3 grand for a holiday - where?

suicide_circus

If I gave you €3,000 and told you to spend it on a holiday for 2, where would you go and what would you do?

Need ideas, nothing too taxing preferably

tayto lover

Vietnam.
I believe it's brilliant and not expensive.
Here's a great value holiday with everything included.

https://www.livingsocial.ie/deal/escapes/4800764/689pp-swallow-travel-14-day-vietnam-north-south?ito=livingsocialie_affiliates_236363&awc=4319_1501620849_b385dc08d06bf3ceb6de959fc8e0968c

spurious

New Zealand - because I've been there a number of times and absolutely loved it.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

tayto lover wrote: »

Vietnam.
I believe it's brilliant and not expensive.
Here's a great value holiday with everything included.

https://www.livingsocial.ie/deal/escapes/4800764/689pp-swallow-travel-14-day-vietnam-north-south?ito=livingsocialie_affiliates_236363&awc=4319_1501620849_b385dc08d06bf3ceb6de959fc8e0968c

Except the actual flights to get there!

whatever76

Argentina !

Colombia (3 weeks) - huge variety from the beach to the coffee region to the Andes to the colonial delights of Cartagena to the cooler climate of Bogota and moden Medellin
, Sri Lanka (2 weeks) - skip Colombo. probably some of the best beaches that I've ever seen, beautiful highlands and history.
Vietnam (2.5 weeks) - great variety, go from Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh (skip Natrang)

suicide_circus

Some great ideas guys. Keep em coming!

Is there any value in going through travel agents these days (if the still exist)?

JohnCleary

It really depends on what standard you want.

Technically, you could get return Thailand / Vietnam for about €800 PP leaving you €1400 spending money - not a lot, and not for long (We go through about €12k on a month holiday to SE Asia but fly business)

We need more info... Are you crusties who are happy to sleep in a tree, or do you like your luxuries?

What are you into?

redcup342

JohnCleary wrote: »

It really depends on what standard you want.

Technically, you could get return Thailand / Vietnam for about €800 PP leaving you €1400 spending money - not a lot, and not for long (We go through about €12k on a month holiday to SE Asia but fly business)

We need more info... Are you crusties who are happy to sleep in a tree, or do you like your luxuries?

What are you into?

Yeah ... after going Business it's hard to go back.

Flew
Milan - Kuala Lumpur
Bangkok - Milan

With Oman Air, the difference was unbelievable, everything from the Chauffeur picking you up, the Lie flat bed, the Lounges and the in flight food was amazing.

I didn't have any jet lag either end since it was pretty much like being in my living room at home ... even comfier I would say :pac:

OP what are you into ?
Depends on if you want Beach and Relax or more Activities, Culture, Sights, Scenery, Hot Girls. :pac:

no real need for a travel agent these days imo.
get a local sim card for next to nothing and use booking.com as you're on the way to the next place.
get a book on the country like lonely planet.
Vietnam is very straightforward on the traditional route - it's north to south or the other way around due to the shape of the country.
on the otherhand something like Colombia has different options.

flight prices can vary.

suicide_circus

JohnCleary wrote: »

It really depends on what standard you want.

Technically, you could get return Thailand / Vietnam for about €800 PP leaving you €1400 spending money - not a lot, and not for long (We go through about €12k on a month holiday to SE Asia but fly business)

We need more info... Are you crusties who are happy to sleep in a tree, or do you like your luxuries?

What are you into?

Honesty you and I are on different playing fields if you can spend 12 grand on a holiday so I don't think youve much advice that would be relevant to my situation!

So it's a couples holiday, not into adrenaline sports, accommodation dosnt need to be particularly upmarket but not looking for hostel dorms either. Not looking to do a lot of thinking or planning as we're looking for a break and a rest and to see nice things and eat nice food.

JohnCleary

suicide_circus wrote: »

Honesty you and I are on different playing fields if you can spend 12 grand on a holiday so I don't think youve much advice that would be relevant to my situation!

Don't judge a book by it's cover. We often head off for European weekend breaks and spend less than we would on a weekend staying in Ireland.

However, at your request, i'll bow out.

JohnCleary

redcup342 wrote: »

Yeah ... after going Business it's hard to go back.


With Oman Air, the difference was unbelievable, everything from the Chauffeur picking you up, the Lie flat bed, the Lounges and the in flight food was amazing.

Flying business is the worst drug I ever bought... you just can't go back to Economy. This has resulted in our long haul holidays becoming a lot more expensive :pac:

yes business is nice but it's a nice-to-have. I'd rather have the money left to live like a king on holiday instead of spending it on the flight. if you plan well and get a decent seat in economy, use the right things to sleep and get over jet lag the experience is usually fine.

mrcheez

suicide_circus wrote: »

If I gave you €3,000 and told you to spend it on a holiday for 2, where would you go and what would you do?

Need ideas, nothing too taxing preferably

Are you looking for culture or beach-relaxing? Do you want to do activities like hiking / scuba diving?

Is the 3K supposed to cover flights as well?

Remember if you are going to south east asia you may need to factor in the costs of vaccinations/malaria pills depending on where you are going.

