A Month in the Sun, January 2023, where?
Discussion
We are retired and of an age now where the UK winter feels too long and so next year myself, my wife and one of our friends have decided to have a four week break in the sunshine, dates are not critical for us, anytime across Jan/Feb 23 will be fine.
We have set out a list of criteria and I'm about to embark on research but thought I would start here as there is such a wide range of knowledge and views.
Our basic requirements are for a nice two bed. two bath house or apartment with a pool or beach access, I golf so a course nearby would be important, my wife and our friend like walking so space for that would be good, we would hire a car for the duration to make shopping and trips easy.
We are not worried about burning hot sunshine every day but equally we don't want to be dodging rain and cloud all the time, a temperature range of 22 - 28 degrees would be acceptable.
Our proposed budget would be up to around 4k for the property only for four weeks but that could increase a little if necessary.
Places on my research list so far are, the Caribbean, (Barbados and Antigua), South USA, (Florida but other areas would be considered), and the Canaries but I'm open to any other suggestions.
We have set out a list of criteria and I'm about to embark on research but thought I would start here as there is such a wide range of knowledge and views.
Our basic requirements are for a nice two bed. two bath house or apartment with a pool or beach access, I golf so a course nearby would be important, my wife and our friend like walking so space for that would be good, we would hire a car for the duration to make shopping and trips easy.
We are not worried about burning hot sunshine every day but equally we don't want to be dodging rain and cloud all the time, a temperature range of 22 - 28 degrees would be acceptable.
Our proposed budget would be up to around 4k for the property only for four weeks but that could increase a little if necessary.
Places on my research list so far are, the Caribbean, (Barbados and Antigua), South USA, (Florida but other areas would be considered), and the Canaries but I'm open to any other suggestions.
Couple of other alternatives based on experience would be Southern California (went to Palm Springs in Jan and it was 26 in the city but we had snowball fights at the top of the tramway) and North Island NZ. Would suggest Queenstown but weather can be a bit hit-and-miss even in summer.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I love Portugal but I'd have thought that 20 degrees in Jan would be optimistic. It was around 12 when I was there in Jan 21 and I had to buy a coat!
I agree very optimistic.If you hit it right tail end of Feb you can get 20 or so but Jan would be colder and evenings would be 10 or less depending on which bit of the Algarve.
Good for golfists though, and if you pick the right area it'll be mostly open - the more touristy a town gets in summer, the less restaurants etc that are open in the winter generally speaking.
I'd go Canaries for the weather and easiest travel I think.
TeeRev said:
Caribbean
As lovely as the Caribbean is, four weeks may get a little ‘samey’. I was in St Lucia in November for a week. Despite being there for work, I think I pretty much got to see the whole island and in two you’d get to cover everything the place has to offer. Might not be an issue for you but worth taking into account. Plus, flights to Barbados in December and January can be stupidly expensive. targarama said:
Muscat, Oman.
Good shout. IMO, one of the most unduly overlooked places in the Middle East. Lovely people, stunning coast and country, history and you can get a beer!For something a little left field, have a look at Zanzibar. There’s loads of beach front lodges you can rent on the north of the island - pay the local lads a couple of dollars and they go off and catch you your fish for the BBQ.
Cyprus might be worth a look too; north or south, though temperatures may be a little below where you want to be (though immeasurably better than the UK).
djc206 said:
Slightly off piste but I’d pick Cape Town. Dirt cheap once you’re there, still cheap for car hire unlike most other places, good food, good wine. Direct flights with a small time difference. Plenty of stuff to explore if you get bored.
Came to write the same; wonderful city with soo much interesting stuff to look at/do within a short drive. Also worth spending a few days doing the garden route eastwards, beautiful drive with some lovely places to stop over. Food/weather/scenery just brilliant, and cheap because forexTeeRev said:
and the Canaries but I'm open to any other suggestions.
After the weather experienced this January just gone in the Canaries I would strike that from your list. Weather was awful, I lost count of the weather warnings and ended up cancelling my trip.Enjoyable Golf was not possible even in South Tenerife, maybe as recent as two weeks ago, if i recall, due to high winds and rain. Thats almost 3 months of bad weather. No, I think if its Golf you are taking risks with the Canaries at the moment, any time past first week in December, maybe the volcano eruption had an effect last year and Jan 2023 will be glorious, who knows.
My suggestion would be a beach bungalow at the Ramada, Kao Lak and Golf at Kirinara Golf Course but and its a big but, I have lost track of prices. I got upgraded last time for a small cost but even the standard rooms there are great.
Edited by Carl_Manchester on Friday 15th April 15:23
Have you tried giving your criteria to a travel agent? The ones you can go into their shop and talk to face to face. Their job is to find you what you're looking for.
A family friend owns a travel agency and they do all the research for you. And often, they have staff who have actually been to these places you're considering so can give personal recommendations.
It's probably the best place to start, see what they offer you and then go asking around for opinions/comparisons.
A family friend owns a travel agency and they do all the research for you. And often, they have staff who have actually been to these places you're considering so can give personal recommendations.
It's probably the best place to start, see what they offer you and then go asking around for opinions/comparisons.
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