Help with my holiday please?

[punky]

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Hmm, if you fancy going to Cancun then I think you better really like Americans. It's basically their equivalent to spain for us. Had some friends go there. One went about 6 years ago and said it was ok. The other friend went a couple of years ago. Enjoyed it, but then she was only 21 and it was her first real trip outside europe. If you do go then you should note that it's a big 'spring break' destination for US college kids. So depending on whether you want them around or not you better time your holiday right.

Ahh yeah, I know all about spring break. Thats how I knew it was a real party town. I don't mind Americans (I spend enough time with them), just my first real adventurous holiday, I wanted to be outside the US if possible. Actually Cancun is sort of my safe bet. TBH, I'm a little bit nervous about going somewhere so radically different as Thailand for my first real trip away, where as Cancun is very Americanised, with licensed cabbies, take US dollars, etc. I am feeling a bit adventurous though as I said, and everyone says Thailand is far from dangerous, so I don't know.

I'd probably go to both eventually when I save up again, but not sure what to go for first.

[Julian]

What about Sharm El Sheikh m8? I don't know about the nightlife but the diving and snorkelling is the best in the world.

[Charlie_Bubble]

Speaking of holidays. I think I have just put in a training request at the right time. The only place offering the course I want seems to be in Amsterdam...again! Damn, that happened in September too. I really do have bad luck where training requests are concerned!

[punky]

Originally Posted by Julian

What about Sharm El Sheikh m8? I don't know about the nightlife but the diving and snorkelling is the best in the world.

Thanx for the tip, i'll check it out. Isn't that in Eygpt though? Great watersports it might be, but aren't they going to stone me for having a drink, are they?

[Stuartbe]

Go to Malta. Fantastic place, nice people ( CHEAP BEER )

I am looking to emigrate out there if I can get the Visa... Its a lovely little island.

[punky]

Ahh i've been there before. Wern't a bad place, but the salt water swimming pools were a bit weird. I'd recommend it for a family that wants to go somewhere cheap, and not too far. Gozo was nice to visit as well.

How about going to Pattaya in Thailand. This area is more livelier than other areas of Thailand such as Hua Hin. I've been to Thailand in July which is supposed to be the rainy season, however i wouldnt worry about it as the rain generally comes at night. It certainly didnt affect the watersports when i was in Thailand. You also then get the added bonus of being able to stay in Bankok for a few nights which is certainly worth it.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Julian

What about Sharm El Sheikh m8? I don't know about the nightlife but the diving and snorkelling is the best in the world.

Drinking and Diving don't mix. Unless you want to learn how to vomit through a reg and find out how fast fish move when there is lots of food around.

Sharm - good nightlife, but beware of the statement above.

Bali - Kuta - is the Ozzy equivilant of Spain. Nusa Dua is the exclusive bit, but the nightlife is not much - full of honeymooning couples. Bali is still dirt cheap since the bombings scared the australians away. I paid $220 a night for the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua back in 2001. Its $95 a night at the mo.

Phuket - Nice - the Laguna area is exclusive, but the nightlife is in town.

Mexico has a lot of Americans.

Dominican Republic has some good deals

Monsoon seeason - don't worry about it - it rains for an hour and is dry in minutes. Rates are better too.

Travel advice - start thinking about getting your immunisation shots. There are a few of them and they should be done a few months before. Most are good for 3-10 years, so with your timing there is no reason not to get them done now.

Airlines - think about what you want from one You'll be on it a while. A charter is cheap but cramped. American Airlines across the atlantic has 35in legroom compared to the market norm of 32, American carriers charge for drinks, european ones don't but the legroom makes up for it. You notice the difference. Thai has good legroom and service but less good in flight entertainment. Singapore has fantastic IFE, and service but is a little cosier and generally full so don't expect a spare seat next to you. Quantus are generally disliked (never used them myself). Again depending on the carrier think about joining their or a member of their alliances Frequent flier program. A flight to Australia or Thailand may well give you enough miles for a free european flight each.

Personally I'd choose Thailand out of the list. Spend a couple of days in BKK also though. The palaces etc are worth a visit. Mexico is somewhere I'd save for when you have kids. The smaller islands you mention (Maldives/MRU etc)are all quieter than you seem to want.

[punky]

Originally Posted by gary_580

How about going to Pattaya in Thailand. This area is more livelier than other areas of Thailand such as Hua Hin. I've been to Thailand in July which is supposed to be the rainy season, however i wouldnt worry about it as the rain generally comes at night. It certainly didnt affect the watersports when i was in Thailand. You also then get the added bonus of being able to stay in Bankok for a few nights which is certainly worth it.

Thanx for the tips mate. I've seen Pattaya in the brochures, but i've kinda skipped over it in favour of Patong Beach for entertainment purposes, but i'll definitely give it another look - it seems to be fairly popular at least.

