Where would you go on holiday in March?

[StringFellow]

I’m looking for a one or two week break in March and struggling a bit! Can anyone help with recommending anywhere?

Ideally it would be in a warm country, ideally sunbathing weather but ok if just generally warm, some culture & interesting places to visit, beautiful scenery, maybe travel about a bit but can’t drive so good public transport, and not just a city break. No kids just two adults. Happy to go long haul but I don’t really want to be somewhere with strict covid restrictions like you have to wear masks outdoors, government quarantine hotels and so on. Happy to test here before travel by PCR/LFT as for most countries but don’t want to test at airport upon arrival in case we then test positive & have to quarantine somewhere for ages and it costs loads. Feeling nervous! If it’s not somewhere exotic, thinking maybe Spain or Portugal…

Any ideas please?

Canary Islands

Dubai? not sure what the covid regs are but you are almost guaranteed decent weather. Its good for a short break if you want to lie on a beach and there are some nice cultural things to do.

I've got Puerto de Mogan in my sights, it's in Gran Canaria.

Mexico

I’m off to Egypt. No test required if you are double vaccinated. Great weather for sunbathing no rain. I’m stopping at a great hotel with a beach, water park and golf course.

Oh and if you want culture - Luxor is 3 hours by road and Cairo is easily flown to for about £80 return on egyptair.

Canaries would be warmer but we're off to Malaga at the end of March for two weeks. Hoping for some sun (17-20 degrees forecast this week so should be even better next month, fingers crossed) for plenty of prom and country walking and some trips along the coast. Plenty to see and an area which has a bit of life year round. No tests required now for the fully vaccinated and masks only required inside or in very crowded outdoor events.
Have done Algave in April, we had pretty good weather and the wild flowers were stunning.
Hope that helps

South Africa, Morocco?

Thanks everyone! What is Gran Canaria like for those who have been? I think I have it in my mind that it’s full of Brits which id like to avoid if possible but that may not be true!

@fussychica

Canaries would be warmer but we're off to Malaga at the end of March for two weeks. Hoping for some sun (17-20 degrees forecast this week so should be even better next month, fingers crossed) for plenty of prom and country walking and some trips along the coast. Plenty to see and an area which has a bit of life year round. No tests required now for the fully vaccinated and masks only required inside or in very crowded outdoor events. Have done Algave in April, we had pretty good weather and the wild flowers were stunning. Hope that helps

Thank you, really interesting. What was the Algarve like, was there much to do?

No idea on current restrictions but we had a great holiday to Penang in late feb. We also did Sri Lanka in March which was amazing.

@Twizbe

No idea on current restrictions but we had a great holiday to Penang in late feb. We also did Sri Lanka in March which was amazing.

They would 100% be on my list usually but are off because of covid unfortunately! I’d have no problem choosing it if weren’t for Covid

@Aposterhasnoname

Mexico

Mexico on my list but again I don’t know much about it - is it expensive, worth going, what is there to do there that you enjoyed?

Yes forgot to say we are double vaccinated and with booster too

I wouldn't go to mainland Spain or Portugal if you want warm sunbathing weather in March. You might be lucky or you could have a cold wet week.

The Canaries should give you warm (not hot) sunshine at that time.
Parts of Tenerife are beautiful, great for walking.
Some dramatic scenery in Lanzarote, stay in Puerto del Carmen for plenty of nice restaurants. Not keen on Playa Blanca myself but it's popular with Brits.

Fuertaventura is lovely but very , very windy and I would only go in summer.

@FredBair

I wouldn't go to mainland Spain or Portugal if you want warm sunbathing weather in March. You might be lucky or you could have a cold wet week.

The Canaries should give you warm (not hot) sunshine at that time.
Parts of Tenerife are beautiful, great for walking.
Some dramatic scenery in Lanzarote, stay in Puerto del Carmen for plenty of nice restaurants. Not keen on Playa Blanca myself but it's popular with Brits.

Fuertaventura is lovely but very , very windy and I would only go in summer.

Thank you this is very helpful! No I wouldn’t be expecting sunbathing weather in Spain or Portugal, just a bit warmer than here hopefully! Do you have any more suggestions about areas in Tenerife, especially those that aren’t a massive tourist hotspot if possible?

Portugal was lovely. We stayed at the western end of the Algarve which was pretty quiet and you need a car. Somewhere like Lagos could be more suitable without a car with lots of shops and restaurants. I've not stayed in the busy bit around Faro and Albufeira so can't help on that.
Haven't been to Gran Canaria but we love Playa Blanca in Lanzarote but you'd need a taxi from the airport and culture is really limited without a car though loads of places to eat and drink. On the other hand the weather should be good.

Another vote for Egypt. It will be lovely sunbathing weather.

@fussychica

Portugal was lovely. We stayed at the western end of the Algarve which was pretty quiet and you need a car. Somewhere like Lagos could be more suitable without a car with lots of shops and restaurants. I've not stayed in the busy bit around Faro and Albufeira so can't help on that. Haven't been to Gran Canaria but we love Playa Blanca in Lanzarote but you'd need a taxi from the airport and culture is really limited without a car though loads of places to eat and drink. On the other hand the weather should be good.

Thank you