Inspiration for New Year holiday please!

[Louise2004]

does anyone have any suggestions for a fun-filled family-friendly holiday over New Year's? We have up to around 10/12 days to spare and generally prefer active holidays: places with lots of culture, activities etc., as opposed to just sitting on a beach all day. We don't mind short- or long-haul flights, but prefer direct flights to lots of stopovers. Our DS, who also loves travelling, is 7 years old. Thanks!

skiing?

Good idea, thanks, but we're planning on going skiing in March, as I usually get too cold skiing over New Year's!!! brrrrr

I agree, the South of France is great for families but we did that last year! One problem is that we're quite well travelled and like to try new places all the time.

I called a travel agent, who suggested places like the South of France, Portugal etc. as well as places like Jordan, Oman, Morocco - have any of you been to any of these countries/areas with children? Any recommendations on what's best to see and do there? And how about Croatia?

Thanks!

What about Budapest? I know its slightly off the wall suggestion, but we have been looking into it recently as the first stop in a round the wrold trip we are planning and it looks an amazing city. You can fly direrct from London too. When you put "vacation rental budapest" into google you will come up with lots of sites that have flats to rent direct from owners that look amazing, central, really modern and well equipped and suprisingly cheap. And there seems to be plenty to see and do for kids too. Our sons will be 4 and 7 when we go.

Your RTW sounds great - what route are you doing, and how long will you be "on the road"? My husband and I went on one before our son was born, and we're thinking of going on another one with him when he's a bit older (but pre-teen!). Will your children be home-schooling or something similar whilst you're travelling?

We've been to Budapest - it's a fantastic city, with plenty to do and see. We went on a long weekend trip there, and we managed to fit everything in.

My children are already home-schooled so no problem there. Our current route plan is London, Budapest, Sri Lanka (to stay with a relative)Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, NZ (to rent an RV and drive around), Melbourne (short stay with relative), Brisbane (Noosa actually - long stay with grandparents), Sydney, San Fransisco, Portland (my sister), Guadalajara, Mexico City, Florida (long stay with relatives), New York and back to London. 6 months total I think.

That's a fantastic route! Driving around NZ in a campervan is what we did and it's definitely the best way to see both islands. In the north, try to fit in a visit to the Craters of the Moon. If I find some more details, I'll let you know (we went on our trip 8 years ago now, so no promises!). Melbourne is lovely as well. We did the drive around the coast up to Sydney, which was beautiful. I could go on, but I'm sure you've heard it all before... Basically, I'm sure you're all going to have a great time!

Makes me want to start planning our RTW trip now, not just New Year's!

Have you thought about Sri Lanka? Or Mexico? Or South Africa? Or Egypt?

Mmmmm... South Africa sounds good - I'll look into it (must have slipped off the atlas when I was flicking through!). Thanks!

I've been to the other countries - all worth visit for anyone who hasn't been yet. In Mexico we travelled around the Yucatan peninsula, which was fantastic - mountains, jungle, beach - everything! Egypt is on our "to go" list, as our son hasn't been yet and I think it'll be great for his ancient Egyptian education!