Help please. we really want a gorgeous beach holiday long haul in july /august but everywhere shows dodgy weather.

[ihatethecold]

This is the only time we can go due to school hols and exams.
Mexico looks rainy,
Mauritius poss a bit chilly and windy.
Florida looks boiling hot!

Poss Koh Samui will be dry?

I'm driving myself nuts trying to organise this.
We are going for a special occasion so we want to go long haul and have a budget of about 6K for 4 of us.

please help me!

Very confused as to why it has to be long haul?

Here is a beach in Greece.

Yes minty but where the hell is that beach in Greece ?

I wouldn't consider Egypt,Tunisia.
Or Dubai. I'd boil alive, apart from the fact I don't want to visit those countries/cities.
Will check out Zanzibar.

My budget doesn't stretch to a safari.
It's on the bucket list though.

Zanzibar has malaria do not ideal or kids (but lovely).

I'd do forte village in Sardinia, or Oceania club in ?halikidiki? No need to bother with long haul. and i say that as someone with a villa in Barbados that I would otherwise try to flog you.

Stay in Europe- why would you so far for non guaranteed weather if it's so important to you?
bragging rights?

Bragging rights?
What a weird thing to write.

That beach could be any number of islands - seriously, check out Santorini.

The strange thing about your op is that you want great weather in July/August without taking into account that for much of the planet July and August is not summer, and so your ability to fly long haul will not get good weather no matter how much you stamp for your feeties.

I've been to California in August and the weather was cool and misty.

If you went to Melbourne Australia in July or August it would be cold and raining.

You get great hot summer weather in central and Eastern Europe, so why not save yourself a few thousand in air fares?

Personally as much as I love Greece the beaches are very different to the long haul type beach you want.

Bali and Lombok are lovely in August - although appreciate you've said they are too far.

East Coast of Sri Lanka is also good in August and there are a few very nice accommodation choices.

Personally I'd avoid Thailand in our summer months.

Some parts of Vietnam might be good for August travel, not sure though so you would need to check and haven't been myself so can't recommend anywhere in particular.

Or alternatively change you dates and go in the winter instead. Long haul beach holidays and July/August aren't really the easiest match, especially if you don't want to fly too far. Mintyy speaks sense.

Looks a lot like Vai beach in Crete.

Sorry, that was in response to Mintyy's beach pic.

Canyouforgiveher we are going back to Maui! Cannot wait.

We did Borneo/Brunei last August and it was fabulous. Good weather, some showers but nothing to put me off going again. It was like Thailand 20 years ago.

Is the 6K budget for 1 or 2 weeks & are you happy to share a room with the DC?

Try Fiji - rainy season is Nov to March, rest of the year it's high 20s/low 30s with stunning sunsets and beaches.

I'm not stamping my feet at all. I haven't travelled long haul as an adult in summer.
That's why I came on here to ask advice.

Safaris don't have to cost a fortune.The lodge I use in South Luangwa in Zambia cost around £75 night p/p for a family room this includes 3 meals and 2 game drives everyday there is a swimming pool which looks out onto the river which is full of hippos and elephants. Kids under 5 free, up to 12 years 80 percent.
I stay on lake Malawi for a week and then get a transfer to South Luangwa and stay at the lodge.
www.crocvalley.com/
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=M9_4jZjMA8o

We had the same dilemma back when we used to do this kind of thing (long ago now!) and ended up going once to the Seychelles and once to Tanzania and Zanzibar, both had gorgeous weather and stunning beaches.

Agree with Punk. Granted I haven't been for several years- but we always went to S France as kids and it would be unusual for the weather to be under 20 and rainy.

Sorry ihate- just seen your post a couple above. That's fair enough- i'd love to travel long haul but just don't have the £ so if you can afford it- why not. Ignore me

Dutch Carribean Islands tend to escape the rain in August. Aruba is lovely, Bonaire is amazing if you love diving. I've also been to Antigua in August a couple years ago and there was no rain for the fortnight.

If you're happy with long haul, you can try coming down to the South Pacific. It's technically winter but the Pacific Islands average 28/29/30 degrees (celsius) and it's off-peak for them (peak is November-April ish). I would recommend Fiji, Samoa and Raratonga.

You can also go to the Philippines. It's the rainy season but I have been there four times during July and it has never been a problem (it's the very start of the rainy season). Again, off-peak times so up to 30% discounts at beach resorts!

My favourite resorts group is this one: El Nido with a special mention to their resort Pangulasian Island but I have also heard good things about this place here.

There are cheaper options as well but I think 6k would cover those resorts (depending on flight costs etc, length of stay etc).

I am from New Zealand and travel to beach resorts A LOT in July as it's the school winter holidays in this part of the world and we don't ski. So I can recommend more places if you want specific info!

Sorry, actually, for Fiji June-September is peak season. November-April is just when kiwis go, so ignore that. But it's lovely in July/August.