Where to go if not New York?

[LancreWowhawk]

I have a special birthday coming up next year. For many months now, the plan has been for me, DH and DD (who'll then be 11) to visit New York for a city break.

For various reasons, I'm not sure the US is now the right choice, but I'm stumped for what to do instead, and I'm really interested on opinions on what we could consider.

The parameters:

Easter 2027
Not Europe - I want to go further afield
Not a beach holiday - this is our standard and I'd like something different
7 nights max
Max time zone difference of 6 hours, less is preferable
Weather doesn't have to be brilliant, but I don't want non-stop rain either!
It's a celebration, so I'd prefer luxury to roughing it.

Budget is healthy - let's say up to $10k (though we'd of course like less!), not including flights, as we'll be using airmiles.

If you were me - what would you do?

I've been to Toronto twice it's okay. I have never experienced a great food scene.

We loved New York, other holidays we enjoyed with similar aged DC were Cape Town and Rio de Janerio/Iguazza. Egypt would work too or a cruise?

I'd jump at Cairo, for their brand new $1bn museum re the pyramids plus some luxury r&r for a couple of days (which you'd need after a few days in Cairo).

I live on the east coast of the USA: if you've already been to NYC before, next best would be Boston and some of the rest of New England, but personally I don't think any of that would be as interesting or different as Cairo. Spring in New York is lovely, but the city will always be there so no need to rush to it.

I've been to South Africa: Cape Town and the vineyards are where I would go with an 11yo child, and certainly not on a self-drive basis. Sadly, I don't think $10k will get you that far if it's to include flight and if there's to be a safari element, and it'd be criminal to do that flight and go to the country and not see the animals.

What about the west coast of Africa, around Senegal, the Gambia, Ivory Coast etc? Differently type of holiday and totally different from Europe. Or elsewhere on the north coast of Africa such as Algeria (which is tipped as a hot destination for 2026!).

I went to Cape Town for 8 nights with a 10 and 12 year old, it was one their best holidays. We had a car and did lots of day trips of around an hour or an hour and a quarter away such as Boulder’s beach, Botanical Gardens, Winelands, Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope, aquarium. Then when we got back to our hotel in Bantry Bay we had an hour or two swimming and then went out for dinner to either Camps Bay or V&A Waterfront.
We all loved the Chapman’s Peak drive and having no jet lag was fantastic.
My DH and I went back on our own for a few days and did lots of the same days out.
I have been to over 60 countries and it’s my favourite place so far.

Toronto, fab city and you can visit Niagara Falls easily on the train too.

If it's any use to you OP, (echoing South Africa as an option), my sister was in Capetown before Christmas. They were there for 8 days, stayed in the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. Buzzing and very enjoyable area they said. They did a day trip to Robben Island, another one to Cape of Good Hope to see the penguins!, a one day safari which they loved, and two days in Stellenbosch wine country. Maybe worth a look? The flight was overnight with BA which worked great for them, and the same back. They used Trailfinders who organised all trips and transfers. Flew from Heathrow.

I was going to say Singapore.

South Africa - it’s on my wish list!!

If you only have 7 days OP, I'd limit your flight time. You could find a beautiful Reid in Marrakesh for a couple of nights and then spent a few days in the Atlas Mountains.
Or Nova Scotia? Direct flight to Halifax is only 6.5 hours, stay in a gorgeous hotel to see the city and then drive to Mahone Bay to stay in a quaint cottage, hike, canoe and eat seafood!

Oman? DD is very keen to go to Muscat and it looks really interesting.

Difficult parameters for a week’s break, especially flight times. The Gulf seems like the only realistic options unless you also consider semi-Europe – in which case Moscow, Istanbul or Israel could also work for you.

4 nights in Toronto and 3 nights in Montreal, or vice-versa. Travel by train or hire a car between the 2. Completely different types of city and plenty to do and see in both.

Would need to check climate for Easter though

Moscow? Is that a good idea?

Hahaha Russia travel advice - GOV.UK https://share.google/kBDyQteM9ZSGyVHjH

@cestlavielife Yes. I hadn’t looked but I thought that was the case.

Moscow . Bot gave itself away there.

Thank you SO much, everyone! We're now looking at Iceland as my big birthday trip, probably in May to maximise my chances of seeing both whales and puffins - thank you @OhDear111 for the suggestion. I know it is Europe, which I said I didn't want, but we've never been and I think it will feel very different to the European holidays and city breaks we've done a lot of in the past.

However, @oocooloo and @Christmaseree 's descriptions of SA trips have given me pause, this is definitely something to consider when we're ready to spread our wings a little further.

The time zone difference limitation was primarily because it will/would be DD's first long haul trip, she really struggles if she hasn't slept well, and if she can't cope it will be miserable for all of us. DH has correctly pointed out that this would still be a problem even with a 6 hour time difference, another reason why Iceland appeals! I think we'll leave it until she is older, as @canklesmctacotits said, it isn't going anywhere!

Egypt is a lovely suggestion, however I've actually travelled extensively in Egypt before and I'm very, very geeky about Egyptian antiquities and archaeological sites. DH and DD, however, are not, which I think would take the shine off it for everyone!

Thank you, once again - I know the brief was difficult, which was why I asked the question, and the vipers have absolutely come up trumps!

@LancreWowhawk The great thing about SA is little time difference and overnight flights both ways. First day there can be spent catching up on sleep if you build that into the itinerary. Just follow rules on safety and what you should not do. It’s a lot cheaper than USA too!

@LancreWowhawk do make sure you book stuff we turned up at the glacier lake and loads of people were being turned away as the trips were all full. Diamond beach round the corner is also amazingly pretty.

I can also recommend the quad biking on black beach. My kids loved it (a bit younger than yours at that time). I was quite nervous about driving one, but it was totally fine.

Back in the 1990s I did a brilliant adventure tour of Iceland with Arctic Adventures - small group, 4x4 bus, fully catered camping (it was summer) and included whale watching, skidoo driving, pony trekking, lots of hiking, everything on the Golden Circle, whale watching, sea fishing, Jokulsarlon boat trip etc. They’re still going so might be worth a look at their 6/7 day trips?

@Notfortheloveofit We did those last summer but, to be very frank, not a highlight! Other sights are far more awe inspiring.
@LancreWowhawk Check arrival of puffins - we saw them in July. However we saw few whales. Not sure why not. Again check sighting data from outfitters.

There was indeed, but they are the ‘givens’ - but the quad bikes were an addition that took us into areas that were inaccessible and it was great fun, but bid never ridden one before so that might have added to our fun.

i was more making the point, you need to book stuff or run the risk of not doing what you want.

Not sure you’re recommendations stand that much scrutiny 😂

It’s funny how certain trips become the highlight of a holiday. They can be so totally unexpected. Last year I went to China with my DC and our two bike trips were our best bits of the holiday, better even than Terracotta Army and The Great Wall. I didn’t even know I liked cycling!

@Notfortheloveofit So you think saying Moscow is off limits is wrong? I’m also perfectly capable of saying what we thought was good and what wasn’t. What is wrong with my recommendations? Exactly!