Where to go?

**Geko** · 7th December 2014

Looking for some ideas on where to take the kids on holiday this year. Looking for sun and culture. ie. Not a Thomas Cook type holiday. Want somewhere that hasn't been anglophied...!

Any suggestions?

**flumperino** · 7th December 2014

Can't help, but wanted to thank you for the word 'anglophied'. A great way to describe all the places I usually go

If you cave in, Portugal is always a winner for me as a simple hot, cheap holiday with minimal flight time.

**JonEp** · 7th December 2014

Originally Posted by flumperino

Can't help, but wanted to thank you for the word 'anglophied'. A great way to describe all the places I usually go

If you cave in, Portugal is always a winner for me as a simple hot, cheap holiday with minimal flight time.

I'm in Portugal for the winter flying my drone on the beach most days.

The current weather is great !

**dibbler** · 8th December 2014

When my daughter was growing up we used to holiday in France.
Travelled all over the country.
We have visited most areas. She loved going to visit the Ch�teaus and castles.
We visited lots of vine yards and distillery.
She now pretty much speaks fluent French.

**blacksheep** · 8th December 2014

Same as dibbler (but I was the kid). Loads of castles, vinyards, beaches, mountains and can be done on a relative budget depending on how you go.

**GTI** · 9th December 2014

North Africa! I'm a frequent visitor to both Morocco and Tunisia as they're only a few hours away. Both are extremely rich in culture and history (if you stay away from the resorts) and the locals are charming and welcoming wherever you go. When I was younger I did a solo tour of Tunisia from the far north down to the deep south and the Sahara dessert, I took shared taxis, coaches, buses, trains etc.. and booked my rooms as I went along. Probably one of the best experiences was trekking into the Sahara on camel back, setting camp and then eating, talking, singing around a camp fire with my fellow travellers. The tranquillity of the dessert, broken only by the occasional snort of the camels, and the brightness of the stars was magical. I did also stop off in the resort towns of Hamammet, Sousse etc.. but that was about 3 days out of 14, and as expected it was package holiday hell.

**hoponbaby** · 9th December 2014

Do the kids want culture or would they much prefer a good pool, waterslides, beach and other kids?!

**stevo25** · 9th December 2014

My brothers mate goes to Poland almost every year. Usually in the centre of the country. Camping. Apparently very warm very cheap and hardly any other people he is quite antisocial

**GTI** · 9th December 2014

Originally Posted by stevo25

My brothers mate goes to Poland almost every year. Usually in the centre of the country. Camping. Apparently very warm very cheap and hardly any other people he is quite antisocial

LOL, sounds grim

**stevo25** · 9th December 2014

Originally Posted by GTI

LOL, sounds grim

LOL yeah but he's been to Sopot and Zakopane. They seem to be ok

**CzarJunkie** · 9th December 2014

The French Atlantic coast is always good. Great beaches, French girls, french food and lots of cheap vino.

**blacksheep** · 9th December 2014

Originally Posted by stevo25

My brothers mate goes to Poland almost every year. Usually in the centre of the country. Camping. Apparently very warm very cheap and hardly any other people he is quite antisocial

The lack of people to do with him?

**Geko** · 9th December 2014

Originally Posted by GTI

North Africa! I'm a frequent visitor to both Morocco and Tunisia as they're only a few hours away. Both are extremely rich in culture and history (if you stay away from the resorts) and the locals are charming and welcoming wherever you go. When I was younger I did a solo tour of Tunisia from the far north down to the deep south and the Sahara dessert, I took shared taxis, coaches, buses, trains etc.. and booked my rooms as I went along. Probably one of the best experiences was trekking into the Sahara on camel back, setting camp and then eating, talking, singing around a camp fire with my fellow travellers. The tranquillity of the dessert, broken only by the occasional snort of the camels, and the brightness of the stars was magical. I did also stop off in the resort towns of Hamammet, Sousse etc.. but that was about 3 days out of 14, and as expected it was package holiday hell.

I was thinking Marrakech. My only problem was the way they ride the mopeds through the Souks. I could barely keep myself from being run over.

But North Africa is certainly a consideration.

**Cosmicpore** · 11th December 2014

Now I know there has been some dodgies recently in Cairo, but Egypt is a cracking place to visit.

Its certainly 'cultural' and if you stick to the coast, say Hurgada, you get the sea, sandy beaches and its just a small agonising bus journey away from a few of those world wonders... Cairo is just too busy to stay in, but what an experience.

Also Padova in Italy (a quiet medical university town) is a lovely, completely and utterly un-touristy place, introduced to me by a family member. The town gives you the opportunity to live like an Italian while still having the option to see some of the beautiful buildings, vinyards and beach and is a short train journey away from a theme park and Venice if you still fancy doing the tourist thing at some point.