Help needed! Where would you go for magical family holiday

[scratchviolet]

It's my and DH's 40th birthday this year, plus 10 year wedding anniversary. Today I found out I've rather unexpectedly got a £6000 bonus at work. We had been toying with a more extravagant holiday (we usually take the kids camping here or Europe) but couldn't really justify the expense. But now we can. But where to go? I really need some inspiration. Kids are 7 and 5. We are not lie on the beach types, don't want to stay in a resort, definitely don't want anything involving Disney. Where would you go with 2 weeks and £6000 to spend. Can go at any time of year. TIA

Always wanted to do an RV trip across America. A family of mine at Brownies hired a camper van and went over Australia.

Ps. Virgin sale on until tomorrow!

OP I suggested the costa rica trip. My kids were exactly the age yours are now when we did and it was perfect for them! (The family who run it have young kids themselves and are very aware of their limits.)

Drive part way across the States or drive part way through Canada. They are both beautiful places. Lots to do. Go through the national parks (choose some you want to do). The parks have fun things for kids to do and lots of different animals to see. Kids will love it. Adults will find it interesting too. It's peaceful and relaxing despite what you read in the media.

Personally, I'd do a Caribbean cruise on one of the big ships out of Florida - lots to do on board, lots to see on shore, then a few days maybe driving through the Keys - fantastic water sports, boat trips etc.

Or a trip to the Far East - Bangkok and Singapore - I want to visit that swimming pool !

The White Stallion Ranch in Arizona is amazing, riding through the desert and rounding up cows was the best fun I've ever had. I did a trip to the Grand Canyon while we were there too, and did a day at universal studios.

I'd go to the rockies and spend time on a dude ranch in Montana and some of the national parks

we did an Alaska cruise last summer - saw whales bubble net feeding, snuggled husky puppies, had a week in Vancouver first which was fab. Not sure how well that fits into your budget (we had a year long massive saving plan complete with spreadsheet, and no birthday or Christmas presents to each other, cash donations towards individual trips from everyone else), but certainly the holiday of a lifetime for the DDs.

Who did you do that with vision?

booked all the individual part separately (total holiday was more involved), but cruise was with Princess (picked them as they have onboard naturalists, plus Libby Riddles (first woman to win the Iditarod) gave a talk on board too - she was really interesting, and made it easier to understand exactly how bonkers the dog sledding people are ). I could dig out the names of the whale watching people and the dog sledding camp if anyone's interested.

I second Costa Rica, or Panama which is the neighbouring country (slightly less touristy/cheaper)
Amazing wildlife is the main attraction. Turtle beaches - you can stay for a night in a wood cabin and watch turtles (season approx March-June). Rainforest walks seeing monkeys etc. Would be fine for 5-7yr olds.
Agree rafting may not be appropriate unless you find a slower river - possible.

Vancouver would be my other choice. The city is v family friendly. We did bike rides in Stanley park and trip to the aquarium. Ten you can have day trips to watch whales or bears (depending on the season).

Cost wise, our trip to Central America was more within your budget than Canada, because once you're there, food and accommodation are pretty cheap.

Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide!

Best holiday I ever had was a campervan holiday we rented an event the excitement was amazing I was 6 when I first went did a month and 9 when we went again around Europe would be amazing especially in summer lots of campsites would be fun and easy could get Euro tunnel over

Or second a cruise

I'm with Groovee on the RV road trip. Although I might do New Zealand instead.

Seychelles was beautiful and a good amount to do, constance ephelia has good watersports as well as a beautiful location. Boat trip to other islands is a must, especially La Digue.
Canada - Banff and Jasper - stunning, plenty of walking, wildlife, we did 2 weeks, flew into Vancouver, drove to Kamloops for a stopover then onto Jasper the next day, flew back from Calgary.
NZ but might be out of your price range, depends what kind of accomodation you went for though, cost us about £5500 for 2 of us in nice hotels for 3 weeks, not inc car though and that was through Kuoni who can be a bit expensive.
Hawaii - amazing place! Plenty to do, we did multi stop, 5 nights per island over 2 holidays.
Depending how your kids are in the car, US west coast along Big Sur, stop at Yosemite plus other places (this is our next holiday in a few weeks but we're doing 3 weeks)

My boss did a cruise with kids, similar age and they all loved it, though i can't remember where the cruise went!

We have done cruises with ours and Alaska was best. The Caribbean is best done island by island as the cruise ships don't go to the best places and it's like knowing there is a world out there but you cannot reach it! Alaska is better but shore excursions are very very expensive. My children loved on board life but DH and I weren't so keen! Think carefully if this type of holiday is for you. Families Worldwide was much better!