Help us pick a destination - v picky criteria!

[myotheraccountsa]

Hi, appreciate this is being way too picky but just seeing if anyone sees this list and thinks they know just the place! Criteria =

• Max 6/7 hours flight from any London airport
• Must be a direct flight route for BA, Quantas or Emirates (I know this is mad but truly terrified flyer and these are the only ones I feel ok with)
• As exotic/ tropical as possible but safe!
• Lots of culture if possible. No "Little England Brits Abroad" vibe
• Good luxury all inclusive options
• Good weather in Aug, no likely hurricanes

Does such a place exist?

Any budget restrictions?

Ever considered a nervous flyer course?

Hi @Feelingstrange2 budget is around 10k for 2 adults, 2 kids for a week. Poss a bit more for the right place.

I have done the BA fear of flying course, and had a few rounds of hypnotism...nothing seems to work for me sadly. I used to drug myself up but these days the GPs aren't allowed to give valium etc. I do just get on with it as absolutely love travelling- but have these ridiculous criteria otherwise I end up a total wreck and it ruins the holiday for everyone.

Aruba? European & american influences

Ooh never considered, will go take a look thanks!

Ah sadly closer to 12 hours for Aruba...I'd have tried to jump off the plane by then!

Apologies, I've been (we wanted somewhere tropical and no hurricanes) but do not remember the flight being that long!

Greek island?

Cape Verde?

Corsica?

Oman. Lovely beaches, perfect desert, interesting history and old forts and souks. Incredible Wadi valleys you climb down to breath taking swimming holes. Maybe impossibly hot in August though.

Maybe impossibly hot in August though.

Definitely

The most 'exotic' destinations within 6-7 hours would be Egypt or Middle East, but they would be absolutely roasting in August. Otherwise it's Southern Europe, which does not count as too tropical.

Madeira, absolutely beautiful.

the poster above is right - in August it’s only really Europe that’s viable within 6 hours of London and that not tropical. North Africa and the Middle East aren’t tropical but could be nice at other times of year but not August.

Its also hard to thing of how culture hugely matters when you want an all inclusive structure. Do you really care what the culture is if you are in a gated community of tourists? Do you just mean you don’t want tacky all inclusive?

Croatia

Malta

If you would be willing to endure an extra hour, you could reach Antigua - but it is hurricane season.

Ikos resorts in Greece

@Luckycat555 I think ikos would be more than that in August

Turkey? The Prive Hotel in Bodrum is lovely

Salalah in Oman is about 29 degrees in August (though it does have some rain - part of the reason it’s popular in the ME at that time of year!). Unfortunately although I have been to Oman, Covid scuppered my plans to visit Salalah - but it remains on my list!

I’m almost too jealous to answer LOL but what about Cuba? Culture yes, luxury, possibly not up to par but amazing none the less

Sardinia is beautiful and the beaches are amazing, food is great, will be very hot in August but not unbearably so in my experience.

I think if you went to Barbados you would love it. Looking at the criteria you’ve set - it’ll be an 8 hour flight (says 9 but never is due to winds across the Atlantic). Can go on BA (we go with them and they’re fab). Is exotic. Not Brits abroad (go on the west coast). Have a look at Beach View Hotel. Hire a car from Stoutes. Agree with pp if you don’t want Barbados that Madeira is a good bet. Stay at any of the Porto Bay hotels. Please report back on what you decide to do.

Sounds like Dubai/Abu Dhabi to the East, or Cape Verde to the West. Not much luxury South, unless you will consider Europe, and not a lot of all inclusive North.