suggestions for October holiday please...

[emtsilly]

I'm not allowed in the sun apparently

[Hidden]

No sun ... consider Iceland.

Pros:

less crowded in October

less expensive (off tourist season)

longer nights and shorter days

northern lights can be seen

Cons:

roads through the highlands start to close around September

weather can be dismal

less variety of tour offers

less flights

[Angelcake]

No sun you say? Holiday in England then!

[Lg1968]

Have been to Stockholm in late September before. Very beautiful and lots of museums but eating out is expensive. Amsterdam is also interesting from a museum point of view. I went their last year and loved it and it was beautiful and not seedy like I had been worried about. In the uk how about Center parks or a hotel with pool and spa so you can do swimming to energise yourself and have a treatment to destress and relax. Are you taking children? Lots of activities they can do to give you and your partner(?) some downtime. Have a lovely time

[Chivvy]

Don't be beaten by this illness!!

Go where you fancy going and slap on the 50factor sunscreen and wear a hat and long sleeves!!

This disease stops us doing so much, don't let it stop you seeing the world!!

You say that 'apparently' you can't go in the sun. Have you ever had any flares after being in the sun? I've always been told the same but I've never really managed to confirm or deny it. Never noticed any flares etc. but still slap on the sunscreen!

Good Luck and enjoy your holiday, wherever you end up!

[Chivvy]

Presumably, it is not just a sunshine problem but a fatigue and pain one aswell.

If so, have you considered a cruise? You can sail from UK so no awful and tiring travel nightmares, lifts on board so no stairs to contend with, lots of fun and entertainment for ALL the family (my 6 year old loved it), if you feel up to going ashore, great, but if not there are plenty of things to occupy you on board, including resting in your comfy cabin!!

When we did it, we departed the ship and were back home by lunchtime and feeling fine. Never had that after a holiday before! Always needed a holiday to get over the holiday!!

[emtsilly]

Thank you all so much.

Not lucky enough to have children so free to go where I like. Sun causing a flare is a possibility but more that my kidneys would be at risk rather than/ as well as rash issues. South Africa at Easter was wonderful despite the UV protection, sleeping in a mosquito net bubble etc. Won't let it beat me but know that beach holidays are now out. I love sailing but not sensible due to the reflections. Am considering Ireland..never been and half term is different to many other schools.

Am learning to love my hats, still feel a bit weird but need to avoid having to take time off from high stress teaching....through my first year with Lupus

[Maureenpearl]

Most people with lupus is sun sensitive. I have SLE i am black and sun sensitive but I don't let it stop me going in the sun as we need it for the vitamin D. I have to put on factor 50 sunblock and I leave my arms and shoulders uncovered in the sun once I have put on the sunblock, sun glasses with UV protection and a hat when in a hot country.

I am off to Ireland with my husband tomorrow but I will still apply sunblock unless it is a gray day.

Cruises are great and my family and I went on one last year to celebrate my 60th birthday as I cannot fly anymore (my lungs are damaged from the lupus) so we depart and return to Southampton.

I went to Jamaica and Tunisia for my last beach holiday and was fine on land it was the flight that was a problem for me.

Please don't worry about going in the sun as you will know how it affects you and we are all different.

Have a great holiday were ever you go.

[emtsilly in reply to Maureenpearl]

Thank you Maureenpearl....have a super holiday, please let me know where's good there?

Rhuemy says UV is particularly potent in my case, wont know it's caused a prob until I am headed down dialysis route

[tracyxx]

lol im going yorkshire. cant stand sun either centre parks looks good.

[HalfPint]

I am going to Australia in October for a month! It's a very special and emotional trip and I am determined to go!

Ireland is delightful..my daughter lived in Southern Ireland for a few years and I visited a few times.

Forgive my biased opinion but Devon and Cornwall are just beautiful too. I moved down from London over 7 years ago and love it more and more.

Wherever you go, keep safe and have lots of fun x

PS In my first year of (diagnosed) Lupus and Scleroderma

[Looby]

Hi there HalfPint - Australia is kinda my second home, as I went to school there (in Brisbane) and also lived in South Australia (Adelaide) for 3+ years in my teens......have been fortunate enough to return there 4 times since returning to UK in 1967 - even had my (second marriage) Honeymoon there in 2007, when my husband and I toured the Ocean Road from Melbourne to Mt.Gambier.

So - if you want to ask me anything about it, fire away!

The best advice (as far as protecting yourself from UV in a hot country) is more or less the same as folks have already said: Factor 50 on exposed skin, large hat and polaroid sunspecs, 100% cotton clothing, travel mainly in early morning or evening, drink plenty of fluids..... We have just returned from Majorca, where temps are up in the 30's this week - we stayed cool by driving an air-conditioned hire car, and not staying in the direct sun for longer than an hour.

Interesting to hear what Maureen writes about air flight...I nearly always suffer from breathing problems if the flight lasts longer than a couple of hours. I have a theory it is something to do with the "air freshener" they use to mask food and BO smells. During the BSE scare (2004?) the cabin crew sprayed the interior (without warning passengers) and this gave me an asthmatic-like attack...It is the price we have to pay, I guess - to get to the places that lift our spirit!

You are SO fortunate, living in the South West....I had an idyllic week as Artist-in-Residence at Tintagel a few years ago, and just fell in love with the place...

[Kirsty2510]

Cornwall is absolutely gorgeous. BUT .......

I am biased as a Scot and proud of Scotland. Photos and TV programmes do not do it justice

The west coast is particularly beautiful . We hope when I am slightly better to 'island hop' . the journey from Glasgow to Skye is breathtaking . If you look up Caledonian Macbrayne ferries online they show all the routes to the beautiful islands and you can easily mix and match. Accomodation whether hotel or gorgeous self catering can be fantastic and the food is amazing. The colours in October are gorgeous too . We often short break in October as it is my. Irthday month and are actually normally very lucky with nice autumn weather !

[spamula]

I also can't go out in the sun, but it doesn't stop me going to Teneriffe with the girls in May. You need to make sure that you have a high factor sun cream. I would go and have a swim at around 07.30 then stay in the shade until around 4, I just used to relax and read and just chill. It doesn't have to stop you doing things just be careful.. xx