Winter Sun Holiday Ideas from people who done it!

uk_honey

Dear All,

Im searching for a winter holiday to get some sun, but im not very well travelled and looking for a holiday when you dont know where you want to go is hard work lol

id like to go from 24th december to 2nd Jan ( but bit flexable ) from any airport with a budget of around £600 per person.

I would like to be able to sunbath but i know with that budget i probably wont be able to go too far!.

I was thinking the canary islands may be in this budget but would it be warm enough to sunbath or jus pleasently warmer than here!

Does anyone have any other suggestions, or think i may be able to go a bit further with this budget if i shop around?

suggestions of destinations please!

Many thanks
xxxxxxxxxxxx

apt

The Canaries are warm enough to sunbath most days. £600 pp. is not a big budget if you want to be away for both Christmas and New Year.

Any

I have searched around and I saw a few holidays fitting in that budget-mainly Egypt.. for 7 days, usually not being there on New Years Eve as that becomes far too expensive.

I have been researching exactly the same thing as you... where is REALLY warm enough and I came up with the following

Egypt (Sharm, Hurghada)
Caribean (been to Dominican in winter, albeit January, so know for sure)
Gran Canary
Mexico
Goa or Kerala (I've been there so know for sure)
Gambia (been there too)

I am waiting for last minute deal myself.. But you can't do Goa last minute unless you live in London or Birmingham as you need Visa for travel to Goa.

markandkate

Christmas and New Year are the most expensive times and so you will pay a premium. We went to Egypt for new year and it was £500 half board for a week. It was hot enough to sunbathe during the day and the sea was warm but the pools are very cold as most of them are not heated. It is also quite cool in the evening.

You may need to compromise and go for Christmas or New Year as you will not be able to go for a week ( as they are a week apart) so you would have to go for 10 or 14 days which again is going to push the price up. If you are set on being away for both it may be better to look at schedule flights rather than charter packages which tie you to set return dates.

uk_honey

Thank you for taking the time to answer

Is Goa and Gambia safe?

Im sure it is as it wouldnt be liste din travel agents brouchures but im very vary of going places like these? should i be?

thanks

Pollycat

uk honey
I can't comment on Gambia as I've never been.

Been to North Goa loads of time and feel very safe there.

I often go out on my own in the evening to do some window shopping, then meet up with OH somewhere later.
I've also been to one of the Saturday night markets on my own.

Of course, as with anywhere you need to take reasonable care of your person and possessions, and there has been the odd report of bag snatching by people on motorbikes but I'd say nothing worse than anywhere else.

Some people do find it a bit of a culture shock at first.

Goa is very cheap to eat out.

It's definitely sunbathing weather, the only downsides I'd say are the flight (10.5 hour from Gatwick non-stop) which might be a bit long for a week and the fact you need a visa (costing £30 + £9.50 admin fee + cost of postage) which has to be obtained before you travel.

There's busy Goa forums on both Tripadvisor and Holidaytruths if you want to investigate more.

boufje

Is the £600 for your flights and accomodation, or does it have to include eating out when you are there too?

If you casn be a bit flexible on dates, you could cut your costs by flying out on christmas day ( remember no public transport then though) and flying back as new year strikes - those are the cheapest times for scheduled flights, not sure about charter flights.

Goa is very cheap when you are out there, if you can get a rock bottom flight with monarch, you can find cheap bech shacks out there too (who needs a pool if the sea is that beautiful),

Egypt - I think you could also get something on budget then too, but lots of package hols charge a premium for christmas day and new years day buffets etc, it really is peak season.

No idea about canaries etc, but I think it will be tight on your budget to find somewhere hot, as it is the peak week for winter sun.

Pollycat

If you're on your own, your budget might be busted by the single supplement, especially in Goa.

Also, most charter holidays to Goa are for 7, 14, 21 or 28 days so if you want to be away for 10 or 11 days, you'll probably struggle.

The sea in North Goa can be very rough, I wouldn't swim in it.

signol

My Mum and sister spent Christmas in Tenerife 2 years ago. They said it was nice and warm, but rained every day of their 7 day holiday.
For a budget of £600 per person, how many are travelling? You might be able to get a flight and holiday appartment in Cape Town, or elsewhere in South Africa, for that.
Just checked, this year's Christmas flights to SA are £1100+! You might get good value prices (£400~ each) for Christmas 2011 if you book in January.

signol

hartcjhart

I spend most winters in Mojacar on the Costa Almeria Spain,and sunbathe most days,the area has its own micro climate which makes it the hottest part of Spain,it is mainland europes only designated desert due to lack of rain.

however you can get bad weather anywhere

appartments are plentifull,as are restaurants and bars

Xmas day lunch where I am going is 35eu for 5 courses all while looking at the med:j

ailuro2

We've been to Malaga which was far warmer than we'd hoped for from the weather websites that give us averages, we've been to Orlando which had the coldest spell in winter for 40 years...this year we're off to Tenerife, it is costing more than £600 a head to go from 19th December to 2nd January.

The later you go and the earlier you come back, the more expensive it will be... we are cheaper travelling on the 19th even though we had to pay a bit more for accommodation.;)