Long Haul family holiday

[lotsofthingstolearn]

I realise that I am likely to sound really untravelled.

The cost of holidays to Europe is staggering. Considering looking at long haul, family friendly (2 boys, 6/11) for next summer. We like luxury (think package 5 rather than IKOS 5 which is just unaffordable for us. £6.5K

Any ideas, hotels, places etc.

I don’t know what package 5 is but Mauritius or Mexico could be worth checking out.
Places I’ve been to with my DC when they were similar ages are St Lucia, Cuba, Dominican Republic and when they were slightly older, Rio, Cape Town, Egypt, Mexico and Dubai all these places were fab.
We have also enjoyed many cruises as a family.

I have no idea what happened there- I meant package 5* from say Jet2 or TUI rather than Sani, Ikos etc.

We're going to Dubai this summer.

Mexico maybe good, not sure what the weather is like in July/August

How about the ‘poshest’ resort you can find in Turkey?

Thought of that, but with inflation running quite as high (saw somewhere it was 49%) I can see the perceived good value holidays in Turkey changing rapidly.

Cyprus has lots of five star hotels.

Look at places like Sri Lanka, dp paid £89 a night for this July, 5* very luxurious.

Would you consider Egypt? It's fabulous and exceptional value atm! I was there a few weeks ago, 5 star, gorgeous hotel was only £1700 for 2 adults.

Flights are expensive to Sri Lanka. Do you really want to fly long haul and just stay in a package hotel that could be anywhere in the world?

I love a long haul holiday but we go to see different places and do a mixture of nice hotels and cheap accommodation to make it affordable. Booking everything independently rather than package tends to be cheaper. We've been to Costa Rica like this. Really lovely.

Otherwise if you're set on package, look at Egypt or Cape Verde, maybe Domincan Republic.

Our holidays tend to be luxury long haul. We like multi-centre holidays and in the past these combos have been some of our favourites:

Dubai + Singapore + Bali
Dubai + KL + Langkawi
Dubai + Mauritius
Abu Dhabi + Thailand

The UAE stop overs break the journey home up nicely.

What is your approximate budget OP?

I was just coming to suggest Turkey although it's not cheap. How old are your DC OP?

Youvr no chance with long haul either for 6.5k if there's at least 4 people.

Look at Belek area in Turkey. Shorter flight too.

I've booked Egypt for next year. Can I be nosy and ask where you stayed please? I have booked the Jaz Bluemarine resort.

Oh lucky you! You will have a ball!
I stayed at the Tui Blue Sensatori in Sharm el Sheikh.
Food fab, people lovely... really enjoyed it. We actually had a lot of people saying, "urgh wouldn't go there," when we booked it! So if you hear that, don't be apprehensive, it's just lovely!- and I have no idea why people get on like that! (Jealousy??)
The snorkelling (or diving if you're into it,) is considered one of the best places in the world- sea is gorgeous, coral and sealife is beautiful.
Had a quick look at your hotel- it's in Hurgada? Haven't been but hotel looks lovely and will try Hurgada one of these days!
You will have a ball!

@snowlady4 thank you so much. I will check that one out. Yes you are so right... I'm a little nervous about other people's comments. I think its unfair to moan about hotel rooms not always as flashy are other places and so on. The good weather and the less than long haul flight sold it for me!

Yes it's in Hurgharda my neighbours often go to Egypt and they love it so I thought I'd give it a go!

I also echo what others have said about Egypt. The diving/snorkelling is some of the best I've experienced. We used to go once/twice a year to mainly Sharm, hurghada or el gouna. The one thing I will say is that as it's only recently opened back up for tourism they haven't had the income to invest in updating facilities and 5 star in sharm isn't the same as 5 star in Europe so choose your resort carefully. I think in another year or so, it will be much more like what it used to be in the good old days x

Our flights to Bali next Spring are £880pp. We’re going for four weeks and I’ve spent approximately 2k on accommodation, staying in serviced villas around the island and then an extra £500 on a club level suite for three people for three nights in Kuala Lumpur on the way home. The villas are not 5 star, but they’re all glorious, with a private pool, cleaner, cook and gardener. So 2 adults, one teen, just over 5k for a month. We travel to SE Asia a lot, and I always do a lot of research and book independently.
I’m not suggesting you should go on a holiday like mine, I’m just saying that you can definitely find something suitable for good money by thinking outside the box. A months holiday for a little over £1600 per person including flights is (to me) pretty good going.

@Flowersun6 - the bluemarine is lovely… we’ve usually been in the rooms next door at aquamarine, but I’ve spent many relaxed hours on the in-pool loungers at the bluemarine!
Try out all the a la carte restaurants too, especially the Lebanese, and book the teppanyaki table at the Asian restaurant!

Have you looked at flying east, long haul.
We've had some fabulous holidays flying east rather than west.
You get a lot more for your money in our experience. Whilst the flights can cost more than short haul it's been cheaper than long haul,west, and you end up with my high rating hotels for far less money.

DD's favourite holiday in recent times was to Malaysia. Was amazing.

They weren't package holidays as such though. Booked separately, 5 star hotels but not all inclusive, resort type hotels as went to a city and a smaller more,rural town area before going to a resort for the end of the holiday.

Blimey - you should start a travel business! I admire your skill

@Soontobe60 😂 I book so many holidays for friends, family and neighbours! They all say the same as you…

I don't mind people criticising a place they've actually been to!- but not one they haven't!
Our hotel room was fab. We had a standard room, had a balcony, jacuzzi bath, smart tv, fridge, daily housekeeping. Everything you would expect. Absolutely no complaints and would go back happily!

@NorthFaceofthelaundrypile ooo loving the positive feedback for Egypt! It looks lovely doesn't it. I can't believe how holidays have shot up in general..I'm happy to try new places I won't be paying over the odds. I did Dominican Republic 4 years ago. I couldn't afford to go now as prices stand.