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Holidays

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

Original poster

Our Round the World Tickets are booked - GULP, advice pleaaaase :-)

150 replies

dejags · 12/01/2006 17:54

After what seems like a hundred itinerary shuffles it's finally booked

We are officially taking our two small children on a 40000 mile odyssey around the world. So if any of you have any brilliant travel tips for the following destinations I would love to hear them.

8th May - 15th June USA by Campervan
16th June - 29th June - a couple of weeks on the beach in Fiji
29th June - July 25th - a month in NZ, we hope to ski
July 25th - Aug 25th - a month in Australia
Aug 25th - Sep 25th - a month in China
Sep 25th - ?? South East Asia, for two or three months.

We are excited and terrified. Nappybaglady if you are around I would love to email you and get your perspective as your kids were the same age as mine.

Advice welcome

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SofiaAmes · 22/02/2006 07:22

I haven't read the thread too carefully, but if it hasn't been mentioned, or you haven;t thought of it, please make sure you have a good travel insurance policy that will allow you to go to a doctor if your kids are sick in the usa.

Original poster
dejags · 22/02/2006 09:57

SofiaAmes,

Insure&Go is the preferred option at present. Do you have any recommendations?

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nappybaglady · 22/02/2006 13:03

Our insurance was with TSMN Club Direct. Nope, I'd never heard of them either. I think I booked through a link on moneysavingexpert.com. MSE also has a section advising on what you actually need for your insurance.

Blog looks good. I look forward to following it.

Original poster
dejags · 22/02/2006 19:04

Nappybaglady - where in the North East are you. I am not sure we will be venturing up there on our outward journey but I would like to go to Scotland when we return. So perhaps we can coordinate a North East Meetup?

Hows thing going on the job front?

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nappybaglady · 22/02/2006 22:43

We're near Middlesbrough. It's not a venue which is often highlighted in Trailfinders magazine for RTW trips but at least living here inspired us to escape for 3 months! (sorry to any die-hard smoggies who may read this)

Would love to meet up but won't hold you to it. I know how hard it can be to coordinate this travelling thing.

On the job front...I'm on hol this week for halfterm. Working 27/28 Feb to finish my contract then don't have a definite job. However have had a number of offers so juggling things at the mo to try to get the best job for me and the family. Am really enjoying half term so far which, just like our big trip, highlights how wonderful the time with the kids is and strengthens my resolve to hold out for part time work. I'm getting sick of hearing ' well you're the best applicant but we're giving it to a full-timer'. Oh no, look, I've set off on one of my job rants again. Must stop

Original poster
dejags · 23/02/2006 07:58

My lovely husband has just made his first contribution towards our blog and is very sad that nobody has commented...

if any of you have 2 minutes spare, you'd make his day if you commented on his contribution

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Original poster
dejags · 23/02/2006 08:00

oh blog can be found here

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nowanearlyNicemum · 23/02/2006 19:04

that is an ENORMOUS motorhome!!!
I wouldn't want to have to drive it on any mountainous tracks!!

Original poster
dejags · 24/02/2006 18:45

I know - it's massive isn't it?

Good job I won't be driving it other than on the open road. That's DH's job !

We wanted something where the kids can have some space, with a homely feel and most importantly something I can cook in properly. Being away for six months means that I have to make sure that for good chunks of the trip I have the ability to do this, otherwise the budget will be shot and I also think there is only so much restaurant food one can eat.

Thanks for the comment - made DH's day!

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nowanearlyNicemum · 25/02/2006 11:27

that's a good point about cooking facilities.
I'd forgotten how good if felt when we got to Oz and rented a small studio type place where we could cook for ourselves.
Eating out is great - but not ALL the time

Isyhan · 25/02/2006 18:06

Sounds great. When my oldest daughter was 7 months old we went to Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand for 6 weeks with her. It was fab. Take milton tablets if you need to sterilise. If you are hiring a camper van in NZ they can get bathed in the sink. People in South Pacific love kids. They will always want to cuddle them. Just beware coral cuts (take some iodine) and really beware tides around the islands when your kids are swimming.

