Summer Holidays

[Salford Trotter]

Next year is a biggie (my 50th, our 25th Wedding Anniversary, our son's 18th and our daughter's 21st) so we decided to splash out and booked the Presidente Intercontinental Resort Cozumel, Mexico for next July. We've not been to Mexico before so any holiday tips etc would be more than welcome

Oh you're in for an absolute treat, ST. I went to Playa del Carmen in 2001 which was just before it really exploded as a resort. BEST HOLIDAY EVER. With you being over on Cozumel it's nowhere near as developed, so you get the best of both worlds as your only a short boat ride from the mainland. If you like discovering Mayan culture etc then you're in for a treat. Do go on the trips to places like Chichen Itza - it'll blow your mind. Strongly recommend snorkeling too. There's a whole new world just under the water. I always say that I'll never go back to anywhere I've been on holiday as there's so much of the world to see, but I hope to go back there one day. In two weeks I just didn't get done all the things that I wanted to do (including going over to Cozumel).
The food that's served up in the UK as being Mexican food is in actual fact an insult to the Mexicans. If you like your food you're about to go to food heaven.
What you'll also find is that despite how poor my Mexicans are, there are no beggars. There is however no shortage of Mexicans looking to carry out menial tasks for you in return for a little pocket change.
As I say, you're in for an absolute treat. Enjoy.

Yours sincerely

Envious of Bolton!

Wow! Cheers Bruce thats a really good insight, thanks for sharing

[William the White]

im hoping to go and lie by a pool for seven days in the first week of october. top of the criteria is weather and daylight hours. Any recco's? bear in mind it will be an all inclusive never leaving resort type of gig. considerations thus far;
Canaries but she is worried about the cool wind and going dark early.
Cyprus but she is worried about high rainfall in oct.
Rhodes, as above
Egypt but she is worried about the little'un get the old egypt tummy, to put it politely.

lastminute.com.

See what's going.

[Bijou Bob]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

[bobo the clown]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

Southern Egypt of course !! Wouldn't fancy Cairo at the mo.

[TANGODANCER]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

A flight into Egypt seems much dearer than in times of old. (Lot quicker though)

[Annoyed Grunt]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

Don't go to the Tropicana Sea Beach Splash in Nabq Bay.

[Bruce Rioja]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

This ended up becoming the subject of our office conversation this avvy. So, Bob, it's been whittled down to this. You're going to a place called El Gouna in Egypt, and if you don't then we're not wasting any more time on you . Seriously, mate; strong, strong recommends from those that have been. I've just looked it up and it really does look superb. Nine hours of sunshine per day in Jan getting up to 21 degs - which, I believe, is plenty for people like you - a bald headed Boltonian with pale skin............................. ahem........................

[Prufrock]

Got back on Tuesday night from an arduous 11 days. Went down to the girlfriend's parents' on the Friday. The Saturday was her mother's birthday so we went out to the Michelin-starred restaurant The Butchers Arms. I mentioned this place back in January as we'd gone for girlf's 21st. Having been again I cannot recommend it enough, if you are in the Gloucestershire area, you must, must, go. I had scallops with what I can only describe as a bread-crumb coated tower of crispy guinea fowl, followed by Gressingham duck breast served with a sweet almond tart and some ace greengage thing and loads of other amazing tasting bits of drizzle placed around the plate. It was a taste sensation. Then a fantastic cheeseboard of British cheeses served with all sorts of biscuitty things and a greengage chutney. Finally, I had strawberry and vanilla panna cotta. It nearly killed me but it was luuuush. And the wine is amazing, red, white (I'm not normally a white drinker) and desert. Seriously, go, they are the best two meals I have ever had in my life, and that includes my Nana's Christmas dinner!

Anyway, the day after me 'n' 'er drove down to Cornwall. Spent a week there in the beautiful village of Coverack. It was grey, but dry. We went last year and did all the sights so we just lazed about drinking gin and going for walks. Then on the Saturday her rents came down because they were having a party for the residents, families, and staff at the nursing home they have down there. The manager of said nursing home is from Adlington, and her dad drinks in the pub I work at! It's a small world. There was a hog roast, and yours truly enjoyed a busman's serving the booze. Couple of St. Austell beers, Proper Job, and Tribute. Both nice, but I preferred the Tribute. Party coincided with the lifeboat show in the bay. Some poor bloke being dropped into the sea and winched up to the chopper, dropped in the boat, back in the sea. Was a good show. All the residents seemed to have a good time too; it was a really nice day.

We drove back Sunday and I had two days in Cheltenham too, where it was in the 20's and sunny. It is a hard life. No more holidays for a while though .

[Bijou Bob]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

This ended up becoming the subject of our office conversation this avvy. So, Bob, it's been whittled down to this. You're going to a place called El Gouna in Egypt, and if you don't then we're not wasting any more time on you . Seriously, mate; strong, strong recommends from those that have been. I've just looked it up and it really does look superb. Nine hours of sunshine per day in Jan getting up to 21 degs - which, I believe, is plenty for people like you - a bald headed Boltonian with pale skin............................. ahem........................

I've only just seen this. Happy to have relieved the office boredom.

Have just returned from a long weekend in Budapest and have to say I can heartily recommend it. A beautiful city with laid back, lovely people and cheap beer. Add in the fact that at 5pm yesterday, it was 34 degrees on the Danube and I don't think it could have been beaten for a few days away in September.

