Interesting from Edinburgh

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Hello, we’ve had a crap year and can’t face Xmas. It’s too filled with memories. Can anyone suggest a break over Xmas that might be unusual but not ridiculously expensive? Skiing is out, DH not well. If I was rich I’d nip to Thailand or Bali !
we’d fly from Edinburgh or, at a push, Liverpool. We have a 15 ye old DS.
thank you.

Have a mental block ! I’m anxious about everything at the mo, so hard to get my head round, but really don’t want to be home for xmas.

What’s your budget OP?

Not sure what you're budget is but I've heard Madeira is good at this time of year. The sun tropical climate means the weather stays pretty good I think.

I don't have any suggestions OP, but I really hope you have the Christmas break you need.

Do you definitely want to go abroad? Would a nice apartment or cottage in the UK work for you? I like the idea of being tucked away somewhere lovely, with nice food, games, and TV.

Thanks! But we have been tucked away in the uk for far too long! I’m thinking about 5k at the most? I’ve no idea what holidays cost. I’d like to keep it reasonable as poss because I need a new boiler etc.
is it better to look at tui etc or book separately?
I was looking at sky scanner for a cheap flight and work from there. Madeira is 800 odd each. Thought if it’s cheap when we get there. We are sort of adventurous- enough for it to be distracting, but not too scary.
sorry, am all over the place! Like everyone I’d love to just go somewhere a bit different full of nature, and chill.
just panic regarding holidays! Was so much easier when it was just me.😀

I see, definitely not the UK then 🙂.

I know! Sorry luckofthedrawer ! We have just gone to the uk for ever, and though it’s cozy and nice, I’m just a bit over the price of hotels ( I REALLY don’t want self catering again), expensive yet rubbish restaurants and 40 to get in to any sights. I’m jaded!
( we just had the most meh dinner out visiting relatives and it was 80 for three. We should have known when the loo had an ‘were hiring’ advert for a chef in them! ).

Hmm, I’m beginning to sound a bit mad. Going to get a coffee!

Do you want guaranteed hot / warm, or just 'away'?

The Canaries are very popular at Christmas because of the almost guaranteed weather, but the south coast of Spain can still be lovely and mild but may be cheaper than the islands with finite a accommodation options.

If you want coast and beach then Costa del Sol flying into Malaga, otherwise maybe Seville for a city break?

We spent Christmas in Tenerife a few years back and i'd definitely do it again. Cheap flights with Easyjet and as hotels were expensive at that time of year we saved a fortune by opting for a villa with a pool just outside of Puerto de la Cruz. Amazing food that was reasonably priced plus nothing shut down on Christmas Day, shops and restsurants were open as usual.

We done some stunning road trips to Masca, the Anaga Mountains and up to Mount Teide (although our cable-car trip to the very top got cancelled due to strong winds). The weather was perfect, low 20's every day with jist the odd shower on a couple of the days.

We spent 5 nights here before and it was lovely. Not at Christmas though.

With your budget you could do Iceland?
But if you want sunshine then canaries is a good shout as PP suggested.

Would you consider a cruise? Quite a lot of options at Christmas and within your budget.

I would not rule out Thailand in your budget. It could possibly be done, particularly if you’re able to fly out on Christmas Day itself.

Our best Christmas away was in the Netherlands - stayed on the coast near Leiden and did lots of WWII sites. Christmas day itself was very low key, which suited as just fine.

Just looking, there's a Centre Parcs at Zandvoort, as well as quite a few family hotels and apartments available.

Marrakech

If you're looking for heat at Christmas/New Year from Edinburgh it might be cheaper to actually book a package holiday with jet2 or Easyjet than flights and accommodation as the flights will be bonkers prices by now for places like Canaries and Madeira.

Alternatively if you just want a bit of warmth rather than full on heat, some friends went to Seville at that time and said weather was pleasant.

We recently used an on the high street travel agent to come up with options, gave the dates, budget, kind of holiday and we chose one option. Not much more expensive than booking separately on the Internet. No stress, no hunting on line ,booked travel insurance, parking, everything. It was lovely and we will do it again.

Had a look at Jet2 holidays. If you go for 5 nights from Edinburgh to Canaries there are loads of options available within budget. It would be a bit lovelier than Madeira for your 15 year old. We're currently at Costa Adeje and it's super hot right now Tivoli La Caleta looks a great price for a 5 star hotel - has recently been taken over and is close to the beach.

Would you fly from Glasgow? TUI have AI holidays from there to Cape Verde that might fit the bill?

Wondering similar OP.
Does anyone know what MALTA is like over Christmas?
In terms of weather / things staying open?

Welcome 54! I've no idea about Malta, sorry, but it does look nice.
And thank you all for your suggestions. Rookiemere I'll do some googling, thank you, enjoy your holidays!🍹
And thank you all - you have helped narrow it down.I'll do some googling tonight.
The world seems to be divided into two camps - those that love planning holidays and those, like me, that get anxious!

What started as looking for you ended with us booking for Crete at Easter 😳.

We are already away in St Andrews Easter weekend so figured might as well fly from Edinburgh on the Tuesday. I need to stop using MN 🤣

Marrakech is amazing...you could get a lovely riad. It won't be hot hot...but should be pleasant.

What is your ds into, would he like theme parks/water parks?