I'd personally suggest Flores, Indonesia having been there recently. Lots to do and stunning scenery.

EDIT: Also what time of year are you travelling as this can affect where you go.

suicide_circus

Time of year is not nailed down. We're looking to relax but not lay on a beach for two weeks. Not interested in hiking but a small amount of water based leisure would be fine. Want to see beautiful things but not necessarily a need to "do" everything in the tourist brochure.

whatever76

Costa Rica is another one I suggest !! Rough and ready but great experience ( stay away from Jaco though !)

mrcheez

Malaysia might suit you if you are after minimal hassle, but a relaxing holiday. Lots of airbnb options there too. You will encounter stress getting around in south east Asia but that's part of the adventure. A package tour might suit you in this case but just be wary of unscrupulous local operators in places like 'nam or Indonesia.

Internal flights are cheap in SEA though and its my preferred way of getting around rather than crammed into a bus.

What about Cuba? Food choices limited unless you love lobster, but fantastic people and beaches and music.
Not sure how far 3K will get you.

suicide_circus

suicide_circus wrote: »

Time of year is not nailed down. We're looking to relax but not lay on a beach for two weeks. Not interested in hiking but a small amount of water based leisure would be fine. Want to see beautiful things but not necessarily a need to "do" everything in the tourist brochure.

what do you mean by water-based leisure activities?
surfing?
scuba diving?
kitesurfing?
sailing?

with 2 weeks you don't want to be moving too much I suppose - maybe 2 or max 3 times.

mrcheez

suicide_circus wrote: »

If I gave you €3,000 and told you to spend it on a holiday for 2, where would you go and what would you do?

Need ideas, nothing too taxing preferably

For relaxation: Fly to Bali, Indonesia then onward to Lombok then Gili Air.

For fun/adventure: the Vietnam deal

Done

Thegalwayman

Las Vegas for 2-3 weeks

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I'm not into touristy stuff, I'd go to Portugal, week in Algarve, week in Porto. Or two weeks in either. Beautiful country, it's value and not far away.

€3k for two people would give a great holiday in Portugal.

manutd83

Cuba

Lex Luthor

5 Star hotel in Santorini

Lia_lia

suicide_circus wrote: »

Time of year is not nailed down.

Time of the year is important due to the weather! We wanted to go to SE Asia last year and had June booked off so chose Indonesia as it wasn't the rainy season...

mrcheez wrote: »

For relaxation: Fly to Bali, Indonesia then onward to Lombok then Gili Air.

We did this in June. Flew to Bali and stayed for a few days, stayed in Lombok for a few days and then between Gili Meno and Gili Air. Flew back to Bali in stayed in Uluwatu for the last few days. Could have been more relaxing if we didn't travel so much but we always tend to move around a lot when we travel. Anyway would highly recommend Indonesia had a great time! Can easily be done under 3 grand. The most expensive thing is the flights. Booked everything ourselves.

I'd also recommend Greece. We went to Crete and Santorini a few years ago and was an amazing holiday. Lots to do, lovely people, lovely food and so cheap.

ted1

JohnCleary wrote: »

redcup342 wrote: »

Yeah ... after going Business it's hard to go back.


With Oman Air, the difference was unbelievable, everything from the Chauffeur picking you up, the Lie flat bed, the Lounges and the in flight food was amazing.

Flying business is the worst drug I ever bought... you just can't go back to Economy. This has resulted in our long haul holidays becoming a lot more expensive :pac:

I fly it for work but would never pay for it myself. Id rather spend the extra on a better hotel.

ted1

Thegalwayman wrote: »

Las Vegas for 2-3 weeks

That would be my idea if a night mare.

I'd recommend the Caribbean, San Fran /Hawaii , Malaysia.

If it was me I'd choose either the Algarve or Morocco.

I was in Morocco in January and I'm going this January. You can do very little if you want to, or there are lots of excursions and boat trips and things to do.

When I went in January I went through a travel agent and got a very good deal. If its for a holiday to relax, then I'd nearly always book via a travel agent.

Beagslife

Augeo wrote: »

I'm not into touristy stuff, I'd go to Portugal, week in Algarve, week in Porto. Or two weeks in either. Beautiful country, it's value and not far away.

€3k for two people would give a great holiday in Portugal.

I'd second this. A nice apartment, good food, beaches in Algarve (I'd highly recommended Lagos) and just relax for two weeks.

Take a scuba or surf course or settle for some boat trips.

Getting bored then travel to Lisbon for a few days.

Flipperdipper

Cruise, cruise, cruise. If you don't like flying you can cruise from loads of English and even some irish ports.Relaxing, different ports/countries and fantastic food.

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Flipperdipper

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There's plenty of music and entertainment, if you want it, but there's also plenty of quiet areas to relax and chill out. If you have a balcony cabin and the weather is kind you have the perfect private chill out area. Some ships are adults only and if you are unlucky enough to be seated for dinner with someone obnoxious a quiet word with the maitre d' will get you different seating.There's also the option of room service and dining in private in your cabin.

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