Last holiday before he starts school - DILEMMA - Where the F**K do we go?

[hollingbury]

We cannot make up our minds. Do we go to Asia for a far flung exotic trip? Or close to home? Or the US? Spend a fortune on a few weeks holiday or break it up into two/three trips out of school time?

I am trying to balance what 4 year old boy will really appreciate from long haul travel versus making it special before school.

We are always indecisive! Before I had him I travelled a lot and I was never like this!

Any suggestions of places and kids friendly places and any advice gladly welcome!

You don't mention a date (time of year) so if it is now I'd suggest Canary Islands, not too far yet "exotic" enough.

On the other hand the flights to Asia might be a bit more and take longer but it's cheaper there than in Europe.

You might want to factor in the vaccinations though, price-wise and if you want to do that to your child. For what it's worth I took DS to The Gambia at 8 years old and he had the works and not a problem.

I wouldn't go anywhere that needed malaria tablets with a 4 year old. other than that personally I would do a couple of weeks in Florida - Disney 1 week somewhere else for the other week and then a couple of short breaks to things including some stuff I wanted to do. going in school hols is a complete pain not the price but just how busy it is so pick somewhere you have always wanted to visit and go when it is quiet.

I wouldn't do Asia as he won't remember it. What about a coastal road trip in a huge RV in USA/Canada? Beaches, playgrounds, other DC to kick a ball with, BBQs etc. You could plan stops based on something you love eg great food stops, wildlife spotting, live music, history...

We took dd to the Maldives 3 months before she started school ( and 2 months before her baby brother joined us. We weren't sure we would ever be able to afford to go back with 2 kids and we thought we'd go back just one more time

Personally, for something he will remember, I would go for a Disney - Disneyworld in a Florida, then maybe add a few days on the beach for yourselves, or Disneyland Paris with time in the city too.

He may not remember and won't appreciate anything too hot or far-flung/exotic, but those are the kinds of holidays he will remember and love.

Also, what is the point of going to a place where children don't go as much, because you won't get the benefits of it being a bit quieter/cheaper.

If you did Disneyland Paris, you could also have another holiday too.

If you go for Disneyworld, make sure you go before the US schools break up, which is much earlier than in the UK.

(We actually did do the Disney thing before DC1 started school, and it has stuck in her memory a good few years down the line.)

he may not remember any of it and the long flight could be no fun at all. Do what you would all enjoy - if you don't fancy Disney, don't go as it is too expensive if you don't like it!

The Med is so nice in June - long daylight hours, flowers, uncrowded so why not there?

My dd is 4. She will be taking her sixth trip to SE Asia this spring. Don't be afraid of the flights, we have no problems with a night flight out and a day flight back, seems to fit nicely.
If you don't particularly fancy Disney then save it till he gets older, you don't want to have to do it twice because he doesn't really remember it if it's not your kind of holiday.

We went to Greece in the June before DS started school, quiet, much cheaper than in school hols & perfect temperature.

Ok what makes your little darling happy?
What is it that you could say t this question
do you want to see.....? that would have him leaping around the room for joy.

If it's in the our 27 year old remembers Disney trip he had at 7 but the 23 year old only remembers what we tell her. Has no clue.

My kids when little all wanted beaches / swimming pool in hotel / rides and ice cream. Places like Tenby, Bude and Bournemouth all come to mind. Didn't matter to them, as long as it was quick to get to from the breakfast table.

So if picking for him listen to want he likes today.

My recommendation would be Florida - we took DS there before he started school as you benefit from lower fares, shorter queues in the parks etc. I'm really glad we went with him at that age as a couple of years later, he knew the characters were just people dressed up but that first time he really believed. It was really magical.