First-Timer Holidays Abroad

[Mr G]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this topic but the missus has just received her first passport and we've booked a holiday next year to Alcudia in Majorca. I was wondering where to book next, any suggestions for Europe? I've been pondering over Santorini in Greece, Sliema in Malta etc.

 

[Mr G]

Portugal, if you want a nice city bordering Coast with some great Beaches good restaurants with no tourists. Vigo in Spain.

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Ah great, I've added this to my list... much appreciated!

 

[Mr G]

Might be better to ask after the first holiday is done. You'll have an idea of likes & dislikes to work from.

Just avoid anywhere with Brits, those scum ruin everywhere they go

Benidorm is a no no for us.

 

[Mr G]

Santorini - lovely place with some glorious scenery and lots to do......BUT and it is a big but, it's touristed to **** - can be hella busy and full of awful people just streaming of off tour buses. locals can be rather obnoxious too but then the Greeks can give off that sort of vibe in general anyway, even when they are nice!! Look at Paros for a slighty less touristy option. not as much history or sights to see but quieter beaches etc.

Vigo and Paros added. As we've booked Alcudia for June next year, I was thinking of getting out and about this October.

 

[Mr G]

Alcudia was nice when I visited 3 weeks ago, enjoy!

After that, I would recommend Portugal. Depending on what sort of holiday you like avoid Albufeira and go to Lagos.

@VincentHanna - Heard about Albufeira and will be avoiding, thanks for the tip!
@montymint - Appreciate the suggestion and map, I've added this to my listing.

 

[Mr G]

I went to Alcudia last April and found it to be very nice (even if my hotel did have a ceiling collapse and have to be closed and me moved further away from the sea front ). The old city with ruins is a nice place to visit if you like a little walk (20-30 mins) and the beaches are very nice and go for ages. Much better place to visit than Cala Millor where I went this year.

The old city and markets sold it to my wife to be honest.

I've bookmarked the thread, really appreciate all the suggestions folks!

Forgot to ask @pepp77 @VincentHanna - how was the public transport there?

 

[Mr G]

Amalfi Coast is a good shout, lovely down there.

Do a cruise round the fjords, Norway is beautiful.

I've seen a few deals on cruises around the Fjords just recently.

 

[Mr G]

Santorini is doable in a stop over. Blue star ferries (I think they were/are called) hop between islands. On paros I know there’s couple of companies run trips to Santorini that do a tour of the usual haunts (Oia, Akrotiri, hot springs, volcano etc) they were reasonably priced last time I was there. Didn’t like Santorini itself but the ruins at akrotiri are well worth a trip if you’re into that kind of thing. One of the trips we went on included a boat trip where you could jump from the boat and swim to a secluded beach for a picnic (or you could be boring and take the outboard to the beach!)

Definitely something we like and plan to do on our holidays.

 

[Mr G]

i can dig out a few more details if you want - think i've still got the names of the travel companies i used for the day trips. if you like ruins etc, akrotiri will blow you away. quite surreal walking along the excavated streets of a long buried civilisation.

When you get the opportunity, absolutely interested!

True enough, if you can avoid trips around kids holidays that helps.

Have to agree, pretty much anywhere in Europe has lovely places. Not so long ago had a day in Taalin and plan to go back. I hear Riga is lovely too.

Depends if you're in the mood for beach, scenery or historic town type getaways (Vienna is always a good go to for that one).

That is something we plan to avoid kids holidays, half terms etc.

 

[Mr G]

I never used it as I like walking so walked everywhere, but buses seemed to go by fairly regularly and to many different destinations.

Plan to visit Port de Pollença not far from Alcudia.

 

[Mr G]

If you like the heat, visit Cyprus in the summer.
Sandy beaches? The balearics.

Considered Cyprus, which part do you recommend?

 

[Mr G]

Really appreciate all the feedback. Missus has never been aboard in her life and she's quite excited to be jetting off next year. Don't get me wrong but we have some lovely holiday destinations here in the UK but decided this will be our last.

 

[Mr G]

I like the quieter hotels - adults only.
Paralimni is quieter and you can walk along the coast all the way to fig tree bay(busy) and beyond.
East of Limasol is nice as well.

I do believe Paphos is a nice area but much busier.
Then there's Ayia Napa

Heard of Ayia Napa... will stay clear!

Every year up until around 2017 I told my wife and Sister in Law that I'm never going to Benidorm.
They went behind me and my Brother in Laws back and booked it.
We've been every year since then (except a couple during Covid) and going later this year.
One of the best holidays ever for us.

We also go all over the place so this year we've also been to Lanzarote and Menorca.

Heard the old town was the quieter part?

 

[Mr G]

All over the place:
Sorrento, Rome, Malta, Cyprus, Vienna, Salzburg, Berlin, Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Sharm, Poland, Portugal, Tunisia, Isle of Wight, Bournmouth and we've just come back from Glasgow and so on, just this year we've done 3x Spanish because the wife got them very very cheap.

Cheap you say... how cheap? I've seen a few priced around £500 recently.

 

[Mr G]

We stayed all inclusive in Mallorca for 6 nights in a 4 star hotel and flew with BA (23kg luggage) and it was £350 each

Good price is that. Did you pay any tourist taxes on arrival?

 

[Mr G]

Yep, had to pay it at the hotel upon check in

Cant remember how much it was.

Think it's €4 pppn for 4 stars.

 

[Mr G]

Was with my ex for 2 years, went to a few countries.

Our final holiday was to Turkey/Türkiye last year. We missed our flight.......we broke up 6 weeks after....

A few deals for Turkey have been popping up recently, any area suggestions?

 

[Mr G]

Kusadasi, been twice.

I've been looking at Olu Deniz, will have a browse at Kusadasi.

 

[Mr G]

Problem with most Turkish flights, you fly out in the evening. With the combination of four hours flight, 2 hours in front of us and 3 hour transfer - you get to your hotel at 5am. Unless you are one of those lucky sods who can sleep on planes and coaches (not me at all) - you be fine

My colleague’s late husband came from Antalya and still has family living there. She’s well chuffed at Jet2 having a 10am flight from East Midlands.

Noticed there was no early flights, all late evenings and early morning returns?

 

[Mr G]

I've got a trip to Barcelona on 12/10/23 however, the flight time is 06:45 and I'll arrive at Bristol Airport at 03:50. Can I still check-in my baggage at the time I arrive?