Holidays around the Med

[mathare]

The missus and I are looking to go away on holiday, probably somewhere around the Med, in mid-June. Anyone got any recommendations?

With the Euro exchange rate as it is we are considering places outside the Euro-zone, and it doesn't have to be round the Med but that's where we have started looking. We'd like somewhere with a bit of culture as well as a bit of sun. She likes to sit by the pool and get a tan while reading a book; I like to drink beer on a balcony and watch the world go by and also get out and about, exploring the local area.

[Win2Win]

Never been.....full of foreigners like Geordie's, Mancs.......How about Vegas :thumbs

[mathare]

How about Vegas :thumbsI'm banned from going there this year after spending our last two holidays there :D

[davidsteel]

The missus and I are looking to go away on holiday, probably somewhere around the Med, in mid-June. Anyone got any recommendations?

With the Euro exchange rate as it is we are considering places outside the Euro-zone, and it doesn't have to be round the Med but that's where we have started looking. We'd like somewhere with a bit of culture as well as a bit of sun. She likes to sit by the pool and get a tan while reading a book; I like to drink beer on a balcony and watch the world go by and also get out and about, exploring the local area.

Whats your budget Matt

[mathare]

Whats your budget MattFairly open. We don't want to spend huge amounts but we're not on a strict budget either.

That doesn't help much does it?

[Win2Win]

It's dangerous in those countries for kids.....if the peado doesn't get them....the local social services will :yikes:

[mathare]

It's dangerous in those countries for kids.....if the peado doesn't get them....the local social services will :yikes:We're both in our 30s and don't have kids - I think we'll be safe enough

[mathare]

Whats your budget MattExpedia reckons we can get a week in Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas for £700, and while I am not allowed to go there this year, that offers a kinda benchmark. So for the Med I guess we'd be after paying no more than something like £500 each

[Win2Win]

Reno :thumbs Highly recommended.

[TheOldhamWhisper]

I love Malta - there's plenty of sight-seeing to do (but you can pretty much cover the whole island in a couple of days!) and the people are terrific.

You can get package deals but there are usually plenty of 'budget deals' (all you know is the minimum rating and that it will be in Malta!).

If you do go there, choose a self-catering option as there are lots of very good, reasonably priced eateries as well as excellent local produce available. Last time I was there, it was cheaper to eat Steak for breakfast than bacon!

There is one small drawback - there is only one tiny sand beach; everywhere else is covered with rocks or shingle.

[mathare]

I have looked at Malta this year and last but the flight times from London are evil!

We'd go self-catering though as I hate being stuck in a hotel. I want to get out and about, to explore and experience. We did all-inclusive a few years back and I wasn't that keen on being stuck in one place, eating in the same restaurant each night. The free booze was good but not sure I would do it again.

As for the beach - that's fine. Neither of us are bothered about white sand to laze about on. The missus just wants some sun really, and I prefer places with more interesting scenery than beach resorts tend to have

[jackster109]

There was that travel guy with glasses on the news the other day. He was talking about rise of the euro and where best to go this year for value. He suggested the balkan states Bulguria, Croatia etc. His top tip was Serbia, he said it was cheap as chips out there. :REGamblMo

[mathare]

I've briefly looked at Bulgaria, Croatia and Lithuania this afternoon. Still trying to find out from the missus if we have to go to the coast or whether we can be inland. Morocco and Tunisia are also on the list of places to think about

[John]

Go to Barcelona... ok it's not the Med (well it can be if you hit the beach, obviously) but the city life is awesome. :)

If you like art and architecture then you can do all the Gaudi stops and visit the Picasso museum. And the tour bus is fantastic, stops at every major attraction around Barcelona, fairly inexpensive and you can get on and off it whenever you want.

And I know you love tapas. :D

[mathare]

We were planning at least one long weekend city break later in the year and Barcelona and Rome are on that list so I'd prefer to avoid such places for now, but thanks for the suggestion

[John]

Cool no prob. How about Sardinia? My parents just went there and said it was beautiful.

