Throw some ideas my way - November and January

[TuftyRusty]

I’ve got time booked off in November and January - I can take two to three weeks for each…. But I literally haven’t thought of anywhere to go. Usually we know exactly what we want to do months in advance but for obvious reasons haven’t really wanted to set my sights on anything.

I know things could change so I’ll be looking at booking something with free cancellation and doing all the sensible things but currently just brainstorming ideas. Obviously looking at where’s on the new green list.

Both months are a bit limited in Europe due to the weather so I’m probably looking at further afield - although we could be tempted into a snowy holiday in Europe in Jan.

Flexible on budget and it’s just for two (double jabbed) adults. We are active/adventurous and enjoy exploring - we’re not into relaxing on the beach for two weeks although we do like scuba diving so wouldn’t rule out a beach/island break if it was good for diving.

Any suggestions you can throw my way - where have you been that’s been good in November and January?

Thank you

January
Caribbean
Maldives
Mexico Pacific Coast
Sri Lanka
Florida keys
November
Mauritius
Love to go to Costa Rica one January

It's important to note that just because a country is on the UK's green list, it doesn't necessarily mean the country is accepting UK citizens - so travellers are advised to check with the relevant country's government website for their latest rules on tourist arrivals.

Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, the Seychelles and Mexico to name but four countries remain on the red list even after the recent changes. The USA are still not allowing European and UK citizens into their country.

Yes obviously will be checking requirements both ways @AttilaTheMeerkat! But if I start with where’s on our green list and where’s good at the time I want to go it’ll help narrow it down.

Caribbean, Costa Rica and Mexico are good ideas - I’ll look into them… Florida Keys could be good but yes will depend on what happens with the current entry ban to the US. I was also thinking Canada for some winter sports as a possible option in Jan.

Unfortunately both Costa Rica and Mexico are both listed on the very recent red list. FL Keys is also out also because of the current US travel ban (and goodness alone knows when that will be eventually lifted; there seems to be no real will on the part of the Americans to do that).

Caribbean is worth considering sunshine wise as is Canada (e.g Whistler area or Lake Louise) for winter sports.

We have booked flights fir Mauritius in November and it's looking promising. There are tests to book but the island looks good from fully vaccinated people from October

Very very few companies / airlines are now offering free cancellation. They are, however, offering a credit against future travel should you decide you don’t want to go but the deadlines vary wildly so check the small print.

Avoid booking with Expedia like the plague.

@Zodlebud

Very very few companies / airlines are now offering free cancellation. They are, however, offering a credit against future travel should you decide you don’t want to go but the deadlines vary wildly so check the small print.

Avoid booking with Expedia like the plague.

Why avoid Expedia?

We found Expedia to be excellent full refunds for a couple of things we'd booked.
But maybe we were lucky

We went to Mauritius the November before lockdown, we walked up a mountain, went on a boat trip, did water sports, and a couple of amazing days out. It was a fab holiday.
Most years I like to go to go European city break in a 5 star hotel with a spa in
January or February . I love the combo of active days and then chill in the spa and then go out somewhere different for dinner each evening. Prague, Budapest and Stockholm are up there with my favourites.
The Caribbean would be good in January.

Thanks for all the suggestions. After thinking about it we’re going to book a lovely spa hotel in a European city at the end of November and spend a week there - haven’t decided where yet. And then Canada in January. We looked at Caribbean and some Indian Ocean destinations but lots still have restrictions (eg curfews or facilities not open) and with all the faff of travelling at the mo we thought one trip to Europe and one further afield is probably enough.

Marrakech?