Christmas in the Sun - Ideas?
Discussion
We are thinking of going away over Christmas this year.
Never done it before and fancy some winter sun.
It will be me, wife and 3 kids aged 6, 10 and 12.
Not long haul, 3-4 hrs max., would like all inclusive and nothing that will break the bank.
Just a decent resort with plenty to do and decent weather.
Any recommendations?
Never done it before and fancy some winter sun.
It will be me, wife and 3 kids aged 6, 10 and 12.
Not long haul, 3-4 hrs max., would like all inclusive and nothing that will break the bank.
Just a decent resort with plenty to do and decent weather.
Any recommendations?
Not exactly hot in the Canaries at that time of year, merely sunny. The sea is also very cold for the most part. I went to Fuerteventura at the end of Januray one year and it was just warm enough to do some sunbathing but the wind can be a big dampener. It was largely dead as well, in terms of other tourists so being the only people in a bar was not unusual.
I would seriously consider India. Yes, it is a 10-11 hour flight but it's cheap when you get there at 80 rupees to the £ and you will love it, it is so different to normal Euro-holidays. We did Kerala in 2004 on an auction site but paid in full the next year, we loved it so much. Heat is guaranteed at that time of year.
I would seriously consider India. Yes, it is a 10-11 hour flight but it's cheap when you get there at 80 rupees to the £ and you will love it, it is so different to normal Euro-holidays. We did Kerala in 2004 on an auction site but paid in full the next year, we loved it so much. Heat is guaranteed at that time of year.
Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 17th September 12:26
Canaries are the only hope for your flying time - even then in december there's no absolute gaurantee of warm susnshine and chances are in a week you'll have a couple of dull days and some rain. It'll probrably be pretty windy too.
The most likley best location for winter sun in all the islands is either southern Lanzarote or northern Furteventura - both are sheltered from the NE trade winds by the Papagayo mountains and are often sunny when the rest of the islands are shrouded in clound and mist. If the wind veers to the east you'll get all the humid air from the Sahara which is really unpleasant and if it backs to the north west or west you'll get the remains of mid Atlantic storms battering the islands.
If you do get sunshine expect 20-24 degree temperatures and blustery winds - the more settled weather you'd expect from all the travel companies discriptions really only starts about the end of february beginning of march, and even then it's not that predictable. If the weather is a bit crap one thing worth remembering is choose whichever beach you go to by wind direction - you'll often get a thin band of sunshine along the coast if you get as far into the wind as possible. Changes of pressure cause clouds to form and you can sit in the sun whilst just a mile or so inland is under thick cloud. Don't bother with swimming the water is bloody cold much of the time.
Best time to visit IMO is october/november and late march. That's when we go and usually get some seriously good weather whilst the rest of Europe is scraping frost off the windscreens and turning the heating up
The most likley best location for winter sun in all the islands is either southern Lanzarote or northern Furteventura - both are sheltered from the NE trade winds by the Papagayo mountains and are often sunny when the rest of the islands are shrouded in clound and mist. If the wind veers to the east you'll get all the humid air from the Sahara which is really unpleasant and if it backs to the north west or west you'll get the remains of mid Atlantic storms battering the islands.
If you do get sunshine expect 20-24 degree temperatures and blustery winds - the more settled weather you'd expect from all the travel companies discriptions really only starts about the end of february beginning of march, and even then it's not that predictable. If the weather is a bit crap one thing worth remembering is choose whichever beach you go to by wind direction - you'll often get a thin band of sunshine along the coast if you get as far into the wind as possible. Changes of pressure cause clouds to form and you can sit in the sun whilst just a mile or so inland is under thick cloud. Don't bother with swimming the water is bloody cold much of the time.
Best time to visit IMO is october/november and late march. That's when we go and usually get some seriously good weather whilst the rest of Europe is scraping frost off the windscreens and turning the heating up
Thanks everyone.
Canaries is the favourite atm.
I would love to go to India someday but its too far for a week we have planned, will be too expensive to get there and wife hates the idea of India.
We want to go over Christmas, just fancied a change to the cold, wet weather over here. Only going for a week (22-29th ish).
Not too bothered about really hot weather (we go to Wales every year so ANY sun is a bonus), just warm enough to swim in a pool and go out wearing shorts, T shirts etc...
Useful to have ideas of where on the island would be best. After a week in Malta it was surprising how much the weather changed from one side of the island to the other.
Canaries is the favourite atm.
I would love to go to India someday but its too far for a week we have planned, will be too expensive to get there and wife hates the idea of India.
We want to go over Christmas, just fancied a change to the cold, wet weather over here. Only going for a week (22-29th ish).
Not too bothered about really hot weather (we go to Wales every year so ANY sun is a bonus), just warm enough to swim in a pool and go out wearing shorts, T shirts etc...
Useful to have ideas of where on the island would be best. After a week in Malta it was surprising how much the weather changed from one side of the island to the other.
el stovey said:
Doesn't sound promising.
I know 
Everytime it comes up on a travel programme or the Top Gear challenge for example and I say "I would love to visit India" she comes back with some comment about either the heat, toilets, food, traffic or all of the above.
I try to tell her its not all like Dehli. That there is lovely coastal areas with fantastic beaches and stunning views etc.. but she's not convinced!
GreatGranny said:
el stovey said:
Doesn't sound promising.
I know Everytime it comes up on a travel programme or the Top Gear challenge for example and I say "I would love to visit India" she comes back with some comment about either the heat, toilets, food, traffic or all of the above.
