Best place for a couple to go?

princesslizzie

Hi all, was considering going to the East coast of the USA but it's too expensive so just wanted a bit of advice really...

My boyfriend and I are both 21 BUT we're not looking for a clubbing, drinking or loud holiday! We want to go somewhere rather quiet with good food and the odd few bars. I have been looking at Portugal. I went with my mum to Praia da Luz 2 years ago and really enjoyed it but would like to go somewhere different on the Algarve. Is Albufeira pretty horrible? Read some reviews on tripadvisor, not a lot of positive ones!

I don't really like Spain and much prefered Portugal. We're just looking for somewhere, clean and quiet with good facilities and not completely English! I went to Spain and felt like I hadn't left England.

I have also stayed in quite a few hotels in Europe and found if they are advertised as 4 star they are normaly 3. I didn't like Cyprus at all - too English, too hot, no A/C! So does anyone have any ideas - Portugal, Morocco, Egypt etc?

We're looking at going late July.

Thanks!! :T

ice_fairy

Do you fancy egypt? My husband and i have been to Taba Heights twice and love it. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency which is Five star and got a really good deal. It is very very quiet and there are no clubs. Just a few bars around the Hotel and a couple of other hotels close by. We paid about £400 for a week half board.

princesslizzie

Hi ice fairy, yes we were thinking Egypt. But doesn't it get stifling hot - do they have A/C at all? £400 for 5 star for half board sounds great!!

ice_fairy

They do have a/c and the resort does get a lovely breeze because of its position. You are right though, would probably be pretty hot at that time of year. We went in the middle of June and it was hot then. Take a look at it though and let me know if you need anymore info.

princesslizzie

Just had a browse on Teletext and the hotel price I got for half board in July was pushing £600 each, about £160 our of price range. BTW - what is it like for transport etc in Egypt? We don't drive (live in London!) so am curious whether we would be ok for taxis from airport to resort.

Hemel_2

We went Sharm El Sheik, great place and stayed in the Melna Sinai hotel (i think thats how to spell it!) Great holiday destination, we went for our honey moon, great people and fantastic excursions!

princesslizzie

Thanks Hemel - is it quite pricey? Also Sharm El Sheik is obviously a bit of a worry but I take it that it's back to being safer now?

ice_fairy

Try Holiday Experts. They have half board at the Intercontinental which is also a five star from £479 in July. They should also include tansfers in the price. If you ring them though you might get one of the other hotels for a better price.
I'm just trying to think where else I can suggest.

Oldernotwiser

Northern Portugal is lovely and quite different from the Algarve. Estoril is a pretty resort just a short train ride from Lisbon and there are many other super places to stay further north. There's so much more to Portugal than the Algarve.

princesslizzie

Thank you - is Northern Portugal quite warm too?

Has anyone been to Tunisia?; a friend went a few years back and said it was quite nice but rather run down.

ince_mon

Tunisia,went there 20 yrs ago.Obviously it has probably changed a lot since,but i wouldn't touch it with a barge-pole.