How do you decide where to go on holiday?

enthusiasticsaver

We are researching for our summer holiday and have narrowed our options down to 2 countries we have never been to before. Malta, which has been recommended by friends as being quiet and lots of history to explore and Switzerland which we have wanted to go to for exploring the railway trips up into the mountains.


Anyone who has been to either of these places before have any advice? We are considering Silema in Malta and either Interlaken or Lucerne in Switzerland. We unfortunately need to use package holidays as we want to go from a regional airport so will use Thomas Cook for Malta to go from Exeter or Thomsons for Switzerland going from Bristol. We are thinking of going in early July.

[Deleted User]

I cant comment on Switzerland as only passed through, Silema is a good base in Malta, great place if you like history and heat in the summer, not good if you want beaches

PompeyPete

You can only compare a tiny island like Malta with another tiny island in the same region with a similar climate and history. Switzerland is nothing like, in fact nowhere near like.

duchy

Personally I'd be working out how much each destination would cost in total - Not just the cost of the holiday but cost of living too as Malta is fairly moderate in costs and Switzerland....isn't.

Both are great but very different destinations but I'd be looking at the difference in real costs (eg cost of a coffee, cost of hire car, cost of an average dinner etc ) before deciding.

enthusiasticsaver

I did not really make myself very clear and yes of course Malta is nothing like Switzerland. The only thing in common is that we have never been to either place and that there is lots to see in both places. We do not want a beach holiday.


In terms of cost Malta is cheaper but both are within our budget so we don't want that to put us off. We will only be there a week so that will keep the cost down for meals etc. The main appeal about Switzerland is the scenery and the rail journeys into the mountains. After my OH doing some research on things to do in both places we have decided on Switzerland so now have to decide between Lucerne and Interlaken. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for the responses.

sheilavw

I visited Sliema Malta for first time April this year. We had a lovely stay. I booked separate flights for the 4 of us with Ryanair, hotel Preluna. I saved £833 booking direct half board than booking with Chevron (same flight, same hotel and board but private taxi not shared transfer). Not been to Switzerland so cannot comment

duchy

Good choice
Do Malta in the spring one year- July will be a bit hot for a sightseeing holiday and it's very pretty in the spring with the flowers.

PompeyPete

We're staying at the Seabank in Mellieha shortly for 3 weeks [booked with Chevron].

Don't think I could have got a better deal elsewhere.

Never thought about comparing a small island in the Mediterranean with a landlocked mountainous country in the middle of continental Europe.:beer:

enthusiasticsaver

duchy wrote: »

Good choice
Do Malta in the spring one year- July will be a bit hot for a sightseeing holiday and it's very pretty in the spring with the flowers.

Good advice thanks.
My friend just returned from Malta in December and said it was quite warm even then and looking at temperature info it does seem as if it might be a bit hot in July to be walking around. We are pencilling it in for April 2017 and Switzerland for July 2016.

enthusiasticsaver

PompeyPete wrote: »

We're staying at the Seabank in Mellieha shortly for 3 weeks [booked with Chevron].

Don't think I could have got a better deal elsewhere.

Never thought about comparing a small island in the Mediterranean with a landlocked mountainous country in the middle of continental Europe.:beer:

That looks nice and we have decided to do Malta in Spring 2017 instead. 3 weeks will be great and I hope you have a lovely time.

mgdavid

enthusiasticsaver wrote: »

........ Malta, which has been recommended by friends ..........
and Switzerland which we have wanted to go to ..........

why would you give a suggestion from somebody else consideration when you already have somewhere YOU want to go to?
Also if you don't want a beach holiday did you realise nowhere in Malta is more than 5 miles from the sea? It's tiny!