Where would you go with my budget?

[LoobyLou2709]

After a stressful year and a rubbish Xmas, we have decided to go away for 2 weeks Xmas 2020 and New Year, me and DH and 2 DC aged 7 and 6. We have a max budget of £8k. Where would you think of going? looking online etc everything is over our budget which is jumping out at me and want to avoid canaries or closer to home as not guaranteed good weather, and wanted somewhere really special.
where do people look for holidays? I tend to keep going to TUI and on the beach! Anyone recommend some good value travel sites?
I love the idea of Thailand (been before prior to DC) but DH bit reluctant to take the DC ? Also Costa Rica, again thinking need to up or budget for this! would love some ideas/ recommendations!

[SJaneS48]

It is more work but as others have said, you are going to save a lot of money by organising it yourself! Try Skyscanner and Kayak for flights. I tend to use Booking.com for hotels and have never had an issue (but check hotel reviews on Tripadvisor). I’ve been to some of the places suggested - Costa Rica and Sri Lanka would both be great, CR having the edge for me as it’s a Christian country so there’s likely to be more festivities across the country rather than pockets. I’ve had a couple of Christmases in Dubai when I lived there and it wasn’t a ‘wow’ experience so personally I’d avoid!

[ShanghaiDiva]

I would avoid packages and price it yourself. What about
Vietnam - assuming you are UK citizens then no visa required for stays of up to 15 days. Hanoi will be cool weather wise, but hot in HCMC and you could combine with Phu Quoc or Mekong Delta. Dalat is very nice, was there in December and it was cool at night, but 24 during the day. Internal flights in Vietnam are good value. I have stayed in hotels in the old town in Hanoi - suite for four of us - two bedrooms, two bathrooms, small lounge area, large balcony, breakfast and free laundry and minibar for $160 per night.
Phuket - someone upthread recommended The Slate - have stayed there - very nice and in a quiet area in north of island. Easy to combine with a few days in Bangkok.
Cambodia - also very good value when you are there - great food and amazing sights. Easy to combine with Vietnam.
Singapore - always great, lots to do, pretty humid and ime pretty expensive - land of the plus plus!
Laos -have visited in December - infrastructure more challenging than some places, but Luang Prabang is lovely (although a few young, obnoxious backpackers there when were last there).
I get quite a lot of ideas from the selective asia website which also gives a monthly breakdown of weather in different areas of each country which is useful, especially for Vietnam as big differences between north and south and also the central area/areas with high humidity etc.

[loubieloo4]

A Caribbean cruise, the kids will love it. Royal Caribbean are great for families and have loads to do on the ships. The kids clubs are amazing my dd couldn't wait to go to them. Also gave me and dh some time alone. Perfect holiday 👍🏻

I have only ever booked things separately and it works out lots cheaper.

[Redtartanshoes]

Vietnam for me, there a couple of threads in Longhaul about it:

I visited Boxing Day for 2 weeks, travelled around, was amazing. Weather was great, so so cheap. Felt really safe too/

Combine mainland with a 5 day break in Phu Quoc

[OliviaBenson]

If you don't feel brave, try an agent that specialises in long haul- Trailfindeers, STA travel etc. They'll have loads of ideas and they do get good offers etc.

[travellingInSEasia]

Take a look at the Slate in Phuket, amazing for children and adults!

Fabulous though it is, you won’t get 2 weeks in the Slate for 2 adults and two children for 8K, especially over Christmas. OP definitely have a look at Vietnam & Cambodia. We are currently in Vietnam.

[Fedupofballs]

@travellingInSEasia

I didn’t realise it was that expensive, we went in 2017 for around £2k (excluding flights) for 2 weeks at Easter! We must have found a great deal!

[Nanamilly]

Oman

[travellingInSEasia]

@Fedupofballs I did a quick look on Virgin, not known for being cheap and for two weeks over Christmas & New Year it’s over 8K for two adults excluding transfers or any extras.

[LEELULUMPKIN]

Check out Secret Escapes OP. I am going to the Maldives in March (peak season) for just under £7k all inclusive in a water villa and that is with flights.

Booking it direct would cost £14k then speedboat transfers and flights are extra!

I have had loads of great deals on SE.

[SpeckledyHen]

Lapland with Canterbury Travel . Awesome. My kids are now 25 & 23 , very well travelled ( holidays and gap year travelling ) and still talk about this holiday as one of the best ever .

[zafferana]

I'd go to Costa Rica. The age your kids are I think you'd all love it. Two good friends of mine have been and they both said it was amazing and their DC thought it was the best holiday ever.

[zafferana]

Lapland is so fucking cold! Sounds obvious, but even if you ski it's much colder than that and it's really dark around Christmas. I'd go somewhere warm.

[Fluandseptember]

Oman.

[strawberry2017]

I feel like you need to do some time in Florida for the parks for the kids, perfect age to love it. Then maybe move on to a Caribbean island for some relaxing.
I think 2 weeks beach holiday isn't really as kid friendly unless there's kids clubs that they will actually go to. I feel that's more for parents so doing a mix would work for both!

[CoolShoeshine]

I’d just go to Disney World and stay at one of their lovely hotels.