Have you thought about Malta? For a first trip abroad I think it would tick your boxes.

Patka

I second Malta- it really does sound what they would want.

Cascais Portugal...attractive fishing village near Estoril and Lisbon with easy access to a lot of cultural and historic sites - nearby Sintra is worth a day or two. Numerous restaurants and hotels within the village itself to suit all tastes. Also got beaches though not up to the Algarve.

The Algarve maybe worthy of consideration as well...Lagos for example.

Thanks everyone. Will have a good look into Malta. Portugal was in my head already (sadly not for the right reasons) but I will have a look at that too.

How about Jersey or would that be a little too British for them?

No it wouldnt be too British for them :).

I have thought that they might be more suited to city breaks and have suggested places like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Paris mainly because they are close and because there will be a lot that they can visit.

I think it has been all a bit overwhelming - suggestions coming from all angles !!

Thanks for all the suggestions though. I will make a list and let them have a search on their own.

for a fab city break you won't get better than Prague. A short flight, fantastic scenery and architecture, and plenty of history. Hubby & I are in our late 40's & went there 2 years ago. We just can't wait to go back. The old town with its cobbled streets and outdoor market is a sight to behold!!!. Plenty of accommodation of all types, beautiful cafes and restaurants and a fantastic public transport system. It's impossible not to enjoy this beautiful city whatever your age

Dubrovnik. Haven't been ......yet, but would like to go.

If you can get them on a plane for four hours Madeira would be top of my list.

Puerto Pollensa - Majorca. Nice place relaxing but not too much history or days out, may as well convince them on Menorca as you like it. First time abroad I guess they would appreciate someone wih them.

Parts of France depending on the type of history or days out they like i.e. 2nd world War, Wine tasting/Cheese Tasting/Chateaus etc Even could go on a Canal boat for a few days. Cannes/Monaco might be out of busget but stay further away and visit for the day.

Sorrento - Italy - Lots of history in the area, roman ruins volcanoes, day trip to Capri. But food and drink expensive when there so might not suit if on a budget.

Malta - Not my cup of tea but plenty of budget AI hotels and quite a lot of history to go and see. Although might just be too many old churches. Downside Flight Time maybe.

Kos Would advise Kos Town. Combination of ruins to visit, boat trips to other islands or a day trip to Turkey. Downside flight time.

If firt time abroad maybe a 3 day city break would be best for the first time experience then the options are greater from cities already mentioned to Budapest,Vienna,Salzburg,Tallin,Berlin,Munich,Rome,Venice.

Obviously with the fishing a poss requirement then the lakes and mountains destinations might sort I.e. Austria,Germany,Slovenia,Switzerland,France again. All have different types of days out and some historical areas.

Play safe take them to menorca with you experience the fun of a foreign country but with you by their side. Arm yourself with information gleaned from here and discuss the realms of possibilities over dinner every night. Hopefully they will have causght the bug.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Thanks Stewart. Loads of destinations there.

I like the Menorca idea as well and I am sure they would like to go with someone that has "been there, done it". It will certainly be a top of the list item. I am worried that what we love will bore them though.

I have written a list of all the suggestions that I have received and we can have a fact finding day on Sunday when we all meet up again. With a good search of the internet thrown in.

Thank you all once again.

Sarah

No-one has mentioned mainland Spain - lots around the costas (Sol, Blanca etc) but also some quieter areas around Almeria. Also how about the northwest coast. Plenty of history here such as Santiago de Compostela. More Spanish than international flavour and I'm sure they can fish off the coast as well.

Lake Bled in Solvenia, beautiful scenery, lakeside bars and cafes, short flight, need to go in the summer months for good weather though

Hi everyone! I am hoping to go on holiday abroad next February or March. Can anyone suggest anywhere that may be hot and sunny at that time of year? Thanks xx

A safe choice would be the Canaries (Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote) for that time of year. Also Benidorm (mainland Spain) is nice. My mum has been to Benidorm in February and come back with a suntan !!

Im sure others can offer better suggestions as well.

Happy hunting.

Dizzdy2000,

If looking short haul and want resorts that are open and busy hot and sunny almost guaranteed then the minimum you need to look at is the Canaries ( 4 hours ).Other options are Cape verde similar flying time, then egypt 5 hours, Dubai,a fter that you start hitting Goa, Kenya. Once you have gone that far then a couple of hours more and you hit the Carribean. It does depend on how far you want to go and what you want to when you get there.

Mainland Spain could be hot and more but also could be cold. Pools and sea too cold to swim in and the resorts fairly quiet.

Kind Regards
Stewart Wilkie

the red Sea in Egypt would be a good choice

Dizzdy2000, depending on if you want short or long haul, but we always have the main holiday in late Feb/March in Goa. Always hot and sunny every day

Then theres always the Far East...a good time to visit Thailand or Malaysia.