If you magically had £9-12k to spend on a holiday this end July/August

[regularbutpanickingabit]

And you were a family of 5 with 2 late teens and an under 10.

Where would you go????

A bit of a pipe dream but there’s something that might come off that could mean that this money is suddenly an option and we’ve decided that the last few years of complete shite would be best remedied by a blow out holiday abroad before the older kids disappear to their own lives.

We’ve never spent more than £3.5k on a holiday and that was a long time ago, so no clue where to start. We are usually camping in the U.K./weekends in Airbnb city breaks/villa types with a holiday abroad every couple of years.

It needs to be hot and include a beach for at least a week of it. The budget is for everything so flights, food, accomodation, car (if needed) etc.

We would want at least 2 weeks but can add on a couple of travel days if we go further afield.

Happy to try something different.

I know this would be an extremely lucky position to be in if it comes off which is why we want to spend it wisely.

Any suggestions, wise mumsnetters?

Costa Rica - can't wait for DS to be a bit older so we can go! (We can go now but there will be more we can all do and he will enjoy it more when he's a bit older)

Florida for all reasons pp said

I agree that some of these suggestions are not great weather for July/August. That's OK if you get a good deal but if you are blowing £10k on a trip of a lifetime it would be a disappointment for it to rain the whole time!

The Kenya/Tanzania/Zanzibar idea is great but whenever I've looked its been super expensive. Would it be doable for a family of 5 for less than £12k? Prices I've seen have been much more even for relatively non-luxurious brands e.g.g www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/17135/east-africa-safari-zanzibar-holiday#price

I would do Northern California and Hawaii. Southern will be too hot at that time of the year. I would begin somewhere around Monterey, explore the Mission at Carmel and gradually work my way up the coast, staying at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fran for a few nights, make a detour for Yosemite and perhaps do part of an iconic train route up to Seattle. Then I would fly to Hawaii and spend a good week to ten days there, chilling out and exploring the landscape and wonderful food ( insanely fresh sashimi and sesame biscuits). Then, I would probably y home via Boston for lots of lobster and history. I’ve pretty much done this trip before but I’d love to do it again and again on loop. It’s all on hold until we ‘feel’ right about travelling again.

100% a dude ranch vacation in the American Rockies. Colorado is my favourite. A week on a ranch, a week driving national parks / hot springs / and a city fix in Denver too.

A week safari in Kenya followed by a week at the beach in Tanzania. A life changing holiday that will be appreciated by all of you, and something that can only be done if you’ve got plenty of money!

Costa Rica (although it will be humid)
Twin centre Borneo/Maldives on way back
South Africa (it's towards the end of their winter, but it's whale watching time in Hermanus)
Alaska cruise then fly down to SoCal or onto Mexico
Alaska cruise and the Rockies

Viva do some excellent twin centre hols and they can tweak itineraries
Travel bag organised our SA trip which was very individualised, and they were very good (Nicola Poole especially).

Oh, Hawaii is hot in August but you need to top up your tan and you cannot go that far away in a good budget and miss it!

You could fly into LA, grab a cool hire car and meander up the coast to San Fran. Spend a few days there then head up the coast further.

That or I've seen some amazing trips around the Greek Islands where you stay on a small ish sailing ship and tour around.

Tulum in Mexico with a trip in Costa Rica / Belize (not 100% on safety at the moment so check first).

@Avocadobacardi

One of the Ikos resorts. They are the most incredible 5* ultra all inclusives. Everything is included including over 400 wines, all drinks, michelin starred food, a free mini for the day to explore the area, room service, all the restaurants. For a relaxing holiday it's pure indulgence and you can easily not spend another penny if you don't want to

Same here! I definitely go back to Ikos Oceania or try the Ikos Dassia in Corfu.

We are spending about £7k on a Southern California holiday. We can only afford it because we had a holiday and several days out cancelled, so we saved that money. We aren't staying anywhere super expensive, and I've checked the prices and everything that we have booked has doubled, at least, in price. If we had another week or two we would definitely do Vegas, Grand Canyon and a 3 day Baja California cruise, but we would be looking at £3k more

Another Florida vote here. Did Disney etc twice - once when I was 8 then when I was 26. If you're into that sort of holiday it's great for all ages.

Federated States of Micronesia

Quick reply from a train with crap signal to say thank you thank you for so many fantastic responses. Going to look at them properly when I get home from work and come back with questions/answers!!

Thailand, Costa Rica, safari, Maldives and Mauritius jumping out right now. Are they seriously possible in that budget at that time and for 5?

Not keen on Florida or cruises, sorry.

Lots to investigate.

Thank you!

Oooh I've just looked at the Ikos website just to torture myself - they have a hotel in Marbella now! There is loads to do in the area there.

Galapagoes

Tanzania!!
2nd place Antigua.

@Mia85 I agree you can’t get a safari for 5 in peak season for that price. I recently got a quote for 9 nights for 2 adults in September and it was way over that

warriortrails.com/7-days-tanzania-wildlife-safari/

This is the kind of thing. I have used warrior trails several times. Its locally owned and guides are great. I haven't been for the best part of 10 years so I have no sense of current pricing, but always worth a try!

I would go to Sardinia or Croatia with Neilson holidays. Beach, activities, relaxing or energetic fun for everyone.

@midsomermurderess

I'd do a trip through the Stans, eg Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan. Companies like Intrepid do tours. It would mean long days and lots of driving (being driven) but what amazing sights you'd see.

I did this. Kalpak travel are amazing.

We hated Thailand (seemed so dirty and comersial) but LOVED Costa Rica !

I’m not sure you can do 5* California for 5 people for that price. You’d definitely have to fly coach which isn’t ideal

Florida VERY humid (and hurricane season then); Caribbean too. Australia - apart from Queensland likely to be cold…NY or Boston plus beaches would be great. Europe could be amazing with the bonus of no jet lag. (Don’t underestimate it in the Far East.) I’d echo Sani or a really posh hotel villa on a small Greek Islands. They tend to be v safe so teens can have freedom. The same would apply to Croatia if you have GoT fans and you could head to Venice for a couple of a days, esp with a room overlooking the grand canal. Try a v good tour operator like Scott Dunn or Real Holidays (disclaimer - I work in the travel industry but not for either of these companies)