Why not take a look at the thread above your's, The world's best beach

Thats what i've been reading. Good thread. I got a few ideas from the thread, like the Philippines. Just thought the guys and gals on here might have some more suggestions.

We did a Singapore/Bali combination in the summer. Fabulous places! 3 days in Singapore would be enough to see the main things, although you could obviously spend more time there. You would have to investigate snorkelling in Bali yourself as we did not do that. However, there was a reef just offshore where we were and diving vessels. I wrote reports for the holiday this year and also one for a stay in Singapore last year. I will find the links for them.
Welcome to HT by the way!

Singapore/Bali report here
last years report here
AndyCs Bali/Singpore report [urlhttp://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=40281&highlight=singapore]here

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Thanks Fiona that would be great.
After reading small peice about the Philippines on the "Best Beaches in the World" thread i started to look around the net to more info. and a rough price guide but thats when i found there wasnt much out there on the Philippines unless im looking in the wrong direction?!
anyone know of any operators or would it have to be a total DIY job? I thought travelmood.co.uk (great site by the way if no-ones tried it!) went there but they dont.

Thanks again people!

Hi,
We went to Singapore ,Borneo[our 2nd visit],and tioman island in april for 28 nights.It was a fantastic trip,i booked it all off the internet,and saved a fortune on the best travel company quote we had which was from quoni.
Borneo is a wonderful country,so much to see and do,and great beaches.Singapore was good fun,excellant shopping, and tioman island was very relaxing,with beautiful beaches. Ask if you need anymore info,
Enjoy your trip,
sue

I have been to the Maldives and also to several Caibbean Islands.

Without doubt the service you receive Eastbound is second to none, but I do feel you've been missing out by not going Westbound yet. There is something so laid back, relaxed and different about the Caribbean. And even though our holiday to the Maldives was our best yet, for some strange reason we still prefer the Caribbean.

Avoid the more charter type islands such as Dom Rep and try somewhere like Grenada, Tobago, Turks & Caicos (stunning beach called Grace Bay), or if budget allows the Grenadines are beautiful and have really good snorkelling - we swam with the turtles there!

Alternatively, how about a few nights in Dubai or Abu Dhabi followed by the rest in Mauritius? Would be easy to go with Emirates who have good leg room in economy class.

LisaMJ

Thanks for the help everyone. I did think about Dubai but i was but off by all of the building work. I am really tempted by the carribbean but a lot of people said that they were hassled a lot by beach boys and the likes which put me off slightly. another thing is that the fiance wanted a twin stay with one of the stops being in a city with shops - being female n'all!
Would New York and the Carribbean be a good combination?

Definately, it would be really easy to do....we looked at doing a few nights in NY followed by the rest in St Lucia for our honeymoon and there was lots of flight options. In the end we spent the whole time in St Lucia as we'd been to NY before and just wanted to relax.

Not all beaches in the Caribbean have vendors on them. Grand Anse in Grenada for one has a small market at one end of the beach where all the vendors have to sell from, and it is illegal if they walk down the beach touting. On another note, we stayed at Galley Bay, Antigua, which is on 3/4 mile beach. It's the only hotel in the bay, and because of the layout of the resort, we weren't approached once. (lovely, adults only hotel by the way). Another one to consider is Palm Island in the Caribbean.

You are best to avoid long (several mile) beaches with loads of hotel along them as thats where the vendors will swarm to, which is probably where you've heard the stories from; It's definately not a reason not to visit the Caribbean in my humble opinion.

On another note, on the odd ocassion when I have been approached, a simple but firm 'No thanks' works fine. In fact, by and large they are all lovely and we've had some nice chats even though we didn't buy anything.

I will be honest and say not all the locals are always as outwardly friendly compared to Eastbound destination - it's not them being rude, it's just the way they are. That said, I do find the Caribbean locals more natural and more 'themselves'. Whereas the Maldivians were the most lovely people I have met, but I felt a big part of this was about their training. Don't get me wrong, we made some really good friends in the Maldives, but it was like they had to think before they spoke to make sure they didn't say something wrong.

Anyway, have fun deciding!

L x

Thanks Lisa you're a great help!

So did you book through an agent, with a agent online or was it a DIY project? everytime we've been east (with the exception of the maldives) we've pretty much made all of the reservations ourselves online or used travelmood.co.uk, but having never been to the Caribbean what would you say is the best way to book? I know Virgin seem to have a large chunk of the market!? but is there anyone you would particularly reccommend?

