Inspire me for October - adventure and beach without breaking the bank.

[Eightytwenty]

Inspire me!

2 weeks October (10-25th). Adults and teen or teens.

Fly from Scotland.

Ideal destinations - Vietnam, Sri Lanka or Jordan. But budget for above closer to 10k than 5k which is where I’d like to land.

Ideally would have a combo of beach (diving if possible), history, culture or scenery. Would prefer it to feel like an adventure than a package holiday.

Another option though would be go up to the far north of Europe, stay in camping huts which have cooking facilities and are heated, see the reindeer, lemmings (no they weren’t marching in line, a reference for 1990’s computer gamers) go kayaking, hardly a risky adventure but it’s a different sort of holiday, no flights needed (train to Calais or overnight ferry to hook of Holland) fuel is reasonable in Sweden and a bit more variable in Norway, expensive in Netherlands, Denmark and Finland

Slovenia is one to look at - the caves were incredible. It has so much to offer and is close to Italy and other countries for day trips.

I think Scandinavia is really expensive though, isn't it? Particularly Norway

Ohh I'm so tempted by Georgia 🇬🇪! My parents holiday there a lot and love it and everyone I know who has been found it amazing. But I don't think you can swim in October? Definitely my next summer holiday destination though!

If flights to Vietnam are £3k, are you sure can’t find accommodation and activities that fit into the other £2k? I went for 11 nights earlier this year, and my accommodation (in double rooms, at 3-4 star hotels, and two nights in a 5 star), came in at £500 total. I can imagine it becoming £750-800 or so by booking triple rooms or an additional room altogether…

Do you want a fairly luxurious level of comfort? Food is cheap and there are a lot of budget activities too - a lot of bike riding, Sapa and Ninh Bing are not expensive, etc…

@hahabahbag @EstrellaPolar you’ve both given me food for thought. We are very happy not to stay in 5 star accommodation (tbh would prefer not to) and very happy to do public transport or lcc. Train from Columbo to Kandy and trains / buses through SE Asia were how we did it back in the day. Albeit we are quite a lot older now (& with child to keep alive 😂).

Going to go back to drawing board and see if we can make either work. Husband very keen on diving if possible.

Mauritius, but not the package holiday type. We rented a car and did a road trip around the island - car rental was very affordable and it’s an easy drive. There are some spots for hikes in the national park, good diving including wrecks if you’re into that, and of course incredible beaches - genuinely all the beaches were so nice.

What about Mozambique? There are some special fares for direct flights from Lisbon in October: https://www.flynous.com/tap-cheap-flights-portugal-mozambique/.

The snorkelling and diving look amazing and you can also take a safari. Plenty of culture and history as well.