What would you do if…

[Roadtrip23]

….your partner (and you, and the kids) had the whole of the school summer holidays off, as in not working, no commitments.
We’ve an almost 4 yr old, 9 and 11 yr old.
I’ve given zero thought to budget as still hypothetical…I’m just after some ideas. Thanks🙏

Throw a tent in the car and explore Europe.

4 weeks of an amazing trip somewhere - maybe around Europe per PP then 2 weeks of lovely stuff at home - catching up with friends, days out to places we love or have always wanted to explore but haven't... some pub dinners in lovely beer gardens on those amazing warm evenings (can you tell I'm nostalgic about British UK light summer evenings?!)

If it was me personally I’d probably do a long haul destination and travel around but in your position with kids I’d probably look at interrailing in Europe. Although PPs suggestions sound delightful and @BritInAus has made me nostalgic for British summers too

So when my eldest was 4 we were in this position..we went to live in Ibiza for the summer (I was in uni and she hadn't started school, so longer than school holiday) and visited Belgium, Barcelona, Paris, Nice and Dublin on the way home. Just whatever next flight was the best deal on sky scanner and booked a cheap central hotel on booking.
I was only 22 and fearless as the thought gives me anxiety now, we literally had no return flights booked and I didn't know where we would go next. But we had the most incredible time, swimming in the sea every morning, picnics on the beach watching the sunset, exploring towns and markets, sightseeing etc. Would kill to do it all again.

If I was doing it now with more money I'd do Thailand. Bangkok for markets, museums, kids attractions, Chiang Mai for temples and elephant sanctuary, Krabi or Koh Samui for some Instagram beach life...or Phuket for a bit more action with your beach.

Road trip round Europe or America if money was no object. Or interrail round Europe.

How lovely OP!

Not sure I would road trip with a four year old.. but obviously depends on the child.

I would hire a gite with a pool in the Dordogne.. loads to see and do. Some days do day trips, other days just relax at the pool.

Or

Greek Island hopping.. but Greece in August is very hot.

Enjoy your adventure 😊

If money was no object I'd be spending the whole time bullet training around Japan.

If there's a tighter budget, maybe a carefully mapped out month long 'Grand Tour' of Europe via rail and plane.

On 2 occasions, I spent a month touring SE Asia with my 2 kids. The 3 of us had a blast all over Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Internal flights were cheap. Trains and hiring drivers were cheaper. I'd book a hotel room for where we were heading from the car/train/plane we were heading there in. One memorable Vietnamese day we spent in an amazing water park, posh meal after then cinema. £18.50 spent on the 3 of us for those three things. Summer holidays were cheaper there than here in the UK.

First time I did it, the kids were 6&8. I remember traveling between 2 obscure Cambodian towns by minivan and chatting to the fresh out of uni crowd. 4 of the women were inspired by our travels and vowed to me that they would take any of their future children on amazing summer adventures like I was with mine.

You honestly won't regret it. Go for it.

Thanks so much @BritInAus @Inthebathagain @No1HolidayPlanner @Saturnsmoon @TheBirdintheCave @Zola1 @gkd1234 and @liveoppositeacrazyhorse for your ideas. Road trip in Europe was what sprang to mind initially for me too, but I’m just not sure about lots of time in the car. I’ve travelled in Thailand, SE Asia and Japan before kids and really loved it so will start to check out further flung places. It’d be lovely for them to experience really different cultures. Fingers crossed this actually happens 🤞🏻
thanks again!