Where would you go?

[TakeMeToYourLiar]

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

[Jigsawtrain]

I’d probably do Israel if that’s your shortlist. Japan can be child friendly but then I’ve heard it’s quiet child friendly so depends on your children. HK I see as a stopover for 4-5 days rather than a holiday, NZ is just too far. It really wouldn’t be worth the long flights and grumpy jet lagged children. Plus the cost of flights would take half your budget.
Loads of places in Europe for culture. Tour of Scandinavia? Iceland? France/Spain/Portugal for castles, food, nice weather. Russia. Loads of places in Eastern Europe. Jordan?

[TakeMeToYourLiar]

@countrytown

How does a 1 yr old appreciate culture?

They don't, though she would like bright colours, new food, smiling at people.

My soon to be 5 year old is desperate to travel. His choices were Afghanistan as he likes the flag (no he is not aware of the situation there) or Madagascar to see the lemurs

[TakeMeToYourLiar]

Perhaps I d it don't explain well.

The kids do indeed love buckets, spades and slides. Well DS does, DD just as happy in Tesco tbh

But DH and I want to go somewhere ibteresting, but it needs to be child safe, IYSWIM rather than child centric.

We have a similar amount put aside to do Disney world in 4ish years

Not worried about them remembering it. My parents saved their big trip until DSis was 12, she still doesn't remember it 20 years later 🤣

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

I’m just thinking back, when mine were 5.5 and 1.5 we went to St Lucia and had a very hotel based and beach based holiday. It was one of our best holidays despite not being too cultural as it was right for their ages. Eldest can remember a couple of random snap shots in time, youngest can’t remember a thing.

[countrytown]

I took my 2 yr old to Florence & he slept through all of the masterpieces.

[countrytown]

How does a 1 yr old appreciate culture?

[HelenHywater]

I think they're too young to appreciate or remember any of those places tbh. If you want to go, then go, but it won't be for them!

I took mine to lots of incredible places when they were younger, but the holidays they always remember are our Eurocamp ones!

[Hellotoallmyfans]

We took our ds's to Oz at that age and they don't remember anything about it. Eldest has a few very vague recollections of blowing a didgeridoo and holding a koala!

I do think we must've been slightly mad to do that flight with them at those ages however I don't regret doing it as it was great. We have more dc's now and the flight did put me off travelling that far with kids again, even though they were well behaved. People were tutting and moaning when the baby cried (admittedly only a couple of people) but it was quite stressful for me.

Personally I'd love to go to Japan.

[Pieceofpurplesky]

At 5 and 1 they will want to splash in a pool and dig in the sand, not tramp around architectural landmarks.

That said I took DS to Sicily when he was about 5 and we had plenty of beach and pool fun but also remembers the amphitheatre! Maybe find somewhere that you can do short visits to some attractions but leave time to play

[Watapalava]

Pointless at such a young age

I’d save it and take the kids to Lapland in 3/4 years

[TweedePrik]

Agree with Chicken - they're far too young to appreciate "culture" and long distance travel will take a good while to get back to normal. Mine just loved the sea/pool at that age, with a fun fair or roundabout thrown in.

[ChickenSchnitzel]

Agree with DC that young I would save a long haul 'memorable' trip til they are a good few years older. Especially with the ongoing travel uncertainty.

[APurpleSquirrel]

Personally, unless you're likely to have that sort of sum to spend on holidays regularly, I'd save it & either go on several short haul holidays over the next few years or do a big one in a few years time when you're youngest DC can actually appreciate & remember it.

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

I doubt Hong Kong or New Zealand will be fully open for tourists next year.

[Anaphylaxis]

NZ as main destination and use stop overs at Singapore and then on the way back you can choose LA, Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul. Spend few days at these stop overs. It is assuming you are travelling from UK. NZ being literally opposite on earth from UK, you can use these stop overs as they are virtually half way between.

I would not recommend Hong Kong, for me Singapore is better metropolitan city. And then visit far east - they are VERY different to S East Asia. Or you can come back via LA from NZ - you will arrive at time/date before you have left Auckland - one of perks crossing international date line. Feels bit like time travel.