Right managed to book my time off work and had it in my head that me and friends would be going to Egypt and staying in a friends appartment there, works out cheap etc..
Time off is in May for between 7-10 days.

I'm having second thoughts and really want a nice beach holiday, where the sand is white(Egypt doesn't have lovely beaches) and a chilled daytime resort. Though it must have some activities i can partake in during the day or i will get bored.My only issue is money and don't want to spend a fortune on flights and acm together.
I've been looking at different places and checking out buying everything individually and can't find what i'm looking for. Don't need AI as i prefer to visit local eateries and i need places to eat and drink within a short walk but don't wish to have the heaving nightlife where Brits act like idiots. So really putting out Spain, Greece and their islands. Not a fan of Turkey either.

I love the Bahamas - too expensive, unless anyone knows of any gems out there
The USA - great but again takes me over budget this year and not wanting to do Disney either, which is the cheapest option.
Dubai - can't go for long enough on the budget
Southeast Asia - anyone know any bargains?
Rest of Caribbean - Yes please, not dom rep though.

Kenya - sounds appealing in far too many ways.

We've been hunting too!!!

I am really fancying Mexico and it seems to be quite reasonably priced too. Like you though Kenya is very appealing!!! We did Egypt last year and I would go back happily but OH isn't keen on going to the same place 2 years running. The beach at our hotel wasn't too horrendous and we did stuff every single day including snorkelling, quadding, riding through the desert and also riding bloomin' camels which I won't be repeating!!! Those 3 are my top spots for me!!

Not sure if it appeals to you but the other places I've found which seem affordable are Morocco and also Cape Verde is meant to be the new Caribbean!!!

> Cape Verde is meant to be the new Caribbean

Ooh will have to look into that location now.. Seen various holiday companies selling vacations there, so will have a peek at the prices.

If you're not keen on Turkey, you probably won't care for my suggestion of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), but they have some fantastic EMPTY white sand beaches on the Karpas peninsula (complete with nesting turtles), unbelievable Crusader castles perched on insane rock crags, beautiful towns and NONE of the overblown development that ruined the Greek side of Cyprus. It's inexpensive, very beautiful, grows everything you can imagine, has fantastic wildlife, lovely outdoor restaurants (my sons loved one where we were sat in a 1000 year old olive grove) and endless glorious buildings--Ottoman, Venetian, Lusignan, Roman...if it weren't for the politics the Turkish side of Nicosia would be a World Heritage site. There's none of the offensive touristy crap or binge drinking, just very civilised, very courteous people who welcome your interest in their country. We hired a villa with a pool for three weeks and a car so we could travel round--it was absolutely wonderful.

> want a nice beach holiday, where the sand is white(Egypt doesn't have lovely beaches)

Not so.

http://things.co.il/wp-content/gallery/Sinai/May2007/normal_Sandy-Beach.jpg

Red sea Egypt is hundreds and hundreds of miles of white sandy beaches and tropical coral reefs....avg spring temp of 28-30 C.

I should know I go there 2 or 3 times a year.

Maldives fan here been to Biyadoo twice plenty of snorkling, diving, boats has everything we need.

> Maldives fan here

Too much water for me and the first place to go with rising sea levels

It ook me over 50 years to go despite my brother being a fan once I went I was hooked, took friends with us last year and they are booking again. My OH and his mate completed their pADI adventure diving course and I lost 10lb swimming all day - great holiday. Hope to go back in 2011 - building a house now and no Money..:-O

Was reading about it on an inflight magazine last trip but not too keen on the 'on stilts' type of holiday.They also have fish as their staple diet and I dont like fish at all so 2 weeks of 5* starvation is not good!
My husband dives but I like other things to do while he gets on with looking for sharky things...

Ooh will have to look into that location now.. Seen various holiday companies selling vacations there, so will have a peek at the prices.

We looked last year and the prices were very reaonable. There are 2 nice Riu hotels there(well they look nice anyway!!!).

I have also heard good things about Tunisia but don't know a great deal about it have just had friends that have been there and said how much they enjoyed it.

Personal preference for me is Egypt but only because I had such a good holiday there! I am craving going back!!!

Right spent hours last night going through and Cape Verde is a great option. Read countless stories about the location and destination of the islands of Verde. It appears that the RUI hotels are one and the same and they just use different restaurants for meal times, not on the beach. I found a small gem of a private hotel which is only £242b&b but now can't find any and i mean any flights for May. All appear to go via Lisbon and really want a direct flight. May have to put that on hold. Also some wonderful private villas to rent in a complex which is on its own beach.. REALLY want to go there now and have a villa so i can have bbq's, many sleep up to 6 people too, shame no flights :-(

As for Egypt, yes they do have beaches with sand and some whitish, but not the deep soft sand that you find in other locations i've been to. I've been to Egypt before on the Sinai and spoken to friends who have done many other locations..