Thanks Again
Jamesx

We do a bit of both, book independant but have also used agents. Have booked this years holiday to Jamaica with Thomsons - but I wouldn'r recommend a you do a charter flight unless upgrading to a premium cabin as the legroom (with the exclusion of First Choice) is appalling. Also, the charter companies are unlikely to have any of those little hideaway hotels that are around. Hpwever, as you said, Virgin do offer a wide range of hotels for both the typical tourist as well as those looking for something a bit more special.

Although I've never actually booked with them myself, people such as http://www.key2holidays.co.uk and http://www.bestatholidays.co.uk are pretty good if you have done all your research and know where you want to stay but want a decent rate.

However, if you need guidance on which island/hotel will suit you best, you can't go far wrong with INVALID URL the owner, Gloria is a godsend when it comes to info.....she helped us chose our holiday to the Maldives last October and after a bit of negotiation they actually worked out the cheapest.

For the Caribbean I have booked with Thomas Cook Signature, Voyana and for Xmas Thomson. Politely negotiated with all of them and got it down to prices in line with booking independantly.

LisaMJ x

So in the Caribbean what board basis would you recoommend? I'm thinking 3/4nts. NY and 7nts Grenada or Tobago. Does it work out easier and cheaper to go all inclusive or are local restaurants plentiful and reasonble priced?
Thanks Lisa your a Gem!x

Tough one as it's down to personal preference I guess.

I'd say yes, it's cheaper to go all inclusive, although I'm not a fan of it myself as I feel that you miss out on some local culture - plus I can't stand buffets lol! The one all inclusive holiday we've done was also our least favourite, purely because we felt we missed out on finding little local restaurants to eat in and experience a bit more of local life.

In Grenada we visited some fantastic restaurants and we really would have missed out. One was True Blue Bay, which is set over the water and decorated with lights as per the (blurry!) photo below which was taken after a few too many rum punches! Food was very very good with a lovely big wine list. 3 course A la Carte meals out cost us in the region of $100 -$130 total U$ inc wine and a couple of cocktails. We'd do that a few times, and another day perhaps just sit at a beachside restaurant with our toes in the sand eating jerk chicken with our hands and drinking rum which would only cost us $20. So it's swings and roundabouts.



In fact, here is a link to my travel pages with some Caribbean photos.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/69034/ . Tobago is also still quite natural and one the last 'real' caribbean islands left I feel. My sister lives in Trindad & Tobago so I may be biased!

To sum up, given the choice and if budget allows, I'd go room only or B&B. You'll still be able to have a great time all inclusive, I just feel you'd miss out on some of the 'real' Caribbean.

LisaMJ x

wow what a great site! some stunning pictures too! You seem to enjoy talking about holidays and travelling as much as me - lol.

Thanks again.
Jamesx

Yeah...my friends an family have trouble shutting me up lol! Travel is definately one of my passions - which is strange because the furthest both my husband and I went when we were kids with our parents was Spain, so I don't know where we get it from!

go to MOROCCO!!!!!!!!!!!

I go to the Philippines often staying in Cebu, usually flying to Cebu (without having to go via Manila) with Singapore, Malaysian or Cathay Pacific Airlines. Prices are between £480 and £600 , hotels are cheap but the Beach Resorts can be expensive as they are usually owned by Japanese or Koreans. You can check out prices with Asia Travel but local rates are much cheaper.

I would definitely recommend the Philippines. I go there quite often as my wife is a Filipina.

The place most tourists head off to is Boracay. I first went there back in the early eighties when it was just for backpackers. Obviously now it has been developed but is still a nice place to go. Wondeful white powder beaches. Places to stay to suit most budgets. Google Boracay for more info. Good diving and snorkeling.

One place that I have heard of that is excellent but not yet ruined is Malapascua Island. In the north of Cebu.

My all time favourite Island in the Philippines MUST be Camiguin Island. It is wonderful there. You can do all the thigs you want to there and no beach sellers etc to annoy you. It is a volcanic island. has one main volcano(dormant) Hibok-Hibok it is called. there are six other small volcanoes. There are numerous hot springs and cold springs. It is a real Paradise! Excellent diving and snorkeling! I love the Island.

There are some good ,cheap places to stay that are run by foreigners. Always choose places run by foreigners when in the Philippines. they are better run and ALWAYS better value for money. They know what the tourist wants. I have been to that Island many times.

if you have any questions -- just fire away!

Thanks for everyones help! We ended up going to Taba Heights in Egypt and stayed at the Hyatt Regency.

Would definatly reccommend it!

@ Pedrogooner - I've been really interested in the Philippines! And appreciate your input, definatly one for the future!! I was looking at Fridays on Boracay. I cant seem to find any tour operators that go out to the Philippines, is it just as well to book everything (hotel, flights, transfers etc.) independantly? When going to the smaller islands is do you alaways have to change at Manila? and who's best/cheapest to fly with?

Many Thanks
James