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Holidays

Where would you go?

65 replies

TakeMeToYourLiar · 21/08/2021 17:00

We are in the lucky position that we have around 6k to spend on a holiday.

We would like to go on a really memorable trip in the next year

DS will be 5 and DD 1


We don't want a beach holiday, and would like the kids to experience another culture.

We have had vague ideas of:
Hong Kong
Japan
Israel
New Zealand

But no experience of any of them or which would br best or when to go.

DS starts reception in w few weeks so ideally would be in school holiday

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Notavegan · 25/08/2021 16:21

Do something memorable in Europe, long haul luxury style I expensive,covid worries and stressful flights.
What about a tree house or something. Someone linked one recently on here in Northern Spain.

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backatschool · 25/08/2021 15:59

Some lovely destinations on here but very few of them will be open for tourism by next year. I live in Singapore, as a resident I cannot leave the city right now, tourism is eons away. Hong Kong and New Zealand are equally strict. Places like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia are really struggling with Covid and looking like mid-late 2022 or 2023 before they can vaccinate their populations. I would definitely stick to Europe for the next 2 years.

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 23/08/2021 11:23

@WorkHardPlayHard1

To be honest NZ is a long way to go with such small children who wont know much difference where they go but likely will want to swim/splash about and play on the beach.

We lived in NZ and tbh its like Wales but a lot further away. Invest your money til the kids are old enough to appreciate the travel/culture xx

Take your point especially on culture not being that different. I have been in 2006

Only reason it's on the list is we have distant family there
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WorkHardPlayHard1 · 23/08/2021 11:22

To be honest NZ is a long way to go with such small children who wont know much difference where they go but likely will want to swim/splash about and play on the beach.

We lived in NZ and tbh its like Wales but a lot further away. Invest your money til the kids are old enough to appreciate the travel/culture xx

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 23/08/2021 11:17

@33goingon64

Are you aware of Covid regulations in HK and NZ atm? I wouldn't be planning a long haul trip at the moment.

No, we haven't looked into Covid regs properly. Won't be going anywhere until travel a bit easier
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fiveminutebreak · 23/08/2021 03:48

Italy. You can find good hotels / campsites / beaches but also lots of culture, history and good food. And the Italians are v child friendly. Trains also very affordable and run regularly between main towns. We did Lake Garda when our kids were similar ages. Beautiful setting and lots of options for travelling around a bit. We did Venice for the day.

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33goingon64 · 22/08/2021 22:25

Are you aware of Covid regulations in HK and NZ atm? I wouldn't be planning a long haul trip at the moment.

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Salanda · 22/08/2021 22:13

Hmm. Whilst 6k is obviously a lot of money I’m not sure how far it will go for a family of four - for NZ, Japan, Hong Kong etc a massive portion of that will go on flights. Plus living costs will be high - hotels will be expensive. If you’re keen on long haul then perhaps somewhere like Thailand? Lots to see and do - can see how it would work for kids, but you’d need a lot less for hotels and spending (flights would still be a fair bit though). Or somewhere closer to home to reduce the flights - Morocco, Israel, Turkey, Jordan? Or anywhere in Europe depending on where you’ve already been/what your interests are.

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 21:57

@Roonilwazlib1

My favourite long haul holiday I've been on was the philippines, but we did go island hopping and did lots of day trips doing more islands so might not be for you.

If you're not bothered about long haul then how about interrailing? We went a few years ago but stayed in nice hotels and did Germany, Austria and Italy.

Phillipines is an interesting idea. One of our neighbours is Filipino so I'm sure would help with planning
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Roonilwazlib1 · 22/08/2021 19:42

My favourite long haul holiday I've been on was the philippines, but we did go island hopping and did lots of day trips doing more islands so might not be for you.

If you're not bothered about long haul then how about interrailing? We went a few years ago but stayed in nice hotels and did Germany, Austria and Italy.

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 19:35

@KentuckyCriedFricken

I don’t think 6k is enough for a “memorable” long-haul trip for 3 plus an infant for a few weeks. Flights alone to NZ will be close to a grand a seat. That’s half the budget.

Good point.

Doesn't have to be long haul though.
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KentuckyCriedFricken · 22/08/2021 19:34

I don’t think 6k is enough for a “memorable” long-haul trip for 3 plus an infant for a few weeks. Flights alone to NZ will be close to a grand a seat. That’s half the budget.

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Madcats · 22/08/2021 18:37

I've just had a thought, OP, thinking back to some of my trips.

Places like Cuba and Caribbean are very close to the equator so you would probably want to schedule your days so you are indoors in the heat of the day. And aim for our spring/winter to visit.

DD enjoyed Barbados age 2 1/2 and we rented a lovely villa with grandparents when she was nearly 4 (we clad her in a UV sunsuit and she spent most of the holiday splashing about in our pool).

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 14:15

@Jerseygirl12

OP my son was like yours, he became obsessed with flags and maps of the world from a young age. He’s 21 now and loves his collection of souvenirs from his travels.