Maldives and anything in the Indian Ocean - yes wonderful location, just a tad pricey and not what you'd call a location for the girls.. I'd rather find Mr Right for that place..

Northern Cyprus, now i will look at that just to see, you never know i may be surprised. When i went to Cyprus i loved the beaches, the food etc but hated the amount of Brits on holiday there boozing the day and night away..

Don't forget to check which vaccinations you need for all of these exotic destinations and leave plenty of time to get them all !!!!!

I am glad I gave a suggestion you liked!!! Can't believe there are no flights though.:-(

My OH is very keen on the idea of going too so we may be paying Cape Verde a visit before the year is out seeing as I got my own way with Egypt last year!

>my suggestion of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus),

That's somewhere that's really tempted me for a long time; nice and quiet. Southern Cyprus looks like my idea of hell! OH can't deal with heat, though, so we couldn't go in the summer.

> Don't forget to check which vaccinations

I'm ok currently where i am likely to go.. You've just made me realise that my Yellow Fever jab is almost out of date, so thank you for that..

> Can't believe there are no flights though

Paula it was 2am when i was still checking, will go back and start again shortly, i won't be beaten ;-) Though going via Lisbon isn't an issue but at around £500 it is..

Sue,
Why did you rule out Dominican Republic? (Cape Verde has similar 'issues' ;o) Poor mans Caribbean)
I actually quite like the rough and ready of developing destinations (just keep an eye on sanitation issues) but sadly years of being a Trolly Dolly with BA means 5 star hotels or I come out in a rash and hyperventilate without my bathrobe,hot tub and Molton Brown ;)

Jeangenie, you could try September/October or April/May, beautiful weather then and in the spring all the wildflowers are out--a very, very special place and I couldn't begin to do it justice by trying to put it into a few words. My family lived in the south for about 5 or 6 years after the war when my father was appointed UN Envoy there and although the south was nothing like the exploited ruin of tourism it is today, I used to love going across to Kyrenia to see the 'forbidden' part of the island. I was so happy when I took my children 30 years later to see that nothing much has changed in the north--it's more prosperous, but still unspoilt.

I ruled out Dom Rep is the type of people who have a tendency to go there as it is cheaper than most caribbean islands. It can and often does attract the people i'm trying to avoid on holiday :-)

I'm happy with cheap and cheerful as far as acm goes even like you having spent time in very posh 5 star hotels through our previous jobs. I'd happily stay in a hostel, its the people who'll be around is the main point, hence why i've ruled out really Spain and Greece.

Due to Cape Verde being fairly new on the map for UK tourists and being so close to Africa, this could put some people off and that there is very little to do outside the hotels/complexes, so hoping that it won't become your Ayia Napa or Benidorm of the worlds.

Even as far away as the east coast of Oz i found that us Brits are showing the world what some can be like when we are booze fueled, an embarressment thats what...No wonder some people have a low opinion of those from the UK... :-(

>I was so happy when I took my children 30 years later to see that nothing much has changed in the north--it's more prosperous, but still unspoilt.

My parents and brothers lived in Famagusta in the early 50s and said it was a wonderful place, and from what I gather it hasn't changed much. I'd love to see what they saw; the orange groves, the white sand, the clear water, the ruins ... it sounded magical.

Has anyone been to northern Cyprus who can give me more details between the 2 main towns and what they have to offer? There is a lot on Kyrenia but not a lot on Famagusta. I can see that day trips can be taken from one to the other and just wondered if its better to situate yourself in one place more than the other.
Also how does the sea compare as one is north coast and other east, is the sea rougher in one destination more than the other. Normally i can find this information out but its not coming up..

Also anyone spent much time in the south of France? Need to know a little about Nice, Cannes(i can dream), Marseille and Montpellier

And also Sicily

Oooooh south of France!! I absolutely love the area around Port Grimaud which is very close to St Tropez. It is lovely! There was a good website I found with apartments to let in Port Grimaud I will try and find it. My Dad has 6 weeks every summer down there with other trips throughout the year.

Taken the plunge and booked the flights to Hurghada, really can't quibble with the price at £317 p/p for 7nights in a private apt there including flights. My friend owns the apt so got a discount.

http://www.elgouna.com/Home~SectionID~17.html
This is the resort, apparently it is illegal for street vendors to hassle women and wolf whistling is illegal here too so very easy and no hassle from walking about on your own

http://elgounarent.co.uk/default.aspx
This is the apt we are staying in..

Actually looking forward to it now..

Thanks for all the advice and can honestly say that you've given me ideas for the winter months and also next year, so thank you CD'ers

My outlaws have a villa in the south of Spain they rent out if you are interested :-) .  Very Spanish on the south, hardly any Brits, lots of south Americans!  Near Mal Menor which is one of the nicest beached apparently - have yet to visit it.  Murcia is the closest city, half hour drive.  I've been to the villa a few times.  The only problem, in my view, is that it's on a golf resort and I hate golf.  You need to be able to drive to get anywhere!  Clubhouse and spa is a 5 minute walk from the door though so plenty of booze and pampering.  It was a desert last year - I got prickly heat all over.

