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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Safe Longhaul Destinations

16 replies

LouiseSarah · 25/02/2011 22:30

Hi, I was hoping I could get some advice on where it is safe to take a 6 month old (if anywhere) over the Christmas period. I am not sure what I need to consider exactly, but would think that hygiene levels, whether vaccinations are required for the baby etc. need to be taken in to account. At the moment, thinking along the lines of Barbados or Thailand, but I dont know if these are safe destinations. Any advice welcome,

OP posts:

Maelstrom · 25/02/2011 22:33

Not sure the political unrest has ended in Thailand yet.

I'm thinking Puerto Rico, the standards are very similar to those of US but with the latin warmth and the Cuban kitchen in the middle of the Caribbean Sea

givemeaclue · 26/02/2011 20:41

barbados is safe, but very hot, you would have to keep the baby in the shade as much as possible, lots of water etc. even in the shade it can be 90 degrees. mosquitos also potential issue, just need to get a baby friendly repellent.

personally, I am not sure I would take a 6 month old somewhere really hot, worrying about getting enough water into them/keeping them cool would impact on my holiday BUT lots of people do it (less stressed people than me!) my dcs tend to get tetchy in too much heat but not all do

Maelstrom · 26/02/2011 23:52

Just thinking about it... am I right in assuming you have not had the baby yet? If it is your first baby don't book the trip just yet, as you don't know if you would end up being very adventurous with the baby on tow. I wouldn't be surprised if you end up preferring something more manageable nearer to home.

freshmint · 26/02/2011 23:56

caribbean much safer than thailand
thailand has the dubious honour of being the country in the world where UK travellers are most subject to crime

have been many times to barbados with little children, including 6 months old. Also Tobago. Have taken 4 - 5- 6- months olds to Mauritius and Dubai as well.

Am going this christmas to Antigua with my kids plus brother is coming with girlfriend and his baby, as yet unborn, but due in August :)

West indies a fantastic place to go with babies. Everyone loves them, pace of life is slow, wonderful fruit and fish to eat, beautiful calm beaches with shady palm trees... couldn't be better!

Original poster

LouiseSarah · 27/02/2011 21:43

thanks for your comments. noted and will think about it once i give birth i think.

OP posts:

suburbophobe · 06/03/2011 13:20

I second the Caribbean being a great destination with children, all of the above, but also important, you don't need any vaccinations to go there!

The drawback is that it's not cheap! (compared to Asia).

hollypocks · 08/03/2011 18:21

Disagree about Carribean being safer than Thailand, never had problem in 4 trips to Thailand but got robbed on only visit to Barbados. Much prefer Asia any day.

hifi · 08/03/2011 18:27

we were held up in barbados by a guy with a gun,very scary.also had a few other dodgie encounters, someone jumped oin our car and demanded to be dropped off somewhere.travelling to thailand for over 23 years and not one incident.

MarshaBrady · 08/03/2011 18:28

If you go a bit further Australia is very safe.

Apart from the jack jumpers and jelly fish.... etc

freshmint · 08/03/2011 19:29

blimey can't believe you two and barbados!

have been there 4 or 5 times in recent years with no trouble at all!

were you on the west coast or in the south (which I think is dodgier)?

Blu · 08/03/2011 19:31

Mauritius, but it would be incredibly hot and humid over Christmas.

hollypocks · 08/03/2011 19:32

Was at St James, which seemed pretty select. Beautiful island but wouldn't go back, found it much less welcoming than SE Asia

freshmint · 08/03/2011 19:40

double blimey

sorry to hear that. hope it wasn't too traumatic (hifi's experience MUST have been!)

hifi · 08/03/2011 21:57

it actually happened outside the islands oldest church! we walked around a corner and he was just stood there, asked for cash, dh threw some and he scarpered. a bloke working in the grounds of the church came up and made out it wasnt serious! we were crapping ourselves.

empirestateofmind · 21/03/2011 12:19

Can I add my vote for SE Asia too? I have taken small children (though not babies) to Koh Samui, Langkawi and Bali. If you are looking for more than just a resort to relax in then Bali would be my choice.

There is lots to do in Singapore if you do a stopover there. Plus at Christmas it looks sensational with all the beautiful lights down Orchard Road and around the harbour.

Rocky12 · 27/04/2011 18:17

Been to both and just back a few weeks ago from Thailand. Really dont know where someone got the crime figures from for Thailand. I think they might be from the Caribbean themselves and be a touch biased!!

The standards in Thailand are very high in terms of service etc. Much much higher than the Caribbean. Just look at some of the reviews of hotels on Trip Advisor in both places. Would suggest Koh Samui (Santiburi Hotel is fab) Btw - I have never been the victim of crime in either place although my SIL was held up at knifepoint in Jamicia.

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