1st long haul with 8&11 yr olds, Thailand, Malaysia or Cancun-type?

[hillyhilly]

We've holidayed a lot (are currently in Lanzarote) but never all that far, we now think they are old enough to enjoy a long haul destination but are dithering.
We've been to Thailand and Goa and loved them so we're thinking of Malaysia with the kids but on the other hand we know they'd enjoy somewhere like cancun or Sharm (which I don't). Tell ,e your successful long haul Asai trip stories please?

We're thinking of Easter 2016 by the way.

Took our 6 year olds to Mexico but two hours South of cancun, had fab time snorkelling with turtles, boat trips, loads ofMayan ruins if you are into that sort of thing, diving or snorkelling in denotes, Eco parks etc. going back this year but via New York so City break and then beach down time.

Have you thought of Mauritius?

Went there last year and ds 9 loved it.

Agree mauritius great for kids

We took our 7 year old DTs to Thailand a few years ago. We went to Phuket (northern bit, near the airport) and then took a ferry to Lanta, which was perfect. Also had a few days in Bangkok. Snorkelling, boats trips, the odd market and temple. My kids are great with food, but that might be the only issue, although most menus seem to do western style food (more expensive though).

Have you considered South Africa? No jetlag is a huge benefit for a first longhaul experience and loads to do and see with weather at Easter being perfect .

Borneo is great - see orang utans, go kayaking, great national parks and good food.
You could combine Malaysia with Singapore which is a great destination for kids- universal studios, sentosa Island, great botanical gardens, good food, Chinatown and little India are also interesting.
If you want something more adventurous trekking in Vietanam is amazing, also Halong bay and lots to see in Hanoi.

Belize - fabulous holiday there with kids - Mayan ruins, snorkelling, night hikes, howler monkey hikes in the rainforest, boat trips, manatee watching, tubing, zip lines and loads more. really different place to go and they speak English and there is no need for anti malarials either. pm for details.

dd is now 12. We took her to Panama and Costa Rica last summer which she loved - beaches for snorkelling and scuba, turtle watching, zip wire, guided walks in rainforests, white water rafting.

The year before we went to Burma and Thailand. She wasn't that interested in Burma (too many temples!) but loved Thailand.

We went to Sri Lanka when she was about 7 or 8. That also went down well - beaches, elephant orphanage, jungle.

When she was 5 we went to Singapore, Malaysia and Borneo - we had 4 weeks, so it would be too much to cram into a shorter holiday. She particularly liked Kuala Lumpur (Petroasains Science Discovery Centre, skywalk in PETRONAS Towers, water park and canopy walkway) and Borneo (orang utan rehabilitation centre and a few days in a jungle camp).

We've also been to India a couple of times, but I'd avoid that for a first long haul for children as it could be too much of a culture shock. We also took dd on trips to South Africa and Australia when she was a toddler. They could be good for a first long haul trip, because of language, food and health (although I do remember that we had to avoid Kruger Park as that part of SA was malarial and dd was too young for malaria tablets).

Just remembered. We also took dd to Indonesia - Bali, Lombok and Rinca. That was another one that she enjoyed.

I'd definitely avoid Sharm. Haven't been there, but a friend who worked there as a dive instructor said it's pretty soulless. There's loads of better options that adults and children can all enjoy.