Low cost, month long holidays

We have had two holidays in Turkey and on both occasions I found the people there very friendly and respectful.

Surely, even with our soaring energy costs, it must be more expensive to go abroad for several weeks? You still have to buy food and to pay ongoing charges at home such as council tax, insurances, water rates, TV licence, etc.

I can understand people going abroad just for the comfort of a more pleasant cllimate and thus to enjoy the outdoors without having to huddle up in heavy clothes, but is it truly cheaper?

Marrakesh is a fascinating city and I know it well. Agadir is a bit touristy for me. I also like Aswan. My favorite mid Eastern city used to be Isfanan in Iran but alas that is a non starter just now with the country so unsettled.

Interesting article from the Guardian about this: www.theguardian.com/money/2022/nov/07/could-a-month-long-escape-to-the-sun-really-save-you-money

Hi I’m here now in Agadir and Marrakesh Lovely. First time we really like it and it’s 30 c. X

Paperbackwriter

Fleur20

I would never go to Turkey due to its record on womens rights and human rights. They do not recognise same sex relationships.

Yes - I feel same. I wouldn't want to go and stay in a nation where my daughter and her wife would be unwelcome.

My friend and her wife regularly holiday in Turkey and have never been made to feel in the slightest bit unwelcome. I know many same-sex couples who feel the same. The Turkish people are the most welcoming and genuinely friendly I've ever met.

We holidayed one year in Malta, and met several people who would go there for 3 or 4 months, over the winter, each year.

I used to think I would like that, but being older, I now like to be in our home.

Fleur20

I would never go to Turkey due to its record on womens rights and human rights. They do not recognise same sex relationships.

Yes - I feel same. I wouldn't want to go and stay in a nation where my daughter and her wife would be unwelcome.

Dcba

As soon as Christmas is over we head to Florida and rent a condo in the same gated community we’ve been staying in for the past 12 years ( since we retired ). We stay for about 12 weeks and we’ve made lots of friends there who - like us - want to escape the winter. We enjoy the weather, the beaches, the golf courses, and the relaxed easy lifestyle of being in a warm sunny climate. When we return we feeling happier and healthier for the experience.

I believe this group is known as Snowbirds?

Agree.

As soon as Christmas is over we head to Florida and rent a condo in the same gated community we’ve been staying in for the past 12 years ( since we retired ). We stay for about 12 weeks and we’ve made lots of friends there who - like us - want to escape the winter. We enjoy the weather, the beaches, the golf courses, and the relaxed easy lifestyle of being in a warm sunny climate. When we return we feeling happier and healthier for the experience.

🏝 A beach, warm ocean, hammock (with stepladder) and intravenous mojito’s for a month or two … yes please!

3 weeks is my max, I start getting homesick. We used to go on extended hols over to the UK when my parents were alive and after a few weeks I would feel sad and have this absolute longing for Australia. Even after a couple of weeks I keep fantasising about being home . I never used to be like that, must be old age and dry rot .

Yes indeed biglouis Morocco is lovely in winter especially the south, and I’ve always wanted to spend the winter in Aswan in Southern Egypt. I believe the wealthy used to winter there as it was good for their health. Somehow it feels friendlier than other parts of Egypt.

I once spent December/January in Casablanca with friends so I can recommend Morocco. Not too cold in winter and an interesting country if you are prepared for a completely different culture.

When I was younger (and working) I used to look longingly at the four and six week holiday stays for older people that were advertised. I used to think that I would do that when I retired.

Fast forward and I have completely changed my mind. Ive travelled a lot over the last 20 years and mostly independently to non tourist places like Syria, Iran and so on. These holidays sound ideal for people in our age group who are physically fit and like to "join in" but I am neither of these things. Never been a joiner in.

I wouldnt want to put people off going if they can afford it and think they would enjoy the lifestyle. They seem an ideal way to escape the dreary winter days. Yes some places can still be chilly but not like the UK.

But it's too late, it is November I hate!

Snorkelling in Egypt for 1 month and no cooking sounds amazing!

We have pre-warned our AC that we are looking to disappear mid February for a month.

All right. I can see why you might want to. I know people who winter in the sun and always have.
It just doesn't appeal to me.

Grammaretto

The thing is Blondiescot if you are on this package tour with easyJet which GagaJo suggested, you would be stuck.
Unless you had funds to hire a car or go on tours which would defeat the purpose of the cheap package.
The idea reminds me of when cruise ships were suggested as cheaper than the cost of a care home for the elderly but you had your sheets changed more often.
Shudder.

We wouldn't be stuck - we'd just do what we normally do anyway when we're in Turkey. Public transport is very cheap and very efficient there, so we'd just hop on buses and go out and about exploring. We're not ones for organised tours in any case.

I'm surprised at people being bored. I'm not a huge holiday fan, myself, but I'd certainly love to be somewhere warmer for a month. I'm quite capable of amusing myself regardless of where I am, plus the bonus of being able to be outside more because the weather is nicer.

Personally (because I still work), I'd teach my online lessons from a shady tree with a cold drink beside me!

And yes, a rental car for when I need a change of scene.

Pie in the sky tho. Childcare duties!

I can think of a few beach’s like that we’ve enjoyed but they didn’t qualify as “Cheap, month long”

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202211/medium-383550-79dcd262-1a6a-432c-b743-d7bea8d6fb4d.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202211/medium-260990-00be765a-191c-4bfa-ab8b-45b92a3eb5b2.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202211/medium-652254-0135799e-6640-4be7-9721-4f0212422cc9.jpeg

I am surprised at the negativity regarding getting away for a month in the sun.
We will be doing just that again this winter. What’s not to love about getting up in the morning to sunshine and the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.
I happily spend my time swimming in the warm crystal clear water, lying out under the almond tree in the dense shade watching the humming birds at the feeder, walking in the cool of the early morning, tending to my little garden, walking along the beach as the fishermen come in to buy fresh seafood for dinner, attending the local market to buy freshly grown vegetables. Cooking dinner and making wonderful salads.
With lots of expats around dinner invitations are common with everyone sitting under the stars after having saluted the dying sun. There is quite a competition to see who makes the best rum punch.
Then there is the internet. I spend time on Ancestry, some Gransnet and usually keep up to date with news (might give that a miss this year). I have done courses whilst away from home and use my home library to borrow endless books online while You tube provides music so we never run out of books or new music.
Please, if you recognise the beaches don’t say. We like the peace with people we have met up with year after year. It has changed little since I first went there in the 70s.

The Canaries are one place for a long inexpensive winter holiday, we went in January a few years ago warm and very quiet, we were staying in an unused timeshare self catering, cost peanuts.