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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Long haul suggestions for May-June family on a budget

57 replies

Sevendown · 21/04/2018 08:48

Thinking of going on a 2 week big family holiday at the end of May next year.

I’d like the dcs too see more of the world because they haven’t travelled much.

Mix of ages. 3 dcs.

One doesn’t like it too hot esp if humid.

One likes sports.

One likes animals.

DP would like culture/history.

I want a beach to build sandcastles with youngest!

On a budget so not expecting luxuary.

Any suggestions and when is the best time to book- a year in advance/ leave it to last minute?

Flexible about departure airport.

DP would prefer an airline with a very good safety record eg virgin/BA.

OP posts:
mummymeister · 21/04/2018 12:10

absolutely don't leave it to the last minute. last minute holidays are the ones that no one else wants and you have to ask yourself why that is!

assuming one of the weeks is going to be May half term in which case I would try and stagger when you fly as it will be masses cheaper to leave/return outside the main crush of holiday makers.

Have a look at Cyprus, Crotia, some of the greek islands to give you all a bit of something that you are looking for. we really enjoyed Oregon - long haul with watersports and culture.

Catinthecorner · 21/04/2018 12:17

It’s not long haul really but what about Morocco? It has pretty much everything you want

Original poster
Sevendown · 21/04/2018 16:13

Thanks. May holiday a coincidence, we could go anytime from c. 20th May to the start of July but don’t want it to be too hot so thought the earlier the better. If it’s cheaper we’ll go in June instead but I don’t think they could cope with 30c every day.

Hadn’t thought of Morocco- is there a lot of wildlife? I was thinking more of rainforest than desert. DD would love a camel ride though.

DP is worried about water/ hygiene/ us all getting diarrhoea!

Dcs seem to be most excited about beach water sports.

I’ve been to Greece a few times and want something different.

My short list atm is

Costa Rica
Mexico
Caribbean
Mauritius (dps suggestion)
India
Vietnam (DP)
Thailand ( DS)
Borneo
Bali

Would consider a cruise if within budget.

I’ve been looking at apartments rather than hotels as they seem to want us to take 2 rooms which we don’t want. Youngest doesn’t need own bed so a 2 double bed room would do us.

OP posts:
GreyGardens88 · 21/04/2018 16:15

South Africa? Won't Asia be terribly humid in June?

Original poster
Sevendown · 21/04/2018 17:31

Yeah, Soith Africa is like to know more about what it’s like for families.

Eg where is best to fly to, where are the main resorts? Are main sights far apart? Is the sea safe? What is the food like? Is it expensive once you are there?

I’ve never been outside Europe except N America so I really have no clue what these places are like!!

OP posts:
MarmiteTermite · 21/04/2018 17:35

What is your budget?

dontknowwasmadetoknow · 21/04/2018 17:56

Have a look a jewel runaway bay in Jamaica
We went last year at the end of may and had a great time
We upgraded to a plunge pool room when we arrived
It was hot and humid but not unbearable
We love it so much we will definitely go back and we never go back to the same place twice

Stopyourhavering64 · 21/04/2018 18:02

What about Cuba...amazing island and culture will be hot but not too humid May time ( can fly Virgin Atlantic)

bakingaddict · 21/04/2018 18:09

What is your budget? You’d probably need about £5K for S.E.Asia for 5 people. I don’t know about South Africa but it isn’t a place I’d take kids seems to dangerous and I know people who are originally from South Africa

Oldowl · 21/04/2018 22:39

We did Istanbul and Cape Town last year. Two weeks, 4 of us for £3000.

Flights £500 each with the 3 day stop over. Car hire in Cape Town less than £100 for a brand new family car for 10 days. Two bedroom apartment with pool £275 for all of us. We had a 2 days full board at a game reserve
buffelsfontein.co.za/
Did Robben Island, Cape Point, Boulders Beach (penguins), climbed Lion's Head etc.

A wonderful family trip and felt very safe.

Original poster
Sevendown · 22/04/2018 09:49

Yes budget £5k pref inc everything, food, spending etc.

Safety is becoming a bit of a worry. I’m not sure nor safe it is to take a toddler out and about in high crime locations.

Did see a bargain in Jamaica but .gov website says tourists have been getting murdered there!

