Holidays 2013

[Bayfox]

Anyone been to SAN MIGUEL in ibiza. Found a nice little all in for 10 days for 480 pp. Which isn't too bad. Looks like a small quiet resort in a nice bay. Just worried it maybe to remote. Says it has a number of local bars and shops. But its not a resort i have heard off.

[Deucalion]

Am going on honeymoon at the start of October but don't know where yet. We don't want anything too energetic - just a nice, relaxing (beach?) holiday somewhere.

Any ideas?

I got married in Mauritius and loved it. We stayed at a smaller hotel called the Silver Beach on the east coast. It is right on the beach and the staff, service and food is spot on. There's a barrier reef all the way around the island so the sea is always calm and the snorkelling is great. Interesting things to go and see too, such as a volcano, the rainforest, wild monkeys everywhere and some amazing Hindu temples. Even though it says three star it is the best hotel I have ever stayed in and I have stayed in 4 and 5 star hotels.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g488107-d316728-Reviews-Silver_Beach_Hotel-Trou_d_eau_Douce.html

Is Altinkum the turquoise coast? Been there twice and the beaches are good along the local coastline. Some nice smaller ones just up a bit from the main beach. The sea is nice and flat and clear. It slopes out very gradually and has no seaweed for a good way out so you can look out for those spiky urchin things when you step.

Alot of the beaches in Turkey and the Greek Islands are good quality. Some are pebbles but when I've been I just pick a sandy area out of the brochure. Turkey's always been good value I thought, although not been for about 10 years so not sure of the prices nowadays.

That Olu Deniz looks bostin', have always wanted to go there.

I've never been to Altinkum but it is on the Turquoise Coast. I think it is one of the smaller resorts. Maybe this year!

Turkey isn't as cheap as it used to be. Beer can be quite expensive in the main tourist bits but you can get it cheaper going a bit off the beaten track. We went to Marmaris last year which is a huge resort and it did not feel like we were getting great value when we shopped.

It's a couple of years since I went to the Olu Deniz area which is still the best in my opinion. It was also very cheap there. The areas which mainly cater for the British tend to be the cheapest. Go to the Russian, German or mixed areas and it is more expensive I think.

I still love Turkey though and looking at the photo of Olu Deniz makes me want to go there this year!

[Webbo]

Is Altinkum the turquoise coast? Been there twice and the beaches are good along the local coastline. Some nice smaller ones just up a bit from the main beach. The sea is nice and flat and clear. It slopes out very gradually and has no seaweed for a good way out so you can look out for those spiky urchin things when you step.

I've been Altinkum twice too. Nice little resort.

[CupidStunt]

I had Turkey in mind already and wasn't sure whereabouts was decent, but that looks stunning. What's the nightlife like?

I want to go somewhere where the beaches are white and the sea is properly blue like that, purely because I've never seen it in person

Turkey isn't even that expensive either is it?

If nice beaches is what your after, then Turkey isnt the place, most of them are not sandy

Turkey is cheap also, and the rate is sky high at around 2.80 lira to the £

putting that in context

a bottle of efes is about 5 lira

Nightlife, depends on what you want

Hisaranou is lively, but not rowdy.

[Ozwin]

Really? What kind of beaches are they then haha?

As long as it's sunny, I get a few decent meals a day and there's enough to do for a week I think I'd be happy.

[Deucalion]

If nice beaches is what your after, then Turkey isnt the place, most of them are not sandy

You can usually find a nice beach a short dolmus ride away though. For instance, Marmaris beach itself is ok but a 10 minute ride away on the Icmeler dolmus is Nirvana Beach. It is as good a beach as any I've seen anywhere. Lots of steps down (and therefore up again after a few beers and too much sun) but truly stunning.

Icmeler Beach is sandy and nice too.

[Soar Fox]

I got married in Mauritius and loved it. We stayed at a smaller hotel called the Silver Beach on the east coast. It is right on the beach and the staff, service and food is spot on. There's a barrier reef all the way around the island so the sea is always calm and the snorkelling is great. Interesting things to go and see too, such as a volcano, the rainforest, wild monkeys everywhere and some amazing Hindu temples. Even though it says three star it is the best hotel I have ever stayed in and I have stayed in 4 and 5 star hotels.

I went Mauritus in July 2010, stayed in the Veranda Paul and virginie bear Grand Baie.

The beaches, the sea and the hotel were fantastic never had a more beautiful setting. The only thing we didn't like about it was that we were in the middle of nowhere and we got told not to leave the hotel at night. Would definitely go back though.

[BoneDog]

Sri lanka. Beautiful.

My Mum goes there every two years for a few weeks and they make their way across country to a few different destinations. She says it's awesome.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Don't go anywhere this year. Save your pennies for Brazil next summer

[Danno]

Going on Safari and then to Cape town in October and to France or Spain in August.

[BoneDog]

I've never been to Altinkum but it is on the Turquoise Coast. I think it is one of the smaller resorts. Maybe this year!

Turkey isn't as cheap as it used to be. Beer can be quite expensive in the main tourist bits but you can get it cheaper going a bit off the beaten track. We went to Marmaris last year which is a huge resort and it did not feel like we were getting great value when we shopped.

It's a couple of years since I went to the Olu Deniz area which is still the best in my opinion. It was also very cheap there. The areas which mainly cater for the British tend to be the cheapest. Go to the Russian, German or mixed areas and it is more expensive I think.

I still love Turkey though and looking at the photo of Olu Deniz makes me want to go there this year!

