omega Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 I'm based in Europe, and this year I don't have a big budget. Because I don't have much in the way of family, I like to escape to somewhere warm with pretty guys to chase. Normally, Thailand would be on my list; but demand leads to flights and hotels being more expensive than normal. Anyone have ideas for somewhere fun to go at Christmas in Europe... preferably somewhere warm and sunny. Gran Canaria is on my list... but it's expensive for what it is. Other places I haven't thought of/considered? Mavica 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridarob Posted June 10 Share Posted June 10 how are flights to Brasil? Mavica 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega Posted June 11 Author Share Posted June 11 14 hours ago, floridarob said: how are flights to Brasil? Similar in price as those to Thailand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 Why don't you try The Philippines?🇵🇭 Probably meet many guys for free although you can go to Cebu islands and Duamagette I'm not sure the airfare however hotels will be on par or more expensive than Thailand so Airbnb is better in Philippines It's also a Christian country so Xmas is celebrating not that it matters to you You will probably money guys for free You will need to plan it though. Though Vietnam maybe a dark horse... I wonder what Vietnam will be like at Xmas ? I heard it's the cheapest Asian country , I think Vietnam maybe cheaper for flights and accommodation out of all them.? But . I'm not sure the other parts of your trip goals , eg meeting people to spend Xmas with otherwise you will be alone Xmas day in a foreign country. My picks Vietnam 🇻🇳 If financial is the key goal for the OP do others suggest Vietnam ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 3 hours ago, Olddaddy said: eg meeting people to spend Xmas with otherwise you will be alone Xmas day in a foreign country. no harm done. I was in both Bangkok and Hanoi , on separate trips of course and did not feel lonely at all , specially that in both places it was regular working and bustling day. For many of us Christmas as well as other holidays is day spent with people not necessarily we like company of that much, talking about things not exactly we are interested in. reader, Olddaddy and bkkmfj2648 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithambrose Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 7 hours ago, vinapu said: no harm done. I was in both Bangkok and Hanoi , on separate trips of course and did not feel lonely at all , specially that in both places it was regular working and bustling day. For many of us Christmas as well as other holidays is day spent with people not necessarily we like company of that much, talking about things not exactly we are interested in. Good point. Often Christmas spent with those you feel an obligation to, is unhappy. I am considering Christmas away this year, with no guilt feelings. vinapu, Mavica, reader and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkmfj2648 Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 8 hours ago, vinapu said: For many of us Christmas as well as other holidays is day spent with people not necessarily we like company of that much, talking about things not exactly we are interested in. Amen to those words. I often dreaded Xmas time with people that made me uneasy - especially when the booze started flowing. So, Xmas in any other place - even if alone - was a GREAT alternative to the status quo. 😇 reader, Mavica and vinapu 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega Posted June 12 Author Share Posted June 12 21 hours ago, Olddaddy said: Why don't you try The Philippines?🇵🇭 Probably meet many guys for free although you can go to Cebu islands and Duamagette I'm not sure the airfare however hotels will be on par or more expensive than Thailand so Airbnb is better in Philippines It's also a Christian country so Xmas is celebrating not that it matters to you You will probably money guys for free You will need to plan it though. Though Vietnam maybe a dark horse... I wonder what Vietnam will be like at Xmas ? I heard it's the cheapest Asian country , I think Vietnam maybe cheaper for flights and accommodation out of all them.? But . I'm not sure the other parts of your trip goals , eg meeting people to spend Xmas with otherwise you will be alone Xmas day in a foreign country. My picks Vietnam 🇻🇳 If financial is the key goal for the OP do others suggest Vietnam ? Budget is the primary concern, and there just isn't any good flight deals around the Christmas period. Hotel prices too, tend to be more expensive over this period, even in non-christian countries. Basically, take a good price at any other time of the year, and double it. So to keep the budget, I think I need to be looking closer to Europe. 9 hours ago, bkkmfj2648 said: Amen to those words. I often dreaded Xmas time with people that made me uneasy - especially when the booze started flowing. So, Xmas in any other place - even if alone - was a GREAT alternative to the status quo. 