I am a real city girl though - I would love to visit places like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Oslo, Rome etc.

No wolf whistling??? What's the point in going? :-p  In this country I have to pay builders to whistle at me.

LMAO.. I hate it.... Can think of better ways to say "hey i'm interested". and not "OI LOVE YOU FANCY A BIT".

Right off to start another post for ideas about something else now

It was still much the same on the Karpas peninsula when we were there five years ago--best beach I have ever been on, two miles of white sand and about three people on it--you've got the right word for it, it is magical.

we flew to Murcia last feb for valentines ...we went for the day! flew from Birmingham for 30 quid return each...fantastic as it was snowing here and warm there we had lunch on the beach ...

I am really fancying Mexico

Just returned from Mexico this weekend - OMG it was amazing!!

Very depressed to be home. :(

Where did you stay?!

> LMAO.. I hate it.... Can think of better ways to say "hey i'm interested". and not "OI LOVE YOU FANCY A BIT".
>

Why dont you learn some of their language and ask them politely not to speak like that.
That is highly repsected by them I can assure you.
I'm afraid we Brits are treated as badly as we deserve abroad....many nations see us as drunk, aggresive and with very low morals...so who can blame them for a lack of respect.

A polite few words stop them dead.

We were in Playa del Carmen.

We stayed at this hotel:[url=]http://www.riu.com/en-uk/Paises/mexico/playa-del-carmen/hotel-riu-lupita/index.jsp [/url].

The food etc was amazing and everything was excellent except the last 2 days of our holiday, the place was rammed to the rafters with American teenagers (our rep mentioned something about Spring break?). There are a few reviews of this hotel on the internet (some of them very bad!!) a few mentions of food poisoning although we were there for 15 days and neither of us had even slight tummy ache which we were VERY surprised about so don't let that put you off!

There are 3-4 other Riu hotels in Playa del Carmen and they are apparently better than this one (Riu Playacar, Riu Yucatan, Riu Tequila, Riu Palace Mexico).

Playa del Carmen is such a lovely place - A lot quieter than Cancun and it seems to be classier (all the beer monsters from the plane headed off to Cancun while all the quiet ones went to Playacar!!)

We had a fab time though and Mexico is a beautiful country.

Thank you! That is the area we have been looking at, although the travel agent was absolutely determined that we would like Cancun and now we have come home and done our research we are absolutely determined that we would hate Cancun!!! We have looked at the Riu hotels we have also looked at the Sensatori. It is so hard because they all have either fantastic reviews or horrendous reviews...nothing in the middle!!!!

You will love it - Honestly it is amazing.

Check out the reviews of this hotel on Trip Advisor. Like I said, there are a few baddies in there but most of them are good and I have nothing but positives about it like I said, other than how busy it was our last 2 days (which is more to do with American holidays than the hotel itself!!).

Like I mentioned before, food was AMAZING - So much to choose from and not even a single tummy ache which I found so bizarre (I always get upset tummies on holiday). The hotel was always clean (rooms and grounds) and all the staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough to help. The only thing I was surprised about was how expensive Mexico itself is, I'm glad we went all inclusive.

Definately the best holiday I've ever had.

We would have hated Cancun - It doesn't appeal to me at all. Playacar is perfect for a chill out. There's not a lot to do in the town itself as it is quite small but if you are just after some R & R, I would definately recommend.

If you do go there, don't go to the bird sanctury - It is a complete rip off.

Hmmmm......we will be going all inclusive too because I find it works out alot cheaper. But what is expensive?? Just everything in general?

haha, I won't book a hotel now without checking Tripadvisor after being caught out a couple of times!!!

Yes - We found everything in general is quite expensive.

Obviously if you are going all inclusive it won't affect you as much and there are some bargains to be had from street sellers etc but we were quite surprised by the price of things in the shops (unless it's just me being tight?!?! - I am from Yorkshire after all!!!). Not so expensive that it would put me off going there but I didn't buy as many trinketts as I normally would (probably a good thing if you ask hubby).

unless it's just me being tight?!?! - I am from Yorkshire after all!!!).

Me too so will probably have similar tight views as you LOL!!!

Just to throw something else in the mix for me as we are unsure whether we are going to have a 2 week family holiday somewhere like Mexico or as my daughter is getting 2 weeks down in St Tropez with her Grandpa whether me and OH will nip off for quick break on our own. So last night I was looking for quick breaks avoiding the euro and after saying I did not want to go to Turkey found some lovely hotels! Now I can remember my Gran telling me one part of turkey is really nice, does anybody have any recommendations? We want to do lots through the day watersports and trips wise and aren't bothered about going out having wild nights out! Just a meal will do us!! We prefer quieter to party central!!!!