I've always said I'd go to Olu Deniz instead of one of the more expensive luxury holidays to save money and travelling time, as it looks like paradise, like something off a Bounty advert!

It was a bit more expensive than Altinkum else I would have gone back then.

I've been Altinkum twice too. Nice little resort.

Would have loved to have a lazy pedallo ride with you and a couple of beers

[BoneDog]

Going on Safari and then to Cape town in October and to France or Spain in August.

My Father-in-Law is in South Africa near Cape Town now for a couple of months. He says it's red hot and he's been playing golf and drinking beer, and is going in one of those cage things next week with some sharks. I told him it's a bit gay having a cage, but at his age it's better to stay safe.

[Deucalion]

I went Mauritus in July 2010, stayed in the Veranda Paul and virginie bear Grand Baie.

The beaches, the sea and the hotel were fantastic never had a more beautiful setting. The only thing we didn't like about it was that we were in the middle of nowhere and we got told not to leave the hotel at night. Would definitely go back though.

Our hotel was in the middle of nowhere too but this was part of the attraction. You could hire a taxi with driver for the whole day with a driver for a very reasonable price, so you could get around. One day we went on a taxi tour and we visited this huge Hindu temple with a 200 foot tall statue of a female God. I can't remember which God. There was a huge lake too with moray eels. The driver had been raving about how the eels would get into a feeding frenzy if you chucked food into the lake and then used up his whole packed lunch trying to prove the point to us! No eels, obviously not hungry that day! But the point is, the people we met were very friendly.

On saying that, there were small shanty towns along the edge of the coast in places. My wife spoke to one of the people who lived in one because he was selling necklaces make from shells and fishing line. (Still got one with a shark's tooth!) He said the ocean provided him with everything he needed, so why pay rent? But I suppose some people might not be so philosophical about such wealth near to such poverty though but I certainly didn't feel unsafe at any time in Mauritius.

[Mickey O'Neil]

Going back to Cuba (Havana) in March. Back to Vegas in November. I'll squeeze in 2-3 new destinations in between.

And no Ozwin, it's not weird to go on your own.

[lavrentis]

Went on my own to Japan, I did invite other people but they simply couldn't afford it. Actually really glad I went on my own and had the time of my life, you are truly free and so much more open with meeting people etc. Quality

[Rincewind]

I always go on my own. First time was about 1974 to Austria 6 months after my dad died. Enjoy it on my own. I go where I want. Not a lover of sitting on the beach or around a swimming pool all day. But as I get older I wonder if company might not be best. Don't mind either way. Always meet people and invited into their party so to speak.

[Ozwin]

Went on my own to Japan, I did invite other people but they simply couldn't afford it. Actually really glad I went on my own and had the time of my life, you are truly free and so much more open with meeting people etc. Quality

You went? Didn't know it was so soon, details details details! Did you actually meet people or is that one of them old cliches? Can't imagine it being easy in a foreign speaking country.

[lavrentis]

It was mainly other travellers in dorms that I spoke to, really easy to talk to. Not sure what you mean by old cliches though??? I did actually get to know some Japanese though and a Japanese girl bought me dinner oddly enough

[ozleicester]

Quick trip over to Melbourne in June and then 18 days in California/US in Sept.

Not sure if it will help others, but a new (to me) website gave me a great deal on airfares, saved me about $600 for the two of us

.http://www.vayama.com/?page=beta&s=61078703

(For Aussies that might use it.. Flight centre do not price match foreign websites)

[Reynard Bleu]

After a shit Christmas & New Year, I need cheering up and a bit of sun. Looking at a Nile Cruise, anyone done it?

[Monk]

It was mainly other travellers in dorms that I spoke to, really easy to talk to. Not sure what you mean by old cliches though??? I did actually get to know some Japanese though and a Japanese girl bought me dinner oddly enough

I had a similar experience. The locals love to practice their Engrish.

I've tried learning Japanese... as our honeymoon was due to be there... but the tsunami was the day of our wedding! I originally went back in '05 and it's still easily the quirkiest place I've ever been.

Best thing I learnt - take a little sketchpad to draw with - often the only way of communicating.

[lavrentis]

I had a similar experience. The locals love to practice their Engrish.

I've tried learning Japanese... as our honeymoon was due to be there... but the tsunami was the day of our wedding! I originally went back in '05 and it's still easily the quirkiest place I've ever been.

Best thing I learnt - take a little sketchpad to draw with - often the only way of communicating.

Quirky's a good way to describe it

The thing that always fascinated me was the birds chirping at the railway stations. Did not get that at all..

I only knew pigeon Japanese before I went so I was asking questions in Japanese but then they'd answer back in Japanese and I wouldn't have a clue what they said

Kyoto was wonderful though

[Big Dave]

Have decided to go to the Dordogne this year (hopefully around Royan). Has anyone been before and can recommend anything locally (taking 8 & 10 year old kids). We havent booked anything yet - does anyone own / know anyone who owns and rents out a static caravan / holiday home in the area?

[bmt]

Have decided to go to the Dordogne this year (hopefully around Royan). Has anyone been before and can recommend anything locally (taking 8 & 10 year old kids). We havent booked anything yet - does anyone own / know anyone who owns and rents out a static caravan / holiday home in the area?

Used to go every year when my dad lived there. Canoe down the river with the kids, such a good day out!

[bmt]

Not a holiday but provided I get acceptable grades I've been accepted to go to Monash University in Melbourne for a year in June. My dad lives in New Zealand so will travel over there at Xmas time, and at the end of the year I'm planning to come back via a trip to Brazil for some of the World Cup.