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!

If you want luxury i would avoid the USA because your budget would be stretched pretty thin. My suggestion is Sri Lanka, 5 * hotels are more affordable, take the train across the island and fly back, we did a boat safari which was fun (not expensive either compared to many countries.) I was also pleased my Uber app worked for rides and food delivery!

Love the Thailand idea. Otherwise what about Dubai?

How about Japan with some city days in Tokyo and then Mount Fuji coin, Kyoto and Hiroshima. All doable on your budget with a train pass with some excellent hotels and traditional guesthouses.

If I had that budget I’d go with one of:

Singapore then Malaysia (I did this trip pre kids and it was amazing)

safari

or for non-summer options-

ski trip to Whistler with a few days in Vancouver before/after

Norway to see the northern lights - possibly a cruise up there?

If you want to feel rich for longer you could get business class flights to Athens or Istanbul and do city then beach. I'm thinking your budget could go a long way if you don't go such a long way.

What about Mauritius. It's one of my favourite places.
So beautiful and lots to see and do.

You'll get a lovely holiday for that budget.

Japan! You could go the cities and then to the countryside and stay in on sen.
Canada road trip up the west coast or Vancouver to Banff.
USA Boston then new england

I’m with the poster who says don’t spend £10k on this if it’s money you don’t have to burn and your kids aren’t that into it.
diesnt matter how fancy a holiday is if you have grumpy teens. What might they WANT to do? Start there. If they’re not excited by it I’d be reconsidering fast or you’ll just end up resenting spending the money

Cape Verde is not too long flight and you may be able to squeeze in a city break as well.

Egypt? You could do the Nile cruise for 5 days where you do a hop on hop off thing with a tour guide to do excursions and see things like the valley of the kings and queens and all that stuff and then a week maybe in Hurghada/the red sea ( I recommend the hilton hotel here) where you can relax or shop or whatever and maybe then get a coach to Cairo for a couple of days to the pyramids.

I’d go for Florida. You can do a few nights at the theme parks - what teenagers wouldn’t like that? Then maybe a luxury villa with boat on the gulf coast where some of the beaches are just as beautiful as the Indian Ocean imo.

Alternatively you could probably stretch to florida and Thailand.

I've been to Costa Rica and wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a wow holiday with teenagers, same with Florida, its fun if you have an enormous amount of money but not if you're on a budget plus the $ is not cheap currently.
I would suggest India or we're going to Kuala Lumpur then Borneo in September and I'm happy to share our itinerary if you're interested. Wildlife plus beach and city sightseeing all in one.
Alternatively, South Africa is reasonable once you get there and again, so much to see and do plus the food is incredible and so cheap!

Hawaii!

Australia

New Zealand

In America perhaps Utah or Montana. Or Maine!

Southern Italy/France

All would be amazing trips to share.

I’m currently checking out American Airlines Group Travel since they seem to offer decent options for booking for 10+ people. If anyone has experience with them (good or bad), I’d love to hear it!

Yellowstone national park. I found it absolutely amazing and very beautiful. So much to see there.

I recently did Cambodia and Thailand. 5 different island plus 4 cities Phnom Phen, Siem Reap and Bangkok and Pattaya in Thailand. Islands Koh Samet, Ko Tao and Koh Phangnan in Thailand and Koh Rong Sanleom and Koh Rong in Cambodia. 2 adults and it cost less than £4k for 2 weeks plus flights. Stayed in some amazing places and saw so much.

Oh this very old thread has just popped up again - @NigellaWannabe1- what did you do in the end and was it fabulous?

Well - I didn’t go. I decided to put the money away for something practical and boring instead 😂. And im planning to take some time off work, so its unlikely to happen for a while now…