Holiday suggestions please

[JoandJelly]

It's our 25th wedding anniversary this year so we would like to go away for a week and would appreciate some suggestions of possible destinations. Not too far afield, either Europe or Turkey. Flying from Ercan (1 connection max) or Larnaca in early May. We like warmth, good food and a bit of culture/sightseeing.

Where have you been that you would recommend?

[come_on_aylin]

Ryanair are flying from Paphos to Amman in Jordan 4 times a week from next month. Tuesday flights going out are at 1420 giving you plenty of time to drive to the airport. Flight time is 1 hour 15 minutes. Prices are good, starting at €29.50 (midweek flights) and it costs €5 per person per flight for priority boarding plus a cabin bag and a handbag. Note they no longer do free cabin baggage. You can arrange tours which take in Petra, amongst other sites and they will pick you up and drop you off at the airport or you can pick up a car and devise your own itinerary. TripAdvisor have lots of suggestions.
Downside is that it's Ryanair so maybe make sure as much of the trip as possible is free cancellation and/or take out good travel insurance.

I'd also recommend Cappadocia in Turkey, I think you can fly direct from Ercan to Kayseri now and then arrange transfers from there. We went in May a few years ago, lovely weather daytime but surprisingly cold in the evenings. We flew to Adana and picked up a hire car, booked hotels via booking.com. Adana I wouldn't recommend.

[Kath]

Bologna, Italy beautiful city. Had 5days there in September. full day foodie tour, parmigiana reggiano making, proper balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto factory. Fabulous food and drinks all day.Mix with a few nights on an agriturisimo farm.

[Harrythecod]

Malta very good food lots of history

[lee666]

Egypt, a week on the Nile visiting Valley of the Kings & Queens, Karnak, Luxor. A holiday full of history and wonderful sights and the boats are wonderful for nighttime entertainment.

[mrsgee]

Positano, Italy on the Amalfi Coast...not cheap but beautiful...and quite exclusive. Or any of the villages on the Amalfi Coast. From there you can visit Pompeii, Herculanium, and or course just enjoy the beauty of Amalfi itself, Maori, Minori, Ravello, and of course Sorrento. We went for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, some years ago I must say. In Pompeii that have the house of the Silver Wedding....which we really wanted to visit, unfortunately for us, it was being renovated, so we could not go in.....but the experience of Pompeii was fabulous. In Positano also, a truly fabulous restaurant....Chez Black on the sea front. You can also go to Capri on a ferry....again another lovely day.....go on the yellow submarine which takes you around the coral of the island....I could go on and on and on......Positano was a favourite of celebrities, Princess Grace and Prince Ranier, and Sofia Loren who had a villa there. Only thing I would say, if you have walking difficulties, not for you, as it is basically nestled in a rock face, so, no cars, just cobbled streets, but wonderfully Italian.

[Keithcaley]

All lovely suggestions and I've definitely earmarked a few for personal use in the future, but I'm not sure that any of them meet the 'Warmth' criteria! - That's rather difficult in Europe at this time of year.

My suggestion would be the Canary Isles!

[mrsgee]

Well Jo and Jelly said early May, which would actually be perfect for Italy...or Sicily but that might involve more than one change of planes.

[Keithcaley]

Well Jo and Jelly said early May, which would actually be perfect for Italy...or Sicily but that might involve more than one change of planes.

So they did

Memo to self: RTFP

[mrsgee]

Also, just read come on aylin post about Cappodoccia. yep an amazing place, have been a number of times and done the balloon rides, which is an absolute must, you can't go there and not do the balloon flight!...Stay in a cave hotel, absolutely lovely...the heritage site is fabulous with the 'fairy chimneys' but again, I would say, you do need to be mobile. Ilhara Valley, totally wonderful, and then of course the underground cities....fabulous, but not if you are claustrophobic or asthmatic......one of the best places on earth.

[mrsgee]

Oh and meant to say, a couple of years ago you could go direct from Ercan to Kayseri...but now you have to go Via Sabiha Gokcen....but really not a problem at all...times are good and the hotels will arrange transfer.

[ljarvo]

Hi - would also recommend Malta - you go direct from Larnaca with Emirates - good flight times.

Flight costs are very reasonable - lots of history and food very good and not expensive

[PapaBravo]

A Mediterranean cruise, possibly from/to Limassol.

[Jonnie]

I would follow Lee. Larnaca and one change in Cairo. LUXOR

Egypt is excellent value
You will not find sights like this anywhere else in the world, amazing place used to go every year and if you decide to go I will meet and give you some pointers, still owe you guys one for bringing my docs over!

Or go to Cairo and do a Nile cruise

[Maisiemoo]

Side in Turkey would be my choice. Fantastic hotels, wonderful beach where you can walk into the town and lots of history. We always hired a car and went to out of the way places that had very few tourists. Bonus is it's a short flight from Ercan!

[frontalman]

Canvey Island for me every time!

[JoandJelly]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions which I will go away and research.

I would dearly love to go to the Amalfi coast but a bit too rich for our pockets these days. We have been to Ischia and visited Capri so the great memories we have will have to suffice for now. Malta is definitely on the list as the food really appeals especially With the Sicilian influence. Capadoccia is not for us. I have no desire to go in a hot air balloon and the husband is 6'5 so caves are not a good idea

Jordan and Egypt, hmm food for thought. I did fancy Alacati near Izmir but think it will be too windy in May. Also considering Kaleici, Antalya (cheap flights lol).

Oh and I wouldn't rule out Canvey Island as I am after all an Essex girl

[mrsgee]

We did Kaleici Antalya a couple of years ago....loved it although you do need to be able to cope with some uphill and downhill cobbled streets. Absolutely loved it. There is a massive aquarium close by well worth a visit, and the local waterfalls are beautiful too. We are thinking Alacati for this year. It is in Cesme prince which is lovely but yes, can be very windy. Alacati is a bit on the pricey side too. Spain and the Alhambra palace Granada, Seville, Mijas, Córdoba, Ronda all very lovely. Not sure if you could fly from Istanbul or indeed Larnaca to Malaga though.

[mrsgee]

Or, you could try Croatia from Larnaca. Don’t know if they go direct. I think from Ercan it may need two changes. Beautiful place. We went many years ago when it was still Yugoslavia.... I still would love to go back.

[jackvern]

Loved Malta, loved Egypt and the Nile cruise. Truly magical. Done Jordan and the Lawrence of Arabia experience and had a great time in Israel. If you know the history I find it more interesting. I always remember what my old mate Bud Graves used to say."Cyrpus is great it really beats Hackney Marshes on a winters day" you certainly have a great jump off point from here and the world is your oyster. Good luck in choosing.