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AIBU?

To fly long haul with a 17 month old? Destination suggestions needed!

42 replies

TheLibrarian2014 · 25/04/2016 10:16

Forgive the use of AIBU, looking for fast suggestions!

Not been away since dd was 6 months old, and did a 7/8 hour flight each way which was just about OK, but hard work.

Now we are lucky enough to have a slot when we could go away in early May, later in the summer is tricky with work. DH just wants to go somewhere warm so med is out ( too cold for sea swimming which he loves, and not reliably warm and sunny yet).

He is suggesting Florida. I am desperate for a holiday but worry that the long flight and hard work of taking a toddler away just won't be worth it, for me at least.

Any suggestions for successful long haul toddler friendly hols? We are likely to be stuck only taking holidays over winter time for the foreseeable future (seasonal jobs too busy in uk summer) so really need to find a strategy that works... Have some cash saved as we were supposed to go away a few months back, but just didn't bother in the end as it seemed too much hard work. Open to any ideas with reliable good weather in early May, and as short a flight as possible! Sharm el sheikh might have been an obvious choice previously, not so much now!

Help please, have a despondent DH and want to treat us to a holiday we can all actually enjoy...

OP posts:

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Wotshudwehave4T · 25/04/2016 10:21

Lanzarote, Tenerife - sea should be warm enough, many toddler friendly 5 star hotels to choose from, kids club, reasonable evening meal times etc

TheLibrarian2014 · 25/04/2016 10:24

Hmm. Hadn't thought of canaries, assumed sea wouldn't really be warm enough for swimming so early?

OP posts:

BananaInPyjama · 26/04/2016 00:29

Florida is only 9 hours, so not too long.

We travelled around the world multiple times with 4month, 16month, 24 month...all fine. Just get them to sleep at normal times and it is more tolerable fr everyone

PointlessFriend · 26/04/2016 00:43

South Africa? Much more child friendly re time zone and a not too far. Weather wouldn't be hot but you would have beautiful bright sunshine depending where you go.

Or Namibia?

Florida doesn't do it for me. I you do decide to go to Florida then I'd avoid Miami Airport it's awful.

I much prefer California.

scarednoob · 26/04/2016 00:53

Caribbean? Barbados is about 7-8 hours - I've been to various islands between November and June and it's always been gorgeous weather, warm but not boiling.

scarednoob · 26/04/2016 00:54

Or if you wanted a shorter flight, Madeira is nice and warm - not much in the way of beaches, but otherwise a really lovely place

Tartyflette · 26/04/2016 00:58

Bermuda 7-1/2 hours with BA, direct flights, expensive but lovely weather, pretty island, pink sand beaches. Good hotels. But expensive (just so you realise it's expensive)

Seren85 · 26/04/2016 01:29

Tenerife etc should probably be warm enough for sea swimming (hope so as we're going soon).

DisneyMillie · 26/04/2016 06:58

I did Orlando with dd at a similar age - it was fab

curren · 26/04/2016 07:02

We go to Cyprus in May and the sea is fine.

We have also been to the Greek islands in May. Again not a problem. We are going this may.

We have however flown to Florida. When my kids were small. Dd went at 18 months,3 and 5.

Ds went when he was 11 months and about 22 months. The flights were fine. Took Lots of things to entertain them and inflight entertainment helped. Plus an early flight time so they slept on the flight.

mouldycheesefan · 26/04/2016 07:05

Is it for this may? Is next week? probably have to take what is available of so, as it's very late booking

BikeGeek · 26/04/2016 07:13

Sea temp in the canaries doesn't alter all that much across the year, only a couple of degrees. Whether it's too cold is a matter of perception...

BikeGeek · 26/04/2016 07:14

Sea temp in the canaries doesn't alter all that much across the year, only a couple of degrees. Whether it's too cold is a matter of perception...

QueenofLouisiana · 26/04/2016 07:17

I swam in the sea off Tenerife on Christmas Day- just to say I had done it. It was a bit chilly, but I am a wuss.

BowChickaBowWow · 26/04/2016 08:44

We went to Orlando last year when my DS was 20m. It was great. The flight was fine; he napped for a couple of hours soon after take-off, then he ate, played with little toys and games, ate more, walked around a bit, ate even more and people watched for the rest of the flight. He slept for 90% of the flight home! The holiday was brilliant too, lots for little ones to do and he'd be so worn out each night that he'd sleep in his pushchair whilst we ate in peace!

TheLibrarian2014 · 26/04/2016 09:05

Thanks all. Looking at last minute availability, some astonishingly good deals coming up for all inclusive in Turkey. Anyone been there mid May? Dalaman area, sensatori.

Would you risk turkey at the mo? I am pretty gung ho blasé about risk, but DH is Guess there is a good reason it's cheap (and still available) right now...

OP posts:

mouldycheesefan · 26/04/2016 10:07

I love turkey and have been mid May and weather was good. Have heard good things about sensatori.
Wouldn't personally go to turkey at moment though.

19lottie82 · 26/04/2016 10:50

I'd think the jet lag would be more of a problem for a little tot than the flight time for Florida.

MissRabbitHasTooManyJobs · 26/04/2016 10:55

Have a look at the aqua fantasy aqua hotel and spa, kusadasi.
We're going end of May, not going to live in fear :)

AlbusPercival · 26/04/2016 11:00

Mexico!

OneMagnumisneverenough · 26/04/2016 11:18

Cape Verdi?

Earliest I've been to Turkey is Late June and in high 30s. and I would go at the moment - I'd just be reluctant to book too far in advance.

Or maybe Goa? Just the end of the season there and I've been in late April and it was lovely - sea was like a bath.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 26/04/2016 11:32

holidayplace.co.uk/holiday/search?special-offers=0&reset-search=1&customer-id=0&visitor-id=0&destination=india&departure-day=8&departure-month=5&departure-year=2016&departing-from=UK&depart-flex=3&staying-for=10&page-number=1&price-range-min=849&price-range-max=4849&suitability%5B%5D=families&sort=price-asc

I've stayed in the Cidade de Goa and it was lovely but I've heard good things about Zuri White Sands if they have availability on the dates.

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MiddleClassProblem · 26/04/2016 11:36

Just done long haul with 15 month old. Just be aware they don't have a seat or fit in the bassinet so will be sitting on one of you which means plane meals are tricky. I didn't eat on the way out but it was a night flight so had dinner at the airport before boarding. On the way back we had bulkhead seats so more space and ate in shifts with one tray on the floor waiting

Oriunda · 26/04/2016 11:39

Dubai. Perfect weather, great hotels and flight not too long. If you fly with Emirates even better. Canaries are also perfect - Atlantic sea but water should be ok and there are always swimming pools in the hotels.

Arius85 · 26/04/2016 11:42

Mauritius? No real jet-lag. We did a trip when DS was c20 months and it was great. Overnight flight, long enough for a real sleep and then all ready to go when we got there.
Not sure of the weather in May but I guess not super hot which is probably better with little one.

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