OP posts:
fruitlovingmonkey · 22/04/2018 10:22

South Africa would tick a lot of your boxes as long as you are happy to hire a car and drive around a bit.

fruitlovingmonkey · 22/04/2018 10:24

The sea will be too cold for swimming but there is a lot to do apart from that.

bakingaddict · 22/04/2018 10:42

I always like Singapore, lots to do there for families, night zoo, Sentosa, Universal, water parks, Gardens by the Bay. We stayed in the Mercure Roxy which wasn’t too pricey for Singapore about £80 a night for 4 of us. After Singapore you can get flights to whichever other S.E.Asian country you want to visit Bali, Malaysia, Vietnam etc etc using AirAsia or Jetstar Pacific

Original poster
Sevendown · 22/04/2018 18:04

DP won’t fly on a non European carrier so connecting flights are out. Need a one flight destination.

I thought from threads on MN that South Africa is more like £10k + than £5k?

I haven’t looked at anything there in detail. The no jet lag is appealing!

What side of the road do they drive on and what language are the signs in? I’ve never driven in a non English speaking country. Is it safe from car jackings?

Also don’t want more than 2 centres. Packing and unpacking 5 people takes ages. Not prepared to do that more than once a week.

The dcs actually seem very keen on Jamaica. Water sports are winning over wildlife!

Costa Rica and SE Asia are still on our to do list but I’m thinking it’s better to wait until the youngest is 6+.

OP posts:
penguinsandpanda · 22/04/2018 19:47

South Africa has a water crisis around Cape Town and lots of issues with crime. I loved it due to penguins / big 5 / Table Mountain but would only do with staying in good hotels / excursions due to safety. We did hire a car at the end once we knew things more and no issues. Have a SA friend who had a friend killed there for car and its quite common, all homes have massive security. Also need children's full birth certificates now. It is an amazing place but you need to be careful. BA have flight sale in Jan and also had one on Black Fridays, flights are cheapest as soon as come out.

Costa Rica is great but again not sure if can do on that budget but have a look. Our holiday cost £6,300 for flights, accomodation, AI at RUI Guanacaste and this included entertainment e.g. beach volleyball, SUP, windsurfing, kayaking via TUI in August, May might be cheaper. Onsite we saw 5 raccoons, 1 coati, monkeys down the road, gecko, pelican. Was quite a lively hotel, very good food and facilities but mix of families and party/drinking types. We took 5 trips out, all of which were £400 ish each, including cuddling a sloth, ziplining through jungle, active volcanoes, hot springs, horse riding, rainforest. We preferred to Carribean as more wildlife and to do. Tripadviser forums are excellent for planning trips if you want to DIY though that is a lot more work.

Bombardier25966 · 22/04/2018 19:58

DP won’t fly on a non European carrier so connecting flights are out.

Leave husband at home. Your budget will go even further and you won't have to deal with his neuroses.

Branleuse · 22/04/2018 20:28

The Azores?

bakingaddict · 22/04/2018 20:36

Seems strange not to fly on a non European carrier, Emirates and Singapore airlines are among the most reputable in the world and I’m sure lots of other non European ones that escape me at the moment. Silk Air is also a subsidiary of Singapore airlines. Bizarre logic of your DP

dingit · 22/04/2018 20:51

I will second the Jewell runaway bay in Jamaica. We went in February and have come back alive Smile
Our first week was a cruise to Cuba and Mexico.
Looking at going back to Jewell and doing other leg of cruise.

buckleten · 22/04/2018 20:55

Australia has everything you want, and if you stay in b&bs or backpackers hostels, can be done on a budget. Look at self catering places, food isn't expensive and eating out reasonable too. We have done this twice, and plan to again soon!

Original poster
Sevendown · 22/04/2018 22:04

Australia I’d do alone.

I tried looking up Jewel Runaway Bay but it keeps coming up as unavailable. Maybe they don’t have rooms for 5?

I wouldn’t fly emirates for political reasons.

dp’s criteria is no airline that’s had a fatal crash in the last 30 years which rules out most. I don’t actually think that’s very unreasonable.

What is there in the Azores?

We don’t have the budget for £8.5k inc trips.

When will the airlines/ tour operators release tickets for next May/June?

We can’t book until June/July but it seems like we should book ASAP?

Jamaica’s still the front runner atm, I’m just trying to suss out low budget accommodation. I’m not finding many non AI hotels with pools. Don’t really want AI as planning on being out and about a bit.

The food also looks more child friendly there (one D.C. is v fussy)

OP posts:
Crispbutty · 22/04/2018 22:59

I think you are going to struggle to do long haul with that criteria. I think luxury short haul would be much easier for all of you.

Iflyaway · 22/04/2018 23:07

Jamaica is amazing. Go to Negril (and other places there), it has a 7 Mile beach. Your kids will love it.

I'm addicted LOL