Holiday decision

[nearly4o]

I realise we are in a fortunate position.

We usually do fairly low key inexpensive holidays - think Euro camp style holidays where we have never spent more than £2k and they were great holidays. Only ever gone extravagant on honeymoon 8 years ago. It has been cheap and cheerful ever since.

I have just had a pay rise and have a little cash and I am desperate for a decent holiday. Haven't been abroad since summer 2019. Looking at some winter sun and anything semi decent for 2adults, 2 kids is around £4k minimum. I am struggling to part with the cash when the reviews are mixed online and in the case of Tenerife or Cape Verde tbe wind and possible sand could ruin the whole holiday.

Does any one have any amazing suggestions? Or positive stories to nudge me over the line to book?

Then I thought. If I am on holiday in Tenerife and tbe weather is mixed. Will I regret spending 4K when I could have spent a few £££ more and gone to the Maldives!

Bumping

What about the Caribbean? I've been looking for next summer and you can get a week all inclusive there for the same price as a week in Majorca (in a decent hotel!)
I wouldn't risk anywhere where the weather might be cooler, to me if I'm going away I'd like it to be over 25 degrees or maybe turkey? They have some good all inclusives with water parks in them, I'd presume in winter it would still be warm.

Dubai!

Also, Eilat in Israel is always hot. We spent several new Years' there are it was over 25 degrees.

We’ve done lanzarote in February before and wouldn’t do it again. Weather was patchy and windy. Pools were cold too (but obviously that’s down to the hotel we chose). The other problem we had was as a destination it’s geared to being outdoors. So had limited options when the weather was crap.

Not sure of covid status, but I've had some great winter holidays in Morocco.
Also had a great christmas break in Cyprus - chilly in the evening, but beach in the day time.
If you do go to Tenerife, south will be better on the south - something I learned on one of my first holidays abroad

I know what you mean, I'd be worried about weather too. Know of ppl who've been to the Canaries in December and had beautiful weather but in January to March can be chilly. If you have the money, I'd go further afield

Thanks for the responses. Didn't think about Israel but will take a look. Have been to Dubai lots with work and so don't really fancy paying to go back.

I guess it is hard to part with £5k for a holiday as well. But all of our holidays up until now have been outside of term time so I think we have just been lucky with prices as well.

There is some great deals for Egypt at half term (Feb).. Weather will be great

Dubai is a rip off, lived there for a few years. Singapore in my opinion is a much better option budget wise. Dubai is over priced totally, try Ras-Al-Kema instead. Have a lovely holiday.

Israel doesn't guarantee good weather either.

The search continues

Mauritius? I've just had a quick look on BA holidays and there are some dates which come up around 5 grand.

As much as a I love the Canaries, the weather is quite unpredictable compared to e.g. Corfu, maybe look at a Greek island? Check the average temperatures though as I found Skiathos much cooler than Corfu.. but that might have been unusual.

I'd second Singapore, will be a completely different experience. I once spent Christmas in Vietnam , that WAS amazing.

Have done Cape Verdi in December and it wasn’t great, very windy. Went in March and it was lovely.
We usually go to Mexico in February and the weather has always been great.,Both Caribbean and Pacific sides.
We want to go to Goa this January, weather look good.

Thanks everyone. There are some options for around £5k in the caribbean. Never spent that much on a holiday before! 😅

I would avoid Greece/Greek islands. I had a week in December in Cyprus and in January in Crete and it was wet and miserable both times.

Abu Dhabi is lovely and nothing like Dubai . Extremely quiet, amazing for kids at Yas Island.

I've only done the Canaries once and that was Lanzarote in late January. The sun was shining but it was cold and windy. Definitely not weather for lounging around the pool.

Sharm in December was in the 80s every day when I went.

@nearly4o Sunrise Royal Makadi in Hurghada Egypt.

I’ve been sooooo many times. Water park for kids. Beautiful beach with in house coral reef. Huge family rooms. 8 ala carte restaurants (7 are free for unlimited visits). I went last December and it was 28C every day. Gets a bit chilly at night but just bring a cardigan. They also turn on the patio heaters.

Food is amazing. It’s clean. Fabulous staff. And reasonably priced for what you get. If you want a tip of the travel agent I used for Egypt to get some quotes let me know. They usually beat online prices from on the beach etc.

What about Thailand?? I just looked for feb and loads of options. And it is an amazing country

@Indoctro Yas island might be a winner!

Do you have any recommendations for where to stay? Prefer beach front

I don't think I could enjoy a holiday in a country where there were serious human rights abuses and/or a military dictatorship. I think worth considering that as well as the weather.

@nearly4o

We have stayed in the Yas Rotana and the one at the Marina right in Center of race track

Both are lovely

Yas island has a private beach and there is a mini bus that runs all day dotting between beach, hotels , water park, Ferrari world and Warner brother studios

Do it doesn't matter where you stay they all lovely hotels and everything is easily accessible

It's a fantastic place and always empty, you will not Q for anything.

We absolutely love Yas Island and my kids have a fantastic time there , and as I said you will most likely have the attractions almost to yourself or so it feels anyway.

Also if you are into fitness - walking running or biking the race circuit opens twice a week at night for you to exercise round, everyone from family's to professionals using it. Even just do a lap for walk it's really fun, they give you bikes as well if you want