Long-haul holiday this summer – where to go?

[Glamgwen]

We've got an amazing opportunity to go on holiday for 2 weeks this summer, but cannot decide where to go (this would be a one-in-a-lifetime type holiday). We want to go long-haul somewhere with a bit of culture (so probably a city) followed by somewhere we can relax. We like quite a bit of activity (none of us are die-hard sunbathers) and it would be me, DH and DS (age 9). We've considered Thailand (rainy in July/Aug) and Japan (possibly one for when DS is older). We don't want to go to the US as have already been a fair bit for work. But other than that we're up for travelling pretty much anywhere. Anyone have any suggestions?

Most long haul destinations aren't great in our summer weather wise. I'd check the ones that are the least bad and pick one of them.

Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Vietnam or Thailand would be my top choices, but it depends a bit on budget. I would also absolutely love to go to the Galapagos if I had enough money.

Australia (north and west), Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Vietnam (north).

I wouldn't personally go to Costa Rica or Thailand in the summer - too hot and humid for me!

July/August is good for safari type holidays additionally Kenya has beach resorts near Mombasa and Tanzania has some fancy resorts on Zanzibar for relaxation afterwards. I have not been to any Kenyan resorts, but I have been to Zanzibar in a cheap resort and it's beautiful. South Africa or Namibia would provide a more sanitised safari experience, but you'd probably need to go to Mauritius for beach time. It would be winter in Mauritius but should still be warm. Check expected rainfall for most of Asia, and even then it's a bit hit and miss, sometimes it's much better than expected and other times it's worse.

I was just about to suggest Kenya, but got beaten to it !

I think long-haul in UK summer is difficult, much more opportunities in our winter. Any chance you could change ?

A safari. It would be just as amazing for your DS as you.

Dry in the summer: central Vietnam, Borneo, Bali, Java, north Western Australia, Brunei
I have also been to Hanoi then (couple of days with rain), Luang Prabang (rain didn’t really affect our plans), Bangkok (humid), Phuket (one day with rain but I think we were lucky), Hong Kong (very hot and humid, but didn’t rain every day).

July/August are best for Borneo, British Columbia, parts of Thailand if you want long haul. Japan can be 40deg in August!

if you don’t want to travel as far, Croatia adventure holidays are fun too.

Have also been to Japan (Kyoto/Osaka area) and South Korea in July- two days of torrential rain, but other wise fine, but hot and humid so sightseeing can be a bit debilitating.

Canada. The Rockies.

We did Mexico last August, is considered hurricane season, but we had a few rain showers over 2 weeks, maybe we got very lucky?

Yes this is a “problem” we have every summer! Either too hot, too cold or rainy season!

Go Safari Tanzania start Ngorongoro then Serengeti finish Zanzibar should all be in one package.

British Columbia - Vancouver, Whistler, the Rockies and Vancouver Island.

Swimming in lakes, mountain biking, bear watching, whale watching, biking round Stanley Park. Was our best holiday ever when DC were 8 or 9.

This

2 weeks isn’t long for long haul….when you factor in flights there and back , it wouldn’t be worth it for me …..can you take a few more days?

I think a few posters have not travelled much! July/August - perfect for Peru. Families Worldwide would keep costs down. Ecuador and Galapagos would work well. I think you could also look at Brazil. Everyone goes to Costa Rica now so see what you think. Thailand and Vietnam don’t float my boat, but check out weather.

Kenya: yes but be aware this is high season for Masai Mara. It’s the wildebeeste migration and it will be busy and expensive. Tanzania : wildbeeste are in Kenya. However NgoroNgoro crater not affected. Talk to a company like Wildlife Worldwide about where is best to go in the summer. South Africa is ok, but it will be cold in the mornings. If money permits, Zambia and Botswana are fine too. Namibia I think would also be ok but flights are long as two are needed.

Japan would be horribly hot and humid. Remember the Olympics there? Yuk! So I’m might look at West or Eastern Canada. Rockies are well known but look at Nova Scotia instead. Around 6 hours to Halifax from London. Also consider New England but be aware it’s high season there too.

You could also look at Seattle and the parks around there or look at Vancouver Island. Nice places sell out though.

I was going to suggest Nova Scotia as it’s in my wish list. You could combine with a few days in the city

Am going to Vancouver in July and over to Vancouver Island , absolutely cannot wait .

Take the train to the island of hvar in croatia. Stop off in Paris / Amsterdam / Vienna or bled. Take the 3 overnight trains for adventure. One week travel and one week by the beautiful Croatian coast. Let jelsa be ur final port of call and fly back via split. Perfect for a 9 year old who likes a mix of activities and adventure.

We visited Vancouver, Vancouver island and whistler in the summer and had a fabulous time.
someone upthread mentioned Ecuador, but based on current govt advice I’d give it a miss.

How did you go about booking this? It sounds awesome!

The FO says air transit in Guayaquil
is ok. Quito would need to be looked at as I’m not sure what province it’s in.

The other issue with a lot of long haul destinations is late booking: as it now is for 2024. Most flights are cheaper at 10-11 months before flying. I’d wait until 2025 to get a better price and accommodation availability for nearly everywhere.

You will have the best time.

Cycling the circuit round Stanley Park is a great jet lag buster when you are up at the crack of dawn on the first day. There is also somewhere lovely to eat in the Park. Also do Fly over Canada which was a huge hit with all of us.

if you aren’t staying it Whistler it’s only 45 mins from Vancouver so definitely do a day trip to go up the cable car, visit the Olympic rings and book a canoe trip down the River of Golden Dreams. Nita Lake Lodge is a fabulous hotel in Whistler if you can stay overnight.

On Vancouver Island, try to get to Tolfino which has great beaches and a really cool, laid back surfer atmosphere. The Wickannish Inn is highly recommended as a hotel or just for dinner. Also, make sure you eat at the Tacofino food truck (look it up) which my DC still talk about 5 years later. The queues are worth it!

Bear watching and whale watching trips run from Tolfino as well as Victoria.