Big trip ideas

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

I'm trying to plan for DH 50th and would like a family holiday that isn't 'standard'. I'm lacking inspiration and I'm always wowed jealous where other people go.

Hit me with your trip of a life time triumphs. We're active, like doing and looking, and flexible on location.

Thanks

howsafeismytrip excellent info, thank you.

We've been to Cuba and hired a car and drove around: Havana, Vinales, Bay of Pigs, Trinidad, then Varadero. Excellent holiday. The kids said the hotel was the best bit

Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi (not correct spelling) in Sweden for DH's 50th

Ooh that's a cool idea (groan). I assume we could do a short break?. We've been to Finland, but didn't see the Northern Lights so that might be really nice... perhaps minus kids

Drive the big Sur, including a few days in Yosemite for hiking/cycling as it's beyond beautiful.

Did Cambodia Angkor Wat and Vietnam this summer for my 50th and absolutely loved it. Extremely interesting, great boutique hotels, fantastic food and service and really cheap to eat out. Would go back tomorrow if I could afford it.

Rainbow did you travel with particular company?

Jasmine holidays couldn't fault them and the guides we had whilst there. It was their Indochina highlights
Tour.

California and Costa Rica are the two places on my list to do with our kids before too long.

Thanks Rainbow

My friend is off to Costa Rica, but I've never had it on my list. Tell me why?! (If you don't mind )

Costa Rica, it has adventure with rainforests, rivers, a volcano and abundance of wildlife. Then relax for a few days at the beach. Beautiful country.

Or USA, few days in San Francisco and then tour Yellowstone National Park.

Yosemite sounds good too. A really outdoors active holiday would suit us me

I've never been to South America and it does feel like a gap too. I wonder if making the kids walk the inca trail would be a disaster?

I think I need to stop working full time and just travel slight flaw in that plan

If you like nature Borneo is amazing. Seeing chimps, crocodiles, turtles and so on in the wild was really special.

Belize was also pretty cool - nature, ancient ruins, beach.

Other things on my list that I haven't done yet:

Costa Rica,
US West coast
Japan
Sri Lanka
Safari

Ooh Belize, me more Euro

Japan is on our list for when the DCs are a bit older.

New Zealand is also great, particularly if you like outdoors...you'd probably need 3 weeks for that and it's a long flight.

My friend had a great time in Borneo and met a few family's with kids who were having an amazing time so that could also be worth a thought.

Am now making a mental list of ideas for mine and DH's 40th birthdays in a few years!

Yosemite is fabulous. Hot & quite busy in the summer. The road to Big Sur is currently closed, I believe. To be honest, I think the Pacific Coast Highway is overrated.

Cool thanks

Sorry only just saw your question about Galapagos.

We did a four week trip where we went to Cusco, did Machu Piccu (one day trek -decided DD wouldn't want four days of trekking) then went to Ecuador (Banos) and did ziplining and rafting, and then went to Galapagos for 10 days.

We didn't do a tour, we did it all independently. It was still amazing. There's a really good thread on the tripadvisor forum that we used.

You don't get to go to the uninhabited islands if you don't do a tour, but really you see everything easily. In fact so easily you have to watch where you're walking so you don't trip over the sea lions!

It's the most amazing place I've ever been to.

Watching this thread with interest because after four years of saving I'm hoping to do another big trip next summer - probably to Vietnam / Laos / Thailand.

PM me if you'd like OP. I lived in Colombia too and highly recommend it. Yes, some areas are dodgy, but you sound well travelled and there's plenty to see. I did an Amazon trip in Ecuador when I was there which was fab.

Can also recommended a travel company for Indochina if you want to have a look. Laos a favourite place - you can easily pair a trip to Luang Prabang and Siem Reap for Anchor Wat.

Stand are a favourite. Kyrgyzstan for mountains and rugged beauty, Uzbekistan for Silk Road treasures like Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand. Travel can be a bit rough!

Thanks TheDonald that sounds really good. I think I'm warming to the idea of South America... but where exactly, although Galapagos seems like it would be the grand finale.

MrsC Would you rate Colombia over/equal to other places in the region? A slightly nuts question I realise.

... fortunately I will be 50 the year after so, a second trip might be on the cards we will give up food and clothing

I'm surprised no one has said China. It was one of our top trips and I'd thoroughly recommend.

Vietnam. Always Vietnam.

Australia.

I don't do places that need jags.

I must admit the jabs may not go down well with the kids!

I think Vietnam/Cambodia and that area are also high on the list. We've done a couple of bits in the area, but not them.

This is def my favourite thread! I love dreaming of travel

Very minimal jabs needed for Vietnam, most of them were just boosters