😇 Completely agree. And judging by the demand hikes around that time of year, many others also agree reader 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 Is places like Romania cheap? I have always wanted to go to Romania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reader Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 On 6/11/2024 at 7:37 PM, Olddaddy said: I heard it's the cheapest Asian country , I think Vietnam maybe cheaper for flights and accommodation out of all them.? If financial is the key goal for the OP do others suggest Vietnam ? Agree that Vietnam would be a finer choice but you’ll find accommodations (especially in Ho Chi Minh City) can frequently be higher than in Thailand’s major cities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 I'm not sure where Gran Canaria is , haven't bothered to google it Spain may be another option for you Marc in Calif 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithambrose Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 1 hour ago, Olddaddy said: I'm not sure where Gran Canaria is , haven't bothered to google it Spain may be another option for you I hope you're not forgetting that Gran Canaria is in Spain? Marc in Calif 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 4 hours ago, Keithambrose said: I hope you're not forgetting that Gran Canaria is in Spain? Oh is it ?😄 I'm from Australia so no idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 10 hours ago, Olddaddy said: Is places like Romania cheap? I have always wanted to go to Romania I'd say cost wise it's half way between Western Europe and Thailand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 7 hours ago, Olddaddy said: I'm not sure where Gran Canaria is , haven't bothered to google it Spain may be another option for you Gran Canaria is part of Canary Islands, they in turn are part of Spain but are located on Atlantic close to southern Morocco which in turn is in North Africa 34 minutes ago, Olddaddy said: Oh is it ?😄 I'm from Australia so no idea don't worry , I always mix Vanuatu with Tonga omega and Olddaddy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 12 hours ago, Olddaddy said: Oh is it ?😄 I'm from Australia so no idea Yep, It's a big destination for gay guys in Europe. Some great resorts that cater specifically to gay guys, along with lots of nightlife along the lines of Soi4 or Jomtien, but with cruise bars and no go-go bars. You'll find lots of dark rooms, but you won't find anyone to "off" for a fee. You might find money boys on the apps. But, the pink premium is charged. floridarob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 23 hours ago, Olddaddy said: Is places like Romania cheap? I have always wanted to go to Romania I'm not sure I'd want to do Romania. Doesn't strike me as a very gay friendly place, but I don't know much about it. floridarob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 3 hours ago, omega said: Yep, It's a big destination for gay guys in Europe. Some great resorts that cater specifically to gay guys, along with lots of nightlife along the lines of Soi4 or Jomtien, but with cruise bars and no go-go bars. You'll find lots of dark rooms, but you won't find anyone to "off" for a fee. You might find money boys on the apps. But, the pink premium is charged. so in short, go to Bangkok or Pattaya instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 3 hours ago, omega said: I'm not sure I'd want to do Romania. Doesn't strike me as a very gay friendly place, but I don't know much about it. stunning and relatively wild mountains, folk culture still alive and painted monasteries of Moldova in Suceava area are very unique and well worth effort, Also Danube delta for nature lovers. For gay friendly we still have Thailand at the ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 1 hour ago, vinapu said: stunning and relatively wild mountains, folk culture still alive and painted monasteries of Moldova in Suceava area are very unique and well worth effort, Also Danube delta for nature lovers. For gay friendly we still have Thailand at the ready I think Translvanyia Dracula is in Romania ?🧛🧛 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinapu Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 6 hours ago, Olddaddy said: I think Translvanyia Dracula is in Romania ?🧛🧛 was. for all we know he died and is still dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 1 hour ago, vinapu said: was. for all we know he died and is still dead Maybe not🧛♂️🧛♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithambrose Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 On 6/13/2024 at 5:10 AM, vinapu said: Gran Canaria is part of Canary Islands, they in turn are part of Spain but are located on Atlantic close to southern Morocco which in turn is in North Africa don't worry , I always mix Vanuatu with Tonga Perhaps he doesn't know where Africa is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olddaddy Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 2 hours ago, Keithambrose said: Perhaps he doesn't know where Africa is? Perhaps you don't know where Tasmania is?😲 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithambrose Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 2 hours ago, Olddaddy said: Perhaps you don't know where Tasmania is?😲 Well I have been there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...