Ideas for a special family holiday to celebrate my 50th

[Caplin]

I'm looking for ideas! I turn 50 next year and would love an amazing holiday. As a family we love travel and in the past few years have done Thailand, Hawaii, California, Barbados, Turkey etc etc. We are off to Jamaica for New Year.

I had been thinking a long weekend in one of those igloos in Finland for just me and DH to see the Northern lights, so that is a pretty big one for me. Then I had thought about a Mediterranean cruise as a family. I've never done a cruise. But two things are putting me off. My girls will be 17 and 15 and hate sharing a room with us, but two rooms on a cruise is pricey, but four in a room is cramped. Also, the idea of hundreds of people jumping off a cruise and tramping round small European towns together just feels like my idea of hell.

Maybe I will save my first cruise for Alaska or Norway without teens.

So what would be a good family holiday for my 50th? I could just get a villa in south of France or a week in Greece, I do quite fancy that. Just eating nice food and lolling around.

Or do we go adventurous, something like Chile? The eldest has exams so we might be a bit restricted on when we can go.

All inspiration much appreciated, just not the USA at the moment as we have done it loads and I am avoiding Trump.

I went to Tromso in March for my 50th.

Absolutely stunning place, saw the Northern Lights, huskies, snow mobiles, reindeers.

It was expensive, but an amazing place and had the best time.

I went this year too, and spent £80 on a bottle of shit wine at the top of the cable car. Shocking prices everywhere. Nice, wouldn’t go back.

I actually grew up in Norway (Oslo), so the price of shit wine wouldn’t be a shock!! I’ve never been far north though so always been on my list!

It sounds like you want to eat nice food and loll. It's your birthday. So long as it's okay-ish with the rest of your family, I would do that.

I just had a great beach holiday with our 12yo. It was so relaxing.

I went to Reykjavik for my 50th. Was fab. Lots to see and do and we'd definitely go back to see more of the country.

What time of year are you looking at? Can make a difference re weather, daylight, cost etc.

So I'm flexible. Definitely want to see Northern lights and get the snow and reindeers etc, but won't take kids on that.

The bit I'm stuck on is the summer holiday with teen girls.

We went to Orlando for my 50th. Universal Studios for about a week, then drove to Naples (fl) for about 5 nights.

When we’ve compared the price of a room for 4 on a cruise, vs 2 cabins (teen girls similar ages) it isn’t much more considering the extra space (it isn’t twice as much like a hotel would be).

I’m also 50 next year so am following for ideas!

Have you thought about an IKOS resort?

We have a trip to Namibia with the kids booked for the summer as the main 50th birthday celebration, but that doesn't coincide with my actual birthday since it had to be scheduled around school holidays. We did a short European regional sightseeing break for my actual birthday.

We’ve done Orlando a few times and I love it, I’m a huge Universal fan, but on hold while Trump is President, don’t want my tourism money going there right now!

I have never done anywhere in Africa. I quite fancied Zanzibar, but my friend said go to Kenya…..she might be biased as she is Kenyan 😂

Just looking now! Looks gorgeous!!!!

If you’re looking for a wonderful rest and amazing service, go to Ikos….can’t recommend enough 😊. I’ve never felt so well looked after and the food and drink is top notch.

Of you want some adventure, I can recommend Canada, in particular the Rockies, but the Vancouver and Toronto areas are also wonderful.

South Africa, the Cape, Wine Country, Safari, the works. Pick the right time of year weather wise in Southern Hemisphere. A special ticket item would be the Blue Train, but I think that is quite expensive, and I am making assumptions about its affordability for you, you know yourself! Have a look anyway, there are lots of options.

Overnight direct flight from Heathrow, same time zone, no jet lag.

I went to Vietnam for my 50th. Was great. Mix of adventure and relaxation.

I think late teen girls would be bored. There is a bit more to do in Sani which is probably better for older kids. Sani is owned by same company but is not all inclusive (and possibly more luxurious depending on the hotel/accommodation you chose). You do feel a bit like you are in a sanitised bubble though.

Our visit was pre-Trump!

My teens love some adventure, but a bit of RnR. We went to Indonesia for my 50th and it was a hit. We stayed in various locations and we snorkelled, wildlife treks, climbed a volcano, rode bikes and then had a pool villa to finish. Excellent country to explore and so much to offer.

For my DH 50th we went to Peru, city, jungle, hiking, history, culture, but not much beach. This year we are off to Brazil and I think that would tick the beach option if it’s important. Worth going far flung if the budget allows.

we couldn’t afford one but read that the best multi generational special holiday is a safari.

I just came on here to suggest Namibia!

I've just been there with my DS (20) and we had the best time ever - and it's also the most beautiful country I've been to (and I've travelled a lot, including several African countries). It's cheap once you're there, and pretty safe. And the dunes alongside the sea are just awesome...

A balloon ride across the dunes in Sossusvlei is pretty incredible.

My kids are roughly the same age as yours and are literally begging us to go to Japan. Husband and I have been before and it is amazing. Something for everyone. We also ended up with a few nights on the beach on Ishigaki-jima in Okinawa. The most beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise sea!