Trip over new years next year

[starlymarly]

Hi all,

Looking ahead to next year and thinking we will want to get away between Christmas and going back to work. Travelling will be my DH, myself, my DD who's in her 20s and DGD who will be 4. We want somewhere hot, ideally half board or all inclusive. Not too sure of the budget yet as want to get a feel for the options.

DD was living in the Middle East for several years and while we can't go to the country she was living in for personal reasons she would like to go to the Middle East. Her suggestions are Aqaba with a trip to Petra, Muscat or a classic Dubai/Abu Dhabi.
I've never been to the Middle East so it doesn't massively appeal to me.
DH likes the thought of Cape Verde as it's only an hour behind us so limits the jet lag.

We go to the Carribean every April so not keen to do any Caribbean Islands.

I think Maldives/Mauritius would be nice.

DD would prefer a resort near a city as she likes getting out or at least somewhere with cultural things to do. DH and I are more into relaxing.

Flight wise I'd say 8 hours is our max but I know my suggestions might be over that.

Any ideas or thoughts?

Especially on Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Aqaba/Muscat

We can only go for 7/8 days.

I’ve been to both Dubai, Ras Al Khaima and Abu Dhabi over Xmas/NY but be warned both Xmas day and NYE at hotels is expensive and often includes a gala dinner which is the only restaurant option for both days even if you are HB. Never been AI in Dubai as the hotels that offer this tend to be further out than Jumeriah/the palm. They are all really festive though - lots of Santa/kids activities etc.

Aqaba will be cold then.

I really really enjoyed Petra, this was almost 20 years, but Aqaba was a bit non-descript. It had some fancy hotels and it was safe to wander in the town, but there was nothing to do or see in the town. I went for a few days of scuba diving after a week of touring the rest of the country. A lot may have changed since then. I went mid/late March and it was just about warm enough to swim, forecast says it's 20/21 at the warmest of part of the day right now. Although I think Cape Verde is the same, and Maldives you are very much stuck in the resort. The flights to Maldives and Mauritius are long fit a week's holiday. I would err towards Oman, it will be hotter than Jordan. It's on my list, but haven't been. From what I understand though fancy hotels are mostly on the edge of Muscat, you wouldn't be able to walk anywhere from the hotel. Lots to see in Oman too.

Thank you,

DD is heavily pushing for Muscat so that might be where we settle on, unless anyone has any other ideas we haven't considered?