I try to tell her its not all like Dehli. That there is lovely coastal areas with fantastic beaches and stunning views etc.. but she's not convinced!
The first auction we won to India was for a week. We flew with Monarch to Kerala which is very rural. A week was fine.
The flights can be expensive but you have to look at the whole cost. Transport round the area was about 30-50 rupees a go (30-50p). Meals were cheap and the restaurants were clean and served great food.
We stayed at The KOvalam Beach Resort which was great but there are hotels like the Uday Sumadra:
http://www.hotelscombined.co.uk/SearchedHotel.aspx...
which is right on the beach.
I have to say the first time we went, we were fairly worried about it but getting the visa was starightforward and once you've been, Europe seems all rather boring in comparison.
My wife was like yours and sneered at the very idea but if it weren't for the distance and having kids, we'd go every year. Many people do.
The flights can be expensive but you have to look at the whole cost. Transport round the area was about 30-50 rupees a go (30-50p). Meals were cheap and the restaurants were clean and served great food.
We stayed at The KOvalam Beach Resort which was great but there are hotels like the Uday Sumadra:
http://www.hotelscombined.co.uk/SearchedHotel.aspx...
which is right on the beach.
I have to say the first time we went, we were fairly worried about it but getting the visa was starightforward and once you've been, Europe seems all rather boring in comparison.
My wife was like yours and sneered at the very idea but if it weren't for the distance and having kids, we'd go every year. Many people do.
audidoody said:
If you're not bothered about heat and just want sun, the South of France is less than two hours away on Sleazyjet.
Went to the S of F for a 2 weeks holiday before kids and had a wonderful time. Always wanted to go back so will have a look. Maybe the average temps are a little too cool.ETA - Lookng at the average temps they are around 14-15!
Nowhere in Europe is guaranteed to be especially warm (although you can get lucky) so you really are looking at Canaries, Caribbean, India or Dubai. You could look at a cruise if budget allows, and if you pick one leaving from a European port you could get a cheap flight there.
http://www.cumbriacruise.co.uk/
http://www.cumbriacruise.co.uk/
Whats the consensus on 7 hrs flight maximum, say budget £1.5-2k? Wife wants minimum of 25 Deg, I have looked at Cape Verde, reviews seem to be a little variable on the quality or accomodation and food. Its seems to be generally hot but can be very windy, hence kite surfers loving it.
Dubai is a possibility.
Egypt seems to be a little to cold with the same issues as Cape Verde, shame I cannot now get another 2 hours on the plane, to be honest our 2 year old will only last 7 hours.
We are going mid december before xmas.
Dubai is a possibility.
Egypt seems to be a little to cold with the same issues as Cape Verde, shame I cannot now get another 2 hours on the plane, to be honest our 2 year old will only last 7 hours.
We are going mid december before xmas.
Never been but what about Gambia - that's 6 hours apparently.
http://www.flights-to-the-gambia.co.uk/
http://www.flights-to-the-gambia.co.uk/
ALawson said:
Whats the consensus on 7 hrs flight maximum, say budget £1.5-2k? Wife wants minimum of 25 Deg, I have looked at Cape Verde, reviews seem to be a little variable on the quality or accomodation and food. Its seems to be generally hot but can be very windy, hence kite surfers loving it.
Dubai is a possibility.
Egypt seems to be a little to cold with the same issues as Cape Verde, shame I cannot now get another 2 hours on the plane, to be honest our 2 year old will only last 7 hours.
We are going mid december before xmas.
2 year old and you want to go on a 7 hour flight? Blimey you're brave!Dubai is a possibility.
Egypt seems to be a little to cold with the same issues as Cape Verde, shame I cannot now get another 2 hours on the plane, to be honest our 2 year old will only last 7 hours.
We are going mid december before xmas.
Mine are 5, 10 and 12 hence why I only want 4 hour max. We went to Guernsey when our youngest was 18 months and even that short flight seemed to last forever
Its a bloody minefield out there with just too much choice unless you decide on a specific resort.
I'm concentrating on Fuerteventura at the moment.
The other alternative is go the easy route and book Center Parcs which is only 1 hour drive.
But it £1200 for 5 nights over Christmas!
cannot recommend this place enough:
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/egypt/hilton-mars...
not sure where you got the idea about egypt not being hot enough over christmas - this far south there is no lack of heat!
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/egypt/hilton-mars...
not sure where you got the idea about egypt not being hot enough over christmas - this far south there is no lack of heat!
Between 0-8 my brother and I lived in the UAE 3 times and HK for 3 years, typically flying home 2-3 times a year with either my mum or occasionally both parents. We never apparently never caused a scene and were complete terrors!
Joseph has already been to Maderia twice and either slept on the fligth or played with toys or watched (dare I admit it) Peppa Pig on a laptop.
We simply wouldn't take him on a plane for longer than 7 hours as we would be stoned by other PH'er on the plane if he made more than a peep. We have normally been told by other passengers how we he behaves, however that was before the Terrible Two's!
Whats the hotest place in the Canary Islands?
Joseph has already been to Maderia twice and either slept on the fligth or played with toys or watched (dare I admit it) Peppa Pig on a laptop.
We simply wouldn't take him on a plane for longer than 7 hours as we would be stoned by other PH'er on the plane if he made more than a peep. We have normally been told by other passengers how we he behaves, however that was before the Terrible Two's!
Whats the hotest place in the Canary Islands?
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