Favourite holiday destination

[Hyteedh]

I'm not well travelled at all. I've been to the US, India (because of family) and a few places nearby in Europe.

What's a place you've been that you LOVE?

Italy! Specifically the Amalfi Coast. So stunning. And the food… The drinks… The gelato!!!! 🇮🇹♥️

How did you find it if you didn't know Italian?

The Seychelles. Stunning, beautiful beaches and no shoes required.
At least that was what it was like when I went 30 years ago!

Can I only pick one??! Argh

I utterly love mountains so I’d have to say the Canadian Rockies - although I ease young and active when I last went

For me I want to start small with holidays with Europe. I always tell myself I'll go but never do.

What sort of holidays would you enjoy? Sightseeing? Historic, religious or natural wonders? Cities? Shopping? Culture? Galleries, museums, theatre, food - if so what sort?, festivals? Europe and the Mediterranean has so much to offer.

Spain, Portugal, Italy and France are all very easy to get to and pretty easy to navigate the big cities as an English speaker. Easy to hire cars and drive. I would recommend the Algarve for its amazing beaches and coastli e, lovely towns and food but very geared up for English tourists so it would be a good start. Similarly, Majorca where you can easily go on a package but then travel around by hire car or bus. Palma is a great city to explore and Majorca has some fab scenery. Or get the Eurostar to Paris for a weekend. Some of these would he a great way to build up confidence.

By far the best hidden gem in Europe are the Faroe Islands.

Not on most people’s travel itinerary but easily the most spectacular European country in my opinion.

Other places I’d recommend for wildly varying reasons are Iceland, Barbados, Jersey, Nepal, New Zealand, Sri Lanka.

I adored Cuba.
Randomly only place my partner and I have returned to is Corfu. We have an area we enjoy going to and my partner says the island feels like home to him.

Greek islands

Absolutely fine. I don’t know much Italian at all. It’s quite a tourist hot spot so is set up for visitors from all over to able to navigate around. I’d say if you can use basic greetings, please, thank you, ordering from a menu etc, then you’ll be fine.

Thailand. Everytime, the people, the food, the hotels, the beaches. Everything. I love it.

See I worry about SE Asia because the culture change will be a lot

It's not that different. People are still people everywhere in my experience. The Thai culture is so respectful and kind (as a rule)

Me too for Corfu. We go to Paleokastritsa most years as it's beautiful

St Petersburg. Loved it.

St Barts

Puglia in Italy is my current favourite place ever, absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous beaches, lots of history and a mountain of good food.

My Italian is atrocious..pretty non existent tbh but I get through just fine, Italians are so welcoming and if they don't speak English, as many do, will muddle through with you

Greek islands. Love it every time. Especially the quieter islands.

Croatia is also beautiful.

I’m a sucker for clear turquoise water

Difficult....very difficult
Turkey has always been one of my favourite places however it's changed so much and isn't the country I knew and loved. Japan is amazing and there is still so much I want to see. Sri Lanka is nice, Oman is nice and nearer to home, I loved Valencia.

What month is the heat bareable?

@Hyteedh it depends what you're used to. I've spent the last 20 years off and on living in very hot countries so tje heat isn't so much of an issue unless somewhere with minimal ac. I went to Valencia 10 days before Xmas and it was mild though not swimming weather. Oman is always fairly hot with south Oman getting monsoon season in the summer. Japan was hot and humid in July but a lot nicer in September.
Check out the weather for each place at different times of year to find somewhere that suits the temperature and weather conditions for what you want to do.

Start off slow with a package holiday, they’re popular for a reason. Self catering rather than all inclusive if you want to see something of the place you’re visiting as all inclusives tend not to be near the attractions

Gain some confidence and get more daring

Personally I love Greece, great food and weather and the people are extremely friendly and welcoming. Easy to get around the smaller islands on public transport if you don’t feel confident to drive

We loved Madeira.

Anyone have any tips for Sicily? Staying near Palermo.
I’ve been to nothern Italy and also Puglia but somehow it feels like Sicily has more of a ‘wild west’ vibe.