Holidays

[jeanette1976]

Can't decide where I want to go on holiday with my new boyfriend this year... I fancied Thailand and he fancies Mexico.... don't fancy a skiing hol or anything with a load of drunken Brits.... something pretty chilled and cool with lots of exploring and culture.

Where are YOU going and do you have any sugestions? x

[ummmm]

I'd go for Thailand, but I've never been to Mexico. Thailand is lovely. Hopefully snagged will be on later and he'll be able to give loads more advice than me because he's not long back.

[jeanette1976]

Excellent choice... ahem...

I'm actually from Singapore and have been to Thailand as a child (obviously didn't appreciate it at a young age), and I wanted to keep it for a travelling thing instead of a touristy-type holiday... but I can't wait till I finally save up to go travelling!!!

[snagged]

I am totally biased as I've been to Thailand many times over the last twelve years... Thailand is a wonderful place... easy to get around... many things to see... wonderful people, food, beaches and culture... and cheap!... How long are you planning to go for? I have never been there as a 'two week tourist' but always for a minimum of a month at a time... long enough to get 'under the surface' a bit more... of course there are 'touristy' places like everywhere else but with a little effort you can get to places that are truly different to anything you have experienced before...

Having said all that, I do really fancy Mexico as well!... :o)

[snagged]

Another thing to consider is when you are able to go... imho Nov to Jan is the most 'comfortable'... (and you also avoid the worsed of the UK and all that xmas rubbish!)... March to May is very, very hot... July to Sept is the 'rainier' season - but in the past I have been during this time and it has been really nice weather-wise... alot of my previous post above would of course also apply to Mexico - but as I havent been (yet!) I can't comment...

at the end of the day, you'll be with your bf and will have a fantastic time whichever you choose.... do the other place the year after?!...

[Clanad]

Usually, here in the U.S., and I suspect the U.K., when speaking of Mexico one is referring to the Carribean destinations such as Canc�n, etc. For the U.K. traveler, they are, generally more easily accessed and therefore, less expensive. However, destinations on the west side of the country are often overlooked. They have all the amenities of the east side Mexican Riviera without the crowds. Obviously, Acapulco and such are exceptions. But, dollar for dollar (or pound for pound) one shouldn't overlook Manzanillo, Ixtapa or others in the southern Pacific area, or even La Paz or Guymas on the Gulf of California. Manzanillo, for example has beautiful white beaches and the Pacific is blue, being on about the same latitude as Hawaii. The beaches are almost deserted, yet there's plenty of shopping and other tourist doings in the city. Guaymas, for example, is on the edge of the Sonoran Desert. Many years ago the movie Catch-22 was filmed there and the remnants of the airport used in the film makes for a nice, totally empty beach. The city is a fine example of Colonial Mexico of the late 1500's. It's also the center of the shrimp fisheries on the Gulf. It depends on what one is looking for, but having been there numerous times, I'd recommend you at least consider the value of the west coast...

[Clanad]

Forgot to mention, don't go anywhere in Mexico from about mid March to mid to late April. That's the annual migration of a species called, Stupidus Studentus from all the colleges and universities of the U.S. on the pilgramage called "Spring Break"... wall to wall college kids at every major resort city in Mexico... truly amazing to behold...

[snagged]

...stupidus studentus... good one clanad!...

[jeanette1976]

Hahaahahaa.... excellent!!!

All thoughts of going to Mexico during that period has suddenly just disappeared like a f*rt in the wind.....

Only going away for 2 weeks, but now I'm thinking of doing Caribbean and leaving Thailand for a longer journey as there is sooooooo much to do and see.

I've already been to Barbados so I thought Antigua or St. Lucia, although BF thinks Jamaica. Also, thought I'd go to somewhere easy in the Med for May... that'll give me time to save for another over next X'mas.

But thanks very much for the advice above!!!! Theres so much choice of places, I HATE having to decide where I want to go!!!!!

[snagged]

the world is a wonderful place! :o)

[bec.ster.bob]

Have you thought of going to Cuba?

[jeanette1976]

Yes I'd love to go but I'd like to go when the festival/carnival is on and I can't afford to go then.... but I'll defo include Cuba.

Thanks! X

[rebeccarowse]

Go to �Mexico!!
Its an amazing place. Beautiful beaches, lots of culture, good water sports.
Head for the area of the Yucatan. this boasts the carribean sea. If you like good food your laughing!!