Can you recommend a really memorable family holiday with a £5-£6k budget?

[HolibobsMum]

Hi everyone,
We are a family of 5 (children aged 7-14) and usually do Eurocamp or occasionally cheap Spanish hotel holidays every other year with a budget of around £2k, with Haven/Butlins every other year.
I have had a redundancy payment and would like to spend it on a really special and memorable holiday in 2025/26 before my eldest is too old to want to come on holiday with us!
I've been looking at things like 5 nights in New York or maybe a resort outside Europe.
Can anyone suggest something they have done with similar aged children and really loved?

I would look at Sri Lanka, its fits all the boxes of an exotic holiday but fairly reasonable to visit. You'll need to price up whether a package of separately is better, we have paid as separates, flying via Qatar, multi centred. Particularly recommend an afternoon boat safari and a trip to the elephant sanctuary

Oh wow thanks, I would not have thought of Sri Lanka!

It will be fairly tight on £6k for 5 people but doable, you can stay and eat cheaply once there if you avoid upmarket hotels eg we stayed 4 years ago in a lovely b&b for £18 a night including breakfast (2 people but 3rd bed in room). Dinners in "family restaurants" which are everywhere full of local people, cost around £5 a head. Just not a place to go for booze, that was surprisingly expensive especially wine, but I don't need lots of alcohol (go to Spain for that kind of holiday!)