3 weeks with 2 small children - where would you go?

[ANiceSitDownAndACuppa]

We haven't been abroad for over 3 years, since ds1 was born - largely through choice, as UK holidays seemed so much easier with small children. But DH and I used to be quite intrepid before we had kids and due to changes with his work we unexpectedly will have 3 weeks free for a holiday in late August/early September.

We now have two small people, who will be nearly 2 and nearly 4 when we go. The wanderlust is definitely returning now the kids are out of the baby stage, so any thoughts on a good destination? I'd like to go outside Europe and have a holiday that gets DH and I excited as well as being kiddie-friendly. All ideas welcome.

How about South Africa? That would be their spring time so not too cold or hot (and past the rains which end in July I think) and the landscape would look amazing. You could visit Cape Town, the winelands, one of the smaller non malarial safari parks, whale watching... You could also include some time in Mauritius or on the north east coast if you want beaches.

I had thought of that, but can you take small children on safari? I thought there was a height restricion or something? And is SA safe?

I've looked at Safari and generally even the family friendly ones seems to be aimed at slightly older kids - day 5/6 up, not a 2 year old.

How about the Jasper/Banff region in Alberta Canada? It is very beautiful and family friendly. If you don't want to camp there are lots of lovely hotels, bed and breakfasts and lodges. And it is very safe there...just don't feed the bears! (: Google for some photos. We have been several times.

I had friends in Canada and I was very jealous of their pictures of their trips in Canada, hire a motor home and travel.

Camping rounD Europe?

We did a fly-drive holiday in Malaysia with a 1yo and it was great. Very child friendly society, even the roadside restaurants had highchairs

We only had 10 days but did Malacca, Cameron Heights and Penang but you could add KL or Singapore as well as the Eastern part of Malaysia - there are some wonderful national parks on that side I believe.

I would not do a safari with very young children. The other guests will not be pleased to see you. (There are family safaris that will take children from about 8). I would look at Boston and Cape Cod or Eastern Canada. Get a motor home or do bed and breakfast with a hire car. You could do this in South Africa (yes it is safe!!!) but the distances can be vast so planning would be vital. I think you need to minimise travel though as young children are not cut out for long haul or long car journeys. What, exactly, are they going to get out of it? We had several bases in France when ours were young with a good beach and good restaurants for us. We started being adventurous when they were about 5. Companies such as the Family Adventure Company or Families Worldwide will have ideas which may suit but lots of theirs start when the children are 5.

DH and I also travelled widely before we had DC, but since having our DSs (aged six and three now), we've modified our trips so that they suit the DC, above all else. Not because we particularly WANT this ourselves - we'd much rather travel to Japan or Argentina - but because of the simple fact that if they are happy, we actually get something loosely resembling a holiday!

I'll be interested to hear if you find a long haul destination that is good for DC. Personally, the flight alone with a four- and two-year-old would put me off. We fly for 1-2 hours with our boys regularly, but Transatlantic (my DH is American), is pretty painful and so we normally stick closer to home - France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland - all good! August is pretty hot actually in some of those, but there is so much to see and do in Europe that I'd probably choose two bases - 10 days in each - and just lower your expectations a bit. Jet lag and small DC don't really mix too well.

P.S. I don't want to piss on your parade - I really don't. I salivate with envy when my parents go off somewhere exciting and exotic, but with kids? We've tried to do more adult stuff over the years and it nearly always ends up with us feeling frustrated and wishing we'd just done something more child-friendly. We're going to Umbria this summer and I'm already worrying about whether it will be too hot and not enough easy stuff to do with our boys.

We went to Vietnam for 2 months when kids were small 18 months and 12 weeks). Everyone had a great time!

Best way if to fly into Hanoi, travel down coast and fly out of ho chi Ming city in the south. On 3 weeks if you don't actually want to travel too much I would say few days Hanoi to see sights, travel down and stay 2 weeks along coast either one place or several, then ho chi Ming last few days to see sights there also

Kids treated like royalty. Hotels of all budgets