October half term for milestone birthday

[Lockdownmummy]

Big birthday next year and would rather holiday than have a party. At the moment torn between just DH and I or with the DC. They will be 4 and 3 so do feel a little guilty leaving them for more than a weekend.

Does anyone have suggestions for a family but relaxing break for October/Nov. Looking for 10 days probably partly over half term but happy for DS to miss some school.

After sunny/pool/beach type so assuming mid/long haul but don't fancy Asia. Any gems that people have been to?

What’s your budget?

Some possible options:

Oman
Dubai
Mauritius
The Gambia
The Caribbean below the hurricane belt (eg Aruba / Bonaire / Curacao)

Budget is a good question! Around £5000 would be good. Could stretch to more for the right place.

The budget is going to be tight to do anything long haul as flights are just so expensive now

How warm would you want it to be?

Long time since we've properly travelled so budget was a bit finger in the air.... around £7.5k more realistic?

Doesn't need to be super hot, but warm enough to sit out and relax (mid 20s).

Oman

Some of the Canaries might be warm enough, especially with heated pools.

I think you could do Dubai or Oman on 7.5k depending on the hotel / board basis

Tui do Dubai packages and next October half term you could do B&B at Conrad Hotel Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for £7200 for 2 adults / 2 kids

Dubai, Egypt, cheaper Caribbean Islands (do your research regarding the weather), Oman, Cyprus, Canaries.

Mauritius was wonderful and the hotels we stayed at was 5.1k for 2 of us for a week including transfers and flights but my DD is 17 and priced like an adult. Flights where direct with Air Mauritius though think BA also goes direct. Taxi transfers along coast. We went to Sugar Beach and Long Beach hotels the flights are overnight so its about 10 days in all. That was AI but you can go half board. Under 12s are free for accommodation, activities and food. Most beautiful beaches and sea and swimming pool, tropical fish, giant tortoise, beautiful flowers, snorkelling, glass bottom boat, windsurfing and kayaking included. I think some kids activities were included. Food and drinks were amazing, drinks came with tropical flowers and lots of mocktails / cocktails with AI and minibar included. We booked via TUI but there was minimal contact (just at airport x 1) with them but it was cheaper than booking direct.

Not totally sure on temp, when we went in August it was 26C and sunny and that's their winter. Had about half an hour of rain all week. BBC forecast was 100% wrong. Accuweather was fairly close.