Holiday after Christmas and just into the new year (OPTIONS)
Discussion
This is going to be like listing every single holiday type and country available, but I am just brainstorming here.
Looking for:
5-10 nights (flexible depending on what we choose)
From Wednesday 27th December (roughly)
To Friday 5th January (roughly)
Very flexible on budget
Options
Thailand - I know very little about the place but have a few people who have said how great it is. Great time of the year to visit apparently. It would be for 7-10 nights. I'm not sure how much it appeals to me - partly due ot my own ignorance, so would be happy to be convinced or guided on this aspect?
Barbados - General sun type holiday. Looks good at that time of year too. Never been there and would be a nice time of the year to get away from the UK too
New York - Really torn by this. A lot of people say how extortionate it is now, like $10 for a beer. But I love sport and would be great to see a basketball game and/or ice hockey. I've been twice before, once in January and it was freezing but it was bearable as long as you dressed well which we did.
Tenerife or Cape Verde - simple holiday in the sun. 21 and 25degrees C respectively which is a nice temperature. Never been to Cape Verde. Again, a nice time of year to get away for some sun - especially after our rubbish summer.
...
Thanks - and apologies for the multiple options but thought it would be interesting to get your take.
Looking for:
- personal recommendations from you if you've done any of these things before
- thoughts at visiting at that time of year or for the duration, etc.
- Where have you been after Christmas and into the New year
- We don't go made for the New Year celebrations but would take this into account with a trip as it would be fun to experience it abroad
- Anything else to consider
5-10 nights (flexible depending on what we choose)
From Wednesday 27th December (roughly)
To Friday 5th January (roughly)
Very flexible on budget
Options
Thailand - I know very little about the place but have a few people who have said how great it is. Great time of the year to visit apparently. It would be for 7-10 nights. I'm not sure how much it appeals to me - partly due ot my own ignorance, so would be happy to be convinced or guided on this aspect?
Barbados - General sun type holiday. Looks good at that time of year too. Never been there and would be a nice time of the year to get away from the UK too
New York - Really torn by this. A lot of people say how extortionate it is now, like $10 for a beer. But I love sport and would be great to see a basketball game and/or ice hockey. I've been twice before, once in January and it was freezing but it was bearable as long as you dressed well which we did.
Tenerife or Cape Verde - simple holiday in the sun. 21 and 25degrees C respectively which is a nice temperature. Never been to Cape Verde. Again, a nice time of year to get away for some sun - especially after our rubbish summer.
...
Thanks - and apologies for the multiple options but thought it would be interesting to get your take.
Normally away for Christmas and New Year and have done this for a long time now (23ish years IIRC)
NYC is a common one for me and have spent the last 10+ christmases there, occasionally throwing Vegas into the mix for NYE rather than be in NYC for it. Its obviously very cold in NYC but a great atmosphere. NYE in Las Vegas is excellent and again a super atmosphere - hotels are horrifically pricey on the strip though for obvious reasons.
Thailand - pretty much best time of year to visit. Spent a couple of Christmas and NYs in Hua Hin and Cha Am, and one in Bangkok many years ago - loved them, love the thai people and the vibe is great. Lots of options on things to do, see and eat.
Orlando will be Christmas and NY this year and really looking forward to it and something different - nice weather, lots of options on things to do / places to eat etc.
Dubai is nice at December/January, again its not baking and is really nice and cool into the evening.
NYC is a common one for me and have spent the last 10+ christmases there, occasionally throwing Vegas into the mix for NYE rather than be in NYC for it. Its obviously very cold in NYC but a great atmosphere. NYE in Las Vegas is excellent and again a super atmosphere - hotels are horrifically pricey on the strip though for obvious reasons.
Thailand - pretty much best time of year to visit. Spent a couple of Christmas and NYs in Hua Hin and Cha Am, and one in Bangkok many years ago - loved them, love the thai people and the vibe is great. Lots of options on things to do, see and eat.
Orlando will be Christmas and NY this year and really looking forward to it and something different - nice weather, lots of options on things to do / places to eat etc.
Dubai is nice at December/January, again its not baking and is really nice and cool into the evening.
Thailand - amazing country. Beautiful. Plenty to see and do. We were looking at going at the same time as you but the flight prices were bonkers.
We'll most likely be heading to Dubai.
NYC is expensive - the same as visiting London or any other major world city as a tourist is expensive. It's a very exciting city to visit, but wouldn't be my choice for a winter getaway as I'd be actively trying to avoid the cold. But can imagine it would be a great wintry vibe.
Others never been so can't comment.
We'll most likely be heading to Dubai.
NYC is expensive - the same as visiting London or any other major world city as a tourist is expensive. It's a very exciting city to visit, but wouldn't be my choice for a winter getaway as I'd be actively trying to avoid the cold. But can imagine it would be a great wintry vibe.
Others never been so can't comment.
What do you want to do with your time?
Are you looking for a beach holiday? Are you wanting to get out and about as see some culture?
Is sitting by a pool sipping margaritas you idea of fun or hell?
Not done NY at Christmas but have been in late November it was cold but not too bad, still managed to do all the touristy stuff. Have been in Toronto at new year which was great fun - did the tourist stuff CN tower, Museums, drove to Niagara.
Didn't enjoy Thailand, was very expensive for what it was, paying more than you would in Europe for a similar product.
Are you looking for a beach holiday? Are you wanting to get out and about as see some culture?
Is sitting by a pool sipping margaritas you idea of fun or hell?
