Roosting

[MarkBevBen]

Tunisia is great! Its hot, great hotels, lot of English or Tunisian restaurants, water sports, boat rides, shopping, you can also go to the Sahara Desert for a few days and camp under the stars!

 

And of course, its cheaper as the currency isn't Euros.

 

One of the things i *loved* doing is going down into the Catacombs, there's only a restricted place for the public to go without supervision, but a lovely man, who worked there, took us deep into the Catacombs and showed us some bones.

 

Of course, the Tunisians rely on tips, since there work is bad for them, and will ask!

 

Also some people take a bottle of Whisky for them, as it is a muslim country, so many places only sell it for ridiculous amounts of money (buy it in England)

 

The transport and roads aren't great.. I must say. We went in a taxi with no seat belts, and huge tears in the seats, many were like this, and the driving! they don't have traffic lights, propper roads, and most are dangerous drivers.. And want to get you there and back fast! Some are OK though and will even wait around for you.

 

But, going to the real Tunisian markets is risky if your a bit squeamish.. This is where most people rely on to buy there meat.. They don't have many supermarkets which sell meat. Although no alive animals, Servel carts consist of dead animals.

 

I am very proud to say, i visited a egg producing chicken farm! 100's of leghorn based birds, not a brown egg in sight! they have not heard of caging chickens.

These birds live out all day and night, with trees to roost in. It was great, to feel at home. . They don't use caging in Tunisia, most people are self sufficient with rearing chickens for meat, or go to the market and buy them.

 

Goodluck.

 

 

Thanks Mollie - Tunisia isn't somewhere I'd ever thought of going. Your trip to the chicken farm sounds lovely - how nice that there aren't any caged chickens there hey

[MarkBevBen]

We had a magical break in Venice in late February...in the snow... Also Lanzarote in a villa ( we booked through Villanza) is great and still very warm!

 

 

Thanks Sadie

[MarkBevBen]

Florida - just right weather-wise. Just after the cold season in December (although it can be very hot then - depends on where the wind comes from the Atlantic or the Gulf) and just before the rainy season and the storms in April. No mosquitoes at that time - or very few. Lots to do, lots to see and lots of lovely sandy beaches.

 

 

Thanks Valkyrie - not sure if I fancy Florida - is it all theme parks? I'm such a big wuss when it comes to rides and things like that! A tea cup is about my limit!!

[Angie]

A Cruise.........nice.

[rosie]

What about a Nile cruise? I went at the end of January a few years ago. Weather was hot enough, but not so hot that you couldn't look around the sites. amazing trip.

[DebC]

If you don't mind long haul Hawaii is the place. I spent my 40th birthday on Maui. It was so wonderful, that we have been back since and plan to go again in 2011. We stayed in Lahaina and the temerature is a fairly constant 28-30 C.

 

There is lots of golf, perhaps not as much on Maui as there is on Oahu (Honolulu), Whale watching, great beaches, surfing and lots more

 

Hope you have a great time whereever you go

[MarkBevBen]

Thank you Deb - we're thinking of going to Hawaii in August with our friends as there's a few of us who are 40 next year They live in Sydney, Australia, so we can all hook up there quite easily. It does sound really lovely

 

Can you fly direct from the UK or to you have to go via LA?

[DebC]

You won't be disappointed with Hawaii. Maui is my favorite of the islands . You can't fly direct. We have been via LA (Which we didn't like, but spent a few days in San Diago which we really did like) and Toronto and have came back via New York and Las Vagas. When we go next year we're hoping to go via San Fransico and haven't yet decided where to come home via. Once in the States you can fly direct to the island of your destination. you don't have to fly via Honolulu if you're not staying on Oahu.

 

Its a nice way to break up the journey with a few days stop overs. We're lucky we are both in jobs where we can take longer holidays rather than the standard 2 weeks, because it is a long way.

 

We only ended up in Hawaii the first time because my OH is geographically challanged! He knew that the Carribean isn't that far from Florida and thought that Hawaii was about the same distance from California!

[TAJ]

That is the best time of year for the Maldives - not all islands are super expensive - Meeru Island Resort (Meerufenfushi its full name) is 4*, very relaxing and really a different location with a fantastic spa over the water - have a massage while looking through a glass floor at the tropical fish. Eriyadu is a bit more expensive, but has fantastic snorkelling.

