Trip of a lifetime (maybe)
Discussion
Hi all
I’m looking for some ideas/inspiration for a week long trip with my wife for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
This trip has quite a lot resting on it. I have spoken about it quite a lot on here but the short version is we have a severely disabled son. This means we can’t fly anywhere or stay in hotels. We only ever go on holiday to family holiday homes, between both families we are extremely lucky to have 2. Our holidays are basically managing our son 24 hours a day though so very little relaxation and we can’t eat out or go anywhere crowded.
Last year for the first time we left our son with my in laws to go to Paris for 2 nights to meet my friend. It was the best weekend of our lives. My wife still talks about it very regularly. We now want to do a city break every year if we can.
But next year for our anniversary my in laws have very kindly offered to have him for a week. My wife and I met ski racing which very much dominated her life, then we had our son. She has never had an exotic beach holiday.
We want to go a bit crazy and get out of Europe. Thinking Bali, Maldives. Heard mixed reviews of both though.
So requirements are hot! Beaches, different culture. My wife would love to see some temples or something like that. What I suppose we mean is not just a massive resort that could be anywhere.
Budget is 15-20k for the week.
We just want to do something really special as the in laws have already said they aren’t sure they can have him much longer as he is getting bigger and more violent.
Appreciate any ideas.
I’m looking for some ideas/inspiration for a week long trip with my wife for our 10 year wedding anniversary.
This trip has quite a lot resting on it. I have spoken about it quite a lot on here but the short version is we have a severely disabled son. This means we can’t fly anywhere or stay in hotels. We only ever go on holiday to family holiday homes, between both families we are extremely lucky to have 2. Our holidays are basically managing our son 24 hours a day though so very little relaxation and we can’t eat out or go anywhere crowded.
Last year for the first time we left our son with my in laws to go to Paris for 2 nights to meet my friend. It was the best weekend of our lives. My wife still talks about it very regularly. We now want to do a city break every year if we can.
But next year for our anniversary my in laws have very kindly offered to have him for a week. My wife and I met ski racing which very much dominated her life, then we had our son. She has never had an exotic beach holiday.
We want to go a bit crazy and get out of Europe. Thinking Bali, Maldives. Heard mixed reviews of both though.
So requirements are hot! Beaches, different culture. My wife would love to see some temples or something like that. What I suppose we mean is not just a massive resort that could be anywhere.
Budget is 15-20k for the week.
We just want to do something really special as the in laws have already said they aren’t sure they can have him much longer as he is getting bigger and more violent.
Appreciate any ideas.
The BA Holiday finder is pretty good for inspiration https://www.britishairways.com/travel/holiday-find...
If its just a week then I wouldn't want to travel too far a lose days travelling. The link above has a journey time option in the filters which might be worth using.
If its just a week then I wouldn't want to travel too far a lose days travelling. The link above has a journey time option in the filters which might be worth using.
IF you are flying east, do not fly BA, Emirates, Ethiad, Thai or Vietnam Air are miles better especially with that kind of budget.
IMHO Vietnam is brilliant, especially if you want to see a bit of "culture," have a look at https://www.bensley.com/our-projects/ the hotels he designs are epic, with an interesting location/ story maybe do a multi center a few nights in Saigon followed by Phu Quoc.
Or Siem Reap followed by Phu Quoc
IMHO Vietnam is brilliant, especially if you want to see a bit of "culture," have a look at https://www.bensley.com/our-projects/ the hotels he designs are epic, with an interesting location/ story maybe do a multi center a few nights in Saigon followed by Phu Quoc.
Or Siem Reap followed by Phu Quoc
barryrs said:
The BA Holiday finder is pretty good for inspiration https://www.britishairways.com/travel/holiday-find...
If its just a week then I wouldn't want to travel too far a lose days travelling. The link above has a journey time option in the filters which might be worth using.
I'd agree with this - losing 2 of the days travelling (plus the associated jet lag) isn't a good use of time IMO.If its just a week then I wouldn't want to travel too far a lose days travelling. The link above has a journey time option in the filters which might be worth using.
Malta perhaps?
It's relatively nearby so you wouldn't lose much time travelling, and because of its long and interesting history it's culturally a little different to most other places that are a similar distance.
It's definitely hot and sunny, it has culture, history, food, beaches etc, and because Malta (and neighboring Gozo) are small islands, while there is lots to see and do, you don't need to travel for hours every day for it and don't get bogged down by the 'tyranny of choice'.
And best of all they drive on the correct side of the road!
It's relatively nearby so you wouldn't lose much time travelling, and because of its long and interesting history it's culturally a little different to most other places that are a similar distance.
It's definitely hot and sunny, it has culture, history, food, beaches etc, and because Malta (and neighboring Gozo) are small islands, while there is lots to see and do, you don't need to travel for hours every day for it and don't get bogged down by the 'tyranny of choice'.
And best of all they drive on the correct side of the road!
