Helen T,
Does the length of the flight matter? Surely it's the destination that's the most important thing. You've pretty much got the pick of europe with flights up to 5 hours so depends what you want from the holiday really. August is a good time to go pretty much anywhere. What's most important: beach, bars (nightlife), history, scenery? Plenty of Greek Islands to choose from, Cyprus, Turkey, Red Sea resorts or for something different, Cape Verde. Also depends on budget as well.
Darren
Does the length of the flight matter? Surely it's the destination that's the most important thing. You've pretty much got the pick of europe with flights up to 5 hours so depends what you want from the holiday really. August is a good time to go pretty much anywhere. What's most important: beach, bars (nightlife), history, scenery? Plenty of Greek Islands to choose from, Cyprus, Turkey, Red Sea resorts or for something different, Cape Verde. Also depends on budget as well.
Darren
Hi Dazbo - no the flight length isn't particularly important, I just gave it as a guide that I didn't want anything longer. I just thought that there might have been a couple of places a little further away that might interest us without having to go 10 hours and more. OH suffers from Chronic Bronchitis and suffers on long flights.
Mid haul is classed by a flight that is 4 to 6 hours long. It used to anything upto 5 hours was short haul and anything over was long haul. There was a reason for it, suited the airlines better but I can't remember what the reason was.
Egypt and the Cape Verde islands are about as far as you can go in 6 hours. Egypt will be terribly hot in August. The Cape Verde islands should be hot with a nice Atlantic breeze (similar to the Canaries but a bit further south, with a more authentic, interesting local flavour) Personally, given the opportunity to travel without kids, I'd go for Cape Verde, it's new and somewhere you can tell your workmates about that sounds exotic without breaking the bank too much 
I'm looking forward to getting there myself in a few more years, when I can go without the young'uns...
I'm looking forward to getting there myself in a few more years, when I can go without the young'uns...
Just to say that although Egypt is very hot in August, I didn't find it unbearable (been twice for first two weeks in August, approx 42c every day, 30c at night ) as it wasn't very humid. That was the Red Sea area though, I expect it's far hotter around the pyramids etc.
Pippy
Pippy
We went to Egypt on a 3 day cruise from Cyprus(48degrees) but as you say not humid, so it was ok. My daughter & son in law stayed in Sharm last year & had a fantastic time, but they say that it's not our kind of holiday( and they know what we like) Cape Verdi does take our fancy, but may prove to be a little quiet for us.
Gambia is only 6 hours away. Out of season for August but you might consider if ever going away during the winter season.
Hi Helen,
I'm sure we can give you loads of suggestions with a little bit more info so we know what kind of thing you like to do on holiday -
Do you like quiet or busy places / touristy or traditional?
Beach or city?
Chilling out or sightseeing?
English pubs or local grub?
Varied nightlife or dinner and a drink?
I'm sure we can give you loads of suggestions with a little bit more info so we know what kind of thing you like to do on holiday -
Do you like quiet or busy places / touristy or traditional?
Beach or city?
Chilling out or sightseeing?
English pubs or local grub?
Varied nightlife or dinner and a drink?
Never been but I think the actual flying time to New York is 5ish hours but they are 5 hours behind UK so you might get jet lag.
cate_taylor,
Depending on where you fly from in the UK (and aircraft type), NYC is around 8 hours flight time (eg MAN - JFK is 7hrs 45 mins, LGW-EWK is 7 hrs 50). I was going to suggest NYC but it was a little over Helen's original post. Coming back is quicker with a bit of wind up the tail!
Darren
Depending on where you fly from in the UK (and aircraft type), NYC is around 8 hours flight time (eg MAN - JFK is 7hrs 45 mins, LGW-EWK is 7 hrs 50). I was going to suggest NYC but it was a little over Helen's original post. Coming back is quicker with a bit of wind up the tail!
