Destination ideas

[Jaimx86]

Thinking forward to 2018's holidays and I'm thinking about having one 'big' break instead of smaller ones. Where have you been, costing up to £6500, that you would recommend for 16/17 days (could get DP to take a couple days more)? I was thinking about California, but then wondered about east Asia as I've never been there. We like to get out and about independently in resorts, so I don't think a hotel based holiday would work...but I'm open to suggestions.
Please can you share where you've been, and loved?

That's for two adults, for flights and accommodation.

We are off to tour cambodia in a few weeks. It has it amazing temples, fascinating history, rainforests and wildlife, deserted beaches.. Our holiday is coming out at about £6k in total for a family of 4 (staying in nice accommodation)

What time of year are you looking at?

Cambodia was somewhere I was thinking. We like wildlife so that sounds great. I'll buy guide books once I've narrowed it down to a handful of countries/places. It'll be July/Aug, swimster. Although, I wouldn't mind a Christmas break if it needed to be because of the climate.

We did Koh Samui last July/August.
The weather was fantastic.
We stayed in Bangkok on the way back.
I wish we had gone to HK or Singapore instead.
Bali or Borneo are in the dry season.

We are doing Pacific coast highway in June, c£6k for 2 adults and a baby, fly to LA, drive 19 days up to Seattle then fly home.
Did NZ a couple of years ago and that was amazing, needs to be Nov-March time though.
Hawaii is amazing as is Mauritius and the Seychelles.
Heard great things about Sri Lanka too

We stayed here
www.tongsaibay.co.th/

It was paradise.

Best long haul trip I ever had was Northern Thailand and Myanmar. Amazing walled cities, rain forest and oh my the food. Back then very few western tourists (not sure now), but it was breathtaking and interesting, especially if you like walking. The Scorpion temple is a must, the giant scorpion statue overlooking stunning of the golden triangle.

On my list to do is Peru and the Amazon, start at Cuzco and work my way down to the Nazca lines. One day

Stunning view... I mean!

Thanks everyone. Giving me lots to think about. That looks great, ihatethecold. It seems like a dual destination is a good idea based on
some of the posts above.

Borneo is amazing for wildlife. In a week we saw various sea life including turtles hatching, monkeys, orang utans, gibbons, crocodiles and loads more. We moved around and used a travel agent to organise an itinerary (we used Audley, who I would recommend). We didn't have time to climb the mountain but you are planning a slightly longer trip so could fit that in too if you fancy it. It was definitely our best long haul trip so far.

We used Trailfinders.
They were very good.
I gave them a budget and told them my must haves.
Our holiday with our teens in Thailand was truly amazing.

Borneo sounds fantastic. We love the idea of seeing lots of wildlife. Has anyone been to the Galapagos? I know this will cost more than previously stated.

South Africa,fab wildlife and great food. Cambodia, not do much wildlife really,

We did south africa last year. I would throughly recommend the Madikwe Safari lodge. It was amazing.

Lots of amazing places to visit in se asia, but the weather is not great in a lot of places in July and August - hot and wet.
Dry places:
Bali and Java
Hoi an in Vietnam
Malaysian Borneo.
Parts of Thailand - not Phuket and not the north.
Singapore is pretty much the same all year - hot and humid.
I wouldn't go to Cambodia for wildlife, although great for history, temples, food and it's very good value.

I've been looking at a holiday in central America - Nicaragua or Costa Rica. There seems to be lots of wildlife (including baby turtles hatching if you are there at the right time), nice beaches, cities etc.

For July holidays, I would also suggest Malaysian Borneo for wildlife.

We did Ecuador & the Galapagos a few years back. It was truly amazing. We used llama travel who build the package to suit you.

Thanks everyone!

Done both and likes both equally. What time of year are doh looking at? You can do we Asia for a lot cheaper than that. We did San Fran- la - Vegas - Mexico for a few days R&R at end with a car hire mustang to drive the coast included in that price. Would highly recommend! X

I see you've mentioned July and out of the both I would suggest west coast of America over SE Asia that time of year x

Christmas in Belize. we did it and it was fab. howler monkeys in the rainforest, deserted mayan temples, tubing down rivers, early morning bird walks. I could just go on and on and on. its not a huge place and its an unusual destination.

We're in Philippines right now flights £350 hotels around £35 a night food anything from £5 each. Scooter hire £10 day cheap as chips. So 2 weeks going to cost £2500 total. Done 1 month last year in Borneo Singapore Thailand and Malaysia for about £6k total lots of flights and ferries but unreal went to some fantastic places. Check out airline sales in December should be able to get flights for £500 to any wear in Asia booked all rooms in advance on hotels.com prices start from £9 a night per room Asian air for internal flights. Don't bother using arranging agent they add on 20% for their profit.
Done New Zealand year before and hotels ended up costing £300 more due to booking with agent.