Chicken picking at feet

[craftyhunnypie]

We are planning our holiday for next year. We like to go away in February for 2 weeks, or just over. We wanted to go back Thailand, but it's costing us over the odds for the same holiday & the travel agents are mucking us about a bit.

So we have decided to elsewhere & have more spending money!

However, we have a £100 compensation voucher with Thomas Cook, so it will have to be with them, but another shop. I presume it may have to be a Thomas Cook holiday too?

 

Anyway - where is a nice place to go that time of year - around 15th / 16th February - at the latest March? It either has to be hot or snowy & not too expensive once we are there.

Shame the Euro is bad at themoment.

 

Hope you can help....bet Christian knows of some good places.

 

Emma.x

[Redwing]

Finland! I love Finland, its quite cheap too, you can fly Ryanair, BA or Finnair ( )

 

we use these people for cabins http://www.finnishlakesidecabins.com/ they are great

 

Its not a natural choice for a holiday destination but it is a geat place to go, its cheaper than Sweden or Norway as its no so well represented

 

Go above the arctic circle and you might see the northern lights

 

There are places where you can sleep in a glass igloo or an ice hotel room

 

BIG Finland fan here

[Couperwife]

wow, finland sounds great

 

I would love to go

[Scramble]

Finland sounds soo

 

My sister dotes on Hugary, very warm and beautiful she said but she went in summer

 

I like Norway, but it's very expensive there.

 

How about Iceland? No not the shop

[Guest]

GRAN CANARIA!

 

Great for all year round sunshine, lovely people, 4 hour flight - so not too bad. We went with Thomas Cook to the Gloria Palace, Thallasso and spa in Amadores last year and it was sheer bliss! A terrific hotel, (they have three with simialr names). Great weather, food etc, the spa was just pure bliss, and the hotel was good for children!

 

Louise

[Old Speckled Hen]

I absolutely adore Morocco.

I love Marrakech and Essaouira where I have been many times after a hiking trip in the mountains.

BUT there are other places on the coast and in the hills to see., you can even venture into the Sahara. You can stay in a Riad in Marrakech, explore the souks and the Djema el Fna, where acrobats, magicians and story tellers entertain locals and tourists alike and where at night scores of wonderful eating stalls appear, lit up to attract their customers. Take a hamam .. some say a life changing experience but not for the faint hearted westerner.The coastal resort of Essaouira is so charming, I could go on but instead you go ... It's a wonderful place and all the moroccans love children.

Take a look here for a taste http://www.morocco-travel.com/morocco/Holiday_Destinations/index.html

[craftyhunnypie]

Ok - so we are now looking at Gran Canaria - Puerto Rico.

We have had a look at your recommended hotel & we like it a lot. Was it bed & breakfast, half board or all inclusive? Was it easy to get down to the sea front, as it looks elevated? Was it easy to walk to the main parts where the shops are?

What sort of things were there to do there?

 

Thanks,

Emma.x

[AJuff]

Neilson Active, part of Thomas Cook have a great beach holiday in Dahab.

 

http://www.neilson.co.uk/Beach-Egypt-Country-Information.aspx

 

We went last year . . absolutely fab!! Weather would be perfect in Feb/March

[chelsea]

What about one of the Red Sea resorts/Egypt/Sharm?

 

Margarita Island, Venezuela

 

Cuba

 

Malaysia.......loads of lovely resorts - Langkawi, Penang, Borneo plus Kuala Lumpur

 

Closer to home I quite fancy Croatia the scenery and the sea looks stunning along the Dalmatian coast.

[craftyhunnypie]

Funny enough, been looking at Sharm - el - Sheikh today.

I don't want to travel west at all - not too keen on that side of the world.

I'll go more or less anywhere, but hubby takes some convincing. I think he'd enjoy Sharm from what my parents & people I know say. I'll have a word with him when he get in, see if I can convince him. Found a lovely hotel doing b&b - as we would like to eat out a lot & soak up the atmosphere..

 

Emma.x

[Happy chickens!]

Have been to Egypt 3 times and can't recommend it enough. Guaranteed weather, friendly people, inexpensive, awesome history and great beaches. What more do you want?

 

(Ok I admit I wouldn't go there for the cuisine, but the food's ok!)

 

Hope you get sorted soon.

[tom123]

Finland! I love Finland, its quite cheap too, you can fly Ryanair, BA or Finnair ( )

 

we use these people for cabins http://www.finnishlakesidecabins.com/ they are great

 

Its not a natural choice for a holiday destination but it is a geat place to go, its cheaper than Sweden or Norway as its no so well represented

 

Go above the arctic circle and you might see the northern lights

 

There are places where you can sleep in a glass igloo or an ice hotel room

 

BIG Finland fan here

 

Another one here!

 

Go to finland its AMAZING, so many trees!

 

We went for my mums's 40th and we loved it, she even saw the northern lights ON her birthday. Now thats what I call a good birthday present!

 

Quite cheap, very fun, excellent scenery, good skiing, AMAZING sledging!, Lovely people, Nice food (Reindeer!), Best holiday ever!

 

PICS! sorry there's so many!

 

 

Good Luck

Tom

[Chickvic]

Wow Tom and Redwing - you have sold me on Finland and I've never had any inclination to go abroad whatsoever! Those photos are stunning. Sorry Emma no other suggestions!

[Redwing]

 

Friends cabin

 

 

Northern lights (sorry my camera is only a cheap one)

 

Best winter holiday destination ever!

[emily95]

 

How about Iceland? No not the shop

 

I have to say Iceland too!

I've just been there and it was fantastic

 

Emily

xxx

[bluekarin]

Finland! I love Finland, its quite cheap too, you can fly Ryanair, BA or Finnair ( )

 

we use these people for cabins http://www.finnishlakesidecabins.com/ they are great

 

Its not a natural choice for a holiday destination but it is a geat place to go, its cheaper than Sweden or Norway as its no so well represented

 

Go above the arctic circle and you might see the northern lights

 

There are places where you can sleep in a glass igloo or an ice hotel room

 

BIG Finland fan here

 

Another one here!

 

Go to finland its AMAZING, so many trees!

 

We went for my mums's 40th and we loved it, she even saw the northern lights ON her birthday. Now thats what I call a good birthday present!

 

Quite cheap, very fun, excellent scenery, good skiing, AMAZING sledging!, Lovely people, Nice food (Reindeer!), Best holiday ever!

 

Good Luck

Tom

 

Oh My Goodness! I have just got chills looking at your pics. And not because of the ice. But because I want to go somewhere to see the Northern Lights for my 40th! Bet I won't get to see them on my birthday though. But then again, the year I want to go (2012) is meant to be peak NL acitivity. Fingers are crossed.

[craftyhunnypie]

Wooohooo - we've booked!

 

Going Sharm - el - Sheikh, Naama Bay, Egypt in February next year!

Thanks for all your sugesstions.

Now I have to look forward to nights in the desert ,stargazing, quad biking, camel rides, haggling, perfume oils & shisha pipe!

 

I'm a non smoker - so is shisha harmful & vile?

 

Emma.x