Darren
Hi puddleduck! Firstly we prefer self catering or B & B as it gives us more freedom to come & go as we please. We do our sightseeing on our spring and Autumn breaks- the summer hols are just for chilling. By day, us ladies like to chill around a nice pool with a good book, with an occasional day at the beach. The men do go off for several walks. We spend one or two days touring around on motorbikes, and usually go somewhere on the local bus for a day. At night, we like to eat at traditional restaurants, sampling their food and drinks. We do however like an occasional music bar, or maybe a quiz. We also like to browse in the shops before or after our meal. We don't need any clubs or discos. Between us we've done the Dom Rep, Mexico, Kos, Zante, Corfu, all the Balearics, Tennerife etc. Not asking for much are we 
Hi Helen
Have you considered Skaithos? Its a gorgeous Greek island with a vibrant town at night, that is not one little bit rowdy, but lovely restaurants, bars etc - just lively enough without it being too much.
We go at least once a year - I can recommend some good accomodation etc if you need any help.
The island is quite small, but so lovely, and there is a bus that runs every 15 minutes all day and until late night into town. So you can be near the lovely beaches during the day, then go into town at night on a 5-10 minute bus ride.
Have you considered Skaithos? Its a gorgeous Greek island with a vibrant town at night, that is not one little bit rowdy, but lovely restaurants, bars etc - just lively enough without it being too much.
We go at least once a year - I can recommend some good accomodation etc if you need any help.
The island is quite small, but so lovely, and there is a bus that runs every 15 minutes all day and until late night into town. So you can be near the lovely beaches during the day, then go into town at night on a 5-10 minute bus ride.
What about Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the middle east, if you liked Egypt?
Hi JillyE,
I'm one of Helen T's holiday party and we did consider Skiathos for next year until finally deciding on Crete. We usually end up going to one of the Greek islands every other year but like to try somewhere else in between. Hence Helen's post about destinations around 6 hours or so away. I've also enjoyed Turkey, but Helen feels that she wouldn't be able to cope with the "hassle" there. From what you say about Skiathos, I can see us ending up there next time. However, there's plenty of time as next year's already taken care of.
I'm one of Helen T's holiday party and we did consider Skiathos for next year until finally deciding on Crete. We usually end up going to one of the Greek islands every other year but like to try somewhere else in between. Hence Helen's post about destinations around 6 hours or so away. I've also enjoyed Turkey, but Helen feels that she wouldn't be able to cope with the "hassle" there. From what you say about Skiathos, I can see us ending up there next time. However, there's plenty of time as next year's already taken care of.
Sorry, I thought NYC was 5ish hours from London Heathrow. Obviously not. I was basing it on stories I've heard of businessmen flying from London to New York for business meetings by leaving London at breakfast time and arriving in New York at breakfast time there.
Cate
People used to do that when Concorde was still flying as the flight was only just over 3 hours. On the clock you arrived in New York before you left London.
People used to do that when Concorde was still flying as the flight was only just over 3 hours. On the clock you arrived in New York before you left London.
What about Portugal, one of the lake resorts in Italy, Kefalonia, Aruba, Dubai, Tunisia or somewhere like Croatia (great beaches and plenty of walking)?
Unless you can stand 50+ degrees (and few can) avoid the Middle East in August. You will spend all your time in taxis going between air conditioned buildings.
As a leftfield suggestion - North East Canada - Nova Scotia etc.
As a leftfield suggestion - North East Canada - Nova Scotia etc.
Hmm! Not sure I'd class a transatlantic flight to Nova Scotia as anything other than longhaul! Also, Nova Scotia is at a fairly northerly latitude and daytime temperatures will hover around 70F at their highest. Pleasant but not necessarily that different from here and I get the impression that helen and her party are looking for somewhere hotter than that on the basis of the previous destinations she lists.
Yes, there are some beautiful beaches there, just as there are up here in Scotland but I suspect that also just like here, you won't necessarily find the sort of sunlounger and beach bar infrastructure on them that you do in the Greek islands in August.
SM
Yes, there are some beautiful beaches there, just as there are up here in Scotland but I suspect that also just like here, you won't necessarily find the sort of sunlounger and beach bar infrastructure on them that you do in the Greek islands in August.
SM
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