Winter Sun Holiday Ideas from people who done it!

roddydogs

Any wrote: »

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.

Why cant you get a Visa Elsewhere? are there only offices in those places?

Pollycat

Any wrote: »

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.

You can't get a 'last minute' Indian visa from anywhere anymore - that applies to both Goa and Kerala.

You used to be able to go to the Indian High Commission in London or Commissioner General of India in Birmingham/Edinburgh and get visas on the same day but it has been outsourced to VFS Global and there is no way you can get a same day visa.

To answer roddydogs, there are a number of places that you can take your Indian visa application to in person.
At some centres you can collect them a few days later, other centres post them back to you.

All postal applications go to the Hayes address.

uk_honey

how about some good bargin holiday search sites?? :-)

I quite like the ones where you can list ' i dont mind ' to where your going!

awonderland

Goa certainly wins in terms of spending money when you're there - I love it , but it's a very diverse place. In Baga/Calangute you'll have a pretty European style holiday experience - it's package tourism central. Venture up north to places like Arambol and you'll get isolated beaches and hippies. South to Palolem and it's mostly European backpackers and basic facilities.

pinkcandyflossprincess

last year i went to lanzarote for 5 weeks, I found it cost as much for to buy flights for all of ustravelling out early dec and coming back mid jan as a single flight for one travelling peak period.
i then rented a villa on owners direct (there were 7 of us), my villa was out of the main resort in a local village which i prefered but i was a minute from a busstop to get where i wanted so could take kids to beach etc and i used to walk to the major supermarket and then get a taxi back with my shopping.
on xmas day the kids were in the pool and it hit 35c on the patio, yes it stormed somedays but when people say oh it rained or was cold etc if the weather is bad, its not like cold in england, you can be wearing a jumper one minute and a bikini by afternoon when the rain clears!
I would do it every year if i could, it won hands down for me!

Pwilky

If it is sunbathing you are after, get yourself to Cape Verde.

Only two hours flying time south of the Canaries, but much hotter during the winter.

Thompsons are doing all-inclusive packages from about £600.

pinkcandyflossprincess

I have fancied going there but always comes up expensive when i look! x

Pollycat

pinkcandyflossprincess wrote: »

I have fancied going there but always comes up expensive when i look! x

Me too, just looked at 2 weeks in Feb 2011 and cheapest coming up at £1042 per person. :eek:

Pwilky - is the £600 for one week?
And is it over the Xmas/New Year period which is when the OP wants to go?
Looks like over £1000 per person for departures 23/12 for 1 week (based on 2 pax).

And we still don't know if the OP is a lone traveller which might bust her budget of £600 with single supplements.

uk_honey

its me and my partner

ive been trying to search if eqypy or canary islands will be hotter in december but each site says differnt!! i dont think ill be able to afford any where else!

Any

uk_honey wrote: »

its me and my partner

ive been trying to search if eqypy or canary islands will be hotter in december but each site says differnt!! i dont think ill be able to afford any where else!

We are in the same boat.. And I know exactly what you mean about each site giving different view!!
But I was assured by few people who physicaly been (on Tripadvisor) that it is warm enough to swim in the sea and sun tan.

They also advise that you should take light cardigan with you for the night. I am thinking it is worth the risk..