Recommend me a resort?

Eoin

Hi folks,

I'm looking for ideas on resorts to go to in the first week of October. It's three couples in our late 20's / early 30's going. We're looking for somewhere that will have decent weather (25+) at that time of year, nice beach and generally a nice resort. Something like Ayia Napa would be great, but maybe a little cheaper. Not looking for the likes of Playa Del Ingles, Santa Ponsa etc.

So far Puerto Del Carmen in Lazerote seems to fit the bill - anyone been there?

thanks in advance,

Eoin

mikedragon32

Morning Eoin...

PdC would fit the bill perfectly, although if you want a bit of peace and quiet during the day, you could do worse than stay a little further out in Matagorda... It's only 10 mins from the Airport and 10 mins from PdC... Good selection of bars and restaurants along the seafront there too.

There's a things to do in Lanzarote thread a little further down on this forum with tips for activities etc.

Santa Ponsa is a bit seasonal imho, winding down in October so you'd not have as much craic.

Eoin

Thanks Mike - Santa Ponsa was great when I was 19, but don't think I would make a return trip!

Any suggestions apart from Puerto del Carmen? I'm trying to keep the options open, as I have heard differing opinions about the place. Wouldn't mind looking at a resort in Greece / Crete / not-the-Canaries-for-a-change, but despite all my googling, it's actually hard to get an idea of where is worth going. It seems hard to get a good mixture of decent night life, but nothing too mad.

mikedragon32

Have you considered Turkey?

I've not been myself, but friends have been there and have loved it. There's a lot more to it than just Kusadasi or Bodrum. I suppose like any package holiday destination you can always find smaller resorts at the edge of a main resort: Sonnenland near Playa Del Ingles springs to mind.

My point being, if you want the wild nights out, it's a cheap taxi ride to the main resorts, but being outside it opens up the possibilities for other activities. Perhaps take a look at Bitez, which is close to both Gumbet and Bodrum?

There's quite a lot to see in Turkey too, remember it was the springboard for the Crusades as well as the hub of several empires. There's some outstanding natural beauty too.

The girls might like the markets there too... some great quality fakes to be had, if they're into it. Not that I condone such activity of course!

Strokesfan

Me and my boyfriend went to Ayia Napa - last minute deal with Budget Travel for bout €300 each including transfers and accommodation in the Aphelandra Apartments which was really quite close to the resort once you knew how to cut down to the strip of bars.
Even for a couple we had a good time, bungee jump, jet ski, brandy sours, alright food, high humidity which I didn't like for my hair.
October should surely be quite cheap! I recommend the place anyway esp Nissi Beach - lovely beach

BoozyBabe

Last year me (then 25) & ex (then 34) went to Zakynthos (Greek Island) & PDC (Lanzarote)

Loved Zakynthos, very disappointed with PDC & Lanzarote as a whole:- wouldn't return.


This year, me & bf are going to Rhodes (Greek Island). I'm hoping for something similar to Zakynthos. Beautiful water, scenery, weather, people etc etc etc.

Eoin

Strokesfan wrote:

Me and my boyfriend went to Ayia Napa - last minute deal with Budget Travel for bout €300 each including transfers and accommodation in the Aphelandra Apartments which was really quite close to the resort once you knew how to cut down to the strip of bars.
Even for a couple we had a good time, bungee jump, jet ski, brandy sours, alright food, high humidity which I didn't like for my hair.
October should surely be quite cheap! I recommend the place anyway esp Nissi Beach - lovely beach

We went to Ayia Napa a few years ago and loved it; unfortunately one of the couples thinks it's too expensive, so it's not an option

BoozyBabe wrote:

Last year me (then 25) & ex (then 34) went to Zakynthos (Greek Island) & PDC (Lanzarote)

Loved Zakynthos, very disappointed with PDC & Lanzarote as a whole:- wouldn't return.


This year, me & bf are going to Rhodes (Greek Island). I'm hoping for something similar to Zakynthos. Beautiful water, scenery, weather, people etc etc etc.

Zakynthos sounds nice - is there a good mix of night life there? We don't want anywhere too quiet, but at the same time nothing too hectic.

gracehopper

eoin, i'm searching for a holiday around the same time myself. Here's a link to some good deals that i've been looking through:

http://www.clubtravel.ie/holidays/search/index.asp?fuseaction=home.results_summary

Eoin

gracehopper wrote:

eoin, i'm searching for a holiday around the same time myself. Here's a link to some good deals that i've been looking through:

http://www.clubtravel.ie/holidays/search/index.asp?fuseaction=home.results_summary

Cheers - let me know if you decide on anything

BoozyBabe

eoin_s wrote:

Zakynthos sounds nice - is there a good mix of night life there? We don't want anywhere too quiet, but at the same time nothing too hectic.

Can't really say TBH. We went at the beginning of May which was the very start of their season, so everything was quiet.

We stayed in Kalamaki, plenty of restaurants, good few pubs. Imagine it would never get too hectic though. (Beach isn't great)

It's 5 minutes drive from Laganas which is the main resort of the island & I'd imagine this place is crazy in peak season:- full of drunken brits type.

I've heard lots of people talking about Argassi which I believe is V nice & nightlife I imagine would be somewhere in between the two I've mentioned above.

It is a lovely place.
It's neighbouring island is Kefalonia & it's absolutely gorgeous. (Don't know the resorts or nightlife here though, just went for the day)
It's be my choice out of the two islands, but it seems hard enough to get to (or expensive) from Ireland.


As I said in another thread. I always use the following website:- www.holidays-uncovered.co.uk

It has reveiws of practically every hotel in practically every resort in practically every country / island you can think of. It's a good way to find out about the nightlife of each resort & the type of clientelle they attract.
(The reviews are from ordinary people who've just come back from the particular place)

FunkyDa

I'm with BoozyBabe, in recommending the Greek islands. Have been to Zakynthos & Rhodes(and others). I'd suggest Rhodes town(it's a small city). It has a town beach, lots of restaurants, a casino, trendy bars, and I assume, nightclubs(bit old for them, meself). There are plenty of hotels in the new town(relative term!), and rooms to rent in the old town.
Did a quick search on Budget Travel's site, and found departures available to Kremasti on 01/10/06, and 08/10/06. Kremasti is out by the airport. The figures quoted were E249 & E229 for flt.& accom. At those prices, you could afford to relocate up to Rhodes town for a few days, or taxi in/out from Kremasti.
Cheers!

BTW, I don't work for Budget Travel.

Dizzyblabla

Agadir in Morocco is lovely - cheap nights out if you go to the more local bars, or if you befriend some local Moroccan's to head out with. the weather was about 25 degrees in Jan, so I'm guessing that it will still be quite hot in October, and you're almost guaranteed sunshine too.

Bitez in Turkey is fab, and as mikedragon32 said, it's only a short cab journey to Gumbet, which is great fun. We stayed in the Mandarin Gardens and they truely are amazing - three swimming pools, one which is just for grown-ups, so no screaming kids! I was there in June, so it was quite hot, but again, I've been told that the weather is great there the whole time.

Eoin

Brilliant stuff - thanks so much everyone for responding - got lots of choices now. The only thing I am fairly sure about is that I don't want to go to Lanzerote!

Eoin