bereft of holiday ideas

Nick,

I know you said not Thailand, but would a different location within Thailand be an option? I have the impression you usually go to Koh Samui but I'm probably wrong.

Le Sarojin hotel in Khao Lak is fabulous (we didn't stay there, we were next door) and whilst it's a little way from the centre of Khao Lak (5-10 mins in a taxi) there are 3 very good beach restaurants to the right when you hit the beach.

Another option would be Rayavadee in Krabi, although that is a bit more remote.

Just a note about the Chedi hotel in Oman - my boss recently tried to book for him & his wife and they were full booked - they get fully booked very quickly.

Sadly she s vetoed thailand completely this time.

funnily enough i wanted to go to the rayavadee, but its fully booked for feb/march for the room we wanted, so that was a non starter anyway. it was booked even in june when i looked for feb. the thing is, i dont really want remote, but thailands different as you can stay in bangkok for a bit, then beach, then back to bangkok for some city life. place like mauritius its not really possible to do that.

What about Malaysia? Or somewhere else in SE asia?

What about Malaysia? KL and somewhere else like Langkawi or Penang.

Shucks.

Hmmm...could you combine somewhere like Hong Kong/Singapore/KL with Langkawi or maybe Borneo?

I know my mum, brother & sister did an organised tour of Borneo which incorporated the city, beach, wildlife etc. I can't remember the hotels but I doubt they'd be the sort of thing you're after.

I really, really liked Buenos Aires - great city and a fantastic atmosphere. Should be toasty warm - when I went last October, it was already mid-20s and climbing. Can't help on the luxury hotels as I'm strictly a local hotel person ?

Alternatively, would Chile, Peru and Brazil appeal? I would recommend Bolivia but no top-range hotels (I don't think) I absolutely adored Easter Island although I don't think it's for you (no luxury hotels, not enough to do and definitely no city). Closer to home, South Africa?

Another vote for Brazil - the blend of beach and city in Rio made it just perfect for me. And there is luxury in Sao Paulo on a scale that I have never seen before (in my admittedly low-rent experience!).

Montserrat maybe? Still beautiful and most of the island is open. beach, some cityish bits and other islands you could visit.

Certain people are going to open the OT front page and see that this is 6 pages and rub their hands together with glee, thinking that there is a row going on ?

thanks - will definitely look at brazil, and argentina. not wild about only island though.

Rio de Janeiro is my favourite city in the world since it has everything:

Lovely beaches, fab shopping, strong drinks, amazing food and loads of things to see and do. More gorgeous half naked girls than you can shake a stick at as well!

If you go in Feb you should try to be there when the carnival is on!

I d prefer to avoid the carnival tbh, i m very grumpy about such things ?

well done you ?

If I was able to go away that time of year, top of my list would be Argentina... a 3 stop tour - beaches, mountains and city, taking in some vineyards on the way.

i am having sausages for dinner.

?

Nick, trust me i`d hitch hike back to Buenos Aires just for one of those steaks again. If you decide there I can give some food recommendations, plus have a friend from there who might be able to deal with any further questions you may have.

i m not intersted in meeting your ladyboy friends glider ?

He isn`t a ladyboy, but i`m sure he`d show you a good time ?