Not done NY at Christmas but have been in late November it was cold but not too bad, still managed to do all the touristy stuff. Have been in Toronto at new year which was great fun - did the tourist stuff CN tower, Museums, drove to Niagara.
Didn't enjoy Thailand, was very expensive for what it was, paying more than you would in Europe for a similar product.
How about Northern Spain - San Sebastian, Bilbao, Logrono?
It won't be Thailand warm, but it will be a whole heap of fun. The food will be fabulous, the setting glorious and it won't take that long to get there. Logrono isn't an ideal immediate destination from the UK, but a perfect element for a multi-location trip.
It won't be Thailand warm, but it will be a whole heap of fun. The food will be fabulous, the setting glorious and it won't take that long to get there. Logrono isn't an ideal immediate destination from the UK, but a perfect element for a multi-location trip.
redrabbit29 said:
Thailand - I know very little about the place but have a few people who have said how great it is. Great time of the year to visit apparently. It would be for 7-10 nights. I'm not sure how much it appeals to me - partly due ot my own ignorance, so would be happy to be convinced or guided on this aspect?
If you can handle the jet lag the Ramada Khao Lak is amazing, I have been there on the beach for NYE and lit a lantern etc. but I don't think I could do it for 10 nights as the jet lag does me in. Other than that I thought it was an amazing way to spend time, I got a free upgrade to a beach bungalow and those were something else but its the Thai people that make it truly great.It looks like its actually going to be 25-26c in Tenerife this year (at the resorts not in the mountains) but the accommodation and flight cost situation is ridiculous and it won't be good value for money at all unless you get lucky on a cancellation. There is plenty going on though and no jet lag.
We did Thailand and Cambodia nearly 20 years ago across very similar dates (flew out 2-3 days after the tsunami), and massively enjoyed ourselves. I have heard it has changed somewhat since, and you may find quite a few Russian and/or Chinese tourists there now. So research your destinations carefully...try to find the ones they don't go to so much.
That said, the food will still be great, the scenery beautiful, the people will be (mainly) friendly, but watch out for all the usual scams out there.
Barbados is superb. Probably the friendliest people we've encountered on holiday, and some of the best beaches (as long as the sargassum's not around). Food's not cheap though, unless you're prepared to eat local-style from the shacks. Car hire is doable but a little more pricey than e.g. the Med, but if you base yourself in the right spot you might not need one.
Dubai...is fake and expensive. If you flash the cash they're all smiles, but as soon as the wallet goes away so does any pretence at service and hospitality. And it's pot luck if you can go in the water or not because of the frequent oil spills/leaks from the shipping. I know some people love it, but I thought it was a 3rd world s
t-hole with a veneer of gilt plastered over the top.
Other thoughts:-
- Snorkelling/diving in Egypt (Sharm / similar)? You'd need to go for the water though, as otherwise you'd be better off in almost every regard going to the Canaries. And it'll be cold at night.
- Canaries are a good budget destination, but still with some proper 4* and 5* places to stay. Will be t-shirt weather at this time of year though, rather than proper sunbathing weather.
- If your budget stretches to Barbados, are Mauritius / Maldives any good for weather at this time of year?
That said, the food will still be great, the scenery beautiful, the people will be (mainly) friendly, but watch out for all the usual scams out there.
Barbados is superb. Probably the friendliest people we've encountered on holiday, and some of the best beaches (as long as the sargassum's not around). Food's not cheap though, unless you're prepared to eat local-style from the shacks. Car hire is doable but a little more pricey than e.g. the Med, but if you base yourself in the right spot you might not need one.
Dubai...is fake and expensive. If you flash the cash they're all smiles, but as soon as the wallet goes away so does any pretence at service and hospitality. And it's pot luck if you can go in the water or not because of the frequent oil spills/leaks from the shipping. I know some people love it, but I thought it was a 3rd world s
t-hole with a veneer of gilt plastered over the top.Other thoughts:-
- Snorkelling/diving in Egypt (Sharm / similar)? You'd need to go for the water though, as otherwise you'd be better off in almost every regard going to the Canaries. And it'll be cold at night.
- Canaries are a good budget destination, but still with some proper 4* and 5* places to stay. Will be t-shirt weather at this time of year though, rather than proper sunbathing weather.
- If your budget stretches to Barbados, are Mauritius / Maldives any good for weather at this time of year?
We've been to Malta and Mederia in the first week after New year and both were great times to go. Mederia is still very Christmasy until the 6th, so lights and trees everywhere (metal Christmas trees). Plus it's not busy, the weather can be quite nice places are pleaded they have some business.
moonigan said:
Resurrecting this as quite fancy getting away over New Year. Looking for somewhere warm, not Dubai
I am in BKK. Its hot all day and all night. Never seems to drop below 30c. Humidity is not too bad right now. I am sure down south near the beaches and islands its even nicer with a sea breeze.
Air pollution is up and down. We had maybe 3-4 days of bad air in the 3 ish weeks we have been here so far.
We had 5 minutes of rain in 3 weeks.
There is a lot to do and see. If you like shopping and eating then its probably one of the best places to go for that.
The only negatives are flight time and costs when here - its not quite as cheap as you might expect.
Also its very crowded. I thought Tokyo was bad but honestly I think its probably worse here especially on the MRT.
But if you dont mind a bit of hustle and bustle (I dont mind it tbh) then its great. I am sure if you went to some of the beach resorts it would be much quieter.
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