Edited by deadtom on Friday 1st September 16:19
I tend to agree with regards to the travel time. I have suggested closer places to my wife. But we both lived and traveled all over Europe when we were younger.
So looking to do something totally different.
My wife is also quite jealous that I travel quite a lot for work and before we got married as well.
I think she sees this as her only opportunity to get further than a days drive away.
So looking to do something totally different.
My wife is also quite jealous that I travel quite a lot for work and before we got married as well.
I think she sees this as her only opportunity to get further than a days drive away.
ntiz said:
I tend to agree with regards to the travel time. I have suggested closer places to my wife. But we both lived and traveled all over Europe when we were younger.
So looking to do something totally different.
My wife is also quite jealous that I travel quite a lot for work and before we got married as well.
I think she sees this as her only opportunity to get further than a days drive away.
Sri Lanka, direct flight, some amazing hotels, very different culture.So looking to do something totally different.
My wife is also quite jealous that I travel quite a lot for work and before we got married as well.
I think she sees this as her only opportunity to get further than a days drive away.
We had a private driver and toured for 8 days then did a week at a beautiful hotel.
Obviously you could base yourself in a great hotel and travel out for a few days and crash for a few!
We did our holiday through Kuoni and couldn't fault it, for your budget you could stay at some amazing places!! We had half the budget and had a great time!
This is where we crashed, with your budget you could really push the boat out? - https://www.kuoni.co.uk/destinations/indian-ocean/...
Edited by joshcowin on Friday 1st September 16:45
I’d go to Maldives. We have stayed here 2 years in a row, it’s the most stunning holiday we have had we did it twice 12 months apart.
Direct flight from Heathrow too.
https://www.youandmemaldives.com/
Direct flight from Heathrow too.
https://www.youandmemaldives.com/
interstellar said:
I’d go to Maldives. We have stayed here 2 years in a row, it’s the most stunning holiday we have had we did it twice 12 months apart.
Direct flight from Heathrow too.
https://www.youandmemaldives.com/
Beaches aplenty but no culture or temples on the islands.Direct flight from Heathrow too.
https://www.youandmemaldives.com/
I'm with the Sri Lanka vote, or maybe Oman, which still has plenty of old Middle East on show? Mauritius?
In your position, I'd be calling someone like Audley Travel, explaining requirements and seeing what they come up with.
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Friday 1st September 18:14
It doesn't fit your brief of an exotic beach holiday, but for our 10th Wedding Anniversary my Wife and I did New England in the Fall.
It was totally fabulous. Flew into Boston, picked up a Porsche Boxster rental, then drove up into Vermont and stayed in the Pitcher Inn (Warren) for 3 nights, before heading over to the coast and staying in Kennebunkport. Then back to Boston via Salem and home. We had Upper Class flights with Virgin courtesy of Airmiles (or whatever the right term is) and really wanted for nothing on the entire holiday.
I'm not saying don't do beach, but this is just something else to consider.
It was totally fabulous. Flew into Boston, picked up a Porsche Boxster rental, then drove up into Vermont and stayed in the Pitcher Inn (Warren) for 3 nights, before heading over to the coast and staying in Kennebunkport. Then back to Boston via Salem and home. We had Upper Class flights with Virgin courtesy of Airmiles (or whatever the right term is) and really wanted for nothing on the entire holiday.
I'm not saying don't do beach, but this is just something else to consider.
omniflow said:
It doesn't fit your brief of an exotic beach holiday, but for our 10th Wedding Anniversary my Wife and I did New England in the Fall.
It was totally fabulous. Flew into Boston, picked up a Porsche Boxster rental, then drove up into Vermont and stayed in the Pitcher Inn (Warren) for 3 nights, before heading over to the coast and staying in Kennebunkport. Then back to Boston via Salem and home. We had Upper Class flights with Virgin courtesy of Airmiles (or whatever the right term is) and really wanted for nothing on the entire holiday.
I'm not saying don't do beach, but this is just something else to consider.
Sounds amazing to be fairIt was totally fabulous. Flew into Boston, picked up a Porsche Boxster rental, then drove up into Vermont and stayed in the Pitcher Inn (Warren) for 3 nights, before heading over to the coast and staying in Kennebunkport. Then back to Boston via Salem and home. We had Upper Class flights with Virgin courtesy of Airmiles (or whatever the right term is) and really wanted for nothing on the entire holiday.
I'm not saying don't do beach, but this is just something else to consider.
Appreciate I’m uncertain of your precise circumstances OP, but could you pay for additional help for your in-laws to extend the trip to 9 days (“buying” you a day’s travelling at each end)?
Some amazing suggestions above. Another suggestion for the US: South Carolina.
Specifically, the private islands south of Charleston. The two that come to mind are Kiawah and Seabrook. Rent a beachside house and truly relax.
Some amazing suggestions above. Another suggestion for the US: South Carolina.
Specifically, the private islands south of Charleston. The two that come to mind are Kiawah and Seabrook. Rent a beachside house and truly relax.
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