advice please: best place to get away from UK at Christmas - on a tight budget?

Following up to viv hughes

I live by myself and I'm on very limited means. Christmas for me is a
pretty depressing time (everywhere's shut, everyone's visiting their
families, etc) so this year I'm trying to save up to get away for
about a week or so.

I don't like Xmas much but we gave up going away to avoid it due
to the high cost of renting at that time of year. Get in a big
stack of books and videos and go away a week or two after, its
cheaper.
--
Mike Reid
If god wanted us to be vegetarians he wouldn't have made animals out of meat.
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

"SteveS" wrote in message
...
Try Australia or New Zealand. Airfares will be the expensive part, New
Zealand is the cheapest place for accommodation. Also look at Fiji.


We do actually celebrate Christmas in Australia! Like everywhere else, we
now seem to be starting the madness in October!

Mel




"viv hughes" wrote in message
om...
I live by myself and I'm on very limited means. Christmas for me is a
pretty depressing time (everywhere's shut, everyone's visiting their
families, etc) so this year I'm trying to save up to get away for
about a week or so.

I'd like to go to a country that's warm enough to wander round in the
daytime without being all wrapped up, and preferably, a country where
everyday life still goes on around Christmas (shops and sights open,
for instance).

Of course, the big problem is that so many Brits go abroad around
Christmas, fares tend to be sky-high. so, has anyone here got any
suggestions? (just one proviso: I can't face the thought of
backpacking).

Thanks in advance.

"SteveS" wrote in message
...
Try Australia or New Zealand. Airfares will be the expensive part, New
Zealand is the cheapest place for accommodation. Also look at Fiji.


We do actually celebrate Christmas in Australia! Like everywhere else, we
now seem to be starting the madness in October!

Mel




"viv hughes" wrote in message
om...
I live by myself and I'm on very limited means. Christmas for me is a
pretty depressing time (everywhere's shut, everyone's visiting their
families, etc) so this year I'm trying to save up to get away for
about a week or so.

I'd like to go to a country that's warm enough to wander round in the
daytime without being all wrapped up, and preferably, a country where
everyday life still goes on around Christmas (shops and sights open,
for instance).

Of course, the big problem is that so many Brits go abroad around
Christmas, fares tend to be sky-high. so, has anyone here got any
suggestions? (just one proviso: I can't face the thought of
backpacking).

Thanks in advance.

The Reids extrapolated from data available...

Following up to viv hughes

I live by myself and I'm on very limited means. Christmas for me is a
pretty depressing time (everywhere's shut, everyone's visiting their
families, etc) so this year I'm trying to save up to get away for
about a week or so.

I don't like Xmas much but we gave up going away to avoid it due
to the high cost of renting at that time of year. Get in a big
stack of books and videos and go away a week or two after, its
cheaper.

I would encourage Europeans to look at the US for potential bargains....

Flying on Christmas Day (either departure or return)....almost no one
aboard, reasonable customer service from employees - at least on Western
Airlines - who believe you wouldn't be there unless you were getting
screwed. Award tickets are plentiful! With numerous empty seats, even
"coach" can be semi-comfortable.

Big city hotels in the Continental US are almost empty and have been known
to provide high end accommodations at low end rates. Many essentially shut
down all but the concierge floors in the week bertween Christams and New
Year's Day.

Depending upon the religiosity of the community, some cities actually have
numerous open restaurants (and a few shops), San Francisco being one such.

Avoiding Florida, and traveling on Christams Day (or even on Christams Eve
if it's on Sunday) - doing the Christams bit on the Eve, we have spent
truly enjoyable days in San Francisco, New York and New Orleans - where the
odds on decent weather are better than even. Just don't count on tourist
attractions which require entering....

Best hidden holidays in US, Albuquerque, NM with a rental car, easy day
trips to Santa Fe and Taos (where the hotels will likely be full of
tourists), yet plenty of choices in ABQ hotels likely to bargain for
occupants.

In the Southern US, Christams day and the day after are ideal days for long
road trips, no traffic, usually moderate weather, and uncroweded stops.

TMO

Viv Hughes...consider South Africa. Xmas is summertime there. Prices are
great and the night life and dining is stunning in JoBurg, Durban and
Capetown.....

Dear Viv

South Africa is the place. The fantastic sunny weather in December is what
you are looking for. The ZAR in comarison with the Pound favours you
immensely. Christmas in South Africa is fantastic and mostly spent eating
outside by the pool or on the beach.

Send me your requirements to http://www.cybertonature.co.za and I will work
out an affordable option for you.

Regards

"viv hughes" wrote in message
om...
I live by myself and I'm on very limited means. Christmas for me is a
pretty depressing time (everywhere's shut, everyone's visiting their
families, etc) so this year I'm trying to save up to get away for
about a week or so.

I'd like to go to a country that's warm enough to wander round in the
daytime without being all wrapped up, and preferably, a country where
everyday life still goes on around Christmas (shops and sights open,
for instance).

Of course, the big problem is that so many Brits go abroad around
Christmas, fares tend to be sky-high. so, has anyone here got any
suggestions? (just one proviso: I can't face the thought of
backpacking).

Thanks in advance.