmas...but it took some time to get in. Also the hotel pool wasnt heated so that was too cold to use although a few children did, as they do.

We went as a last minute thing as ilI hadnt been well in November and just wanted to escape the hassle and have a week doing very little and it fitted that description nicely.

We’re looking at South Africa for next Christmas - it’s their summer, good exchange rate and looks like there is loads to do.

Sounds bliss OP also have teenagers. DS wants to sit glued to his iPad DD not too bad. MIL always wants us to visit her at her DD’s who has a big house it’s a 3 hour journey but never feels that comfortable staying over or being there more than a couple of hours. My family live locally and never spend more than half an hour with us. I would love to get away but could only manage a week off work or maybe 10 days. Anywhere recommended for the family including teenagers without the long flight and that won’t break the bank.

I’ve been thinking exactly the same. Would love to just pack up the whole family and do an alternative Christmas.

We are heading to Tenerife tomorrow for New Year. We had a very busy Christmas with loads of guests so DH and I are looking forward to a relaxing sunny week.

South Africa. Didn't go for Christmas but did go in our winter. Lovely and warm. No jetlag.

I don’t like the heat but would love to go somewhere properly wintery with ice skating and hot chocolate. Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies maybe.

South Africa is absolutely gorgeous, but Christmas is their summer holidays so you really need to book and plan well in advance as everything is booked out, especially family stuff. People book Kruger accommodation a year in advance.

South east Asia - pretty much anywhere in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia - lovely.

But top tip would be Cape Verde. A bit unusual so less rammed but so much to do and amazing scenery and things to do. Island hopping, volcanoes, sailing, what's not to love?

Kenya at Christmas is lovely

I've had three Christmases in warm climates: one in the Caribbean and two in Florida. I preferred Florida for various reasons, but the Caribbean was hotter.

It’s 13 degrees and raining in Cyprus right now so I wouldn’t recommend Cyprus. It’ll be mid teens at best in Cyprus in December.

I’ve done the Caribbean before and I’d do that again. Friends of ours are currently in Tenerife and having a great time.

We went to Lanzarote on Christmas Day 2011. It was very weird, I don’t think I’d do it again!

Lisbon. Sunny and pleasantly warm days – could sit outside in a light jumper, a T-shirt on the hottest day. Lively but laid-back. Easy to get to seaside towns by train, and if you had a car you could easily drive out to more remote beaches too.

My daughter phoned me from Tenerife Christmas night. They were renting a cottage near Mt Teide and were picking fresh oranges from the trees in the garden - also lemon trees fruiting and fresh hens' eggs daily. They climbed the mountain (about 4,000metres?) in shorts and tee shirts...

we,ve just booked Thailand, super expensive though

are these places cheaper to book closer or further from the date?

We did Egypt (Hurghada) for Xmas 2 years ago. It was brilliant. The days were 25-28 degrees, the evenings about 15. It just meant you needed a fleece if you sat outside in the evenings.

The hotel was properly Christmassy, trees, snowmen, Santa all over. The big gala dinner was on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day we spent on the beach, did a camel ride and went snorkelling. There were lots of Brits there, all partying and having fun - one (Large) family had even bought a tree and lights and decorated their balcony!

We still did presents, just made sure they were small and light enough for the cases. I'd do it again in a second, just got to find the cash!