Cheap holiday destination recommendations

graceelisabeth

Me and my partner are looking to go away for a week or so next March/April and I wondered if anyone had any recommendations of cheap but hot and nice destinations?

I was considering somewhere far flung like Thailand or Malaysia as your money goes a lot further once you're there compared to Europe which seems to be quite expensive at the moment but this seems a bit far to go for a week... And also the plane tickets are pretty expensive. It would be nice to keep it as cheap as possible

Does anyone have any advice on where to look or any recommendations? I'm totally flexible and open to all suggestions!

Thanks loads

graceelisabeth

Forgot to mention - we live in London but can depart from elsewhere if it makes any major difference to prices

Doshwaster

graceelisabeth wrote: »

I was considering somewhere far flung like Thailand or Malaysia as your money goes a lot further once you're there compared to Europe which seems to be quite expensive at the moment but this seems a bit far to go for a week... And also the plane tickets are pretty expensive. It would be nice to keep it as cheap as possible

Thailand isn't that cheap any more - especially in the main tourist areas (Phuket, Samui, Pattaya) where prices have probably doubled in the last 5 years - and Malaysia is typically more expensive than Thailand. If you want really "cheap" in SE Asia you really have to be looking at Vietnam and Cambodia, but both of those don't have such a developed tourist scene so are more "adventurous" places to go unless you are a well seasoned traveller.

Mind you, Thailand can be still done on a reasonable budget depending on what you want to do and the standard of accommodation you are happy with. If it's lazing by a pool all day drinking cocktails then there are cheaper places in the world to do it. Head north into the mountains and you can get some fantastic scenery, unspoilt towns and the friendliest people you could ever meet.

graceelisabeth

That's brilliant, thanks so much for that advice! I think for this holiday we are probably planning on a week of relaxation and lying by a nice beach/pool and then perhaps heading out to a restaurant in the evening but I'll definitely keep Cambodia and Vietnam in mind for longer holidays, its good to know that they are cheaper options then Thailand and Malaysia. I had thought about them before.

I suppose that might mean that Europe is our best bet but I'm just not sure where will be warm that time of year, is a nice place to visit and won't break the bank...

swiss69

Canaries are good at that time of year. We did Tenerife in March a few years ago. 80 degrees every day and pretty cheap by european standards.

Flights can be had for £100 return in March with Easyjet and you can rent an apaqrtment on holidaylettings or ownersdirect for a week for as little as £100-£150. Airport is ten mins from town and therefore cheap transfer. Hey presto a week in the Sun for £175 each.

Restaurants are plentiful and therefore not too expensive and drinks deals everywhere.

ixia

Cuba beautiful people and weather.

cpdc1030

I would strongly recommend Malaysia. Although a week may seem short, if you don't push yourself it is still enough time to see maybe two places (for example Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Penang or Langkawi). Airfares are so cheap and flights very convenient and frequent. It is almost like Asia within a country as it is very diverse culturally.

I have been twice and absolutely love the country. Prices are very reasonable (especially outside KL), food is amazing, people are friendly, and almost everyone speaks English, even outside of large cities. I was able to go to small roadside restaurants well off the beaten track in Langkawi and order exactly what I wanted and get it at the same price that the locals pay (and get a smile!). Thailand is a very special place (which I also love) but requires a lot more preparation and care than Malaysia, in my experience.

To top it all off IMHO it is much safer than other countries in the region, espescially for someone who hasn't travelled much in Asia before. This is partly down to culture but also because you always will be able to communicate with locals if you are in need of assistance. I even saw kids learning to play bagpipes in Penang, so many (especially the Chinese) still have fond memories of the British.

Wherever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Doshwaster

cpdc1030 wrote: »

I would strongly recommend Malaysia. Although a week may seem short, if you don't push yourself it is still enough time to see maybe two places (for example Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Penang or Langkawi). Airfares are so cheap and flights very convenient and frequent. It is almost like Asia within a country as it is very diverse culturally.

KL then Penang and Langkawi would make an excellent 2 week holiday. I did is 2 years ago. KL isn't to everyone's taste but it is interesting enough for a couple of days. Penang and Langkawi are both fantastic islands but totally different. Penang is a bustling melting pot of Thai, Malay, Indian, Chinese and Colonial influences - and has some of the best food in the world. Langkawi is only a short hop away but is a tropical paradise - nothing ever happens there and must be the most relaxing place I have ever been to.

The only thing which is especially expensive is alcohol as Malaysia is a Muslim country so it's heavily taxed - that is apart from Langkawi which is a tax free island. Tropical beaches and cheep beer - that's why it's paradise!

PompeyPete

Love SE Asia, but the cost of flights don't make for the cheap holiday destination that the OP has asked for.
Me and the missus have just got back from 3 weeks D-i-Y in Tunisia, and this is an idea of our outlay.

Flights LGW - Tunis - Return BA £135 each
Hotel in Tunis city centre 5 nights (La Maison Doree B&B) - £125
Hotel in Sousse town centre 5 nights (Zohra B&B) - 100 Euros
Hotel in Mahdia zone touristique (Vincci Nour Resort - 5* Half Board) - £96
Hotel in Hammanet Sud 6 nights (Les Citronniers B&B) - £60

Apart from the first hotel all booking were made online with Booking.com or Travel Republic. All went very smoothly, no complaints at all.

We travelled round by train and bus cheaply, and without any problems. Costs in Tunisia are generally inexpensive, and we had some wonderful meals.

There are a few scams, but where aren't there these days? Do a bit of homework, and take borrow a copy of Lonely Planet or Rough Guide from your local library.

I reckon the total cost of our 3 weeks in Tunisia wasn't much more than just the cost of flights to Bangkok!

graceelisabeth

Thanks os much for all these suggestions - I've only just seen them. We're now thinking we might go in January instead, I dont' know if this changes any recommendations? I think I'm swaying towards Canary Islands but Malaysia and Cuba both sound really exciting. I'm going to have a look around today. Thanks again

PompeyPete

If you've only a week or so then keep it Short-haul, maximum Canaries, but have a look at Tunisia. You can easily pick up a good deal, and it's also inexpensive when you get there.
If you went anywhere in SE Asia, or Cuba/Mexico/Dom Republic for such a short time it wouldn't be worth the expense, and you'd be shattered by the time you got home.