So Bruce, topic for this afternoon if you'd all be so kind, is where to go for a city break in mid October?

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

Can anyone recommend any resorts in the Maldives? It is only 4 hours from here, so would be rude not to. I'm a bit of a grumpy anti social git these days, so would prefer something not too big and quiet; the less people the better! I pretty much intend to enjoy the view, read plenty and a bit of snorkelling. Not bothered about diving and water sports. Decent grub is important. Oh, the wife would be with me...

[BWFC_Insane]

Just asked my colleague that covers North Africa about Tunisia. He says that though the weather is better than here it's certainly not sunbathing / slob by the pool weather. If you're looking for decent weather then you need to get to Egypt.

Cheers for that mate, T'Egypt it may well be then..........if I can afford it!

This ended up becoming the subject of our office conversation this avvy. So, Bob, it's been whittled down to this. You're going to a place called El Gouna in Egypt, and if you don't then we're not wasting any more time on you . Seriously, mate; strong, strong recommends from those that have been. I've just looked it up and it really does look superb. Nine hours of sunshine per day in Jan getting up to 21 degs - which, I believe, is plenty for people like you - a bald headed Boltonian with pale skin............................. ahem........................

I've only just seen this. Happy to have relieved the office boredom.

Have just returned from a long weekend in Budapest and have to say I can heartily recommend it. A beautiful city with laid back, lovely people and cheap beer. Add in the fact that at 5pm yesterday, it was 34 degrees on the Danube and I don't think it could have been beaten for a few days away in September.

So Bruce, topic for this afternoon if you'd all be so kind, is where to go for a city break in mid October?

Rome.

[William the White]

Granada for the Alhambra and the Old Town.

Sevilla for Barrio Santa Cruz, Cathedral and Alcazar and the best tapas bars in Spain. And still very warm in October. I'm going early November.

Cordoba for the Mezquita and the stunningly beautiful Old Town.

Lisbon for the Castle and Art Old Town and fish!

Bruges - just cos it's beautiful.

Only one of the above? Granada is the least interesting as a city - but no one should die without having seen the Alhambra.

[Armchair Wanderer]

Granada for the Alhambra and the Old Town.

Sevilla for Barrio Santa Cruz, Cathedral and Alcazar and the best tapas bars in Spain. And still very warm in October. I'm going early November.

Cordoba for the Mezquita and the stunningly beautiful Old Town.

Lisbon for the Castle and Art Old Town and fish!

Bruges - just cos it's beautiful.

Only one of the above? Granada is the least interesting as a city - but no one should die without having seen the Alhambra.

Going to Barcelona at the end of Oct. Never been to Spain so it's hopefully Spain-lite. After that maybe think about something that isn't a major city.

Rome has got to be my favourite euro city so far, I second BWFC_Insane.

[William the White]

Granada for the Alhambra and the Old Town.

Sevilla for Barrio Santa Cruz, Cathedral and Alcazar and the best tapas bars in Spain. And still very warm in October. I'm going early November.

Cordoba for the Mezquita and the stunningly beautiful Old Town.

Lisbon for the Castle and Art Old Town and fish!

Bruges - just cos it's beautiful.

Only one of the above? Granada is the least interesting as a city - but no one should die without having seen the Alhambra.

Going to Barcelona at the end of Oct. Never been to Spain so it's hopefully Spain-lite. After that maybe think about something that isn't a major city.

Rome has got to be my favourite euro city so far, I second BWFC_Insane.

Barcelona is a fantastic city. You'll enjoy.

[General Mannerheim]

Gone for Cyprus.

Id love to be more cultured and go on more adventurous holidays, but im tired and just want to do nothing for a week. All inclusive job, super kid friendly, quality time with the little'un, lazing by pool, all we can eat and sup, no fuss. Im not even planning on ever getting dressed, swimmers and flipflops thats it, maybe pop a t-shirt on for meals and kiddies disco, or if its freezing! Bosh.

[Prufrock]

Whereabouts GM?

Cyrpus was fecking roasting in July, so I'm guessing you still won't be needing any jumpers in October.

[General Mannerheim]

a short bus ride from Paphos it says.

[TANGODANCER]

Granada for the Alhambra and the Old Town. 100% agree
Sevilla for Barrio Santa Cruz, Cathedral and Alcazar and the best tapas bars in Spain. And still very warm in October. I'm going early November. 100% agree
Only one of the above? Granada is the least interesting as a city - but no one should die without having seen the Alhambra.

Found the city fascinating with the Royal Chapel and the many shops excellent (if pricey) Worst feature was the carnation-selling Gypsies who pester everybody, and the beggars.

Add in Ronda and the place everybody flies to but no one seems to stay, Malaga.A lovely city with the Acazaba and the unusual half a Roman collesium ruins. Not to mention many other places, Nerja not the least.

[Prufrock]

a short bus ride from Paphos it says.

Depending on which side of Paphos you may be near where we stayed. What's the hotel called? If you are along where we were (Poseidon Road or something) do NOT go to the Black Rose cafe. I had the vilest grimest slimiest chicken sandwich ever there. Was in the bathroom for days afterwards!

[General Mannerheim]

no need to worry about that, shant be paying for single morsel of food. hopefully wont even need to take/withdraw any cash!