Where is a touristy midway point between UK and S Korea?

[barcelonic29]

Last year my best friend was deported from the UK despite having lived here most her life. She's now in South Korea and not allowed entry to the UK.

Due to a medical condition i find travelling very difficult indeed, but i coped last time with a four hour flight to the Canaries. Next year though we've arranged to meet up for a week somewhere "half-way", only it won't be half-way due to my travel limitations so she's agreed to come a little further than me.

Does anyone know of any hot climate areas between Seoul and London? Goa seemed like a good option until I discovered you can only get flights there which pass through Bahrain from the UK and take well over 10 hours in total.

I need somewhere where I can get without spending that much time on an airplane so I would accept 7 hours as my absolute limit. She would understand and come a bit further as she doesnt mind travelling, but I need to suggest a place that has a hot climate and isn't in a war zone or an area unfriendly to Westerners.

Please help me someone,

thanks

[mushroom25]

Dubai?

[dzug2]

Well with a few days stopover at the connecting point Goa could still be on?

Or possibly Turkey.

Or going in the other direction Florida? South Korea is a visa waver country so that should be possible for her

[SeaJayPea]

Could you manage eastern USA? About 7 hours London - New York, slightly more to Miami. A bit less on the way back. Loads of flights and BA is currently offering about £250 each way next June. There will also be plenty of flights from Seoul.

Just a thought. Have a nice time anyway.

[237SJ]

It would have to be somewhere in the Middle East if you don`t want to fly more than 7 hours. Dubai or more interestingly, Oman

[Buenchico]

Firstly you need to be aware that the shortest route between the UK and South Korea doesn't go near to any hot countries. It's illustrated on the map here:
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=LHR-ICN

Looking at that map, and trying to work out a reasonable detour from that route, my first instinct was to back Mushroom25's suggestion of Dubai. However, checking the schedules on the Emirates website shows that the return flight to Heathrow takes 7 hours 30 minutes, which is beyond your maximum flight time. (The outbound flight is scheduled to take 6 hours 50 minutes).

Dzug2's suggestion of Turkey makes rather more sense, as would Egypt.

Chris

[barcelonic29]

Thanks for all the replies, sorry for my delay in replying.

7.5hrs is OK for me just about.

I dont really want to go to New York as its not that hot and is a huge city and i hate cities in general.

I really want to go to Florida but Id either have to stop off in New York first, making the total flight time over 13 hours and possibly have to stay the night, or if I were lucky enough to find a direct flight it'd still take 9 hours.

Dubai sounds like an interesting possibility. I never wanted to go there before but I guess it wouldnt be too bad. Isnt it expensive there though?

Egypt is another possibility and Id rather not go to Turkey if Im honest.

The main problem is most of these places require a layover in another place and so makes the time much higher. But Ill have to look into these other possibilites so thanks all for the suggestions, especially Dubai!

[237SJ]

barcelonic - let us know what you decide

[Dee Sa]

may I suggest Cyprus ? not too far for you and as far as I know no restrictions for your friend to enter and as she does not have a medical condition she can fly further.
If you decide on Goa and its at least a 12 hour flight, pay the extra for an upgrade the flight will be by charter and they upgrade is about £100 but well worth the extra leg room and much more comfortable, other way to go is to fly to Mumbai [ 8hrs approx] and then change to domestic airport next door and fly to Goa [ approx 1hr]
.Dubai your friend will need a visa, but then you will both need a visa for Goa.

[barcelonic29]

Thanks for the new suggestion Dee Sa

Dubai, Cyprus & Egypt are all very good suggestions, but thank you Dee Sa for informing me of Dubai's Visa restrictions. Perhaps you could elaborate as I dont really understand what that means. I've never been on a holiday before that required a tourist Visa. Would this pose a problem for either myself or my friend, and if so why?

Thanks again :)