The BEST family holiday you've ever had...

[dontforgetme]

Was where? And why?

Costa Rica and Australia with children, (Queensland mainly) wildlife and Mauritius for snorkelling etc. Within Europe Lapland at Christmas and Lapland in summer to see brown bears in wild.

Costa Rica, we did a tour from coast to coast when they were 10 and 13. Then when they were around 18 and 22 we went to Orlando for New Year, which we all loved rather unexpectedly. We did a California road trip in an RV when they were late teens which would have been good if I had not developed horrible travel sickness. Did three other US road trips with them when they were young which were also fun. We also had a brilliant holiday in a lovely cottage in the highlands in a heatwave. We used to do extended family holidays with DH’s siblings’ families, also great times. We’ve never had a bad holiday really. Never been on a beach holiday, always holidays where we were on the go. They still want to go on holiday with us now so we must have done something right.

We’ve done this a few times. Driving in America is super easy, far easier than the UK. Even LA, which locals kept telling us was horrific, was fine - nothing like trying to navigate any major UK city!

Also Florida with our 4yo this year was utterly amazing. His face was priceless the whole time.

These all sound absolutely amazing!!

We have booked Mexico today.

Thailand, always Thailand. Important to stay away from seedy bar districts, we usually island-hop. Amazing nature and beaches, best food, and everyone is so friendly. And things work, so easy to organise anything you want. Even on an island with a few thousand inhabitants, there are tourist agencies all over the place and they will custom-make trips for you and show you whatever you fancy.

Staying in a friend's chalet in Verbier on a ski holiday with both our families. Xmas day sitting at the huge open fire while the chef was cooking us dinner.. kids happy and getting on and realised how happy and lucky I was to be there.

Where ? West Wales

Why?
It was the only time my family, and my 3 siblings families all holidayed at the same place (4 different cottages). It was warm and sunny. The dc were all under 10 and had a ball spending time with each other, or different combinations of families. They did 'sleepovers' in each others cottages. All the adults got a turn at spending time just as a couple (either a day out or out for the night). It was just lovely. Both chaotic and incredibly relaxing at the same time. Beautiful beaches there of course too.

Have a wonderful time in Mexico.

Australia for a month. My husband was on sabbatical and even though our kids were a bit young it was the only time he had. It was great because he was there and not like when we went on annual holidays when he spent half his mind on work - this time he was truly able to not think about it; we spent money on good hotels and activities; we moved around quite a bit so always something new. He died three years later making it even more special.

We've had two classics.

First, when DS was young was Florida, including Kennedy Space Centre, Busch Gardens, Alligator air boat ride in the Everglades, Mermaids at Tarpon Springs as well as the usual Orlando theme parks, particularly Epcot, MGM and the dolphins.

Second, when he was older, was a California road trip, starting in LA, then down to Dan Diego, over the Mexican border to Tijuana for the day, then across to Flagstaff Arizona, then Grand Canyon, then Las Vegas, then Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, finally ending up in California via Napa Valley wineries and trip to Alcatraz.

Nothing else has ever come close. Well except Canada, doing the boat trip under Niagara Falls, then Toronto, Algonquin National Park and up to Ottawa, thousand Island boat tour and on up to Montreal.

Pre- kids, Nepal and New Zealand. The scenery doesn’t get any better.
Post kids - South Africa. Safari, wild animals and wine regions. What’s not to love?!!

3 weeks in Riviera Maya at Dreams Tulum when DD was 3.
we were booked to go to the Palladium resort in PdCarmen in 2020 but I'm sure you can imagine we never got to go.

Young child - farm stay, other children to play with, playroom for rainy days, self-catering to fit our routine, day trips to explore the area.

Pre-teen: Barbados. Sunny, incredible water, snorkling with turtles and rays swimming up to you, sailing, lots to see on the island

Teen - 2 weeks USA, Boston, Newport, New York

OP if you're still on the thread and going to Mexico, I can't recommend the Selva Maya Eco Adventure enough to be one of your excursions! It's such a range of different adventures for all the family; they are great with kids. It was definitely a Mexico holiday highlight for us!

Haven't travelled that much but the best family holiday we had was Florida doing the parks, we also did other excursions and tried lots of different restaurants. We had a blast. Don't go in summer though unless you like extreme heat and humidity.

We haven't gone yet but in January we're spending a month travelling around Asia with our 3.5 year old son. Doing 3 weeks in Thailand (I backpacked Thailand before I had a child, my favourite country in the world), followed by 5 days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and then one week doing the golden triangle in India

We're also going to Mexico next year too inapril! Fab country and the resorts are amazing and very child-friendly, you'll love it

Ibiza, Es Canar.

We have had some far flung holidays that have been great but in terms of children being civilised to hang out with, entertainment, beaches I think this was our best one.

Ask my kids and they'll say Ibiza or butlins

These all sound like wonderful trips. What hotel did you book in Mexico please?

@aintnospringchicken

We did the exact same thing in reverse in 2013 but with Grand Canyon at the end! Great holiday for the kids.

Our second 'Big holiday' is in a couple of weeks to Mexico. Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Chichen Itza, Merida and Holbox Island. Self organised so hopefully OK.

In the UK, Snowdonia. Loads of different things to do, stunning scenery.

Overseas, Copenhagen. Not cheap but lots to do, delicious food, so clean and civilised and the Danish are so chilled.

@Chemenger @Silkiefloof Where did you go in Costa Rica? I’m currently planning that trip now - with husband and 5 and 7 y/o DD in tow

Never taken the children abroad (finances and due to DHs chronic health condition insurance £££). We had a fabulous holiday at Cwmiar Farm, Cambrian Mountains.

We booked the Royalton Splash Riviera in Cancun.