Solo trip...hot sun...4 days.....where would you go?

[DooDahDah]

So if you were going to take yourself off for a long weekend, somewhere hot and sunny, to recharge, read books, and a few nice meals, where would you go?

DH suggested I take off as I'm completely worn down, with studying FT, 3 primary kids with additional needs, and recovering from Covid. I was bemoaning the fact that I really wanted some winter sun, but would cost a small fortune for all of us to go, and it's not all that relaxing, when he pointed out I'd get more out of a solo trip. He can handle everything quite competently at home.

I'm happy to travel on my own, and eat out with a good book and a glass of wine.

I'm thinking of early January, as Uni goes back quite late.

Madeira
Azores

Canaries

In January you won’t have loads of choice for hot and sunny within Europe. Further afield probably isn’t doable for a weekend.

I’d go to the Canary Islands. I’ve been in January before and it was lovely weather.

The Canaries are your only real option. The weather in January is usually good, though not guaranteed. It is a longish journey for a long weekend. Have you considered a spa break instead?

You have an awesome DH!

Dubai

First time I've read about such a DH on Mumsnet!

I love a solo jaunt. For winter sun you're looking at the Canaries or Dubai/Abu Dhabi.

Morrocco, specifically Agadir. Bit of a long flight but accomodation is excellent value.
Would reccomend a RIU hotel, there are 3 in Agadir, all right by the beach and all inclusive.

I went to Lanzarote for 4 nights last month.

Only a 3.5 hour flight and it was bliss.

I think the weather should be ok in January but I don’t know if I’d say it was hot - more like warm I imagine. For hot you’ll need to go further afield but then 4 days isn’t really enough if you’ll be travelling for the best part of 2 of them.

Dubai

Lanzarote White Suites spa hotel would be my choice. Never been but it has good reviews. It's probably on the airline package sites run by Jet2 or Easyjet as well as being able to book direct.

Dubai

I'd go canaries too.

Definitely Canaries - the flight will be 3.5h from SE or 4.5h from Scotland or NI.

It will be warm but not really hot. I’ve often had to work there beginning of January and some days you can be outside during the day in jeans and a T-shirt, others you’ll have to add a light jacket. But it’s sunny and you feel the warmth on your face.

Grab a cheap hotel by a beach (I recommend a city such as Arrecife instead of a resort), book a room with sea view and a little balcony, take walks on the beach during the day and eat local cheap food in the evenings with a book on your balcony.

Oh, I really want to go back right now…

Amazing!!! Where are you flying from as that makes a big difference at that time of year for 4 days. Also rough budget?

Flying from North-West, so Liverpool or Manchester. Canaries is fine travel wise, I'm not absolutely rigid time wise but obviously not going to take the mick!

As long as I get 2 to 3 days somewhere warm, where I can recharge, sit with a coffee, a glass of wine, maybe a walk along the beach.....just be me without the demands of daily life.....

To be honest even the travelling done solo will be a treat!

Whilst I can spend what I want, within reason I'd feel bad spending more than say £600or £700 of the family money on just me.

Morocco. Not too far for a long weekend

Malaga. It's an interesting city with good food. It won't be hot, but mild by UK standards. Don't go Airbnb. There are quite a strong feelings about the effect it has had on the old part of the city.

I feel the tension oozing away already, just researching some of these suggestions....

I last went to Morocco 20 odd years ago, and got pestered quite bit, so not sure if I'd be comfortable on my own....mind you I'm middle aged now so they would probably ignore me

I think Dubai, is possibly a little expensive for my budget.

@BarbaraofSeville Thank you! That looks lovely and within budget, I can see myself there....

@EileenGC any hotels you'd recommend?

And yes I do realise DH is a rare beast....he also knows that if I completely burn out he's screwed!

Casablanca or Marrakech - I've been to Lanzarote in January and it rained for much of the week! You need as far south as you can get in a few hours.

I must say, I found Agadir quite sex pesty. Thankfully I was only briefly passing through.

Some fantastic offers at the minute!

However...Looking at the rising numbers for Covid in Europe, I'm now thinking I'd be daft to book in advance for January.

I'm sure I'll be able to book a flight and room at short notice closer to the time, as I'm really flexible so I'll keep on browsing in the meantime...

Well, each country in Europe is on a different trend. Germany is rising and approaching an incidence of 300, whilst Spain is steadily coming down and nearing an incidence of 40, for example. The incidence is lower than it has been in the UK for months, anyway. So even if it keeps on rising, chances are it will never be significantly higher than in the UK.

I'd love to go back to Arrecife and would book something like Hotel Lancelot, which for 4 nights in January seems to cost £250-300 for a room with sea view, breakfast and a free airport transfer (10-15 min which is super convenient for a short trip) included.

I'd book accommodation on Booking.com, with free cancellation. Most airlines are now offering free change of dates (+price difference if any) so if you can be flexible I'd buy something cheap now, and then can you roll the tickets over if you decide not to go, a week before for example.

Lanzarote is great but it's unlikely to be hot in January. I've been lots of times in Dec, Jan and Feb and it's always been nice and warm but you might be dodging odd showers. It's walking weather rather than sunbathing weather, if you know what I mean.
Think you'll have to consider middle east for hot in Jan.