Ah brilliant. Mine can be a bit "overheardi. Waitrose" with it.

"Look mummy, that carriage is called Victoria. Like the capital of the Seychelles"
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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 14:13

@Travielkapelka

Israel is a good idea if you can get it, they’re currently really strict about access due to Covid.

It’s a great trip with kids and incredibly child friendly, short flight and great weather, I’d go around April when the weather is perfect for exploring and add some beach time.

Alternatively wait until your youngest is about 5 and Thailand is a great and easy introduction to SE Asia with kids

Good intel on Israel thabks. DH is Jewish so would love to see it
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Jerseygirl12 · 22/08/2021 12:42

OP my son was like yours, he became obsessed with flags and maps of the world from a young age. He’s 21 now and loves his collection of souvenirs from his travels.

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Jerseygirl12 · 22/08/2021 12:39

I’ve been in quite a few holidays that are child friendly but not based all around the DC.
Some of these that have been particularly good.
Cape Town, we had a car and did lots of not too long days out and there was no jet lag.
Rio de Janeiro and Iguassa Falls staying in once in a rainforest hotel in Argentina.
St Lucia, first part of the holiday stayed in a town house, ate at local places and did really good days out. Then we transferred to a really nice all inclusive hotel, chilled and used all the facilities.
Cuba, similar to St Lucia but the other way around. The second part of the holiday was a stay in Havana.
Fly to LA, sightseeing and Disney and then a weeks cruise to Pacific side of Mexico.
Disney cruise around the Med visiting Rome, Pompeii, leaning tower of Pisa, Barcelona etc. We had a few days in Costa Brave before I’m a really Spanish resort which had a lovely promenade and we took the DC to a little fun fair each evening really late.
I’ve done many, many, many other trips and they’ve all been to paces I want to go to
and then I’ve found family/kids stuff to do there as well as taking them to the major sights.
Some of these suggestions could work for you as your DC get older.

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Pieceofpurplesky · 22/08/2021 11:07

Valencia is a great city for kids - mix of beach and culture. The City of Arts and Sciences is great for all ages. The science museum is great.

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Travielkapelka · 22/08/2021 10:17

Israel is a good idea if you can get it, they’re currently really strict about access due to Covid.

It’s a great trip with kids and incredibly child friendly, short flight and great weather, I’d go around April when the weather is perfect for exploring and add some beach time.

Alternatively wait until your youngest is about 5 and Thailand is a great and easy introduction to SE Asia with kids

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HelenHywater · 22/08/2021 10:16

I have taken my dcs all over the place - I took the view that I didn't want a beach holiday, but I compromised and took them places where there was a beach for a few days.

Would say anywhere in the far east would fit the bill - interesting for you and your DH. So Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and Indonesia. I have also gone to Sri Lanka with mine when they were very young. I loved it there. I went to Cuba last year and really enjoyed it. Did find a beach or 2 for the children, but lots of other things to do too.

When mine were much younger we did go to Italy and Spain alot too. Mixed it up between cities and beaches and countryside. I love Italy particularly.

I'm thinking of Japan next year, but mine are teens now and I think they'll really appreciate it. Similarly the US was fun with teens. (eye wateringly expensive though).

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 10:12

@Madcats

We travelled quite a bit when DD was young. We always tried to go somewhere that either had lengthy food opening hours and/or room fridge (or self catering) if we were crossing multiple time zones. We found that DD was pretty good at sleeping on night flights and usually made sure we had lounge access so we could eat before we flew)

In Singapore toddler DD was spoiled rotten by the hotel staff. There is plenty for young children to do (big wheel, day and night zoo, Sentosa....) and different cultures/cuisines. It is very clean and ordered. Maybe time it to coincide with the grand prix if one of you fancies watching.

Another favourite is Mauritius, which again is very tourist/child-friendly. Many of the hotels have lovely kids clubs (to make friends as much as anything). It is a mix of beautiful beaches, sugar and tea plantations and rainforest, with mosques and hindu temples. Going all inclusive should keep you within your £6k budget (the Attitude chain of hotels is good at trying to introduce a bit of local culture into your stay).


Some great ideas thank you
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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 10:11

@solittletime

You. An go very far with young children if you are prepared for it not to be the perfect adult wanderlust experience, and still get lots out of it

Yes! This is what we are looking forward :)
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Lucia574 · 22/08/2021 09:57

The summer family adventure in Sri Lanka (Selective Asia) is £6500 per family, but that’s not including flights, for example.

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Lucia574 · 22/08/2021 09:54

I’d leave it a few years, save a bit more, then go a really great trip to Far East once your youngest is 9 or 10. Have a look at the Selective Asia website for some itinerary ideas. Sri Lanka would be great, or Vietnam, or Thailand…You’ll need more like 10 thousand, though, as long haul flights will eat up a lot of your budget.

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Jigsawtrain · 22/08/2021 09:36

I still would hate a 14 hour flight with such young children though 😂

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