Need a 'luxe' holiday planning - anyone of you good travelled people want to help me.

[thekingfisher]

I'm 40 next year and instead of a big party I think I would prefer to go on a REALLY nice holiday with DH, DS who will be 10 by then and me ( of course!)

We will have to go in summer holidays sometime so between early july prob 8th onwards until end of August.

I want HOT
I want to be in a hotel or a place with other people for DS and us ( I like people watching and or meeting new people)
I def don;t want self-catering or plush villa with staff...
Don't want to do super long haul so hawaii out
I want luxury ( we have done one and only group before and really liked that)
Budget is prob no more than £8000 ....
2 weeks - 21/2 weeks ( limited by DH work)

DH doesn't like Dubai/ is worried about Kenya but otherwise is open minded

I am really struggling as weather looks weird for normal long haul destinations - am very up for Med etc although do want contemporary luxury...

Had poked at safari but not sure its going to be hot enough for me......

Would you consider a luxury cruise?

I would but DH absolutely not....

Try Sri Lanka. We had the most amazing holiday there. You hire a car and driver and set your own itinerary (we did it for much less and still had lovely places to stay). Safaris are an option, the island is beautiful and you can travel round having two or three nights in different places and finish at the beach. You must stay at the Kandalama - the most gorgeous hotel with monkeys everywhere and a lovely infinity pool you can watch elephants from. Only 4 hours from Dubai where we changed planes, meaning you can fly Emirates which we loved for the luxury of our own tvs and the lovely staff. You could possibly have your beach bit at the end in the Maldives also.

Thankyou ...What time of year did you travel to sri lanka - thought weather was a bit moved then?

also as per my op i haven't poked safari - but 'looked'

We go to Beaches Turks and Caicos every July and have always had fabulous weather. Two weeks would be around £8000 and it's 5 star super all inclusive so you wouldn't spend anymore money while you're there. Lots of nice restaurants, gorgeous beach and TONS of activities to keep a 10 year old happy!

Mnemba island in Zanzibar (might be a bit over budget for 2 weeks, Pemba Island is cheaper but not quite as fantastic) or the Seychelles - Dennis Island is nice there.

Come to think of it Mnemba not that great for your DS, as very small and unlikely to have many children there (more of a romantic getaway for couples).

You could combine it with a few days safari in Tanzania too. Some fantastic resorts there (e.g. NgoroNgoro crater lodge).

Both of those were very nice and hot in July when we went, as was safari in Tanzania.

Had a look at Zanzibar , so that looks good and do like the idea of safari.... That's one to add to the list !

Dh a bit against beaches/ sandals as did a couple of these with ex. Although interesting about weather then....

Am also looking at koh samui and drooling at four seasons there.... Think that could be seriously be out of our budget though...

We've been going to various Caribbean islands in July / August for the past 15 years and have always had gorgeous weather so definitely worth a look in that region

Safari should be 2-3 nights max, combined with relaxation elsewhere.

Safaris are amazing, but the early starts etc are very tiring!

Sri Lanka in October was lovely and there are different climates, depending on where you are in the island. When it rained, it tipped down, but only for a short while and only in the South West. There are distinct climates but I don't know about July, sorry.

That's a large enough budget (£8000!) to pull a few mates out if you go to the Med. Could you do something amazing like island hop in Greece on a yacht or South of France (Monte Carlo) or somewhere and then get a few out for a weekend (hire a villa). You do the party and they pay flights?
That's way more impressive for a 40th than a typical " honeymoon" beach with a load of couples. You'll remember it as YOUR fun holiday with your friends rather than just a nice family holiday.

Thanks nothingoldcanstay...we are having a girls long weekend in ibiza in june with my other friend who is also 40 and will be doing a night in London... - but I would like to do something different and you are right don't want a.nother holiday....

You can combine safari in Tanzania with Zanzibar - exactly the right mix of relaxing and getting up early to see the animals....do you dive? If you do, then Mnemba is awesome at that time of year as the whale sharks migrate through there. Will never forget swimming first with wild dolphins (well, when I say swimming with, more like swimming along while they swooshed past) and then with a whale shark on the same dive!

Aruba, simply stunning.

We went to Sri Lanka in August and it was HOT and humid! It was also wonderful and we'd like to go back oneday.

Cuba is amazing, we stayed in Varadero a Havana.

Why would dh not do a cruise? We've done several and it's honestly the best type o holiday going. We have always sailed Cunard, but there are some other brands out there I would like to try. Regent sevens seas are ultra luxe and ai an cater for families.

Take a look at the kuoni website; Loads of ideas for lovely holidays even if you don't book through them. I normally travel independently but am happy to use kuoni.

Thanks for these continued ideas - Iahve just a got a load of brochures trough so am poring over those....

How about this?

www.thehotelchocolat.com

With that budget you could go where we went for our holiday of a lifetime. Fiji in the south pacific. I know you said not super long haul, and it is super super long haul, but so worth it. We had a fantastic time, such a different culture, but at the same time has british touches, due to being a british colony at one time. I would go back in a beat, just need to find £6k.

Def not Aruba. Nothing there! Guardavalaca in Cuba is fabulous. Floririda (Disney is the best).

How about a challenge - walking the Sydney Harbour bridge, abseiling down the Empire State or swimming with sharks ...do it, do it, do it...

I am not the world's biggest fan of beach holidays, so personally, with that budget and a ten year old I would go for an exciting experience, like a tour of China or Japan, or a fantastic US trip like a week in NY or Boston or somewhere then a week at the beach.

Or watching cheetahs on safari in Namibia followed by a tour of Cape Town and the wineries (okay, it won't be that hot there).

Safari is actually great for people meeting because there is lots of communal eating involved.

Have you tried the travel company Black Tomato for suggestions? I always spend ages sweating over websites to try and find the perfect hotel, right flights etc, and tend to forget that there are actually people who can do that for you, which is a luxury in itself.

Oooh, also Malaysia - interesting culture, some good beaches, historic sights, good infrastructure, great food.

Both a friend and my in-laws have been recently and all enjoyed it. Probably super humid in August, but if you are staying in air conditioned splendour that might not matter that much.

I would go and spend an afternoon chatting with an advisor at Kuoni as Frenchfancy suggested. Will give you some great ideas whether or not you book. Have used them before for inspiration and would recommend.