 

Tracy

[MarkBevBen]

You won't be disappointed with Hawaii. Maui is my favorite of the islands . You can't fly direct. We have been via LA (Which we didn't like, but spent a few days in San Diago which we really did like) and Toronto and have came back via New York and Las Vagas. When we go next year we're hoping to go via San Fransico and haven't yet decided where to come home via. Once in the States you can fly direct to the island of your destination. you don't have to fly via Honolulu if you're not staying on Oahu.

 

Its a nice way to break up the journey with a few days stop overs. We're lucky we are both in jobs where we can take longer holidays rather than the standard 2 weeks, because it is a long way.

 

We only ended up in Hawaii the first time because my OH is geographically challanged! He knew that the Carribean isn't that far from Florida and thought that Hawaii was about the same distance from California!

 

 

Oooh that made me laugh Deb as my hubby is a bit the same as well regarding geography! Bless him, being from New Zealand, he tends to think everywhere is in one massive place called 'Europe'

 

Thanks for the info - I'd quite like to visit Las Vegas en-route if we did go, never been to that side of the US before.

[MarkBevBen]

That is the best time of year for the Maldives - not all islands are super expensive - Meeru Island Resort (Meerufenfushi its full name) is 4*, very relaxing and really a different location with a fantastic spa over the water - have a massage while looking through a glass floor at the tropical fish. Eriyadu is a bit more expensive, but has fantastic snorkelling.

 

Tracy

 

 

Thank you Tracy. We've been to Meeru and we didn't really rate it I'm afraid. Without wishing to sound ungrateful it just had lots of things we didn't like.

 

Yes the spa was fantastic and we treated ourselvs to lots of nice pampering, we also enjoyed the Teppanyaki restaurant too (which you had to pay extra for) and the snorkelling was fab (weather permitting) too. Just the Maldivian take on all-inclusive isn't what you'd expect from say the Carribean or Mexico. We felt you had to pay extra for so many other things. We also didn't like the eating arrangements - you had to eat at the same table in the same restaurant for breakfast, lunch, dinner every day - unless you got room service or paid extra for the other restaurant. Also got a bit fed up of the 'help yourself' pans which got a bit samey we felt.

 

I know it's all a bit subjective and down to personal preference - some people absolutely love Meeru and think it's out of this world, but it just didn't tick all our boxes!

[Space Chick]

If you've never been West coast USA then I would say go to Vegas and Go to San Francisco. Both are fantastic places if you are able to travel a bit, Lake Tahoe is worth a visit as is Yosemite national park (although make sure to pack extra warm clothes for these due to the altitude ) it will be warmer in Vegas and San Fran.

 

I LOVE the west coast of the USA, we got married in Vegas and then toured California for our honeymoon Weve been back 3 times as well

 

Oh and the Grand Canyon is also a must.

 

If you are a foodie, there are some truly incredible Michelin Starred restaurants in both Vegas and San Fran. If you got the chance (and the pocket ) the 3 starred Joel Roubouchon in the MGM grand in Vegas is the most incredible food experience

[MarkBevBen]

If you've never been West coast USA then I would say go to Vegas and Go to San Francisco. Both are fantastic places if you are able to travel a bit, Lake Tahoe is worth a visit as is Yosemite national park (although make sure to pack extra warm clothes for these due to the altitude ) it will be warmer in Vegas and San Fran.

 

I LOVE the west coast of the USA, we got married in Vegas and then toured California for our honeymoon Weve been back 3 times as well

 

Oh and the Grand Canyon is also a must.

 

If you are a foodie, there are some truly incredible Michelin Starred restaurants in both Vegas and San Fran. If you got the chance (and the pocket ) the 3 starred Joel Roubouchon in the MGM grand in Vegas is the most incredible food experience

 

 

Oooh thanks for the tips Space Chick, they sound fab. Yes we do like our food for sure xxx

[Snowy]

Thanks Valkyrie - not sure if I fancy Florida - is it all theme parks? I'm such a big wuss when it comes to rides and things like that! A tea cup is about my limit!!

 

I've only been to Orlando (where the theme parks are) and Sarasota, but there some fabulous places in Florida - the Everglades, Miami, Key Largo and Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral. We stayed in Bradenton, Sarasota and visited Anna Maria Island - all clapboard houses, sparkly white sand and seafood. Would go back there in an instant! Friendly people, amazing golf courses - just look out for alligators!

[meezers]

San Francisco is my favourite city, but no good for lying on the beach but you could start there and work your way down the coast, we stopped at Monterey - the aquarium is worth a visit , and we went whale watching and saaw several hump backed whales, amazing experience. Then carry on down to San Diego, another lovely city with beaches for sun bathing - you could stay at the Coronado Hotel - very posh