Where to go?!

Edinburghsaver

My partner has recently started a new job as a postie and he's already been allocated some of his 2020 annual leave allowance - starting 17 May 2020. I have 20+ days of annual leave that I can take at any point.

We haven't been abroad on a holiday together since 2015 (because saving for a home, which has now been bought!) So I'd like to take us away on a sunny break during this time... But I'm overwhelmed with the choice of where to go.

I'm wondering if any of you lovely lot can help with destination / hotel suggestions. We have a budget of between £3,000 and £6,000, but to spend the top end of this I would expect business class flights and all inclusive resort.

As background - we're both early 30's, vegan (so need accommodation which can be flexible with dietary restrictions) and based in Edinburgh. My preference would be somewhere pretty warm and by the sea for 10 days - but I'm very open to suggestions. (Even more so if it's a good deal!)

Ideas?

spadoosh

What do you want to experience whilst there?

As in are you the type to sit on a beach/by the pool all day and relax or do you get out and about. Is it tourist spots or local culture you want to see?

All youve really given us is warm and by the sea. No wonder youre overwhelmed, theres quite literally thousands upon thousands of places that meet that criteria. All will serve *some* form of vegan friendly food (booked AI and within EU for sure).

I dont know why but i immediately thought India reading your post. Theyve got a massive vegetarian population.

Edinburghsaver

You're right - I definitely haven't narrowed down the what which is part of the issue!

I think that the ideal holiday would be something that is predominantly resort / hotel based with some day trips from there - ideally organised by someone else so I'm not constantly in planner mode. I'm thinking boat trips with snorkeling or treks to waterfalls or visiting local landmarks. Food is really important so we'd want to avoid a diet of bread and potatoes for the whole time.

Up til now I've been looking at Mexico and the Carribbean but I'll have another look at India.

spadoosh

You probably wont go too far wrong with the carribean then. Its quite resorty.

Went to Dominican Republic a number of years ago and it sounds similar to what you're after. Catamaran trips, off roading through villages in the hills, amber mines all organised trips from what are usually very large resorts. You can even do a tour of the island that they filmed he bounty advert on.

The south side of the island has the nicer (whiter beaches and clearer waters) shoreline due to being more sheltered from the atlantic, although, its not like the north side of the island looks like blackpool, youll still know youre in the carribean. Can effect things like snorkelling and diving a bit but we had a great experience diving in the north. The flip side is the north offers better sea sports like windsurfing/kitesurfing becaue its a bit choppier.


Resorts typically offer a number of restaurants but would suggest trying to find out whats generally on their menus to get an idead of suitability. They do do vegan food, quantity and quality will be subjective in nature though. As a side, its not unusual to have an Indian restaurant on resort, usually more veggie/vegan friendly but you can some time be limited with how many times you can use them as part of AI package.

koalakoala

I would suggest Mexico. My particular favourite area is the west coast, Puerto Vallarta

hollie.weimeraner

St Lucia, Rendezvous Hotel in Castries is an amazing hotel. Everything included. We went there a couple of years ago but will be at the top end of your price list if not a bit dearer now. We got a special offer.

wjr4

Riu Palace Mexico in Playacar - the best holiday I have ever been on. First class service! (we went with Tui). Lots of things to do there, safe, service was amazing & you can visit all 5 Riu hotels in Playacar so there is more than enough things to do and you will never go hungry.

parking_question_chap

Throwing something else into the mix. El Nido in the Phillipines has white beaches, coral and lagoons and you will get some amazing food in the top end resorts.

Whilst you might get all inclusive and business class for £6000 over 10 days somewhere, im not sure it will be top tier kind of all inclusive. I would really suggest compromising on either the business class or all inclusive aspect on this budget.

cubegame

Why do you want to spend so much to sit on a beach?

londoninvestor

spadoosh wrote: »

I dont know why but i immediately thought India reading your post. Theyve got a massive vegetarian population.

A lot of the vegetarian food there does contain dairy - vegan is harder to do than you might think, but certainly can be done, according to a vegan Indian colleague!

maman

cubegame wrote: »

Why do you want to spend so much to sit on a beach?

That's a good question. I've had many superb holidays with all the features OP mentions and spent a fraction of that price. I'd understand if it was a honeymoon perhaps but I'd sooner have several holidays or spend some of the money on the house.