4-6 weeks trip, where would you go?

[Dinoswearunderpants]

I'm hoping to do a trip for 4-6 weeks next year before DS starts school.

I'm undecided where to go. I was thinking Asia but don't fancy moving around too much so maybe flight into Singapore/KL and then a week in Thailand, Bali and maybe The Philippines.

Or I was thinking of doing some cruises around the Caribbean. Thinking of mixing it up and doing a couple of different cruises.

I appreciate this is a very big trip and we're super lucky to afford to do it so please only comment if you're looking to add some constructive advice.

So would it be the UK summer months?

If so, I would do your homework for SE Asia as to which areas are in the rainy season if you are interested in mainly pool and beach. Can vary even within countries depending what coast you are on.

Singapore is easy with kids (apart from the heat), so some time there combined with a beach might be good. I think Bali is ok weather wise that time of year, if you just want beach and chill I would recommend Sanur on the east coast rather than the west side. Borneo too, although the beach isn’t amazing - it’s more excursion based.

Sun here is really powerful, so we often opt for rash vests and longer swimming trousers for the kids to reduce sun cream faff and risk of missing bits.

But if summer months and it’s more about beach and pool, I would be tempted to stay more Europe based.

As a PP said, British summertime in Asia can be very rainy and when not raining, crazy hot. If your DP can't take the whole time off - can he take any? I'd be very tempted to do island hopping in Greece or actually, to be cooler the coastline in the Nordics. Both of those are options of somewhere you can explore a bit as obviously that's what you want to do but he could pop out and join you ad hoc (as much to give you a bit of a break from child care!). Also you won't lose so much of the budget on flights.

However, with Asia, I'd say the Indonesian Islands would be a little bit less rainy (Bali, Gili, Lombok). Or possibly northern Thailand could work, Chang Mai and the area. Be careful with elephant sanctuaries, which your DC may love, but you need to be very selective about the ethical ones. Sri Lanka could be good choice as a great country for kids, and you can head a bit up into the highlands as well but it will likely be rainy.

given it’s not until next year…. could he roll over some annual allowance and then take 20 days (4 weeks)?

or just two weeks by the pool in spain sounds like what your child would most love!

If we had that much time, New Zealand.

Singapore/KL and then a week in Thailand, Bali and maybe The Philippines.

Way too many countries in just a month or so.

Fly into Singapore/KL (I'd highly recommend KL) and spend 3 nights there then I'd pick one or two countries maximum, especially with a young child.

It depends on what month you want to go? If it's Dec-April then Thailand is perfect, if it's the British summer months then that's the best time for Bali.

Singapore/KL and then a week in Thailand, Bali and maybe The Philippines.

4 to 6 weeks feels like a very long time to expose a 5 year old to multiple different cultures, hot and humid temperatures, unfamiliar food, and the absence of his friends, his Dad, and almost anyone else with whom he can have a fun time playing in English.

That's what I'm talking about! Thank you.

I've visited Sri Lanka before and loved it so wondering about doing a few weeks there then adding in somewhere else.

That budget will go much further in Asia. We flew to Singapore and did 6 weeks travelling overland through Malaysia and Thailand, then flew back from Chiang Mai. Organised it as we went ,it's so easy to travel there. Did overnight trains to save time and money on hotels.

That sounds great. I think I'd need to try and organise it a bit more before we go for little one but love the sound of this.

Gods sake, live a little.