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Travel

Winter Blues

(8 Posts)
Smithy Sat 14-May-16 13:44:22

Was thinking how much I hate the winter, January and February in particular. I lost weight due to illness and feel the cold terribly and have to have the heating going like mad to keep warm.
I wondered about maybe going abroad, not too far say maybe Cyprus or Malta for about 6 - 8 weeks (funds permitting) in say around late January after Christmas is all done and dusted. I don't have a partner and would have to go alone, though might be able to persuade one or two to join me for a short while. Has anyone done this, or does it on a regular basis, I would love to know how it works out for them.

petra Sat 14-May-16 20:51:27

We went to Malta one Febuary for a month while we were having some serious work done our property. The hotel was lovely, food great, but best of all there was very good entertainment every night. Malta is not the most exciting island, hardly any beaches. There is a very good cheap bus service that takes you all round the island. Be prepared for chilly days even when the sun is shining.

Smithy Sun 15-May-16 09:32:07

Thanks for that Petra - inundated with replies!!

Teetime Sun 15-May-16 09:53:42

I'm thinking the same as you smithy my condition leaves me feeling very cold most of the time and although this winter was not too harsh I am dreading the next one. Someone I played golf with last week decamps to the sun every February for four weeks but she has family living aboard so its easy. I'm looking for an extended stay somewhere not too far but warmer than here. I let you know if I found something suitable. (Really don't want Spain or Canaries)

petra Sun 15-May-16 13:04:16

It's a shame that Egypt and Tunisia went tits up because they were good winter destinations. Morroco has lovely hotels, it's the surrounding areas that are really bad. If you don't mind long haul there are good deals in Goa for long stays.

jollyg Sun 15-May-16 14:59:06

I too am amazed hot full your in box is!

I suffer from winter cold and the short days.

Having been to India many times, never seen the Taj or Goa, seem to be lots of russians there.

For the pst 15 years we have rented a place in Tamil Nadu. For 12 years the rent did not go up, in fact it was cheaper in the last few years, now I was getting 100 rupees, then 65 ish.

However we were in two minds about when we would stop renting there.

I had, still have a bank account there and used to leave postpaid cheques every quarter when we left. This year landlord wanted to increase the rent , and me give him an i phone 7 as well, [its not yet out]. so we decided to vacate and leave all the meagre furnishings there, They will be given to the family.

Also this was very rural temple town 15 yrs ago, now everyone has post 2 wheelers an cars. The traditions have died, or going that way , so for us we have to look elsewhere. But I have some health problems, so first to sort them out.

S Africa seems to do well with the exchange rates.

Keep looking something will come up

Smithy Mon 16-May-16 09:59:46

Helpful replies - thing is on my own I would not want to be doing too much travelling about. I am lucky enough to have seen quite a lot of this wonderful world (including the Taj Mahal) so somewhere where you can take local bus trips etc. would be good, plus the odd day trip. I have always wanted to go to Goa but not on my own.
Thanks for your help!

shysal Mon 16-May-16 10:40:47

My parents used to spend the winter in Malta and loved it, but of course they had each other for company.
I don't holiday any more, but used to self-cater alone in the Canaries for a week to 10 days at a time in the winter. Sometimes I would return not having had a conversation with anybody apart from shop assistants. That suited me fine, but would not be so for everybody. I used to find in hotels that people would feel sorry for me and latch on, which could prove awkward.