A very difficult question. The first thing I decide is if I want long or short haul. Next comes whether its within Europe or not. I can usually narrow it down to one or two countries fairly quickly, then the problems start. Depending on the country I then decide what board I want. To be honest this year I found it very difficult to make up my mind. For once I gave hubby the choice. I told him to name me 2 countries, & I was only going to look at those. He came up with Croatia & Kephalonia. Croatia was coming up with some silly prices, so Kephalonia it was. We love Greek food, so B& B was the best option for us. Searched through those & hey presto Lorenzo hotel Lassi seemed a good base and had brill reviews on here.

Firstly, like Helen I decide whether I want long haul or not. I've been doing research on HT for a good few years now so I more or less know the countries that wouldn't interest me. I love the Greek islands so if I haven't been there for a couple of years I have to pick one of them. Recently though the euro's put me off booking so we ended up in the Dominican Republic this year and I've booked Turkey for next summer. I decided on Turkey as we've been once before and always said we would return - next year seems like a good time. This means that it will definitely be one of the Greek islands the following year or I'll have withdrawal symptoms.

Unless I'm in the Caribbean I'll only consider SC or B&B as I hate spending most of my time in the hotel.

Hi Bri

I find it really difficult as well. I think over the years I have managed to go to many of the places that I have wanted to go and so now sometimes revisit favorites, so have been to Greece 5 times, Turkey 2, Algarve 3, Florida 4 times etc

I'm not 100% where I want to go next year. I would like to go to one of the Red Sea resorts in March/April for a week and that is as far as I have got. I've got about 5 choices for next summer.

Is it ten different Countries, or ten different accommodations, perhaps if you list them perhaps people could give their experiences if they have been there ? Although of course that could confuse you more.

The last few years hubby's come up with the destinations, and because I like the sound of them i've gone along with it. I'd never even heard of Cape Verde until he mentioned it. I really like the Greek islands but the price of the Euro has kept us away from there. We tried Turkey last summer purely because we thought it would be one of the cheapest options, and it was. We've been trying to go to Goa for the past couple of years but the time of year has always been wrong, so it'll probably be there next year. The problem is there are so many countries we want to go to, so we try not to go back to the same places even if we've enjoyed. If we had the money we'd travel a heck of a lot more

I really like the Greek islands but the price of the Euro has kept us away from there.

we were in Kahdamina [kos] in may and the prices weren't any different to last year, OK the pound is down [against all currencies] so please don't blame European countries because of the poor state of our own currencies

wiz

please don't blame European countries because of the poor state of our own currencies

I don't know that anybody's blaming European countries Brian but with the week pound we can't help looking for more affordable options.

That's what I was meaning

Wizard HT Mod wrote:

I really like the Greek islands but the price of the Euro has kept us away from there.

we were in Kahdamina [kos] in may and the prices weren't any different to last year, OK the pound is down [against all currencies] so please don't blame European countries because of the poor state of our own currencies

wiz

Nobody is blaming other Countrys, but at the end of the day we still have to deal with the reality of eating and drinking out when we are in the euro zone and paying 15 Euros for 2 sunbeds and a parasol. (in too old to lay on a lilo ) And 3.5 Euros for a coke.

We cant just ignore this. Budget is something everyone has to consider whoevers fault it is. (thought we weren't allowed to be political on here anyway).

I only go to Turkey and Sharm now so it isnt difficult to decide.I just keep my eye on prices and book when the price is right.
I booked 2 weeks ago for October but have seen the hotel I was at in May for next May on TC website at an amazing price so I am off to book it tomorrow

Well, first thing I do is look for a resort with lots for both our 8 yr old daughter and us to do , ie, waterparks, great beach, tourist attractions . ( Things will change when she's too old to come on holiday with her ma and da ! ooh, probably when she's 25 !!!)
Second would be research hotels or apartments, if europe, apartments are a must for us, we love the home from home feel, or long haul, the facilities for our daughter far outway the comfort of the rooms in a hotel.
third would be cost, now I don't mind paying for good accomodation, but don't go way above what we could really afford just because I have a credit card !
On the whole, I would say, if I set my mind on europe, the resort is more important, but if its long haul, I can narrow it down a bit as there are fewer options for us due to the lengths of the flights.

First point is ...Will it be about 30C and no rain.
second,... fairly reasonable flight duration and good flight times.
third, .... quality and choice of accomodation.
fourth, ..... things to see and do.
fifth,....cost.

i find that if i follow this criteria then my holiday will be exactly what i want, have been on different types of holidays and some very different places and seen some wonderful things, though generally for the last couple of years have concentrated on taking 3 separate week long holidays which has sort of knocked out long haul destinations and mainly meant going to Egypt and Lanzarote, but i would definitely go around SE Asia for a longer time when i get to taking more time off work.

We only ever go to Santa Eulalia, Albufeira nowadays so it's never a hard decision for us!
(The hardest decision is where to stay accomodation-wise !)

Time of year...holidays have to fit round work requirements. If its the winter then its SE Asia where the weather is good and we do a multi center break ( we regard winter as our main holiday time). If its summer than we'll do short haul for a week in a villa with a pool (some good deals to be had out of high season) or a city break.

Helen....good choice with Lassi Beaches are superb along this area. Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos. Over the years Lassi has 'filled' the gap between it and Argostoli.

Like Sunbear, our main holiday now is in the UK Winter....so India, Thailand, Cambodia etc. so 'look' in that direction...maybe Cuba this year ..Kerala DECISIONS!

In the summer we tended to 'do' Greece...then Turkey for years...and now back to Greece.

when the children were younger we always went to Spain , as we found they catered more for them with theme parks and the likes , have been to Turkey once wrong resort for us as a family , but would love to go back but somewhere different , last year went to Greece (rhodes) couldn't understand why people said wonce you have been to greece you wont go anywhere else , and yes can believe it , going to Tunisia for the first time in October as it was somewhere different , and booked Crete for next year because i read the book The Island , and now have to go and see for myself , there are so many places i would love to go to for different reasons , but the bank allowance wont allow it .