Holiday for brother

Rachel85

I'd like to be a good sister and pay for my brother and his girlfriend to go on holiday next summer. He's gone back to Uni to do a PGCE, so it'll be a tough year mentally, physically and financially. He's a great bloke and he deserves a treat.

The course doesn't finish until 16th July, so can't go away until after that and he'll need to be back to start work at the beginning of September (providing he gets a job - fingers crossed). My absolute maximum budget is £500 for each of them (£1000 total), but I'd really like to get it cheaper than that if at all possible. Flying from Stansted would be most convenient. Neither of them like flying much, so somewhere with a fairly short flight time would be best. Neither are confident drivers so it'd need to be somewhere where a hire car isn't essentially. Ideally I think a week in a self catering appartment somewhere warm with access to a pool and a supermarket/shop and restaurants nearby would be ideal - but I appreciate I might be pushing it a bit!

This isn't the sort of holiday I tend to go on, so I'm a bit stuck as to where to start. I'd really like to make it his surprise Christmas present so if I can get away without talking to him about it that'd be great! I'm used to "build your own" type holidays so am happy to book each element seperately.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

Rachel85

Nordictat2

What about Paris? Short flight and if his GF is going too..could be romantic

Come to think of it...if they don't like flying. They could always take the train there.


Ps. what a nice sis you are

Rachel85

Thanks that's great - I think they'd like Paris. I had thought they'd like a "relaxing by the pool" type holiday as I know he's not been on a holiday like this for a long time and it'd be a good way to unwind. But they may get bored and with Paris and a week to spare perhaps they could do both a bit of both - 3 nights in Paris then another 3 or 4 somewhere outside of Paris where they could chill out a bit.

Off to do some research! Thanks again.

MarsdenCuckoo

Doesn't fit the short flight time but if they can cope with 4 hrs + 45 mins on the tarmac + 1 hr approx. then Northern Cyprus (Turkish side) could be well worth looking at. (Actually from London they could be lucky and get a direct flight but 'legally' they're not supposed to....) They drive on the left but if non-driving is really a pre-requisite then look for accommodation in central Girne/Kyrenia. They can get dolmus/buses to most places.

It likes to be known as the last unspoilt part of the Med but it's changing fast so catch it whilst you can. There are still places without electricity, turtle beaches to die for (depending on the time of the year you can watch turtle eggs being laid, nests protected or the hatchlings helped to make sure they head for the sea), Byzantine chapels with mosaic floors just open to the public/elements, Roman harbours, donkeys roaming wild, mountain walks, etc etc.

Cheaper than Euroland (local currency is Turkish Lira but even the local shops will accept most major currencies) and very hospitable locals.

If you want to learn more, a good place to start is www.phpbb88.com/northerncyprus

Hope they have a great time wherever they go (and they realise how lucky they are to have you)

Christine

PS: Certain holiday complexes offer deals flying to Larnaca, which is a shorter flight time, and then bus their guests North - one such is Riverside Holiday Village. They're West of Girne but well worth a look.

Rachel85

Thanks MarsdenCuckoo for another great idea. My brother has been to Turkey before so should be able to accommodate a flight time like thhis and with it being out of the Eurozone it could well be easier on spending money.

It sounds lovely - I quite fancy going myself! Although I think I'd cramp their style.

Off to have a look at the link now. Thanks again!

MarsdenCuckoo

You're very welcome, Rachel; really is one place I'd recommend everyone seeing before it's too late. July/August/September will be hot though.

My knowledge of the place is now quite dated but if I can help further, just 'shout'.

Christine

Nordictat2

You are welcome, Rachel

isplumm

Hi,

How about getting a RyanAir flight from Stansted to Tours - Loire valley - should be warm at that time of year ...

Then look for apartment / cottage that has a pool (shared I suspect) near there .... or hotels ..... there are loads of things to do - with lots of little villages / restaurants around .... but suspect you would need a car - which might put it out of reach ... look at cheznous for cottages ....

Mark

Rachel85

Thanks I will look into that. An apartment with a shared pool would be perfect. He'll be 23 by then, so will look into whether anyone will allow him to hire a car. I think he'd be okay driving abroad as long as its not somewhere like Italy or Paris where its really stressful.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions I'm really grateful for the advice.

mikeandrach_2

sharm el sheikh, cheap hotels, amazing weather, no need to drive, dirt cheap once you are there. i know you hear about dodgy tumys etc but whenever i have been the dodgy tummys have always belonged to the same people who spend all day n the sun at the bar, i am quite fussy about holidays and love sharm, only 5hrs 30 mins in the air too so not a long flight

ttoli

MarsdenCuckoo wrote: »

Doesn't fit the short flight time but if they can cope with 4 hrs + 45 mins on the tarmac + 1 hr approx. then Northern Cyprus (Turkish side) could be well worth looking at. (Actually from London they could be lucky and get a direct flight but 'legally' they're not supposed to....) They drive on the left but if non-driving is really a pre-requisite then look for accommodation in central Girne/Kyrenia. They can get dolmus/buses to most places.

It likes to be known as the last unspoilt part of the Med but it's changing fast so catch it whilst you can. There are still places without electricity, turtle beaches to die for (depending on the time of the year you can watch turtle eggs being laid, nests protected or the hatchlings helped to make sure they head for the sea), Byzantine chapels with mosaic floors just open to the public/elements, Roman harbours, donkeys roaming wild, mountain walks, etc etc.

Cheaper than Euroland (local currency is Turkish Lira but even the local shops will accept most major currencies) and very hospitable locals.

If you want to learn more, a good place to start is www.phpbb88.com/northerncyprus

Hope they have a great time wherever they go (and they realise how lucky they are to have you)

Christine

PS: Certain holiday complexes offer deals flying to Larnaca, which is a shorter flight time, and then bus their guests North - one such is Riverside Holiday Village. They're West of Girne but well worth a look.

I first came on holiday here in 2002 and guess where i'm living? welcome to paradise.