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If money were not a limiting factor, where in the world would you want your DC to visit?

15 replies

Houseswapahoy · 19/04/2026 08:15

It seems increasingly likely that our family circumstances may be changing in the next couple of years- that we may be moving to a place that lots of other people would like to visit and also that DH will be able to work part time and from home.

We are really keen to use this new house to do as many house swaps as we realistically can and to use every school holiday, to enable the DC (12 and 8) to see a bit of the world before they are too old to want to come with us any more.

My parents took us on lots of cultural holidays as children and so I do have some places on my wish list to visit with the kids - perhaps the cities of northern Italy, the Austrian alpine lakes, the Norwegian fjords, Greek island-hopping, Yosemite, Machu Picchu, Iguacu Falls, etc. I am however a bit embarrassed that my favourites are quite Euro-centric. Please could you help to broaden my horizons a bit? If you were given the choice of taking your DC to see, say, 3 spectacular places in the world, where would you take them? Please give me some inspiration! Thank you.

PS. I appreciate the need to think about tax implications of potentially working abroad in the school holidays and not overstaying our 90 days in the EU etc.

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Houseswapahoy · 19/04/2026 08:37

Anyone..?

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CharlotteRumpling · 19/04/2026 08:41

Egypt: the pyramids, Luxor, Abu Simbel. But it's universally reviled on MN!
India: Not the overrated golden triangle but the wildlife safaris and temples of the South.
Istanbul, for the architecture and Bosphorus views.

Houseswapahoy · 19/04/2026 08:55

Ah, good thinking. DD2 has just declared that she wants to see the Red Sea. Maybe not right now…

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CharlotteRumpling · 19/04/2026 08:58

Also I really loved Kenya.

Pedallleur · 19/04/2026 09:06

has to be Japan. On holiday recently my daughter saw some young Japanese women all achingly stylish and Insta ready. Italy certainly but some lovely places in the world.

Martymcfly24 · 19/04/2026 09:14

Ok definitely not at the moment, but I loved Texas . Stayed a lot in hill county and went to a dude ranch and dance halls and San Antonio . Loved the crossover with Mexican culture and food. Would love to bring my kids when older .

HermioneWeasley · 19/04/2026 09:15

OMG I’d want to go everywhere!

in terms of more unusual places we’ve been, my kids loved Alaska and Anchorage the most.

CharlotteRumpling · 19/04/2026 09:16

Yes, Japan-onsens, Kyoto gardens and temples, Harajuku style- is fabulous. And safer than my other suggestions. Expensive though.

Bryonyberries · 19/04/2026 09:20

Yellowstone. It was one of the loveliest yet strangest places I’ve visited and would like to go with my (adult) children at some point.

DirtyGertyy · 19/04/2026 09:21

CharlotteRumpling · 19/04/2026 08:41

Egypt: the pyramids, Luxor, Abu Simbel. But it's universally reviled on MN!
India: Not the overrated golden triangle but the wildlife safaris and temples of the South.
Istanbul, for the architecture and Bosphorus views.

Which wildlife safaris would you recommend (and where?) - also which temples in the south. We are going with late teen daughters in a few weeks for a wedding in Jaipur and need to plan something either side but it’s quite overwhelming. We like nature, treks, rural, culture but not keen on being a tourist shuffling around a palace. Don’t have any plans to visit Taj Mahal etc. would value your insights @CharlotteRumpling

ButterYellowHair · 19/04/2026 09:28

DH went to the Galápagos Islands and that was apparently incredible. Personally I loved the Palawan in Philippines, the Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil and the Salt Flats of Bolivia.

pashmina696 · 19/04/2026 09:38

I personally didn’t find the golden triangle over rated.. I have done it twice - loved the shopping in Jaipur, the Amber Fort is beautiful as is the Hawa Mahal. We went to Agra and visited the Taj Mahal, fatehpur sikri and the Agra Fort - we organised a driver through our Delhi hotel who Also organised some local guides - it’s better at your own pace. In Delhi there is also a lot to visit and some really fabulous hotels .you could combine it with a week in Goa or a week long tour of Kerala. Think there are safaris inland towards mysore and near bangaluru.

EstrellaPolar · 19/04/2026 09:39

Vietnam and Malaysia (especially Borneo). Highly recommend spending time in both the Kuching and Sabah parts of Borneo. The Kinabatangan River safari was out of this world.

Houseswapahoy · 19/04/2026 09:42

These are brilliant suggestions - thanks very much.

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SabrinaThwaite · 19/04/2026 10:09

Martymcfly24 · 19/04/2026 09:14

Ok definitely not at the moment, but I loved Texas . Stayed a lot in hill county and went to a dude ranch and dance halls and San Antonio . Loved the crossover with Mexican culture and food. Would love to bring my kids when older .

I’d second Texas too - Big Bend National Park is spectacular.

Other US places I’d recommend: the Pacific NW - northern California / Oregon / Washington (Lassen is another favourite NP); Utah / Arizona / Nevada; New England (Acadia and the White Mountains).

Europe: NW Spain and down into northern Portugal. Actually, most of Portugal away from the height rise Algarve parts

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