Original poster
dejags · 26/02/2006 18:20

thanks Isyhan. Mercifully we are well past sterilising, but I will definitely take some milton tablets with as an emergency water purifier and for washing the childrens fruit, DS2's dummies etc (very handy for this!).

Well our USA Itinerary is planned. We are now planning Fiji.

It's getting close now 9 weeks & 2 days (who's counting anyway ).

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nowanearlyNicemum · 26/02/2006 19:28

so where are you going in the states then????

Original poster
dejags · 27/02/2006 07:39

The USA:

NYC - Washington
Washington - Memphis (via Smoky Mountains/Blue Ridge Parkway and some Civil War towns)
Memphis (to see the King) to Santa Fe
Santa Fe to Grand Canyon(Flagstaff)(cant remember the name of the town)
Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Las Vegas to San Francisco (via the Yosemite National Park)
San Francisco to LA

Phew...

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Frizbetheexpansionset · 27/02/2006 08:25

No advice just have a fabulous time

nowanearlyNicemum · 28/02/2006 20:24

I'm not a great fan of the States but I do want to go back sometime and see the Grand Canyon and Yosemite Park - You're going to have a fab time. :)

nowanearlyNicemum · 03/03/2006 10:04

how many weeks to go now dejags?

Original poster
dejags · 03/03/2006 12:26

8 weeks 3 days!!!!

I am feeling very, very excited!

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nowanearlyNicemum · 04/03/2006 07:39

I'm not surprised - I'm excited for you :o

nickiw · 15/03/2006 04:06

Hi Dejags, we spent 3 weeks in a huge RV travelling around California on our way to NZ where we are for 2yrs. Our boys were 4 and 6. It was great if there is anywhere in particular you need help let me know. We really should have booked more RV parks and planned the route better. Didnt get a map until at LA airport. Loved the Grand Canyon, flew there in a v. small plane, down in a helicopter and a boat trip with BBQ lunch. Also did Yosemite which was very commercial but our campsite was miles from the center and just what I pictured - log fire, swimming in the stream and bush walking. If you are in Auckland give me a call!

Original poster
dejags · 15/03/2006 08:15

Thanks Nicki,

please give me as much info as you can type Smile

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Original poster
dejags · 15/03/2006 08:17

6 weeks 5 days to go.

Grin Grin Grin
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wilbur · 15/03/2006 08:33

This sounds so wonderful dejags, really inspirational. We are planning to do something similar when the kids are older (when ds1 will be just turned 10 before the whole scary secondary school thing kicks in), take them out of school from Feb half term until September and do as much of the world as we can handle. Dh has done lots of travelling, but I have done very little, never did the gap year thing, so I feel I'm owed a trip! Have the most amazing wonderful time!

Original poster
dejags · 15/03/2006 09:53

Thanks Wilbur. We would have definitely left this trip until the kids are older but several factors are driving us to do it now. Most importantly this trip is our opportunity to investigate a couple of key countries for emigration prospects (USA, NZ and Australia). The other big thing is that I would love another baby and I think a RTW trip with 3 kids would not only be difficult to manage but very costly.

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Vornsta · 15/03/2006 11:53

In LA go to Kidspace in Pasadena near Rose Bowl stadium - it is absolutely fab for underfives, ( and older kids) educational and loads of fun. But the cafe is appalling so take own food.
re lake tekapo - we stayed there and 3year old and one year old climbed mount john - 1year old in backpack and 3 year old under own steam - they both really enjoyed it! And there's a cafe at the top! if you don't fancy a climb you can drive up though.
at kaikoura top10 holiday park has a fab bouncing pillow. Whale watching - they prob won't let your youngest on and the 4 year old will be at captain's discretion. DH and I arranged to go separately. I got horrendously seasick so if you are susceptible take sealegs. Swimming with seals was fab, but again not child friendly, but you can take kids to seal colony and get quite close to seals.