Where to go for a nice warm Christmas break?

[vigglewiggle]

we are looking for a warm, beach holiday over Christmas. We don't mind forking out a few quid, but nothing ridiculous. We have DD's 4 and 6, so it needs to be child friendly, but not thinking of using any sort of kids-club.

I am assuming that to get sunny weather we would need to go long-haul but don't want to fly for too long.

Any suggestions?

Watching with the same idea in mind. South Africa is my preferred choice. Not too far and little time difference.....

Hadn't thought of SA.

Sooooo viggle have you booked?!

New Zealand! It's far but amazing really.

Egypt. Guaranteed good weather and only 6 hour flight.

Any of the canary islands. When we went as Christmas for two years, we had 5 lovely hot days and 2 where it was raining but still warm.

Cyprus, Paphos is hot at Christmas, we love Coral Bay but there are mostly villas there. Funnily enough, for a small Island, the Paphos end of the island is hot and the rest is just warm, we were there a few years ago, my girls were in the sea and the next day we drove up the mountains and had thick snow and temperatures of minus 6. It is about a 5 hour flight.

Have a look at Sensatori Egypt. Not too long of a flight and a good family resort. Things to do for the kids if they want it but great pools and a good choice of food for even the fussiest of kids.

Thank you all.
No we haven't booked. Really fancy SA, the lack of jet lag appeals, but it is ££££'s!
Cyprus sounds interesting, I do really need it to be warm!
Don't really fancy Egypt, not sure why?

Thailand - long flight, but beautiful country, lovely beaches, friendly people.

I hear South Africa is great value when you get there though!

Egypt could be a good option for a lazy relaxing time. My dh doesn't like the idea of warm Christmas though.... Crazy man!

Dubai or Oman, warm and less than 7 hours flight, just 3 hour time diff

Someone enthusiastically described Dubai to me as "shopping with sunshine!" that's not really my idea of heaven. I would like warm weather, but I would like some local culture and flavour too.

I'm demanding- I know

Atlantis the Palm is amazing.

Hawaii. A long flight but some good cheapest accommodation available on Oahu. Food and drink aren't too exorbitant either.

Hawaii is great but a bloody long way!

Oman would be my choice.

fluffy where is that?

Tell me about Oman...

Its Dubai.

Love Oman , Shangri La hotels are great, been several time.
Dubai has culture, souks, mosques etc, as well as shopping. Am there a lot so ask what you need :)
Abu Dhabi has culture and sun, know it fairly well. all depends what you want really .

also love Hawaii but the flights and two time changes make it only viable for 2/3 weeks imo

I'd like to go to Abu Dhabi, dh wants to revisit where he grew up. Where would you stay Mabs?

Emirates Palace, Hilton or Towers Rotana. or if you want to be on Yas Island, The Yas Hotel :)

I guess the issue with xmas is that is is ££££££££££ to go everywhere!

You will be mad to go to SA at Christmas. EVERYONE is on holiday, it is like the equivalent of going to Europe in July and everything is so ££££ including flights.

Marrakech- had a lovely Christmas there last year. Is warm from 10 am -5 pm when the sun is out. Kids loved the hustle and bustle of the souks- was amazing really.