Long Haul Holiday Ideas

[Nicole1709]

Hello! We’re in a unique position to have free flights for me, my other half and our baby that expire in December this year. We don’t want to waste them on somewhere close, so we’re looking at long haul destinations. We can go anytime, but thinking around September, when our baby will be 18 months old.
We’re now slightly stuck finding a suitable destination when considering things to do there, flight time and time difference. We don’t really enjoy sitting by the pool in a resort, so want somewhere with lots to see and do. Japan would have been ideal, but the very long flight and time difference is scaring us. Does anyone have any ideas or advice please? Other thoughts have been South Africa, Vietnam or Canada, but not sure if these are suitable or will be enjoyable for an 18 month old!

I would suggest South Africa or Thailand.

South Africa is really diverse, and my daughter loved going to a game farm at 18 months (we watched the animals at a watering hole and she literally lost her minds looking at giraffes. Still one of my greatest memories). You’d need to be careful about where you stay and not do a self drive game drive.

Saying that I hate the weather in Cape Town in September has never been my friend.

I think it’s one of them ‘we will make it work within reason’ type deals. We don’t need excessive luxury, but want to stay on the nicer side of places. We don’t usually do long haul so the free flights seem to make it a sort of once in a lifetime blowout type holiday!

Are you happy to go places that you need vaccinations for?

I mean, it does though. We don’t have a budget, simple as that. We have a ‘type of holiday’ we are looking for, and we are willing to pay for that. I don’t want to say my budget is £20k and get only luxury 5 star recommendations, but don’t want to say it’s £1k and get only hostel type recommendations. How much the holiday costs completely depends on the location as cost of living varies depending on the country. I’m just looking for a good long haul country to go based on his age for things to do, and the travel time and time difference, then we will make the rest work. Budget isn’t something that needs to come into it.

Sure! As long as it’s suitable for our little one ☺️

Singapore is great for families - lots to do if you don’t mind being in a city - you could combine it with Thailand just a short cheap flight away. Some beautiful hotels on Bangtao on Phuket where you feed the elephants at breakfast and have fantastic clubs for little ones when they need a break from the sun plus lots of trips to take. We also did Brisbane up to Noosa when kids were little - Australia Zoo, Farm stays n lodges over looking valleys / feeding the animals etc

Oman and Zanzibar. Not too long haul, time difference not too bad, weather will be lovely in September. Travel through Oman, Muscat, into the Wahiba, down to Salalah then over to Zanzibar.

I'd second South Africa; we have been to Cape Town 3 times now and it's fantastic! Only 1/2 hour time difference depending when you come, fantastic climate, beautiful country and loads to do especially in and around CT. Driving is easy however Uber amazingly cheap and very reliable.

I would wait an extra couple of months to November/December when you will all really value the sunshine from a long haul trip (and it will help with all the winter bugs too). 20 months is still a good age to travel before the 2s hit!

SA is a good idea, stick to the Garden Route and malaria free reserves near Cape Town. You could also consider Thailand, west coast will have good weather from early December, but more of a time difference of course. Or east coast Malaysia would be better weather if you prefer September.

Top tip, look for shelving pools, toddlers love them. And animals are definitely a winner.

Another vote for South Africa. I took my 21 month old twins and 5 year old last year. The flight was a night flight and the time zone is the same. So the children slept most of the flight and then we had no jet lag to contend with.

We hired a car and spent a week in cape town, in an air bnb with a fenced in swimming pool (a lot of air bnbs didnt have a fenced in pool and this was a must for us). From here we did table mountain, saw the penguins, cape point, V&A, boat trip, birdland, bluetrain, botanical gardens and steam train to name a few. We also spent time on the beach, although very windy and you wouldnt go in the sea.

Then we went to Fransloek for 4 nights. Here all the large vineyards are set up for children with large playgrounds, there's also the famous pig vineyard. There was so much to keep adults and children entertained. Also no vaccinations needed.

I was coming on to suggest the same as @Ikeasucks ! We took our 18 month old to Singapore, and he loved it, the zoo there is amazing, we then went to the east coast of Malaysia for beach and relaxation and had a fab time. We took him to aus at 12 months and completely agree with the Noosa recommendation and Australia zoo. Really child friendly in all of those places.
also agree with South Africa! I think our son was 2 when we went and we had an amazing time, we went to a safari camp on the garden route and did a day safari ( he fell asleep!) but he loved the elephant experience we had, as others have said it’s non malarial there, no time difference, amazing food. If you can go to Boulders beach and see the penguins too. Any one of those places would be amazing for all of you! I would suggest leaving South Africa until slightly later as pp have said.
Enjoh planning and hope you have an amazing time!

Mauritius is good for time difference and there are lots of good day trips you can do.

Like others have said South Africa would work.

You can find toddler places to visit in pretty much any destination so could include one in your days out.

How about a Caribbean Island that isn’t in the hurricane zone as the flights aren’t too long?

Argentina and Uruguay. Lots to see and do. Mendoza is a lovely town surrounded by mountains so you can wander about the streets or go hiking, paragliding, visit the vineyards.

South Africa is lovely and no flight time, but baby probably would be great on things like safari (mine wouldn't be anyway as it's like 5 hours in a car at a set time early morning most of the time).

We took our 18 month old to the golden triangle in India and it was great.

I have a friend who took her 18 month old to Canada and did lots of beautiful hiking if yours would be patient in one of the back packs.

Mauritius is incredible, there's so much more to explore than just sun and sea. We had a brilliant time there a few tears ago. The wildlife and scenery is fascinating.

We have just spent Christmas and New Year in Thailand - absolutely amazing. People are so friendly, food is fantastic and so much to see and do. Already planning (dreaming about) the next trip!

South Africa is also a great idea - so beautiful and no jet lag.