[mathare]

Cool no prob. How about Sardinia? My parents just went there and said it was beautiful.Ooh, that's an idea. Hadn't thought about there. I'll check it out

[piggy]

i'm with oldham on this one Malta is a fantastic place to holiday and it even has a very plush casino now :wink if you did go i can give you directions to a secret beach which is used by the maltese between 12 and 4pm but apart from that it's pretty diserted, great snorkeling, great food , cheap local beer and wine , friendly people who nearly all speak english, the buggy racing is a good night out, all in all a great place to visit.

[jackster109]

Another recommendation not exactly the Med but only 5-6 hours, Egypt. Been there twice within 18 months, once in May and once in November. Temps well into the 30s everyday and not a cloud in the sky both times. You got the weather and the culture too and snorkelling in the Red Sea is absolutely out of this world!!! The holiday price isn't that bad either you can get some good deals for around £500 and thats all inclusive too!!!

[mathare]

Looked at Egypt a little last night. It's 5hrs to Cairo but 8hrs to Luxor etc as you need to change in Cairo. And as we found other places we can get to in under 3hrs I think Egypt is probably out for now.

The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria looks promising though. I am quite taken by it but we have other places on the list to consider too

[jackster109]

It's 5hrs to Cairo but 8hrs to Luxor etc as you need to change in Cairo

Don't they do direct flights to Sharm el Shiekh. Even Easyjet fly there now.

[mathare]

Don't they do direct flights to Sharm el Shiekh. Even Easyjet fly there now.Yes. We have two choices: Cairo or Sharm el Sheikh. But SeS is mainly a watersports area, especially diving, which doesn't really interest either of us

[jackster109]

Sharm isn't just for divers. St Catherines Monastry and Mount Sinai is only a short bus drive away. You can go to Cairo by plane from Sharm, takes around a hour (costs about £150) and spend the day there. When I went I did an excursion to the desert at night to see the stars and spend some time with bedouins. Due to fact there is no light pollution there, it is a fantastic experience. Shootings stars everywhere, and the amount of stars you see is incredible. The milky way is clearly visible and the major constellations too.

Maybe I should work for the Egyptian tourist board! :wink

If anyone is thinking of going to Egypt don't be put off by it. Its really enjoyable experience, it has the weather ,culture and some of the best snorkelling in the world.

Anyway Mathare wherever you go you should enjoy!!


PS. flew over the pyramids on the way to Sharm, thats good enough for me! No seriously going to Cyprus in a few weeks and Im thinking of doing the excursion to Cairo from there.

[scoobydoo]

Cleethorpes is nice in this weather Mat...come back home...you know it makes sense! :yikes: :D

[davidsteel]

Matt have you considered the greek island skiathos is a beautiful plsce we stayed at the Princess which i would recommend do a search see what you think of the palce and hotel..

[mathare]

Cleethorpes is nice in this weather Mat...come back home...you know it makes sense! :yikes: :D:laugh :ermmm

[mathare]

Matt have you considered the greek island skiathos is a beautiful plsce we stayed at the Princess which i would recommend do a search see what you think of the palce and hotel..I'll have a little look later, David. Thanks

[mathare]

Finally sorted this last night. Paphos in Cyprus for ten nights in mid-June :happyboun

[Street cry]

good on ya Mat have a great time bet it won't be flooding there :ermmm

[mathare]

good on ya Mat have a great time bet it won't be flooding there :ermmmAverage amount of rain during June in Paphos: 0.0mm :D

[Street cry]

average amout of rain in sunny york in june 75 gallons per day, any room in yer suitcase ???

[mathare]

Just over a year on from this and we're planning another trip to the Med in early-September. I am seriously looking into Malta for this one as I think the flight times have improved so we don't land at 2.30am now!

Any hotel recommendations for Malta?

[lowe1]

all the reviews here mate

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g190320-Island_of_Malta-Hotels.html

[mathare]

I have been looking at that already thanks Tony. Just wondering if anyone on here had anything to add?

[barrelmaniac]

I would say these days with the euro like it is all inclusive deals really do give the best value for money

[mathare]

I would say these days with the euro like it is all inclusive deals really do give the best value for moneyWe did all inclusive a few years back and I hated it! I can't stand being stuck in the same place for all my meals. I like to get out of the hotel and sample various local cafes and restaurants. I tend to use a hotel as somewhere to sleep and little else