Last minute big holiday, please help- ideas??

[mirrorlife]

We booked a trip to Canada to celebrate DH’s 40th. That’s just been cancelled due to the terrible wildfires.

So I’m looking for something I can book last minute that will be a special trip for 4 (2 adults, 2 teens). Anywhere in the world, anything at all. Budget is about £20k. Had wondered about Bali but it’s such a long journey. Where else would be good? Ideally we’d like to see something of the country not just the hotel.

Would prefer not Europe as we we’re hoping to do something a bit different.

Thank you.

Oh wow! When are you going?

Can you get a last minute safari? Perhaps Kruger or similar?

That's a good budget - Kuoni might be a good travel agency to speak to?

Where do you want to go? How long for? how old are the kids?

For that budget I’d get everyone in the family to put destinations in a hat or do a PowerPoint presentation to sell their dream holiday to the rest and vote.

As a family with teens we enjoyed-
RV Grand Canyon, LA and Pacific Coast highway to San Francisco
Golden triangle in India
New England, Boston and New York with time in Cape cod and Newport Rhode Island
We've also enjoyed:
Vietnam
Cape Town, road trip up the Garden Route and safari in the Kruger ( kids were not there but pretty sure they'd have loved it too)

You may struggle with availability. I would speak to someone like Trailfinders or Intrepid and get some ideas - they’ll probably have a good idea of what is booked solid and what isn’t.

Some ideas with decent weather this time of year:

Ecuador/Galapagos

Peru & northern Bolivia

Malaysia (Perhentian islands), Singapore, Borneo

Java, Lombok, Bali

Vietnam (central section)

Sri Lanka (can’t remember which areas are dry now but some are!)

Oh yes and East Africa! You could do safari & beach

We loved our West Coast US trip and California trip, but if short notice you might not get passes into places like Yosemite.
I've used Travelbag in the past, they are a great travel agent

My vote would be for Japan. Live the suggestion of each family member getting a pick and putting their case forward.

Japan. No question.

Why not stick with Canada & go either to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland? In Nova Scotia, Annapolis Royal & Lunenburg are really quaint & charming waterside towns.

Cape Cod?

Good safaris last minute won’t be easy as the best places get booked up very far in advance especially during the summer high season. I also don’t think you will get a special safari for 4 adults in high season for 20k

No but you could get 3/4 nights of safari (which is enough for many people) plus some other exploring and beach. Safari lodge availability will be tricky but if it’s only 3/4 nights then that will make it easier and agents can do the hunting. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious lodge, the wildlife is spectacular without amazing decor …

You might well be fine with South Africa as its low season there. Best rates usually. I’d try there first and look at Garden Route too. Pretty good value at the moment. Safari might well be ok. However we have just come back from Joburg and flight was full. Business class was huge!

Japan will be hot, humid and horrible. India ditto. We are going to Eastern Canada shortly and using Air Canada to Halifax NS. If you have got your entry approval, it’s an option. It might be difficult to get lodgings though as it’s high season.

Peru is good in August. Check availability with a reputable agent. Lots to see and do there. What about Alaska or The Yukon? Again, it’s high season there.

Or - plan for next year. Don’t rush and go somewhere not great because you’ve had to make a poor choice due to lack of availability or horrible weather.