Christmas in a cold climate

I am looking for ideas on destinations for Christmas. [i]The only condition is it must be somewhere hot and where i can go shopping. While i enjoy the beach for a day or so i could not bear to lie on a beach all day long. Probably because i orginally come from a landlocked country. Distance is not an issue.
Any ideas yea who are well travelled?? [oo]

[Decker]

Dubai?

Thought about Dubai but was not sure if there would be enough to do for about 2 weeks? Also have heard that although the shopping malls are amazing they are more expensive than the UK not sure how true this is?

[RichardMannion]

South Africa, in particular the Cape Town area. There are the big malls at the V&A waterfront and just outside Cape Town (10 min drive - canalwalk.co.za). You can also go to the beach, and then there are the fabulous array of vineyards to visit for really cheap tastings. Food is extremely good, and cheap.

If flying VS is your thing then yes, South Africa, also Miami or Puerto Rico now or perhaps Mauritius. Those would be on my list ...

[Decker]

GOOD call

Miami for a few days & then on down to The Keys & have a few days in the old town of Key W[:D][y]est

[HighFlyer]

I have to agree with Richard on ZA. Literally SO much to do and virtually no time difference.

Thanks,
Sarah

I have just come back from my honeymoon In goa. We stayed in the Leela Resort which is one of the best 5* properties I have stayed at. Lovely weather, nice and hot, maybe you could combine it with a trip around India?

Love the sound of all the suggestions. What sort of things can one do in Miami/Key West? Sorry to be so dense. i think Miami and i just think the beach.
Cape Town has always been on my to do list and it will be after the world cup so prices will have stabilised, hopefully!
Thanks guys, keep those brilliant ideas coming in if you have any more.

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by porgie


Cape Town has always been on my to do list and it will be after the world cup so prices will have stabilised, hopefully!


It depends on what you mean by stabilised. My brother lives in South Africa and my sister, nephew and I are going there in March. He has been planning several outings etc for us and all have various taxes and surcharges added such as a conservation tax in the game parks. He believes that they have been added because the World Cup and will continue for a time to come - a bit like fuel surcharges and Advanced Passenger Duty

Having said that, it's a lovely country. I've been there several times and seen much of the country and loved it. I've done the main centres such as Cape Town and the Kruger National Park as well as Pretoria and Durban but I've also driven through the Greater and Lesser Karoo and visited the diamond mines in Kimberley and the gold mines in Jo'burg. I've done the Wetlands in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Midlands around Pietermaritzburg and last time we were in the Drakensberg mountains. I think though, apart from the game parks, my favourite was round the Escarpment near Sabie and the Kruger National Park with its stunning Blyde River Canyon and the amazing Burke's Potholes and the rather rudely named Long Tom Pass [:I]

You are absolutely right Honey lamb did not consider that the taxes put on services etc for the world cup etc might continue to be a money spinner for some time after the event.

[honey lamb]

quote:Originally posted by porgie
You are absolutely right Honey lamb did not consider that the taxes put on services etc for the world cup etc might continue to be a money spinner for some time after the event.

Well it was almost bankrupt when I was there two years ago and the world cup has to be paid for!

quote:Originally posted by Roxy-Popsy
Miami for a few days & then on down to The Keys & have a few days in the old town of Key W[:D][y]est

I was going to say Miami but it was flipping cold for most of last Christmans/New Year.

About every 15 years South Florida gets a cold Christmas. But about it, Miami and South Beach in particular is a fab place, there's great shopping too. Combine it with a visit to the Everglades then drive down through the islands to Key West. A great place to spend a few days with plenty of sights. You could easily fill 10+ days.

Another option is LA. This last Christmas, before the rain, it was warm and sunny. Then there are loads of places to head off to.

Cape Town all the way....[^]

Lived and worked there for just over 12months. Can't fault the place truely beautiful country plus get more value for STL than alot of place these days. Also hardly and time difference and a lot of night flights so very little 'jet lag'.

So much to see and do, they also drive on correct side of the road. [:D] so driving is easier (you will definately need a car over there to get around.)