Where shall I go?

[AB]

Looking to take the OH away for a week. Looking to do it on a budget of less than £1k each including flights and accom.

Somewhere quiet, with a nice beach, and some quiet bars/restaurants that we can walk to/explore/sit outside with a beer/bite to eat.

We've got a fairly decent holiday booked at the end of August so this is something I want to organise end of May or beginning of June.

Europe I guess as I don't want to be arsing around with long flights.

I think Malta sounds appealing, or Cyprus perhaps?

Any recommendations for last minute type sites that are usually good?

[cs174]

What about El Gouna in Egypt? You can get a week all inclusive for less than £500 each.

Restaurants in the resort are great value too. Nice beaches, marina, diving, watersports etc.

I booked through www.directholidays.co.uk when I went.

[okgo]

Less than £1k each?

The world is oyster, literally.

[AB]

Don't think I want all inclusive as I quite like to try different places to eat and have always felt it was a little bit of a waste.

B&B probably.

Egypt could be a good shout.

[LuS1fer]

We always book villas in Spain through direct owner sites like www.holidaylettings.co.uk. At £1k each, you should get a little villa with a pool although one of the best holidays I've had was at Nerea residential complex in Peniscola which is a brilliant resort. It had a communal pool which was largely deserted. Peniscola was one of the locations for the filming of El Cid and there are some great roads inland too.

[Arese]

www.jamesvillas.co.uk

For that kind of money you could get a beautiful villa on The Algarve for a week, including flights and a car. Go to the James' Villa's website and do a search, stick to their 'Best of James' range, and you can't go far wrong.

We did it last year and it was fantastic. Bedroom sliding doors opening onto your patio with private pool, heaven. Lots of nice little villages to drive to for food and drink, large quiet beaches.

We did it a couple of years ago and will be going back again soon. We went mid-May, and it was £1100 for two of us including flights and car, for a five-bedroomed beautiful villa.

[AB]

Arese said:

www.jamesvillas.co.uk

Excellent suggestion!!

[Arese]

AB said:

Arese said:

www.jamesvillas.co.uk

Excellent suggestion!!

And I've just got home from work and the brochure has come through the door today.

We're about to book our minimoon with them.

[Travel Demon]

James Villas are good and have a good reputation and ideal if you want the independence of a villa.
Your budget will get you something really nice however if you would rather have the services of a hotel looking after you, to give you an example take a look at this link which is where I booked a customer today, departing 24th May lovely 5 star hotel for £666 half board and flights, http://www.grecotel.com/corfu/eva-palace/welcome_9... Also bear in mind wherever you go that it will be kids half term, week commencing 31st May so avoid that week if you don't want lots of kids around.

[Arese]

Just in case you needed any more convincing AB, this was our villa:

[okgo]

fking hell!

How warm was it in May?

[Arese]

okgo said:

fking hell!

How warm was it in May?

Early to mid 70's. Warm enough (just) to splosh around in the pool without heating it, and warm enough to lie on the beach all day. The beach was so quiet I even had room to sunbathe in just my undercrackers! We'd go back for our minimoon, but the airline that James' use only fly on Thursdays. We need to go on a Monday

Said beach.


Amusing bar:


The beast:

[AB]

Booked...

[Arese]

AB said:

Booked...

Details, man!

[Pulse]

Cheers Arese. May take a look later!

[okgo]

AB you seem to pull the trigger on things very quickly, I like it.

[AB]

okgo said:

AB you seem to pull the trigger on things very quickly, I like it.

I know... 11pm after a scotch!!

Week in the Algarve, flights and villa, £540 each. Bargain in my book!

Get on the last minute deals section, some cracking things to be had.

[Arese]

AB said:

okgo said:

AB you seem to pull the trigger on things very quickly, I like it.

I know... 11pm after a scotch!!

Week in the Algarve, flights and villa, £540 each. Bargain in my book!

Get on the last minute deals section, some cracking things to be had.

Good man!

Did you get a car? I'll tell you a few places that you should go and see if you have a car.

[AB]

Not booked one through James, but probably will do!

Never been to the alarve so all new, which is nice.

Looking for quiet bars/restaurants/places to see/walks.

Cheers :-)

[Arese]

AB said:

Not booked one through James, but probably will do!

Never been to the alarve so all new, which is nice.

Looking for quiet bars/restaurants/places to see/walks.

Cheers :-)

Well, we stayed at Parque da Floresta which is near a place called Budens. South of there is a nice little village called Salema, pop in there for a mooch round. You should also visit Sagres which is as far South-West as you can get in Europe. There's not much there, but it's a nice drive and you can climb carefully right down the rocks and get to within a few metres of the ocean. Very peaceful and tranquil.

On another day, do this route. The drive up to Aljezur is fantastic, with plenty of changes in scenery. We stopped at Aljezur for lunch, as there are plenty of little cafes to get a snack and coffee. Then head off to Monchique driving up to Mt Fóia. I don't think we drove right to the top, but you'll see some stunning views from up there.

Also be sure to go to Praia De Luz and take some pictures of the apartments where Maddie went missing, just so you can say you've been there.