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?

I’ve traveled to Thailand, Cambodia & vietnam a number of times in summer because that’s what coincides with kids holidays. Had a few days of rain in the afternoons but tropical and passes quickly.

Angkor Wat is well worth a visit and a junk cruise on Ha Long bay is magical.

[quote ffscovid]@sweetbellyhigh I think you must've got lucky with some unusual weather. Daytime average temperatures for Coromandel in July / August are between 10-15°C and in The Bay of Islands, 12-16°C, so although 'warm' compared to UK winters, it's not generally beach weather.

Add to that the fact that the South Island will be freezing and many mountain roads closed or tricky to pass without snow chains etc, it's not a place I'd visit in midwinter for a first trip.

(I used to live there)[/quote]
Not really, there are pockets that we locals know about 🤫

But yes, if it's warmth you want, don't come mid-winter. Or at all really. A lot of people seem to think NZ is like Australia 😂 spoiler * it's not.

@regularbutpanickingabit I would be amazed if you can do half of these holidays that have been suggested with that budget for 5 people in summer holidays! Especially if you are including everything in that.

@katscamel

A few people have mentioned the 'Stans. Though interesting I don't recommend in summer and not ideal for kids/teens. Outside of the main cities both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are still underdeveloped. Both would be better earlier on in the year....now, it's nice....19 degrees here (in a Stan) though changeable (wind, rain, hail, sleet and snow just the other day) so May or Sept/Oct. I'm forgetting weather and not sure of Covid restrictions but Sri Lanka, could be an option....lots to do, Malaysia/ Borneo, Zanzibar + Safari, Mauritius, Seychelles?

I did the Stans in August. It was HOT. Incredible though :)

Heritage Awali - Mauritius

@Silkierabbit we'd like to do exactly that Costa Rica trip - did you go through an agency you'd recommend/DIY it?

This looks good

www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/22946/western-canada-family-holiday

@Stokey

We did Costa Rica in last 2 weeks of August the year before the pandemic. At the time BA were flying direct which was great, hopefully they'll start again. We did is independently and spent a lot less than £12K although did get a deal on the flights. The Caribbean coast is dry and that time of year and really hot. I'd do your beach time there although be aware that it's more small hotels and guesthouses rather than big resorts. Then you can do Arenal and Cloud forest. Leave yourself a few days, it was quite wet and we didn't see the volcano for the first 2 days we were there. You could also continue down to the Pacific Coast which we did but it was rainier. If I planned it again I probably wouldn't bother with the Pacific at that time of year.

The other thing I'd do is safari. Not sure about all the Asia suggestions, lots of Asia is the rainy season in August. You're generally better off going November to April.

Really interested in doing this independently too. Would you be able to share any tips? Who you booked with, recommend where to stay, tours etc. Would be very very grateful !

We were put off booking Costa Rica in August due to the weather. It's their rainy season and some roads to the areas we wanted to visit can apparently be impassable.

Florida in a heartbeat! We've been twice now and would go every couple of years if we could afford it. The kids still talk about it all the time, and I really do think there's something magical about the place - and something for everyone!

@springsmiles I'm on holiday but will pm in detail when back. We basically booked everywhere direct with hotels that we found recommended on Trip Advisor or Booking.com. Then arranged tours when we got there either through the hotels or independently.

@mocktail - it depends where you go. The north was amazing weather, Arenal mixed and Pacific Coast rainy for a couple of hours a day. We drove everywhere and the roads were fine. I don't think you could go to the Oso peninsula but everywhere else was OK.

@stokey I particularly wanted to go to Corcovado national park. On a longer trip the rain wouldn't have bothered me too much but on a13-night honeymoon I was concerned too many days could be a washout if luck wasn't on our side. I'd still love to go but it's harder now (time and money) with kids. One day!