random summer holiday.

[yellowsunfloweras]

I love a bit of last minute random holidays. Have booked USA a few times 48 hours before departure. Have a 4 YO and refuse to stop travelling just because I have although options are becoming more limited as she starts school in September.

Anyway... starting to get itchy feet and neeeed to do a trip before she starts school & won't get another break until October half term.
Want to go long haul anywhere (that's safe)
I don't follow normal family holidays so won't be doing say Caribbean etc dd never ever sleeps so have found the more there is to do regardless of for adults or children is so much better. Have done Dubai New York and other USA cities with her and as she never sleeps it's been perfect as we just pop out in the evenings to different places. whereas on beach holidays (and yes we've tried) she stays up late and we're all trapped in a room with nothing to do in the evening.

Can anyone throw an idea our way as to where we could head from this week until end of August. Two adults one 4yo. Am flexible on budget so just want some ideas for now. Thanks!
Feel free to prove me wrong. Re beach hols as well!

I don't understand what you mean by being trapped in a room with nothing to do on a beach holiday in the evening, but on a city break you can just go out and do stuff?

I know you said long haul, but what about the Costa del Sol (don't laugh)?

Lots of city stuff to do in Malaga (castles, architecture, museums, tapas, squares) plus a beach and lots of play parks for DD. or you can visit Granada.

www.panoramicvillas.com/blog/best-free-play-parks-on-the-costa-del-sol/

Plus in Spain, it's totally normal to go out in the evening with your children so if you take her to the park at 8-10 pm, it will be full of Spanish families doing the same.

Go onto sky scanner, type in your local airport, select rough dates or click on the whole month option, then in destination box type Everywhere... The magical search engine will come back with a whole host of flights to different countries with the price next to them.

Then go onto a hotel booking website, or we prefer getting a villa with private pool, it normally costs less than a hotel.

I know you've said no Caribbean but Mexican cities are very vibrant with amazingly festive night life on their main squares every evening

Australia. Broom in WA, Gold Coast in QLD , both are warm and not hot at this time of year, Canberra for abit of skiing 🎿
Perth is great but not great for a holiday with a 4 year old at this time of year

Thanks for all the replies! Ok it doesn't have to be long haul but I meant I've gone on a few beach hols and ended up stuck in the room where one is expected to go to the bar/restaurants once darkness hits... last beach hol was to Gran Canaria and was a nightmare. Yes kids can say out late but mainly to go to a restaurant and then retire back to bed at about 10pm. My dd fancied staying up later than that never ever sleeps and the hotel was dead and we ended up walking 2miles every night trying to get her to go to sleep in the pram and because it was a small town near the beach, the scenery got really boring after two weeks of walking forever.
Australia sounds amazing. Adds to dream list but I would want to do 3 weeks there so wil have to wait. We did a couple of big US cities and had a great time. If we got bored in hotel we knew we could just pop back out to some tourist thing late at night rather than forcing a restaurant meal that we all get a little bored at because dd 4 has ants in her pants (she can sit still but is more of us constantly saying sit still don't do this don't do that etc) either way thank you and any more suggestions welcome.

Oh yes done Dubai, will look up Mexico as well thanks!

My colleague is just back from Cape Verde with her two daughters and dad a great time. We went to Abu Dhabi last year which was fab and lots to do.

Thanks! I'll look it up.

There's nothing to do in Cape Verde. And when I say nothing I really do mean nothing.

DH and I went a few years ago. We loved it because there's nothing to do. We went into the "town" one day, it killed an hour. Honestly, it's great for relaxing, not great if you want to be able to go somewhere in the night when your little one won't sleep.

Japan

Thanks for the updates.
I almost went to Japan with my friend last year so I should look at that as well as it seemed it could be a lot of fun. Never considered taking dd for some reason! Thanks this is so helpful. Dd has completely thrown our usual couple of beach holidays a year previous to her existence!

We did a california road trip last year with our DD (who was 2 and a half at the time). Loads of kid friendly outdoor stuff to do, we even managed Alcatraz.

Vietnam and Japan are on our list for when she's older, and New Zealand too, although that may be a bit far depending on how long a trip you're planning.

We are the same tbh. We love NY and Dubai because there is so much to do!

What about Abu Dhabi? Very similar to Dubai with lots of do.

I really fancy Vegas or Singapore next...

Canada on the west coast. touring around a fab holiday.

Thanks! Singapore is on the list now, been America a few times so trying to do somewhere else but still on the list and have visas so always worth a look. I am planning to do Alaskan cruise next year so will hopefully somehow incorporate Canada around that but fabulous idea!
This is good. I am having some fun today researching everywhere. Apparently Japan is too humid this time of the year. Will go one day!

Iceland?

Taipei, it is hot and humid this time of year but it's a great city. You can also take a trip down to Taroko Gorge (it's amazing). Evenings can be spent out and about in Ximending or around Taipei 101 and there are some really cool night markets too. Be warned though, I'm convinced that Shillin Night Market in mid August is the hottest place on the planet. It certainly felt that way.

costa rica