“Exotic” holiday on the cheap?

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

We usually go to Europe: France, Holland, Spain, Italy, Germany. Mostly it’s so we can drive as there’s 6 of us and airfares add up. We’ve a slightly bigger budget this year and would love to go somewhere that feels more exotic, but can’t stretch to over £400pp on flights (I tend to book separately for travel and accommodation as it’s much cheaper). I’ve no idea where to go though! Can anyone give me a starting point? I’m thinking hot, possibly with wildlife, scenery, maybe a beach, activities.... it’s getting late to book. Where have you really enjoyed?

I think what I’m looking for is something that feels “special” as we may not have the money again.

You can very easily get to the US for less than £400pp flights at the moment and it's quite cheap once there.

notanothernam the US is not even remotely cheap once you get there 😂 we went last year and the money we spent on food and drink was outrageous (and I'm not talking high end restaurants)
OP, I've never been but a friend of mine goes to Goa every year for weeks on end to escape our winter. I don't know how much the flights are but the accommodation and food is very cheap. I also know people who go to Thailand and find it very cheap once they get there. My DD went last year and shared rooms with two friends in lovely hotels with pools for around £50 a night between them.

Definitely Thailand. You can reduce the cost of flights by flying indirect which is a bit of a pain but worth considering. Once you get there it’s extremely cheap for both food, accommodation and excursions.

Sri Lanka?
A Greek Island?
Sardinia?

Albania has nice beaches! Not sure about wildlife

Thailand and Cambodia are so cheap when you get there

Definitely Thailand! You don't have to do the tourist resort thing. You can book lovely bungalows on hostelworld or other backpacker type sites. Look at going to the islands.

Use skyscanner, put your departure airport, required dates and then put your destination as 'everywhere'. Then you can scroll down and see all the exotic locations that are available to you on those dates and the cost. You can select direct flights only etc if you want to refine your search further..have fun!

Prices in Thailand have really crept up over the last few years! You can still eat cheaply if you are not fussy, but drinks for e.g. 1 local beer is 80-100 thb now and that's in the cheaper places! Hotels and some restaurants the prices go up to 300thb....for a bottle of beer 😩
Travel is very cheap once there, you can find cheap accommodation, but not sure that sort of holiday would suit a family tbh.

Have you looked at Bulgaria and old eastern Europe OP?? I have friends who go on hols to this type of place with kids. It gets hot in summer and 'feels further away than Spain etc so my friend says! As in, the culture is different etc.

Depends when, £400 doesn't go far in the summer, it's often £250pp to Spain! A Greek island is doable potentially and ideal to book separately, Turkey is quite affordable but the best deals are packaged and it's got a bit of a security situation in some parts. Parts of the canaries are nice but isn't cheap. I'm not sure you'll get long haul, except potentially goa as there's bargains to be had

America is definitely not cheap when you're there! We spent a fortune on fruit alone! There are some cheap places to eat but with 6 of you it would soon add up.

India is very cheap when you get there. But vaccinations and visas add up for six if you go somewhere more exotic.

Eastern Europe can feel very different.

How much have you got for accommodation and how old is everyone?

I loved turkey, Istanbul, cappadoccia, Turkish food is fantastic.

I was going to suggest Malaysia.

But flights are nearly £300 one way - too much, I suppose.

Cape Verde would be within flight budget (about £160 each way) - I've never been, but it's somewhere I'd i.e. o go to

It was 20+ years ago that I was there, so no idea on cost, but South Africa is exotic without jet lag.

Take a look at Scott's cheap flights and Jack's flight club.

You'll be surprised at the deals you can get if you are quick off the mark.

My sis loves Cape Verde & she is well travelled...

I would say Thailand, we went at Christmas flights were £450 ish from Birmingham to Bangkok, with a good airline, internal flights and long distance taxis are very cheap. Food is inexpensive if you eat like a local, chicken, eggs, coconut, pineapple and seasonal fruit. Certainly not cheap if you eat like a tourist unless of course you eat street food, which is great.
Accommodation is available at all price points. Check out the weather as it can vary according to the region I think there is an Asian weather forecast site which is said to be good.

I've been to the US too many times to count and have lived out there, it's very easy to choose easy options. Obviously it depends where you go, there'll be some expensive areas but even Vegas is a $100 a day limit between us two.

*cheap options

I’d recommend Morocco. Depending on the time of year the flights can be super cheap and even eating at higher end restaurants you wouldn’t be spending much once you’re there.

It’s a lovely country with lots to see and do depending on your families interests (tours, beaches, markets, quad biking, camels etc). It can get extremely hot in the height of summer though!

What about Morocco?? Flights are relatively cheap and I think easyJet etc go there. it doesn’t take long to fly (plus no jet lag) and feels very exotic. Marrakesh is fab to wander around and explore. My kids loved looking around the shops, all the spices, snake charmers etc. Atlas Mountains for trekking. Plus essaouira ticks your beach box. Haven’t been for a while, but you can travel around and eat pretty cheaply. Enjoy!

Haha sunlove - great minds think alike!

Croatia is rather lovely.