Holiday cancelled - where should we go instead?

[jarviscockatiel]

We heard from the travel company today that our much awaited holiday to Japan has been cancelled and DH and I now need to think of where else to go at short notice. We are pretty well travelled having been to most European countries and quite a lot of Asia.
We like to be busy seeing different places, historical ruins, interesting buildings etc. We are happy with a day at the beach but not a week. We're ok with heat. DH is happy to drive to different places so we don't need to necessarily stay at one site. Don't want all inclusive or a family style holiday as we haven't any children. We'd also like it to be reasonably well set-up with health facilities in current covid times. We loved Sicily and Andalucia so a similar place would be wonderful.
Budget no more than £2500 per person to include everything and preferably a little less for 7 - 10 days.
What would you wise Mumsnetters recommend?

Singapore? It will be both hot and very humid, but if you’re ok with that, then it’s a great place to visit - lots to do and not overly expensive.

It’s not a great time of year for Asia or the Caribbean, or I’d suggest Vietnam or Mexico.

Does anywhere in Africa appeal? Namibia? They’ll be just going into winter so it’s not too hot.

Peru? Canada?

Have you been to Armenia and Georgia?

Thank you so much for your ideas. It's given me some options to consider.
We've already done Armenia and Georgia and Canada (though we could choose a different area).

We had booked to go to Namibia in Easter 2020 but obviously that was cancelled so we're definitely up for going there but not sure the healthcare system there is what we'd want if we needed to use it due to covid.

Singapore does look interesting so we'll research that a little more.

We went to Helsinki recently and were amazed at how gorgeous it is! Clean, safe, fantastic transport, hotels, restaurants, architecture, beaches, islands, history.... Lots to see and do in the rest of Finland too.

Hong Kong is nice. Lots to see and do, good food, classy hotels, beautiful countryside if you like hiking. Second Singapore as well if you can cope with the heat and humidity.

I've been to Singapore multiple times- but the last time was over 6yrs ago- so there is likely far more to see/do. I find it a very, sanitised version of Asia. English is the franca linga- with most locals also speaking Malay, Tamil or Mandarin. Public transport is clean, on time and cheap. Everything is clean! Chewing gum is illegal and you could be fined for ashing a cigarette on the ground. The zoo is fantastic and the 1st time I've been to a night zoo. There was bird park, reptile park and also sentosa island. Shopping is a big thing- some cheaper places, but also the big brands like Chanel and Prada- if that is your thing. Its certainly is more expensive than say Thailand. If you do go, there is a Little India and Chinatown. Little India has a multi storey shop called The mustafa centre. Its a fantastic shop to get souvenirs, clothes, kitchen items, gold, suitcases, toys and MUCH more at very reasonable prices.

Have you been to Taiwan? Again, Madarin is the local language. I found it a sanitised version of China. Friendly and helpful- despite there often being a language barrier. I recall the National Palace Museum was fascinating. The tea plantations were very interesting and an open air ski lift type seat into the hills (mind has gone blank on what is was called!) Their zoo had pandas too.

Anywhere you are considering, esp Africa, check your vaccines at up to date and whether you need anything before you go.

Yucatán península in México?

Hopefully we're going next year. There are Mayan ruins, cenotes, colonial towns, jungles, flamingos and a range of beaches.

Israel
Jordon
Cyprus

Have you been to Iceland? It's eye wateringly expensive but one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been too. The people are really warm and friendly, and it's easy enough to get off the beaten track and do independent travelling.
Nova Scotia is also a stunning, Bedeck and the Northern part was my all time favourite part of NS with dramatic coastline and quaint fishing villages.
Turkey could tick all your boxes with fabulous architecture, fascinating history, stunning beaches (you can find some real gems away from touristy areas) and I found the Turks incredibly hospitable and welcoming.
I also loved .the Alps in Austria I think people generally go for the skiing, but I much prefer the Alps in summer, I hate the cold though and can't ski for toffee.

Costa Rica
Yucatan
California/ Arizona road trip - hot but desert heat
Loved all these.
Yes, you will see a bit if rain in Central America but it won't last long.

I've not been but always fancied Slovakia- it looks beautiful.

You say you’ve been to Canada, have you tried the Eastern seaboard? Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
The areas are full of history, (the birthplace of Canada), wildlife and indigenous culture.
The people are really friendly and hospitable.

I'd highly recommend Jordan.

DH was based out there for his job a few years ago and I visited in the middle of the summer. It is HOT at this time of year, but it's a very dry heat and didn't bother me at all.

There'l are so many places to see and visit, we did a couple of nights in Petra and also visited Wadi Rum, Aqaba and spent our last couple of days at a beautiful hotel (Hotel Kempinski) at the Dead Sea, which was lovely.

DH had a car out there, which was a must for covering the long distances through the desert, but everything was very easy to get to.

Costa Rica for wildlife.

Azores/Portugal - scenery, history etc
Jordan for scenery & history

I loved Jordan. Beautiful country, loads of history and really friendly people.

Aren’t some places like Hong Kong still doing quarantine on arrival?

Argentina - beautiful country.

Scandinavian somewhere. 3-4 days in 2/3 locations. A small road trip in Denmark for example could be nice and combine coastal, islands, history , and city at the end

Agree i eland is amazing. I have just been to Iceland for 5 nights and would love to go longer and travel round the ring road.

Planning it in a couple of years without kids.

We went half term and although there were some children on the plane it was only a handful and they were generally pre teen up.

It’s just going into the hurricane season (my dc has been travelling and recently returned) - they’ve been hit by a hurricane and tropical storm already which is unusual this early in the season. Sea grass at Tulum is also a massive problem.

Why has it been cancelled? Was it a tour type holiday? You could just still go to Japan and do it yourself, it's really easy place to navigate and everything thing works so well. Or at least it did 5 years ago.

Costa Rica
Anywhere in South America - Chile, Brazil, Argentina etc.

I'd go to Morocco. Coastal options, city options, shirt enough flight, close to mainland Europe, decent health care.

And bloody amazing place, Marrakech is phenomenal.

@jarviscockatiel I'm curious about a holiday to Japan for £2,500 each; which company, please?

If you liked Sicily, take a look at Sardinia. We've been twice, to Cagliari & Alghero. Both very different, plenty to do on the island.