Christmas in the sun - but where?

[monkeysmama]

We are looking to escape all the usual family politics by going away for Christmas and New Year.

There will be two families (4 adults, 3 LOs (x2 2.5yos & one 5 yo) both with quite large budgets for the right place.

Key criteria:

• hot enough to sun bathe
• can be self catering or hotel
• no more than 5-7 hours flight

That's it.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

We've done half a dozen christmas' away now and most have been further than you want to fly (Caribbean and Maldives). For guaranteed sunshine I would say they are a few options with less than 7 hrs flying. Egypt, Cape Verde, dubai and some parts of Africa such as Gambia.

After we had DD, we decided not to take her on the 11 hr flight to the maldives and last year went to Egypt. Had such a nice time we've booked again for this year. When I was looking at holidays last year, it seemed Cape verde was hotter than Egypt but I was worried about the wind and large waves and DD playing in the water. In Egypt the water was very shallow and completely calm so she could paddle and splash about quite happily (she was 2.4).

Thanks Hersetta. We've been thinking that Egypt seems to tick most of the boxes. If it isn't rude to ask, how do you celebrate Christmas while you're there?

Oman lovely, and perhaps more reliable for hot weather than Egypt?

Thailand? Not sure of the political situation there atm but the beaches and climate are lovely at Christmas. They do tend to celebrate on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day tho. I spent a very lovely Christmas and New Year in Railay near Krabbi a few years back.

Second the Oman suggestion. My folks lived there for 10 years and we always had fabulous Christmases there. Nearly all the hotels do lots of Christmas stuff so you still get the festive feel despite it being a muslim country. Fantastic beaches too. Best I've ever been too.

Well, the hotels really do make an effort, with decorations, gala meals (although on Xmas Eve). There was a father Xmas giving out small gifts to the children and the entertainment staff put on a panto which the kids loved.

We just take a couple of very small (light) presents for DD to unwrap and she has the rest when we get home. We try not to go overboard at Xmas as it is also DH's birthday on December 25th so we try and make it more about his birthday than christmas.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm not sure quite what to expect - we're not major Christmas people but a little festivity would be nice.

I will add a third vote for Oman. Lovely people, lovely weather, lovely beaches and great food.