Where to get away from it all?

[Hosehead]

Me and the Missus are needing to get in some holiday time. We've been dreaming of it. We haven't had a holiday in over 3 years and are now finding the need for a cheap warm and cheerful place to park off and dangle our toes in the water and recharge our batteries and chill. I like to snorkle and the missus likes to waterski. We intend bringing the lil one along so there must be some kind of childcare and that just about rules out any malaria areas. Any ideas? Budget is pretty small These are tough times but we need it

 

[ponder]

What is your budget, where do you live and how far are you willing to travel? Think that info would help people giving you suggestions.

 

[Picard]

Try and find a hot water spring/spa.

Forget the water sports.

 

[Hosehead]

We were looking at fly/hotel all in packages. Anywhere. I think Thailand is the best value for money at the moment, compared to all the usual suspects but I may be wrong...Local "spas" etc way out of budget. The only real spas/hot springs here are the public ones and it's like fighting your way through a crowded Bengali Bus terminal just to get your feet wet. Hardly a relaxing holiday is it... sharing a hot tub with an extended family of 36 siblings including the parents...

 

[guest2013-1]

Mauritius, get the 5 star treatment, would be cheaper than Thailand and everything is free as you paid for it already, so anything you want to buy as pressies will be extra cash. Second honeymoon...

 

[Rosaudio]

Mauritius, get the 5 star treatment, would be cheaper than Thailand and everything is free as you paid for it already, so anything you want to buy as pressies will be extra cash. Second honeymoon...

+1 to that. I absolutely loved Mauritius. Was just soo relaxing

 

[guest2013-1]

+1 to that. I absolutely loved Mauritius. Was just soo relaxing

I'm planning to go there on my honeymoon....hopefully end of this year

 

[ponder]

I thought you were on a budget

Try Maldives. Also some nice spots on the islands off Madagascar.

Rates should also be cheap around the are where the Tsunami just occured, Samoa etc.

 

[Picard]

We were looking at fly/hotel all in packages. Anywhere. I think Thailand is the best value for money at the moment, compared to all the usual suspects but I may be wrong...Local "spas" etc way out of budget. The only real spas/hot springs here are the public ones and it's like fighting your way through a crowded Bengali Bus terminal just to get your feet wet. Hardly a relaxing holiday is it... sharing a hot tub with an extended family of 36 siblings including the parents...

Local spa's are out of budget but you're willing to fly 2 people all the way to Thailand.

 

[Gomario]

The airport tax alone will cost more then the petrol for a small car, even if he drives anywhere in SA why is the tax at Jhb international so high?

 

[risingtide]

Take a boat cruise. Cruising on the high seas is just about the most relaxing thing you can do.

 

[guest2013-1]

Take a boat cruise. Cruising on the high seas is just about the most relaxing thing you can do.

oh yes I forgot about that one!

 

[bwana]

There are a few "must return to" places on my list but atop them all is Zanzibar.

 

[Hosehead]

I'm not doing Mauritius...never again. It's overrated.
As far as 7-10 day package tours go (under 8-10K)...Thailand incl air/hotel is cheaper currently than any other destination closer to home-including Mauritius, and cruises. (yes cruises are relaxing but the local Durban-Maputo- cruise is only 3-4 days. By the time you've unpacked and cracked open a cold one or two. The Ship has docked back in Durbs )Zanzibar has Malaria.- as does every other African country.
We don't want to relax in SA. We live here

 

[bwana]

I'm not doing Mauritius...never again. It's overrated.
As far as 7-10 day package tours go (under 8-10K)...Thailand incl air/hotel is cheaper currently than any other destination closer to home-including Mauritius, and cruises. (yes cruises are relaxing but the local Durban-Maputo- cruise is only 3-4 days. By the time you've unpacked and cracked open a cold one or two. The Ship has docked back in Durbs )Zanzibar has Malaria.- as does every other African country.
We don't want to relax in SA. We live here

No biggie, there's medication to prevent it. Thailand also has malaria.

 

[ponder]

No biggie, there's medication to prevent it. Thailand also has malaria.

Not really advisable to give preventative malaria meds to young kiddies.

 

[bwana]

Not really advisable to give preventative malaria meds to young kiddies.

Depends on the age of the kid and the medication being used.

 

[Hosehead]

Depends on the age of the kid and the medication being used.

Too young, and I don't want to medicate my kid. AFAIK no meds needed for areas like Phuket in Thailand, but up in the jungles it's a different story...

 

[Gomario]

No biggie, there's medication to prevent it. Thailand also has malaria.

Yeah, but that's all what they have

 

[Sensorei]

Thailand is the cheapest option for value out of Thailand, Mauritius, Madagascar and Zanzibar. I did LOADS of research recently before buying my tickets to Zanzibar. Going in 6 weeks yay! My lady preferred Zanzibar so I went for that and got an amazing deal direct through 1time. Thailand was our 2nd choice. I found a pay for 7 nights get 7 nights FREE package in Phuket. I think it was Thompson Tours.