February half term: alternatives to Dubai

[Nevergoodenoughforthem]

I’ve spent days researching suitable destinations for a week long holiday for me, my DD and my DSIS and every path seems to end up in Dubai. I’ve never been but it doesn’t appeal for various reasons.

So, I’m hoping for some suitable recommendations on here. We want:

• Sun/warmth
• Beach/sea for swimming
• Culture (if we feel like having a day out) *Relaxing. We are not looking for anywhere lively
• Not more than 8 hours flight as it’s only a week and both my DD and DSIS won’t mange due to health issues.

All ideas gratefully received but I have already discounted Canaries and the like as they don’t tick all the boxes.

It might be helpful if you could say what "the like" means in "discounted Canaries and the like" so we don't waste time suggesting places that you have already decided won't work.

They don’t really do it for me in that the sea is too cold for swimming so while it’s warm, we can’t enjoy a lovely dip.

Egypt?
Cape Verdes?

Oman/ St Lucia/ Antigua are all lovely.

I would choose Oman

I've never been, but have heard some good reports about Oman in the Gulf.

I don't know if it has similar issues to Dubai as in human rights and women etc. but it might be worth checking out.

Cross posted with others re Oman I see!

Having been to Dubai I'd urge you not to.. three females 🥴 honestly it's a male life crisis paradise! My kids were picking up calling cards of the pavements and it's got an awful seedy undertone about the place. I've been to Antigua and St Kits both were absolutely amazing. Always fancied Cape Verde but not made it there yet..!

Shoot, I should have stated that my DD will be 11 years old at the time of the holiday. Does that change any of the suggestions?

Oman! We went Feb half term. It’s amazing.

Oman looks incredible but the indirect flights means travel time of 10-12hrs.

I have to say that despite having all the reservations you had ended up in Dubai for some sun in Feb half term and it was far better than we could have imagined. It’s immaculately clean, the hotels are amazing and we had some of the most fabulous food i have ever had. There are some interesting things to see and do. Yes parts of it are a bit like vegas but they almost have to be seen to be believed. There were of course some WAG/ Love island style people but there were also some much more low key areas and we ventured off the tourist area to some really fantastic restaurants etc.

This was absolutely not our experience at all. I felt completely safe. There were lots of groups of women, emiraties as well as other nationalities out with friends having dinner together having come from work. There was no part where I saw or felt under threat or where there were leery men.

Caribbean is lovely in February. Goa is another interesting option. I agree the canaries doesn't have particularly warm water, but I'd rather swim in cold water than go to a country with such an appalling human rights record.

Oman air flies direct from Heathrow.

How about Senegal, sounds left field but trust me!

Mexico?
mauritius (I know flight time is longer)

Abu Dhabi? Lots of museums, historical sights, desert camping is good if you wanted to do that.

Gambia/Senegal are hot at that time of year.

Abu Dhabi? It's how Dubai was 30 years ago. Amazing culture, deserts and dunes, mangroves or Malls, Waterparks, Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, Le Louvre.

Interesting how people have different experiences! I was threatened with a knife in St Kitts for cash yet been to Dubai many times and have only ever been treated with respect and kindness there . In fact, Dubai is one of the few places I have been as a woman and walked along the promenade of an evening with jewellery on and not have to worry about theft.
Cape Verde is lovely but the sea can be very rough and dangerous. Great for a poolside holiday though.

You honestly can’t have been to Dubai. It’s the only place in the world I feel completely safe as a woman. It’s spotless, food is fantastic and people friendly. My dd has ventured out alone there since she was 14..it is so safe.

My dh has been about 100 times for work, and we sometimes go with him. I don’t like the Marina area much as it is tacky and touristy but other areas are fantastic.

Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is pretty impressive. We drove there a couple of months ago.

Oman or Abu Dhabi - AD is very different from Dubai.