This might sound like a rookie post, but...suggest me a holiday!

[Travel Guru]

Given your experience, Travel Guru, that's quite a recommendation. Tell us more? What, in particular, gave it the appeal for you? Has been on my "think about" list for some time but has not yet come into sharp focus.

Hi Joan,

For me it was a couple of defining factors, the biggest being the people, they're absolutely lovely and it was incredible how safe I felt during my entire stay, it's also the landscape and the fact that it's really only just starting to come onto the radar or keen travellers and will likely be a while before it's as well known as places like the UAE and for that's something I treasure when I travel, being able to explore a place before it becomes over run by guide book following tourists.

There's many other places that have really touched my soul as well but when someone else mentioned UAE I couldn't help but throw it into the pot given its such a short flight away from AUH or DXB.

TG

 

[pagingjoan]

That's a great response, TG. And the factors you list really resonate.
Memo to self:
Move Oman up the priority To Do list!
Thanks for taking the time to expand - and hopefully, it will be of interest to Febs and others who have posted their tips so generously.
BTW, I would add a tick to Boracay, as suggested earlier. It's a very pleasant place for a little R&R and there are some excellent accommodation options available. Not an adventurous choice, perhaps, but very relaxing and an interesting culture.
We had a family get together there last year, and it was a great choice for such a gathering, which included toddlers, twenty-somethings, and "more mature" folk.

 

[scaredeycat]

My top 3 suggestions for that time of year:
1) New Zealand
2) New Zealand and
3) New Zealand.
there's a lot to be said for long Summer days where the sun sets at 10pm, the weather's not too hot and you don't have to worry about humidity.. The scenery is pretty special, too.
Just don't mention the rugby....

 

[GT351]

Red sea..Israel..egypt..jordan
Africa.. kenya..big cat capital..botswana and uganda.. gorrillas in the mist
Northern Canada...wilderness and churchhill the polar bear capital of the world.
Rural china
Jamaica ..rum and sun

 

[Febs]

For me it was a couple of defining factors, the biggest being the people, they're absolutely lovely and it was incredible how safe I felt during my entire stay, it's also the landscape and the fact that it's really only just starting to come onto the radar or keen travellers and will likely be a while before it's as well known as places like the UAE and for that's something I treasure when I travel, being able to explore a place before it becomes over run by guide book following tourists.

There's many other places that have really touched my soul as well but when someone else mentioned UAE I couldn't help but throw it into the pot given its such a short flight away from AUH or DXB.

That sounds really good. Tempting when I've just found out I can get 50% off any Etihad flight (any cabin) if booked before the end of the year. (Family and friends promo for staff apparently - a mate has just taken up a pretty senior role with them).

1) New Zealand
2) New Zealand and
3) New Zealand.

Still, NZ is looking like the most viable option at the moment!

Red sea..Israel..egypt..jordan
Africa.. kenya..big cat capital..botswana and uganda.. gorrillas in the mist
Northern Canada...wilderness and churchhill the polar bear capital of the world.
Rural china

ALL places we plan to do one day...but probably a bit far for this trip.

Jamaica ..rum and sun

Hmm..I've done whisky in Scotland, beer in Germany, wine in France...this would be the next logical step! Plus, I love a nice sipping rum (i.e. NOT Bundy ).

Cheers,
Febs.