Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tell me somewhere thats better than Bali

136 replies

VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 07:52

I want to go away for 2 weeks over new year, somewhere that ISNT in europe.

I basically want to go on a bit of a dream holiday.

Views, chilling on a beach, mindblowing setting, fascinating culture and weird and wonderful wildlife.

Ive become obsessed with Bali but just thought id ask MN for your recommendations of amazing long haul destinations youve been to, bearing in mind as i say it will be in january.

Im open to the idea of africa too but just dont know where.

I dont want to go anywhere posery or glam so please dont recommend the non-European version of st tropez.

OP posts:
Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 07:54

Other places floating around in my mind (bearing in mind im ignorant): kenya, jamaica, costa rica, morocco

OP posts:
KnobJockey · 30/05/2018 07:57

Out of your picks I would go for Bali or Costa rica- not through any experience, but they just sound a level upwards to the others. Argentina and Brazil are on my list.

I was talking to a friend who got back from Bali last week. There's one area which is apparently Australia's version of Ibiza, so a packed party town, but she said the rest of it was so chilled out and relaxing. She travelled to about 4 different places in 2 weeks.

Addy2 · 30/05/2018 08:00

I like Mauritius. Plus, it's summertime in January there.

FloppyBoobs · 30/05/2018 08:01

I've been to Bali and it doesn't compare at all to Maldives.

Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 08:01

@FloppyBoobs
In what way?

OP posts:
AnchorDownDeepBreath · 30/05/2018 08:02

Agree with Floppy. I'm not sure that Bali will fit the bill; lovely as it is.

Costa Rica night; but the Maldives/Mauritius would be the best bet.

Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 08:02

@KnobJockey
Thats what i want to avoid, that party scene!
Good news if its only in spots though

OP posts:
BumbleNova · 30/05/2018 08:03

Mauritius! Bali is lovely but it's the Australian Costa del sol in places. Costa Rica is also great but less developed than Mauritius.

TheClitterati · 30/05/2018 08:03

Kerala - ticks all your boxes.

TillyTheTiger · 30/05/2018 08:03

Vietnam. Mountains, beaches, culture, fascinating history, amazing hospitable people, great food.

YouTheCat · 30/05/2018 08:03

My brother and sil had a fantastic time in Borneo last year.

TheIsland · 30/05/2018 08:03

Maldives here too. I wouldn’t recommend Bali to anyone over 25 really.

Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 08:04

@AnchorDownDeepBreath
What makes you say bali wont fit the bill?
Am also thinking of sri lanka and reunion...will add maldives! Im just worried maldives wont have anything to explore other than just beaches. I dont just want to lounge, i want to see something different and explore

OP posts:
BrandNewHouse · 30/05/2018 08:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TammySwansonTwo · 30/05/2018 08:04

I’ve been to Jamaica and you’d have to pick your location very carefully unless you’re happy to stay in a resort and only go on scheduled trips. Resort holidays aren’t my cup of tea (that’s the only one I’ve been on), I’d rather be out exploring but where we were it didn’t feel safe to do that.

I know it’s europe but my sister travels an awful lot all over the place and her favourite place has been Montenegro. It looks beautiful there and still different to the usual European destinations.

TeresasGreen · 30/05/2018 08:05

We’re going to Mauritius then. We’ve found a relatively small hotel and apparently new year is just before it starts to get too wet.

RedDwarves · 30/05/2018 08:05

Bali's a shit tip. Stereotypical destination of the Australian bogan. And their government is horrendously corrupt.

LoniceraJaponica · 30/05/2018 08:05

We went to Bali 22 years ago and was surprised at how densely populated and touristy it was.

The part that KnobJockey referred to is Kuta which is Bali's equivalent of Magaluf.

Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 08:05

OK slowly backing away from bali here....

Is Mauritius just all about the beaches though?

OP posts:
trojanpony · 30/05/2018 08:06

I went. It’s okay but not “wow wow wow” it’s essentially Costa del sol for Aussies by the coast with woman doing yoga Further inland.
My flights were free so I was happy enough as it was a cheapish holiday overall (despite fancy hotels/activities/spas etc it was about £1k for the week all in)
Some of the best places I’ve been were
Brazil, Argentina, Peru and galapagos, Montenegro and Dalmatian coast on a yacht, Cambodia, Vietnam, Iceland (amazing in summer) California, japan, South Africa (great beaches food wine scenery etc and you can do safari cheaper than elsewhere in africa) and Madagascar. Which was amazing too if you like wildlife/ nature. you can stay in really nice eco lodges diving and national park walks are incredible...

DontCallMeCharlotte · 30/05/2018 08:06

Anywhere in the Caribbean. Except Jamaica.

Original poster
VogueVVague · 30/05/2018 08:06

@BrandNewHouse
adds to research list

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 30/05/2018 08:06

I don’t recommend Morocco at all. We found it hard work. I suppose if you found a super luxury hotel and didn’t leave it, it might be ok, but I want to see stuff on holiday.

a friend has just returned from Costa Rica and loved it, lots of wildlife to see, not far from lovely beaches.

TammySwansonTwo · 30/05/2018 08:06

She also went to Sri Lanka recently and really enjoyed it. Cuba was another of her favourites.

WatchoutDSisdriving · 30/05/2018 08:07

We did two centre Sri Lanka and Maldives. That was great.

Swipe left for the next trending thread