Family holidays “of a lifetime” this summer. Where should we go

[Borealiz]

Inspired by the thread about the most over rated holiday spots…
We were about to book a holiday in Bali in August but having second thoughts now after reading the aforementioned thread.
Would love suggestions. Below is the brief:

• weather needs to be relatively hot/dry in August
• looking to spend 2-3 weeks there. Doesn’t need to be exactly at the same place, happy to try or take another flight
• need a good balance of beach holidays with pretty beaches and culture, good food, activities…
• kids’ (teenagers and young adults) attention span in museums is very limited. “Accessible” museums/culture is best
• Thought about Vietnam and cambodgia but some people discouraged me due to weather being a bit cold.
• money not a problem, happy to travel far away in good conditions if worth it. As written above it’s probably one of the last holidays as a family. We want to create great memories.
• been to several Asian countries with the kids (but wouldn’t mind going back), been to the US east coast too. Never been to Latin America with them or Africa.
• Wouldn’t mind doing a cruise on a private sailing boat (Croatia? Anywhere else ? Been sailing in Greece already and the Caribbean). Could do a mix of one week on the boat and one week in land or visit nearby countries. We’ve thought about doing a tour of Eastern Europe. We may be able to combine it with a cruise in Croatia and/or Greece.

having a lot going on in my life currently so not really in a position to do due diligence about all these destination, and make a decision.

Bali is amazing. The ignorance on that thread was nearly funny. We spend 2-3 months in Bali every year, just avoid Kuta (which still hasn’t recovered after COVID but still has a reputation). So much to see - go to Sideman for valleys, Ubud for culture, Candidasa or Sanur for beaches, Lovina for old style Bali, Ulawatu for luxury. Try the islands - Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida or the Lombok islands of Gilli Trewangan/Menos/Air and yes, if you want amazing food and shopping Seminyak is fab but busy. Seriously, don’t take Bali recommendations from Brits!

How about a few days in Dubai, onto Singapore then a relaxing week on Bintan island? Banyan tree or club med, then direct flight home.

Bali is a great destination if you avoid Kuta. It’s dry in August, food is fabulous, temples, museums, monkey forest in Ubud…etc. you could easily combine with Singapore for more fabulous food, museums, gardens by the bay, universal studios etc.
central vietnam is very hot in august, but dry. Again excellent food, temples, Hoi an is a unesco heritage town, visit the ancient capital of Hue …etc. it will be wet in Hanoi but there’s lots to so a couple of rainy days is fine.
Borneo is dry in August and amazing for wildlife, food, museums, kayaking, mt Kinabalu long houses..I have been to sabah and Sarawak. Easy to combine with KL.

@WindyDock
We were there for 3 weeks last summer - late July to early August.
2 days of rain, the rest beautiful weather (hot).
Many overnight storms.
That time is turtle eggs laying season in tortuguero.
We went to both coasts (Samara and cahuita - cahuita beautiful beaches and accessible rain forest), la Fortuna, Monteverde and tortuguero.

@Borealiz we've been to Sri Lanka, Borneo, Vietnam, Kenya for far flung school holidays destinations. Weather fine in all.

@cariadlet any more recommendations for summer holidays - teacher here too!

Another vote for Costa Rica. Stay at The Springs hotel! It is amazing. Plenty to do and see both sides of the coast.

We also loved Sri Lanka. You can travel around the island with easy and something for everyone. Safari, beaches, surfing, wildlife, culture.

South Africa and Namibia. Loads of cultures, incredible landscapes and wildlife, great for teenagers. You can self drive around Namibia and see things at your own pace and it is an amazing country.

We did Malaysia in July & august and was surprised how little rain there was in 'rainy season'. East coast was very dry and there were only some (torrential!) short downpours in the west coast. Certainly never stopped us doing anything.

August in Costa Rica is the wet season and it will be steamy/humid, not hot/dry as the OP requested. All of central America, the Caribbean and east coast US will be similar - hot and humid - in summertime.

Who on Earth told you that Vietnam in August would be cold? We have friends who went last summer and said it was boiling and too hot for them! I don't think Vietnam is ever cold.

If you want hot/dry OP in the UK summer you want west coast US, north/east Africa, the Med, northern Australia.

I came across Seabourn cruises recently and they do look good.

I was initially looking at them for Antarctica trips.

@Travelismything gorgeous! am volcano obsessed. May I ask the name of this hotel please?

If money isn't an issue, I'd go for 3 weeks in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls and Madagascar. You can go on driving, water and walking safaris. You can change up the accommodation and stay in a mix of places like a resort, luxury campsite or a private lodge etc. So many places to explore, beautiful animals to see and lovely natural landscapes. Victoria Falls is gorgeous and Madagascar has lovely beaches.

@PinkPondQueen It’s in Arenal - Lomas del Volcan. Great hotel though not that central - though why leave with that view!

Do be aware that Arenal is shrouded in cloud about 98% of the time. We were there for three days at new year and it was visible just once for about 30 mins one afternoon. Fortunately, we were able to get a good photo of us standing in front of it, but that was it and the guide who took the photo said we were lucky to see it at all. Our hotel was right at the base of it, but we never got to enjoy the view of it from there.

Bali is amazing. Avoid Kuta and stay in Ubud. There's beach, culture, nature and nightlife. You can be as outdoorsy as you'd like or not at all. It's incredibly safe and food and shopping are great too. We were there last September and the weather was very pleasant, I imagine August shouldn't be too far off. Can't wait to go back!

@Travelismything @cheezncrackers thank you. Yes volcanoes have a habit of attracting the clouds!

I was there for 3 days and we saw it as some point every day - but yes it clouds over frequently. This was in October

Costa Rica or Sri Lanka for the bill. The later is perfect for teens - do a beach resort with surfing etc. head inland on the train to see kandy and the cultural stuff (book the glass roof carriage) then travel down to do a safari. Hotels are fairly reasonable for 5 star so you can live really well. We also did a private day river safari which was fun if you like reptiles (crocs, monitor lizards, snakes)

@whiteorchids44

We are doing that ourselves this year, well Mozambique rather than Madagascar. Don't know how teen friendly it is as it's most looking at things and taking photos

Sailing in Croatia and Greece is amazing. Add on a trip to Montenegro afterwards if doing Croatia. Or if you’re an adventurous family, try a trip to Zambia combining multi day white water rafting with a safari. Take a look at the trips on waterbynature.com.

For August I would also suggest Namibia for a self-drive safari (if that appeals - not great for beaches, at least ones you can sunbathe and swim from) or Borneo.

Came on here to say Costa Rica, we went in August and never saw rain apart from one evening. Not cheap but you'll have a blast!

Seychelles.

Peru!

Maybe a travel agent as you're too picky....Jesus its a holiday chill the f##k out and enjoy it