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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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Jigsawtrain · 22/08/2021 09:36

I would second Singapore, you could have a week there with loads to do and a week somewhere in Malaysia either beach or rainforest.

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actiongirl1978 · 22/08/2021 09:20

If you go for NZ via LA, I recommend the sky seats in economy on air new Zealand. We had them for the LA leg with DC and they were amazing.

Also we took DD who was 1 to Oz for our honeymoon and we had a brilliant trip, though we weren't in economy so the flights were easier than they might have been.

If you go for Oz, we stayed in St Kilda Beach which was v child friendly. A lovely play park, swimming pools, could see massive jellyfish off the jetty, great market, amazing cafes for lovely breakfasts. We found Melbourne fabulous for children (we had a pushchair so obvs remember the ease of getting around).

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Madcats · 22/08/2021 09:15

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).

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solittletime · 22/08/2021 09:14

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

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solittletime · 22/08/2021 09:13

I’ve always dreamed of going to Vietnam. Can’t help with any of the details but know it is very child friendly. I have travelled to other similar countries, you just need to be organised with medical insurance anti malarials and jabs, but on your budget you might be able to afford to do it in more comfort so would be worth it

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Bagelsandbrie · 22/08/2021 09:13

Switzerland is HUGELY expensive….! I went years ago and remember being shocked at paying £12.50 for a Malibu and coke…. We went to Lucerne and I was desperate to get home again just so I could stop haemorrhaging money. (Although it was amazingly beautiful).

I wouldn’t go anywhere far with such young children. I’d just have some nice typical family holidays - maybe New York for a city type break if things become more stable there - and I’d leave the big proper travelling type stuff until they’re a bit older.

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StCharlotte · 22/08/2021 09:10

Ah okay. Didn't know that.

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Jigsawtrain · 22/08/2021 09:08

@StCharlotte

On the back of the Madagascar idea, how about a Safari? Surely they'd remember seeing a lion!

Lots of safaris don’t take children of OP’s age
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Ylvamoon · 22/08/2021 08:49

PS we have had our base in Germany, Black Forest / Lake Constance, again lovely destination, but Lake Constance can feel very touristy in the Summer months.

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Ylvamoon · 22/08/2021 08:46

Yes, Switzerland is expensive, we have done a few day / short trips and always managed on a budget as family of 4.
Your budget should be sufficient.

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 22/08/2021 08:39

@Ylvamoon

I highly recommend Switzerland (they have cheese vending machines!)
You can travel on the Bernina Express breathtakingly beautiful train journey through the Alps - 1st class ticket to get the panoramic views! You can visited glaciers and beautiful towns & cities like Lucerne ...

This sounds like fun, but isn't Switzerland breathtakingly expensive
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Ylvamoon · 22/08/2021 08:37

I highly recommend Switzerland (they have cheese vending machines!)
You can travel on the Bernina Express breathtakingly beautiful train journey through the Alps - 1st class ticket to get the panoramic views! You can visited glaciers and beautiful towns & cities like Lucerne ...

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StCharlotte · 21/08/2021 23:56

On the back of the Madagascar idea, how about a Safari? Surely they'd remember seeing a lion!

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Houseplantmad · 21/08/2021 23:47

I think your budget isn’t big enough for NZ or Australia. It’s very expensive in both and unlikely borders will open to tourists for some time. Kids cope with jet lag very well going there IME. It’s just us who felt rubbish for days!
Japan is great but quite expensive (although cheaper than NZ).

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throttlebottom · 21/08/2021 23:46

Sri Lanka?

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coodawoodashooda · 21/08/2021 23:44

Scandinavia if you have a large budget. Very child friendly.

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 21/08/2021 23:42

@Welcometotheterrorzone

Croatia? Old cities, island hopping and beautiful beaches (I think!)

Good idea, but we've been before, maybe Montenegro
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Welcometotheterrorzone · 21/08/2021 23:41

Croatia? Old cities, island hopping and beautiful beaches (I think!)

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 21/08/2021 23:31

@APurpleSquirrel

When DD was 2 we went to Sorrento for a week - we had a self-catering apartment; & could walk into the town. We caught local buses & trains & visited Pompeii & Herculaneum - DD loved exploring the ruins, being able to walk about with no traffic etc. The Italians love children, & doted on her in restaurants etc. We also found a loved play park, went to Ravello & had a picnic, ate lots of gelato. We had a lovely cultural break; she got to experience being on a plane; new smells/sounds/sights etc. She can't remember any of it but it was a lovely holiday & only 2hrs or so on a plane.
We also went to Lanzarote in 2019 when DD was 4 & DS was mealy 1. We probably spent a total of 3-4hrs on a beach for the entire week we were there. Instead we visited local sights (lava tubes, castles, theme parks etc). We had a villa with a pool, ate bbq most nights we cooked ourselves. Again - lots of fab experiences which weren't a typical beach holiday. We had fun, so did the kids.
Look at places closer to home, but think outside the beach.

Sorento a great idea. We took DS to Sardinia when he was 2 abd he loved it. Always wanted to see Pompeii
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APurpleSquirrel · 21/08/2021 23:20

When DD was 2 we went to Sorrento for a week - we had a self-catering apartment; & could walk into the town. We caught local buses & trains & visited Pompeii & Herculaneum - DD loved exploring the ruins, being able to walk about with no traffic etc. The Italians love children, & doted on her in restaurants etc. We also found a loved play park, went to Ravello & had a picnic, ate lots of gelato. We had a lovely cultural break; she got to experience being on a plane; new smells/sounds/sights etc. She can't remember any of it but it was a lovely holiday & only 2hrs or so on a plane.
We also went to Lanzarote in 2019 when DD was 4 & DS was mealy 1. We probably spent a total of 3-4hrs on a beach for the entire week we were there. Instead we visited local sights (lava tubes, castles, theme parks etc). We had a villa with a pool, ate bbq most nights we cooked ourselves. Again - lots of fab experiences which weren't a typical beach holiday. We had fun, so did the kids.
Look at places closer to home, but think outside the beach.

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LesLavandes · 21/08/2021 22:53

I wouldn't bother just now. Leave it til Covid restrictions improve significantly

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TakeMeToYourLiar · 21/08/2021 22:45

@Ylvamoon

With children that young, I wouldn't want to do long haul flights... it's hard work!
There are so many lovely places in Europe, I would look for something a bit different, away from the major tourist hubs.

Do you have any suggestions on where? Doesn't have to be long haul at all. We just don't want the typical beach holiday
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Ylvamoon · 21/08/2021 22:35

With children that young, I wouldn't want to do long haul flights... it's hard work!
There are so many lovely places in Europe, I would look for something a bit different, away from the major tourist hubs.

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GreenBiro · 21/08/2021 22:28

I wouldn’t!

Caravan/cottage in Devon, week on the beach in the Med.

Lapland/ Disney when they’re older.

Not wanting to make any assumptions, but see if you can leave them with family perhaps while you and DH get a quick culture fix.

Sure there are people who’ve trecked around the world with DC at that age but it depends whether you’re up for a non-relaxing holiday. Of all of the cultural/interesting places I’ve been, not many were child friendly really!

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countrytown · 21/08/2021 22:27

I would just go to Europe for a 2 wk summer break.

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