Christmas is over - I need a holiday in the sun but where?????

[pickupthismess]

It's my b'day in Feb and DS2's b'day a week after and we thought we should go on holiday for a few weeks. We didn't get a holiday this year due to work commitments so would like a really nice one. But, I WANT SUN (or at least warmth).

Not sure I'm keen on the middle east with two LOs (although may be able to be persuaded). Can anyone suggest somewhere else that's good in Feb? Every time I go on long haul I pick monsoon/hurricane/tornado season so would like to avoid all three !

Thanks in advance.

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I can highly recommend Grenada, in particular

the Rex Grenadian

The picture on my profile was taken there. We liked it so much, we went twice in 6 months. Very well run hotel, 2 minute transfer from the airport and Virgin Holidays go there.

Canaries?

Thansk everyone so far

I could consider the Caribbean - it's not so much the budget as the flight times with two LOs. Pesto, how safe is Grenada do you think? Is it a good place for kids? I will look at the link.

Mintchoc, the Canaries is near I guess but is it still warm that time of year? My parents have a house in Southern Spain and I know it gets quite cold in Feb.

Any other suggestions.

south africa

Is South Africa v safe? Sorry to naive. Just that my parents friends live in Cape Town and were attacked last year and their friend killed by a robber. So have always thought a bit risky.

Thailand is, pretty much, the perfect holiday destination for anyone with a pulse. Or Penang in Malaysia is fairly sleepy but good value with kids. You could do a two-centre holiday with a stop in Singapore, which is fantastically well set up for children. There wouldn't be enough to amuse you for several weeks but you could certainly have a brilliant four-day break there.

And I'm always shilling Sri Lanka on here whenever anyone asks for a holiday recommendation.

When you see rainy season forecasts for South-East Asia, it doesn't mean it's pissing down 24 hours a day. It usually means an hour of heavy rain in the afternoon that cools everything down beautifully for the evening.

How old are the children? You could have a great time somewhere like Laos or Cambodia with a 12 yr old but it wouldn't be at all jolly with a toddler.

You can come here to East Africa in Feb. It's lovely and warm and plenty of sun, choose beach or safari.

Parts of South Africa are safe - others are not so safe. I've spent the best part of 3yrs in SA and only had 1 negative experience. The Garden Route is lovely and fairly safe (you just have to be sensible). My MIL lives around there and they don't always lock the door to their house!

Last Feb, we went to bandos Island resort in the Maldives with Kuoni. Was absolutely amazing...DC's were 4 and 18m and loved the kids club. Meant we had a few hours a day to ourselves to just chill....AMAZING! Also had brilliant staff and accomodation was ace. We stgayed in a jacuzzi beacj villa...if you want more info, let me know!

Grenada is the greatest place on earth. However I have not been with children.

How about Sunsailin Antigua? Plenty for the kids to do and sun for you. Been there and would recommend it.

Grenada is fabulous for children. Lovely beaches, snorkelling, at the Rex where we went, there is a good kids club.

Feels really nice & homely (not unsafe at all), you will love the waterfalls in the centre of the island, the chocolate factory, nutmeg, working rum distillery and all the wonderful spices grown all over the island. It is a tip-top place to visit.

I almost don't want to tell people about Grenada incase too many people start to go and ruin it!! If I ever won the lottery the first thing I would do is buy a holiday home on Grenada. The second thing would be move there
The only thing I would say now I have my PFB is to take a carseat with you. The roads are interesting.

Grenada is lovely but have done it with no children.

Just come back from Sunsail Antigua with 2 DC's and that was great.

Ohh Five, I was looking at Sunsail Antigua for later this year. It was suppose to be refurbed over summer but then wasn't done - what's it like at the moment? What age are your DC and do you rate the childcare?
Thanks

It was OK we had an apartment which was good. The restarant and bar area is lovely .
and the food was good. Childcare was fantastic, DS was 5 months and DD 2.10 when we went, all local nannies bar 3, most who had children themselves and had been employed by Sunsail for years. The Kidz club was well equipped and clean and the outside play area was great. They also did a huge range of activities. We are going to go in 3 years when DD is nearly 6 as then she gets to go sailing.

Sorry OK makes it sound bland, we had a great holiday, it is not 5 star accommodatiuon but was very comfortable.

I think I am being sold on Grenada/Antigua.

I have been to the Far East loads of times (grew up over there) and it is lovely but feel like somewhere new. Am v interested in Africa but DCs are little 2&4 and I'd quite like to go there when they can appreciate the fantastic wildlife etc.

What's the weather like in Feb in the Caribbean? Is it humid or just dry heat? I remember Mexico and it was so stiffling I couldn't move and I thinkt eh DCs might melt. Is Caribbean the same?

Also noone has mentioned Florida, is it any good? I just thought maybe Orlando would be ideal for children with the Keys thrown in for adults.

Weather will be lovley, where we were in Antigua we had the trade winds every day bar 2 so you didn't actually feel too hot and the children had lunch and then quiet time during the hotest part of the day.

Cheers Five, I actually went about 5 years ago (whilst still childless) and had a fab time was just wondering what it was like with children (or babies as mine is only 6 months). Thanks for that information.

It is dry heat in February. Perfect. We went in February half-term and it was wonderful. We have also been in August (the rainy season) when it was humid (but not unbearable) with a bit of rain from time to time.

Both times were lovely

Hi

We took our 4 to St Kitts and they loved it, a beautifully natural Caribbean island, and stayed at a fab villa really close to the beach see
www.stkittsvillarental.com/

MM