Where to go if not New York?

[LancreWowhawk]

I have a special birthday coming up next year. For many months now, the plan has been for me, DH and DD (who'll then be 11) to visit New York for a city break.

For various reasons, I'm not sure the US is now the right choice, but I'm stumped for what to do instead, and I'm really interested on opinions on what we could consider.

The parameters:

Easter 2027
Not Europe - I want to go further afield
Not a beach holiday - this is our standard and I'd like something different
7 nights max
Max time zone difference of 6 hours, less is preferable
Weather doesn't have to be brilliant, but I don't want non-stop rain either!
It's a celebration, so I'd prefer luxury to roughing it.

Budget is healthy - let's say up to $10k (though we'd of course like less!), not including flights, as we'll be using airmiles.

If you were me - what would you do?

Singapore is fabulous, but time difference is 8 hours I think.

Or what about one of the Canadian cities? I haven’t been but would love to.

South Africa? Cape Town, not Joburg. Pretty much same time zone but of course much longer flight time.
Or Cape Town four nights, safari three?

How about old York. It is Europe but it is a sensational city to visit.

Namibia,safari

If you don’t want the US or Europe and want a time difference under 6 hours you are limiting your options a bit.

Dubai would seem the obvious alternative to New York for city glitz, but not everyone’s cup of tea (not mine).

India golden triangle?

Morocco?

Cape Town?

Dubai seem like the obvious choice. Personally I would say fuck it to the time zone thing and go to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

I’d say fuck it to the time zones and go to Japan :)

agree the time zone plus not Europe or the states is a bit limiting.

what about Morocco? Just checked and Costa Rica is 6 hours behind so could think about South America? Cyprus is great but you’ve probably been.

I second Singapore. It's great.

Buenos Aires

Also voting for South Africa.

Kenya. Been twice and it’s so beautiful and the people are amazing.

I would go to Japan, though it's more of a time difference. We have taken similar age child to NY and Tokyo and loved both!

How about Egypt? That budget would get you absolute luxury there. A few days in Cairo, Luxor for temples and tombs, a few days luxury Nile cruise?

Otherwise tell us what you like? Architecture? Food? Wine? History? Nature? Scenery?

Id also consider Cape Town city and safari, budget might not go so far though....

The flight time restrictions really limit the options.

Iceland, although Europe, is pricey to really enjoy so a good budget for a week is needed. We took DD Easter before last staying at the Sand hotel in Reykjavik , it was around £1200 then for a deluxe room including breakfast for four nights.

We enjoyed a volcano tour, waterfalls, lagoons, geysers and many delicious meals.

I love Singapore ….last time I stopped over from Australia on the way home….did 4 nights in Singapore …then caught a 5 hour bus to Kuala Lumpur…..did 3 nights…then fly home from Malaysia ….you could do that ( without the Australia bit obviously)
or Toronto with Niagra and Lake Ontario….or Montreal/Quebec ( they only a couple of hours train ride between t

I love Singapore ….last time I stopped over from Australia on the way home….did 4 nights in Singapore …then caught a 5 hour bus to Kuala Lumpur…..did 3 nights…then fly home from Malaysia ….you could do that ( without the Australia bit obviously)
or Toronto with Niagra and Lake Ontario….or Montreal/Quebec ( they only a couple of hours train ride between t

Jordan? Nice weather in April. Quick flight. You could have a luxury hotel in Amman to start, see Jeresh, Desert Castles, then drive or get a driver down to the Dead Sea and stay in a lux spa resort for a couple of days ( take in Mount Nebo and River Jordan on the way. Finish off in a lovely hotel in Petra and visit the site or even have a night in a bedouin camp in Wadi Rum.

is it the war or trump putting you off? If you are still open to it - the new mayor of New York is like the opposite of trump so you could think if it in that way - and still go?

@LancreWowhawk I don't know what your various reasons are but I would still choose NY over Singapore , Cape Town & indeed Tokyo ( which I love but the travel and time zone v different. ) for a one off short holiday with that budget (accommodation only) Unless you've all been there before I am not sure where to suggest which would be better , not including Europe. If you include Europe at Easter I'd be tempted by the Cipriani Hotel , Venice.

Oman is wonderful, interesting and cultural. Hiking and exploring too, desert stay, 4 x 4. It has luxury but more class (IMO) than Dubai

Jordan is fantastic and has so much including the Dead Sea and Petra, but Wadi Rum stay is great and the Roman history is fab.

Egypt I think is obvious, but a luxury boat worth adding to the usual Cairo, Luxor trip

We’ve also loved Morocco and it can offer mountains, city bazars and culture. We had a great week there.

Iceland is also fantastic, but the weather will be cold. Fab place.

Easter is a great time to travel, but other great locations do really need a bit long in my view.

You’d really go for a week?

India, private tour, did it last year and was amazing

I love Japan but I’d say you want more than 7 days. At the start of the Easter holidays the time difference will be 9 hours (8 hours after our clocks go forward). Direct flights at Easter would probably eat up the majority of your budget and because direct flights don’t use Russian airspace the flight time is now 14 hours. I wouldn’t put myself through it for less than 10 full days in Japan.

What about Iceland? Easter is supposed to be a good time to visit and the scenery really is spectacular. Very little time difference but feels different to the rest of Europe geographically. £10k for three people would stretch to a bit of luxury there.

Nova Scotia?