Thanx for the comment about the monsoon season. I could save a fair bit of money if I go during that period it seems. I'll definitely give it some though. Thanx mate

[punky]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Drinking and Diving don't mix. Unless you want to learn how to vomit through a reg and find out how fast fish move when there is lots of food around.

Sharm - good nightlife, but beware of the statement above.

Bali - Kuta - is the Ozzy equivilant of Spain. Nusa Dua is the exclusive bit, but the nightlife is not much - full of honeymooning couples. Bali is still dirt cheap since the bombings scared the australians away. I paid $220 a night for the Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua back in 2001. Its $95 a night at the mo.

Phuket - Nice - the Laguna area is exclusive, but the nightlife is in town.

Mexico has a lot of Americans.

Dominican Republic has some good deals

Monsoon seeason - don't worry about it - it rains for an hour and is dry in minutes. Rates are better too.

Travel advice - start thinking about getting your immunisation shots. There are a few of them and they should be done a few months before. Most are good for 3-10 years, so with your timing there is no reason not to get them done now.

Airlines - think about what you want from one You'll be on it a while. A charter is cheap but cramped. American Airlines across the atlantic has 35in legroom compared to the market norm of 32, American carriers charge for drinks, european ones don't but the legroom makes up for it. You notice the difference. Thai has good legroom and service but less good in flight entertainment. Singapore has fantastic IFE, and service but is a little cosier and generally full so don't expect a spare seat next to you. Quantus are generally disliked (never used them myself). Again depending on the carrier think about joining their or a member of their alliances Frequent flier program. A flight to Australia or Thailand may well give you enough miles for a free european flight each.

Personally I'd choose Thailand out of the list. Spend a couple of days in BKK also though. The palaces etc are worth a visit. Mexico is somewhere I'd save for when you have kids. The smaller islands you mention (Maldives/MRU etc)are all quieter than you seem to want.

Most excellent post mate! Thanx much. I'm thinking about 4 nights in Bangkok as I have to fly through there anyway. The tour op I went to this morning quoted me prices on Eva Air - Are they any good? Good point about the legroom, i'm a pretty big bloke. It's only about 200 quid more for bigger seats it seems.

Thanx for the advice mate

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by punky

Most excellent post mate! Thanx much. I'm thinking about 4 nights in Bangkok as I have to fly through there anyway. The tour op I went to this morning quoted me prices on Eva Air - Are they any good? Good point about the legroom, i'm a pretty big bloke. It's only about 200 quid more for bigger seats it seems.

Thanx for the advice mate

Not used Eva, back then I was trying to use Star Alliance carriers as a preference. My ee'r had a corporate contract that meant we were automatically put up to the 'Gold' status giving lounge access, Business class checkin, priority baggage, more baggage allowance (we bought back 70kg of stuff from BKK). Occasional comp upgrades. This all meant Thai was the choice.

BA have the Economy+ product to BKK. VS do similar to HKG, but thats a bit out of the way for Phuket.

Kuoni can be good for bookign this, but if you know when and where, check expedia, opodo etc and the hotel web sites, you may well save some £ÃÆ ’‚£Ãà¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£.

Remember to buy your travel insurance at the same time. It covers cancellation from the day you buy it.

[Charlie_Bubble]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Airlines - think about what you want from one You'll be on it a while. A charter is cheap but cramped. American Airlines across the atlantic has 35in legroom compared to the market norm of 32, American carriers charge for drinks, european ones don't but the legroom makes up for it. You notice the difference.

Are you sure all US airlines charge for drinks? I normally fly with United when I fly on a US airline and I've never had to pay for a drink yet. The extra legroom on US airlines is great. BA treat you like cattle seatwise, way too cramped for my liking. Being 6 foot 4 doesn't help though! Had good service on KLM. Flew to the US and back once on Virgin and was impressed.

[Tezcatlipoca]

If you change your mind about just wanting to chill on a beach, go clubbing etc, then I'd recommend Peru or Chile for a real adventure.

Madeira is a lovely place. Great hotels. Stunning scenery. You can easily just spend 2 weeks by the pool, or do more & travel the island, go on walks, see the sights etc. Don't know much about the night life & clubbing etc though, as we didn't really go anywhere other than a few bars each night.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

Are you sure all US airlines charge for drinks? I normally fly with United when I fly on a US airline and I've never had to pay for a drink yet. The extra legroom on US airlines is great. BA treat you like cattle seatwise, way too cramped for my liking. Being 6 foot 4 doesn't help though! Had good service on KLM. Flew to the US and back once on Virgin and was impressed.

Still is on AA, would imagine to be the case on UA, but not flown them since Christmas and got bumped to 1st.

This is only alchoholic beverages, not soft drinks, tea, coffee, water...

[Marge]

Originally Posted by punky

Any ladies wanna come with me?