February half term - where is reliably hot? Where have you been?

[Gorran]

Have more or less discounted the Canaries as being too unreliable, weather-wise. Cape Verde as the infrastructure too under-developed (I'll be 23 weeks pg), Dubai as too expensive (I'd like AI in Dubai due to the sheer cost of everything and can't find it for under £4k, £3k or just over would be better!) ditto the Caribbean...

Am I missing somewhere obvious?!

What do you mean by "hot"? The canaries will never go below 20 degrees even at night. I'm in Madeira right now and the coldest I have seen all holiday was 18 degrees at night, and its normally colder than the canaries here.

I mean swimming in pool weather, I have two complete water babies who love nothing more than to spend most of the day in a pool/on the beach (beach less important to me!) - from what I understand of the Canaries, pools are often unheated which makes them too chilly at that time of year.

Thailand, although you may meet the monsoon.

There are some great deals for Dubai with Virgin holidays...if you pick up some duty free in arrival you can cut your costs...happy to help with advice if you see anywhere you like and not sure about hotels etc :)

Virgin seems really expensive, Kelly. I'd like Jebel Ali really but no deals to be had, it seems. If I found somewhere half board for around £3k, what do you think our bill would be for lunch and drinks for the week, plus kids ice creams etc? Thanks for your help.

And what hotel would you recommend, Kelly? Jumeirah Beach et al v expensive.

I've been to Mexico (Pacific side) and Cape Town for Feb half term and the weather was perfect for sightseeing or swimming/sunbathing. I've also been to Dominican Republic which is a bit more affordable and the weather was lovely and warm. We are Dubai (Atlantis the Palm) this Feb. I've read Feb is Dubai's worst month for weather but fingers crossed it will still be ok.
Would you consider Egypt?

We've done Mexico and would return but the flight puts me off. Have you/would you go for only a week?

All the holidays I mentioned apart from Cape Town which was 9 days were for a week during Feb half term. I flew to Jamaica 22/24 weeks pregnant and found it quite hard going, especially the night flight coming back. I had restless legs on the plane. The actual holiday was lovely.

Jum beach hotel is pricey, is the Hilton jumeirah coming up? Good deals there I think, have some friends coming out in feb and staying there.

florida. easy to get to, you wont need jabs and think beyond Disney. florida keys are great and relaxing, annamarie island is lovely too. no worries about what to eat or drink.

Thailand, west coast. Phuket area February is the best time of year weather wise. It's not too hot, but mainly dry and the sea is like a mill pond. We went to Koh Lanta Feb. half term two years ago- it was bliss.

thailand. Had good weather in Dubai too but Dubai is a love it or hate it type destination - I found it dull. Egypt would be too cool for us in Feb, as would Florida.

I'm just not sure on the length of the flight to Thailand, I'd love to go though, it looks beautiful.

And no, wouldn't consider Egypt.

I do know what you mean re. Dubai, it has never appealed to us either but for a weeks fly and flop I think it could fit the bill.

I do find that people have negative perceptions of Dubai, for all sorts of reasons, yet when they get here, they see what a brilliant place it is. Lots of history and culture, not all glitz and glam, super friendly lovely people, wonderful weather. Amazing hospitalitiy, food, expereinces.

And women are not oppressed, that's Saudi Arabia,which often seems to get heaped into one homogenous 'middle east' group!

Kelly, what would we be looking at for our bill on checkout if we were half board? So lunches, drinks, snacks etc.

Hmmmm. Depends on where you choose to stay, if you would be eating just in the hotel or if you would be up for buying fruit,yogurts etc from a nearby supermarket.

Dubai isn't cheap, a sandwich and soft drink at lunchtime could set you back 15 quid per person in a hotel or restaurant.

And do you drink alcohol? You're looking at ten quid for a glass of wine or pint...but as I said if you pick up duty free on arrival, this dramatically reduces costs...

Mauritius is good as the time difference means the children wake up late at the start of the holiday & early when you get back for school. We've been to Jamaica for Feb half term too, the weather wasn't as good & the time difference made it harder.

Just trying to work out whether to pay the £4k for AI.

Loved Mauritius and would go back in a heartbeat but not looking to spend £5k+ this half term.

Have you considered Jordan? Amman is still a chilly but Aquaba is about 23 degrees. It has amazing snorkelling but without the crowds that some parts of the Red Sea get. It is also ideally placed for day trips to Petra or wadi rum.
We loved it, friendly people, very safe and only a 5 hr flight.

We did Aqaba in February - it snowed!

What about Oman?

I was in Jordan this time a few years ago and it was freezing!