Where to go in January

[miss direct]

I get three weeks off work in January and want to go away (I live in Turkey - I don't want to go to the UK or anywhere in Turkey). For the last three winters I've been to the UK in January, next year I want to go somewhere different. Preferably warm..doesn't need to be roasting, but just not freezing and pouring with rain. I do have a budget but could save up in the meantime so am willing to splash out on flights a bit (say up to a maximum of £500 return as long as accommodation etc is cheap once I'm there).

Can anyone suggest somewhere? I like walking and animals and photography... I've seen a fair bit of Europe already so would rather go somewhere new.

Hope someone can give me some inspiration.

 

[Plumdaff]

Oman or Kerala/Goa. Former might push it as you'd need to go on a tour going by yourself which wouldn't be cheap but you might even see rain that time of year, and you could go to a desert camp, might be wrong time of year for turtles. The latter might be cheaper and easier, right time of year to go, might even be able to get cheap package deal to Goa then travel a bit.

 

[Hollis]

Morroco? Could do some walking there? Eypgt or futher afield Argentina etc.. flights are around the £550 mark

 

[Arlarse]

Egypt is always a lovely winter destination as long as you don't mind being stuck in a hotel complex for the duration of your break. My sister tells me there's some really good deals on there. What's the winter weather like in Turkey?

 

[miss direct]

Goa looks nice. I've been to Morocco before, and although I really want to go to Egypt, I don't want to go there on my own. I'd also hate to be in a complex...I spent three months this summer at a complex and was bored stupid..I like tramping over historical things and doing my own thing.

The weather in winter in Istanbul is grey, cold and miserable. The weather down south isn't too bad, but I've been pretty much everywhere in Turkey that I want to go and am sick of Turkish food too.

Thanks for the ideas so far, keep them coming please

 

[twentythreedom]

Go to Hampi in India, you'll love it. Goa / Hampi / Kerala ideal for a cheap few weeks' break.

Check out Hampi pics, it's an incredible place.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm hoping to make it to the Canary Islands this winter. Possibly January/Feb. I am told you can find cheap accomodation. Perfect for hiking over varied terrain and very photogenic. Each island has it's own unique character (so I am told - I have never been).

I am a bit scared about meeting nasty expats, but there are loads of gooduns also. Met some guy here in Madrid who lives in Gran Canaria. His daughters have just returned to the UK looking for work, so he has a 4 bedroom house all to himself and he made me a very generous offer.

Check Wiki for the climate. Can be a bit windy mind.

 

[TruXta]

Oman is nice, at least what I saw of it was nice, and the vibe is totally different from the UAEs and Qatars of the region. Lebanon too cold? Or too unsafe maybe. Thailand is ace. Sri Lanka is beautiful - you could go whalewatching in Mirissa.

 

[fredfelt]

Goa. I really enjoyed spending a while a few years ago. I stayed in Mandream near Aranbul. Very relaxing - got around on a scooter, played plenty of chess and backgammon, good food, bit of drinking, smoking and partying balanced with yoga, swimming and jogging on the beach. There's also interesting stuff to go visit and a Friday market to mark the passing of the weeks!

Glad I dipped into this thread as it's planted a seed for me to go again this year. I'll try to get to Hampi this time as well!

Anyone been to Mandream recently?

 

[1%er]

North-East Brazil is very nice in January