Destination suggestions please!

[WinterWillow]

I have my 30th birthday next August and we are looking to do a 14 day family holiday to incorporate my birthday, but we are completely stuck for destinations.

We generally opt for destinations / hotels that have lost to do for our DC's 6 and 4, and almost always have a waterpark on-site.

We're looking for something a little bit different for next year and had considered Thailand and India, however weather wise these are not great in August.

Any suggestions on somewhere unusual that's suitable for all of us?

Thanks x

bulgaria sunny beach? Its got a beautiful beach, stuff to do for the kids, but is a 15 minute journey to Nessebar, which is an old town founded by the Thracians

Ko Samui should be fine in August.Or else you could go to Malaysia.I suggest the Perhentian or Tioman islands

Alaska Cruise. Lots of fun and something completely different and unforgettable. Whales and bears! Not yet another beach holiday!

We've just come back from Thailand - Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket & it was brilliant.

Weather was fab although it did rain in Phuket a few times (but for no longer than hour each time & it was still warm, so was fine).

We have 3DCs & they loved it too (ages 13, 11 & 8).

Friends went to Bangkok & then onto Cambodia & loved it there too.

Love Italy - can't beat lake Garda for fun family beautiful scenery and great food restaurant adult option

Vancouver and Vancouver Island?
Malaysian Borneo has good weather in August.
Vietnam - Hoi An and Hue are dry then, but very hot.
Java?

Thank you all for your kind suggestions. We did see a wonderful hotel that we really liked in Koh Samui however I was unsure of the weather as I know most travel companies don't fly there at that time of year due to monsoon season.

@BubblesBuddy I would love to do a cruise. Disney do a wonderful Alaska cruise, although my DH is not keen on the idea!

Where did you hear that about Koh Samui Op? Are you flying from the UK?

It was recommended to us by the travel agent and I also know a few people who have gone in August with no issues at all. There were also a few weddings taking place whilst we were there & they were all English couples - no issues with getting to Koh Samui from the UK at all.

Vietnam is amazing went last year so much to see. The people were lovely one of my favourite holidays

@InvisibleWomenMustBeRead I spoke to a rep at TUI as they seem to be the only UK tour company that offer the hotel we liked. The gentleman I spoke to said that they only fly October - March as August is monsoon season!

Strange! Both Travelbag and Kuoni offer trips from the UK during the summer with gorgeous hotels / resorts.

Anyway, have fun deciding - I'm sure it'll be a great trip wherever you choose to go!

You have somewhere to visit every day on this particular cruise. Yes, you are sailing but along the Inside Passage to see whales and getting close to a glacier is a brilliant experience. You would find it difficult to do via the land. Otherwise do British Columbia and carry on to Banff and Lake Louise.

Been to Koh Samui in August...weather was hot and humid...monsoon doesn't hit east coast Thailand and gulf of Thailand until much later in September . we flew Emirates to Bangkok, then Bangkok Air to Koh Samui ( which has a wonderful little Airport!)
Kuoni, Travelbag and Trailfinders have loads of fabulous hotels in Koh Samui ( looks at Fisherman's village in N of Island , which is great for lots of eating places but sand tends to be coarser...although beaches on east and south of island are softer sand) ...also worth having a look at Koh Phangan as well...short ferry trip from Koh Samui and very beautiful with untouched,fabulous beaches and loads of cheap , authentic places to eat

I’d go to Namibia. Fantastic destination and very different. We:

Drove south to the giant sand dunes across deserts and changing wilderness
Took a sunrise balloon ride over the dunes
Drove to Dead Vlei - iconic 900 year old trees in white salt flats with orange dunes and sharp blue sky.
Drove to seal colony and kayaked with seals, you can tickle their tummies and they race along side you
Saw ‘000’s of flamingoes and birds, BBJ’s and other wildlife
Drove across to the most beautiful camp into lion country
Went on an game drive when staying at a waterhole (saw lions and lots of other stuff)
Went into etosha national park for ‘waterhole hoping’ safari. Desert elephants, rhino, lions, loads and loads of different deer and zebra.
Went to a bushman camp (Fiume Bushcamp) and had the most brilliant day and night learning about their culture - the DC loved it and we did too. It supports their family and a local nursery school.
Drove back to the beginning and then flew to Vic Falls for 3 days RnR.
I’ve travelled quite a bit and it is one of our top holidays. Beautiful country. Felt very safe.

DC 11 & 8
Just realised you said your DC 6 & 4.. maybe a bit young. Sorry, over enthusiastic as we had such a good time.

I’d delay and take them to Finland at Xmas. Ruka was fantastic. Father Xmas was so great, sledging in his garden, making buns and biscuits with Mother Xmas. Husky rides, ski lessons, toasting sausages and marshmallows in forest huts after building a snowman. Sledging, forest walks. Reindeer.
Loved Ruka when the kids were small.
I’d do an easy week by a pool in Tuscany for my birthday in August and do a snow trip.