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?

Forgot your all inc requirements - you won’t need it in Barbados - loads of great restaurants.

Different time of year definitely Oman.

Now, I'd try around Cavtat in Croatia. Near to Dubrovnik. Will be hot, and full (everywhere will be in August) but not as hot as the Middle East. Sicily, Sardinia, Coullioure up to Monpellier in France, Sitges and Lloret near Barcelona. If you want cooler weather, there is Northern Spain around San Sebastian and over the border to Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz.

Pick a country would be my advice and then drill down to see if what they have meets your criteria. I like places that have a bit of life, but are slightly off the beaten track.

Cuba isn’t 6 hours. There is nowhere that’s 6-7 hours that is exotic and not roasting. In August Oman and Dubai can get to over 40 degrees so unpleasant.

AI is just that - who leaves the resort? Dominican Republic has loads but it’s bargain basement Caribbean and not 6 hours either. I’d probably choose Boston and go to Cape Cod. Not sure about AI though.

When DC were little we liked France. Dc happy with beach and pools and we had great food. Lots to see and do. I’d never go AI anyway after we did a couple of cruises. That’s the obvious answer. A floating town.

Second Madeira. I think it ticks all your boxes. It’s not tropical but there are rainforests and it’s not full of greasy spoons

If you could stretch the travel time a smidge Maldives would be perfect.

@Letshavetea1 I adore Barbados and go every winter but it is hurricane season in August. Agree about the West Coast restaurants and going AI is a travesty.

Maybe Madeira though i think the mosquitoes are pretty bad in August.

Granada? Menton?

I think you might have to budge on some of your criteria

I really fancy Madeira but DH thinks it may be bit boring for the kids for a week?

No, I mean we want the option of at least 3 or 4 excursions whilst there to see the sights of the country we're in.

Would love Barbados, Antigua or Bermuda....but the hurricanes are really putting me off. We've done Turkey recently (fab holiday). Croatia looks beautiful but don't really seem to do AI and I appreciate it's controversial but that's what we like and it's within our budget, so it's what we're looking for.

Sadly BA stopped flying there or would have definitely been a contender.

Bermuda is blimmin' lovely and doesn't get anything like as many hurricanes as Caribbean islands do. It's really not an AI destination though.

(I wouldn't recommend Cape Verde tbh, there is budget AI only and no 'sights'. )

I think you are looking for the impossible sadly, in August with that flight time.

Which criteria are you up for compromise on?

Yeah I can see Madeira is probably not a kids’ dream but something has to give. They will have pool, nice hotel, food, happy parents etc. If they are teens you can make it fun for them by sending them off into Funchal for the evening alone. They aren’t likely to get into much trouble but will enjoy the freedom.

Cabo Verde, absolutely not if you’re worried about Madeira being boring!

What about a Neilsons or similar holiday to Greece or something?

Madeira is beautiful and my two loved it but the landing can be terrible due to winds - something to consider if you’re not fond of flying!

If you want 3-4 trips out why pay for AI? Generally tacky in many places. If you compromised on this you would have more choice. Also 1 week isn’t enough for long haul. 6 hours gets to Nova Scotia but that’s not AI territory either. Egypt is possible but horribly hot.

How old are your children? Difficulr
to advise further without knowing! Agree with other posters -‘something has to give!!

Would make it difficult for anyone who wants to go to the US as will then require a visa rather than an ESTA.

There are some AIs in Italy that might suit too?

@SabrinaThwaite really good point. I never fully understood when I went. Mind you, the way the US is at the moment, people might not be rushing there.

How about the Azores?

@myotheraccountsa in all honesty for August you can’t beat Turkey for All Inclusive. Where did you stay before? We love the Hilton Dalaman and there are loads of lovely excursions and boat trips you can do. Definitely not Brits abroad vibe.

Cyprus?

The Azores. 4 hour flight. Maximum temp 25°c