Help me plan a lifetime holiday

[NigellaWannabe1]

Hi, I would like to go on a big holiday to celebrate a few good things that have happened recently. Also, because my eldest is 15 and will fly the nest too soon.

It's five of us: two adults and three kids aged 15, 13 and 11. Our budget is 10,000 GBP (sorry, my pound sign doesn't work). It is a huge amount compared to what we usually spend on holidays and I hope it can work for a long-haul holiday. I am thinking perhaps one week to ten days overall.

Idea 1: Somewhere urban like New York, but not New York. The kids will like it and I guess that is part of the challenge, as they don't seem to want to go anywhere...

Idea 2: A beach holiday somewhere where we can snorkel and perhaps our money will stretch to more luxury accommodation? Ideally, I'd like to treat the kids to amazing accommodation and food.

It is unlikely we will ever be able to afford this kind of holiday again. I know this kind of money will seem obscene to some for a holiday but I imagine many of you will come and say that is actually not that much. That's all I have though! There are so many things I'd like to celebrate and I want to make a fuss of them.

We might go during one of the half terms in 2024 but leaving earlier/returning later, so perhaps we might save on flights a little that way.

Thanks!

I came on to say Singapore, Malaysia and/or Thailand too! Do check what the weather is like at the times you're thinking of because it could be rainy or very hot.

Bangkok/Singapore then beach would be fab.

Or a few days in Miami/Keys followed by a Caribbean cruise. Miami was my DS's favourite place ever, and he's travelled a lot as a young adult. Could even throw in a couple of nights in another US city on the way home, it's often just as cheap to do an internal flight followed by a transatlantic, instead of flying straight home if you shop around a bit.

Not sure how feasible long haul is for five people??

Would a European city and then a beach break work?? I.e. Madrid, Barcelona and then a five star in the Canaries??

Fliggts to latam are exoensive though you may get sime bargains to mexico. Also considr capetown / namibia or vietnam/ malaysia

Check out the berjaya resort on Langkawi. I think that would be great for the age of your kids.

Cartagena Colombia would be my recommendation

Safari multi site tour with time in an all inclusive beach resort at the end.

I was going to make a few suggestions but reread your post and saw your kids don't want to go anywhere. Honestly, I wouldn't splash 10k on a holiday with them in that case. Treat yourselves to a nice holiday and send them to camp or something 😁

Will you be needing a break from your holiday once it's done?

How about South Africa including a safari? We took teenagers there and they really enjoyed it as it was such a different experience.

California.

Disney, beaches, tour celeb houses.

Do your kids really not want to go anywhere? What might interest them?
What do you want?
I think I’ve done nearly every holiday suggested so far, mostly with teen DC so I understand the dilemma but would also warn that £10k won’t go far if you are not careful.
Mine get bored so 2 weeks all inclusive is a no for us, they like nature and hiking, city breaks and theme parks.

What about

1. Vancouver, Vancouver Island and possibly Seattle.
2. Costa Rica, touring then 5 days at the beach

What about a cruise..

I love how on these threads someone always says the Canaries!
My teen DD (and us) loved Washington DC

On Mumsnet I have always heard fab things about Costa Rica

We had a holiday of a lifetime last year after a decade of uk hols. I went to trailfinders, told them when we wanted to go, and they suggested a variety of destinations in budget.

Family's we know did a fantastic safari but also Sri Lanka which sounded amazing beaches and culture.

How exciting! I'd go for Thailand or Costa Rica with kids those ages and that budget.

Friends of ours recently did Canada- Vancouver then Calgary
They had an amazing time
Other friends now doing the same but more areas then ending up in New York
Not sure how much it cost

I’m sure you’ll find some amazing hotels in SE Asia within budget. Do travel around a bit though… it’s easy to cross from Sing to KL by road, likewise you can fly between any major airports in the region fairly cheaply.

You won't get that for £2,000pp!

We had a holiday planned combining Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and penang beach in Malaysia.

we didn’t go because covid but it looked amazing

Honestly OP, I'd speak to Trailfinders and find out what you can get for your budget, there's no point in getting excited about going somewhere and find it's completely out of budget.

This is what we did. Cost about £10k for family of 4.
1 week moving safari around Tanzania, staying in luxury lodges. Then a week in a beautiful hotel on the beach.

Chicago isn't beautiful- its a boring run down city

Boston then New England?
Singapore then Malaysia/Langkawi or Thailand (check rainy seasons)
Washington if you like museums.
A cruise?

I’d fly to LA. You can do the Beverley Hills stuff which teenagers might like, theme parks, beach. Loads of amazing beach resorts near LA. You could add a few days in one of Las Vegas, San Diego or San Francisco.