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!

@bluejelly with that approach I wouldn't have visited China, Thailand or Malaysia and missed out on some epic memories.

@Indoctro amazing thank you!

I would go long haul in February if you want guaranteed good weather, somewhere well into the Southern Hemisphere. Have you thought about South Africa or Mauritius?

Or Goa?

I've been to Cape Verde and yes, it's pretty windy on the beach! Morocco is good for late sun. I went to Marrakech in late October and it was mid to high 20s. Warm enough to sun bathe but not so hot that I was dripping in sweat walking around.

Marsa Alam in Egypt is lovely year round, especially if you like to snorkel or dive. There are coral reefs you can get to direct from the beach so as long as you bring a snorkel and mask you have a free activity for the week.

@XelaM

Dubai!

Support slave labour and a lack of basic rights for women

For winter Sun I would go some where like Jamicia all inclusive or Dominican Republic.

I haven't tried CV so not sure about the weather.

Spain and places like Greece I wouldn't risk. I went to Majorca in August this year and the weather was fab although I did a trip on Palma and it rained heavily for a few hours and that was August.

I don't know where you're looking in the canaries that's £4K
We've just booked a week over new year for £1900 for 5 people in 2 apartments

For January / February I would definitely think about Thailand. We're about to book Phuket for February, can highly recommend the Bangtao Beach area, it's beautiful, nice restaurants etc

We went to tenerife when it was about 2400. We looked to go again and it had gone up to around 4k so decided to spend 7k and having a Maldives blowout. Absolutely right decision

Cape Town, absolutely amazing!

@Ispini

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.

I agree with Singapore, also the option to pop over to Bali for a few days too

@TomAllenWife we were looking at an all inclusive hotel on the beach with good reviews. £4K is the cheapest I could find

It does look like Feb half term might be ~1k cheaper. For my
Kids school Feb half term is late next year as wel.

@Cuddlyrottweiler this is what we were thinking as well. Where in the Maldives did you choose?

Madeira? Fab climate.

Abu Dhabi is a horrible place. Just feels fake and the heat was oppressive when we went. Lots of men out on pavement cafes while all the women were stuck at home.

I’d second Madeira, although the beaches aren’t great.

Dubai

We are going with Abu Dhabi in Feb half term.

The Hilton on Yas Island plus flights makes it about 3.5k. May upgrade to half board.

Beach, kids club, feee tickets to one of the theme parks. Super excited! I checked the weather for the last 2 years and it was between 25 and 30 degrees every day

A lot of places are still closed to tourists, Singapore and Thailand both are and are likely to be for some time. Mauritius requires the unvaxed to quarantine for two weeks and many Caribbean countries will only accept fully vaxed guests including children.

Cross posted as I got distracted. Glad you’re sorted OP, although my warning might help others.

Thailand reopens to vaccinated tourists from November.

Can see you’ve already been but there’s so many cities/islands with outrageously decent all inclusive you could make it a completely different trip.

You’re near-guaranteed the weather - I was there for Pabuk and even those 3 days seen sunshine

@nearly4o we have been 01 March before and weather was perfect , the water park pool is heated anyway which is great, so no issue with pools

Hotel was heated too. We found it a perfect temp for the kids.

You will have a amazing time and Yas is specifically for family's/kids so not really the same as down town Abu Dhabi, you won't really see many locals there to be honest.

You will have a fabulous time I promised and the kids will be in their element

It's our favourite family destination

We went to Majorca in July (due to covid restrictions) , it was fine , but no where near as good as our normal holiday to Abu Dhabi .

Forgot to say Google Yas Island map ,

It will give you a nice visual of the place

Op, I've been on two package holidays and I didn't enjoy it at all.
I am not a fan of tenerife either!
What do you want from an holiday?
I've also rarely if ever spent over 2£ and would still have some really lovley holidays. I find doing it myself cheaper.

Thailand sounds much better.