Somewhere hot for Xmas that won't cost a fortune?

[stompboxx]

Can anyone recommend somewhere to go over the Christmas period, that will be hot(ish) and won't cost a fortune?

Just for me and the mrs to get away for 2 or 3 weeks. Looked at very hot places (Thailand, etc) but the prices over Christmas are crazy (£6k at least for 2 for 2 weeks).

Also considering a villa in the canary islands, much cheaper, but not as hot.

Anyone have any other ideas? Would be much appreciated!!

[Tyre Smoke]

Dominican Republic or Jamaica?

[carinatauk]

I have been looking myself

Most decent flights to Thailand etc etc are £800 ish

Most AI holidays in warm places are £1600ish for one week [Goa, DR, Cuba etc]

Looks like it will either be a last minute jobbie or being stuck here

[Nobby Diesel]

When, exactly, are you looking to travel?
Obviously, if you can avoid the school hols, that will help.

[Countdown]

Quite a few AI places in Morrocco where you could get two weeks for under £1k ?

Have a look on the First Choice website.

[Vytalis]

Cuba, Maldives, anywhere southern hemisphere? Hawaii, brazil, south Africa, Kenya?

[stompboxx]

Vytalis said:

Cuba, Maldives, anywhere southern hemisphere? Hawaii, brazil, south Africa, Kenya?

Not for less than £6k....

[Nobby Diesel]

As I say "when, exactly, can you fly"

[stompboxx]

Nobby Diesel said:

As I say "when, exactly, can you fly"

Any time after 19 Dec...need to be back in UK on 3rd Jan. So max trip is 16 nights.

[petemurphy]

stompboxx said:

Not for less than £6k....

last minute shows jamaica or thailand for about £1600 each where u getting 6k from or are u just looking at top hotels??

[Nobby Diesel]

stompboxx said:

Any time after 19 Dec...need to be back in UK on 3rd Jan. So max trip is 16 nights.

You should easily be able to get non stop, direct flights for £1100 per head.
BA/Qantas, Thai and EVA are the 3 carriers that go LHR-BKK direct.
EVA are probably sold out though.

Depending on what you do once you are there, you could fly down to Phuket for around £100 return, perhaps cheaper if you accept less diseable flight times.

So, for £2.5k, you are there for 2 weeks.

How much do you want to spend on a place to stay? You can stay for a few quid a night upwards. £75 per night adds around a grand to your bill - lots to choose from at that price.

[uk_vette]

Vietnam.
Start in Hanoi in the North, then train it down to Ho Chi min, (old Siagon)

Cheap when you get there.

vette

[uk_vette]

Cape Town,

£630 each return flights.

£35 a night in semi decent hotels near the V & A Waterfront

vette

[Nobby Diesel]

uk_vette said:

Cape Town,

£630 each return flights.

£35 a night in semi decent hotels near the V & A Waterfront

vette

Really?
I have to say that I doubt you will get a 10+ hour flight, over Christmas, to anywhere for that money.

A quick look at Skyscanner and Expedia are coming back with £1100+ for that route, 19/12-03/01.
Where do you see flights for £630?

[Miguel Alvarez]

Missus is going home to Jamaica for the Christmas period. Costing her £800 ish in flights.

[stompboxx]

Nobby Diesel said:

You should easily be able to get non stop, direct flights for £1100 per head.
BA/Qantas, Thai and EVA are the 3 carriers that go LHR-BKK direct.
EVA are probably sold out though.

Depending on what you do once you are there, you could fly down to Phuket for around £100 return, perhaps cheaper if you accept less diseable flight times.

So, for £2.5k, you are there for 2 weeks.

How much do you want to spend on a place to stay? You can stay for a few quid a night upwards. £75 per night adds around a grand to your bill - lots to choose from at that price.

Will there be a reasonable level of accomodation available around that time do you think? Or best to book in advance rather than turn up and see what happens?

[pidsy]

egypt.

just got back and definitely thinking about going there for christmas 2012.

[Nobby Diesel]

stompboxx said:

Will there be a reasonable level of accomodation available around that time do you think? Or best to book in advance rather than turn up and see what happens?

Christmas is very busy for the Andaman Sea side of Thailand. It's the best area for weather at that time of year.
You will find that you get the best rates by pre-booking. Hotels know that it's busy at that time and if you just roll up looking for a room, they will more than likely put the rate up, not down. At least pre book the first few dasy.
If you are serious about going, I would urge you to book those flights. Even the internal flights down to Phuket and Krabi will be getting busy. If there is no availability for the internal flights, consider the over night train from Bangkok. First class sleeper cabins are around £40 per person.
Also, look at Khao Lak, Krabi and Phi Phi - all will have good weather.
PM me if you want any thing specific.

For hotels, look at sawasdee.com and agoda.com

I'll be at Laguna if you fancy an ice cold Chang Beer on Christmas Day!

Get it booked!!

[stompboxx]

pidsy said:

egypt.

just got back and definitely thinking about going there for christmas 2012.

yeah i looked at that, but aren't the local sharks a little bit 'bitey' at the moment?

[pidsy]

stompboxx said:

yeah i looked at that, but aren't the local sharks a little bit 'bitey' at the moment?

Haha! No not at all. Look at port ghalib or the hilton nubian in marsa alam. We were at the coraya beach. Good value, crystal seas and great weather.