Best place for a long haul holiday?

[Sparkles512]

Hi we are hoping to have our final holiday next year maybe April/May time as a couple!
Can anyone recommend the best places and maybe recommend resorts or hotels?
We are thinking possibly Mexico, Jamaica or Dominican Republic but open to ideas!
Thank you 😊

Who knows in the current climate but I love the Maldives. It’s unlike any other place I’ve ever seen.

gangehiresort.com

I loved our stay there. Not the poshest island but really tiny and stunning coral reef + a good marine biologist. I can see that they have since introduced TVs and wi if to rooms but hopefully it’s still unspoiled otherwise.

I’d chose the Maldives every time, we also love Mexico. Moon Palace in Cancun is amazing.

We went to the Dom Republic last year and hated every minute of it. If you’re not a fluent Spanish speaker, you’ll be completely ignored by staff. We couldn’t get a glass of water with our meals, let alone a glass of wine, because the locals simply wouldn’t serve us, as they preferred the Spanish speakers. We were at a 5*, family hotel but the number of totally pissed people in the pool by 3pm was shocking. It was far cheaper than Mexico/Maldives - for a very good reason!

What type of holiday do you want? What do you like to do on holiday?

Maldives fans, would you recommend it for a same sex (m/m) couple? I’m not bothered about nightlife or lots to do, and we’re not into canoodling, but I wouldn’t want to feel uncomfortable - or be a source of discomfort for others.

Apologies for the slight derail, OP.

Barbados

@WarmSausageTea

I’ve been 3 times to island resorts but also went to a town and the capital to visit. It’s a Muslim coutry but I found them very relaxed. The staff in hotels were from different countries + if you go to an island resort, the whole island is just 1 hotel, often run by Europeans so I don’t think anyone would take much notice.

@WarmSausageTea, I’ve been many times and seen lots of same sex couples, M/M and F/F, nobody bats an eyelid. It’s a beautiful place, go before it disappears under the ocean!

Your final holiday?
Why wil it be your final holiday? Does one of you have a terminal illness?

Thailand - always - food / completely different culture / variety of scenery / availability of beauty treatments (massages etc) are all very cheap (if you go outside of the hotel).

I've travelled to lots of places over years.

@Snog

Our final holiday as a couple was pre baby.

Thanks, @JoJoSM2 and @edwinbear, that’s very encouraging. Aside from the cultural differences (which doesn’t really bother me, it can happen anywhere), it always seems to be depicted/marketed as a place for newly-weds and empty-nesters, so it’s good to have your views.

edwinbear friends of ours went to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon. He’s white from NZ, she’s British Nigerian. DH (the best man) had to fax a copy of the marriage certificate to their hotel to prove they were married, as the hotel staff thought she was a prostitute! She was obviously not local, not speaking a word of Spanish and having a British passport Sex tourism is a big thing there apparently.

They didn’t have a great time as got similar treatment in restaurants etc. They ended up having another honeymoon, this time in Italy, six months later.

Barbados every time. Safe, friendly and laid back. You can visit all over the island in safety, not just see purpose built holiday prisons.

The Maldives is very special. So glad DH and I went the year before we became parents. Thailand also fantastic as you can get real luxury for not much money.

We did a lot of travel before we had kids ( took us 10 years so we had a lot of time) but The Maldives has always stuck in our minds as being a real once in a lifetime experience.

What's your budget?

It's a bit unclear, but if you mean last as a couple because you are going to try for children, make sure you consider the Zika risk.

Agree with @allmycats Barbados is definitely a safe Caribbean island. I’ve never seen the appeal of Dominican.

@Snog our final holiday as a couple before we start trying for a baby!

If you go to Dominican Republic you have to stay in your resort its too dangerous outside....lots of guns and roadblocks. Also the water is really bad if you accidentally drink any. I was giving poo samples for 6 months after we got back . I loved South Africa, felt safer than I thought it and cos its straight down, there was no time difference.

@Sparkles512 in that case you need to go to a zika friendly destination if you intend on trying immediately.

Or another ‘once in a lifetime’ place is the Galapagos. The hospitality thing is pants, awful food etc but it’s safe and it’s amazing as wild animals aren’t afraid of people so you feel like dr Doolittle. Really, really pricey though.

The Maldives if you want something relaxing. Definitely. Beats Barbados for me. If you want a mix of stuff - Nicaragua and Costa Rica! Beaches beautiful as is the nature. Granada is wonderful!

Excellence Playa Mujeres

100% recommend Mexico but I would avoid Cancun like the plague, unless package resort hols are your jam.

Thailand! Amazing food, scenery, culture, easy to get around, fairly cheap. Can do mountains, cities, jungle, beach. We’ve been twice and can’t wait to go back again, then I love Asia!

@Sparkles512 Wherever you go, make it somewhere utterly impractical for children - think exclusive resorts, adult only, suite above a lagoon with a plunge pool on the decking etc.

I say this as one half of a couple currently on holiday in Dorset with our (much wanted and adored) 20 month old. Holidays now involve a lot more ketchup, washing and plastic toys than they used to...and I haven’t had time to read even half a book yet!