Long haul Vs more European holidays

[sparkle17]

I know this probably comes down to my own personal choice but I'm really struggling to choose between a special long haul trip with my family or doing more holidays in Europe.

I'm have an extra holiday budget due to inheritance from a grandparent so could afford a 16k trip. We are a family of 5.

Myself and probably my DH more so are a bit put off long haul due to longer travelling time and increased cost.

There are also so many places in Europe that we want to visit as well so doing a couple of holidays a year for the next couple of years is also an option.

My children are 8, 8 and 11 at the moment. Planning for 2027 or 2028 at the moment.

We have enjoyed beach/AI holiday but as the children get older are open to exploring a bit more. We do like theme parks but avoiding America due to trump.

Unless there is a very very special long haul trip that you longed for but couldn't afford until the inheritance, I'd be inclined to spread the bounty and see as much of Europe as possible. It has so much to offer whatever your interests are.

The thing about a one off long haul I feel, is that if it doesn't meet expectations, well that's it, money gone, experience not well remembered. On the other hand because you've spent so much on a one off trip even if it's not as good as expected, you MAKE it fit, which is not great either!

But enjoy whatever you do, that's the main thing!

Needs to be a two week holiday at least if going long haul. Otherwise the travel either end plus jet lag wipe out any fun.

I think it depends on what kind of holiday you want. If youre just wanting sun, sand and sea then no I personally wouldn’t blow it long haul. But if something like Disney World is on your family bucket list as it was ours (or something unique to that location you couldn’t do elsewhere like safari, Japan etc) then yes I would spend extra for the more special experience that can’t be replicated close to home.

Longer travelling time, yes, but for some long haul destinations (looking at you SE Asia!), the increased flight cost is more than evened out but the incredible value of quality accommodation, food, drinks, tours, transport etc.

I do like the idea of Singapore coupled with possibly Thailand or Malaysia.

But like you say if it doesn't quite meet expectations it's a long time to go/large cost involved!

I'm just sat looking at the Trailfinder Asia brochure just now!

I get this is a lovely problem to have!

I’d probably go for long haul as it’d be more memorable for everyone than a week by the pool. We went to Singapore and Malaysia last year with a 7 and 11 year old and had the best time.

However if you can’t really afford to go away otherwise, then I can see how it might be nice to have a pot to one side to pay for a few years of holidays to have something to look forward to.

The Japanese Disney parks are fantastic, especially Disneysea. It’s usually ranked as the best Disney park in the world.

There’s lots of other amazing things to do in Japan too.

Also wondering
I’m very pro-Europe generally but recent European holidays have cost so much money . I think holidays in parts of Asia could be comparable price-wise, possibly cheaper

Why not wait till your children are a bit older for long haul holidays, they will remember it then!

South Africa for a special holiday combining Cape Town waterfront, whale watching (if in season), Winelands and wildlife / safari. Wait for the kids to be a little bit older. 2.5/3 weeks would be ideal to see the country and participate in many fun activities.

I doubt the kids would care either way, so long as they get what they want .
I'd save the long-haul holidays for when they are old enough to appreciate them. Or, better still, old enough to not have to pay for them !

Are children are all adults now. We took them on all sorts of holidays but, when we asked them which one they remember most fondly, it was doing the Cheshire Ring on a narrow boat.
(And we'd done Disney land USA and the Grand Canyon!)

I'd do the long haul now tbh, your kids are at the perfect age, old enough to remember it, young enough to still want you there. That window doesn't stay open forever.
Since you're avoiding the US, South East Asia could be brilliant for you, think Thailand. Amazing beaches (so still ticks the box you already love), plus loads for older kids to get stuck into like jungle trekking, boat trips, markets, elephant sanctuaries. It feels like a proper adventure rather than just another beach holiday, and £16k for a family of 5 would stretch really well out there.
The Europe list will still be there waiting. I'd do the big trip now and use the next couple of years to chip away at Europe in between.

I took my teenager to Thailand this summer. It was really cheap - managed to find some pretty affordable flights and our hotel (which was lovely) was £30 a night. Food was really cheap out there. I did it for cheaper than I think I could have done a nice European holiday (or even a nice holiday collage in Cornwall!) However the long haul bit was quite gruelling but manageable with a teen who slept pretty much there and back. I’m hoping to go back next year. We loved it.

Your kids are a great age to start experiencing different cultures. I'm guessing it would be summer school holidays to get the time required. Perhaps fly to Singapore and do 4 nights there exploring the Gardens of the Bay, Zoo and Senosa Island. Eat in the markets and chinatown.
Then onto Lombok or Bali. The weather is perfect. We rented a 3 bed villa with pool and breakfast and four of us for under £100 a night. Relax, swim, hike, cycle and perhaps do a short hop to Gilli Islands for snorkelling before back via Singapore.

We go predominantly long haul, are a larger family and have never spent anything like 16k on a Holiday. No idea why you would need to if im honest. Asia offers great value for money and easy enough to plan in a stopover to break up the journey.

We spent a month in Australia and it was fabulous. A whole month with my DH not working (normally out between 7.30-8pm and travelled a lot) was one reason. My kids were much younger but that was the only time he could go. I’d do a once in a lifetime trip.

We’ve gone to France most years, but had an expensive holiday elsewhere (NYC and Florida) when the kids were 7&9 and they still talk about it now (19&21). Agree OP I would not want to go there now and also agree with long haul vs europe dilemma. I wanted an end of school “out of europe” SE Asia or S America trip…. And we’re going to Greece with friends! It will be fab and everyone’s happy. But I hope I make it to S America one day!

Meant in the kindest way but not going to America due to Trump - what does that achieve? Feels slightly like cutting your nose to spite your face. America is actually a great place to visit with some brilliant people and a million different things to do.

You not going as an individual and not spending a few K really doesn’t impact him whatsoever.

In 2028 the Easter holidays coincide with Songkran in Thailand. I'd do that with kids.

It's a new year celebration where you wash away the old year for a clean slate to start the new year. It's basically a huge waterfight, everyone joins in and its so much fun!

Honestly I don't think you would be disappointed by any long haul trip, the world is chock full of amazing places. For me it depends what you intend to do in Europe, if you comparing one long haul trip versus multiple all inclusive beach holidays then absolutely the long haul trip wins. If you plan to do lots of sightseeing focussed trips in Europe then it becomes a much closer decision. We just spent around your budget, maybe a bit less, on a 2 week trip through Namibia. Our kids have seen lions and leopards in the wild, they have sat watching elephants, rhinos and giraffes at Okaukuejo water hole for hours. Fabulous memories.

It’s not just one individual though. In 2025 overseas tourism to the US fell by over 5%. This year it is on track to fall lower still and even the World Cup wasn’t enough to counterbalance it. It’s making a difference.

This is costing the US economy billions and along with the wider economic pain of his tariffs, insider trading and mismanaged Middle East war, public opinion is shifting against him. He is panicked enough that he’s promising people $5k cheques if the republicans win both houses in the mid-terms.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/08/13/world-cup-could-not-reverse-us-tourism-slump/

That makes me chuckle!
We were camping in Germany and spent a fortune on a day trip to Switzerland and up an famous glacier including some tobogganing!
They remember the campsite, swimming pool & some friends they made fondly when asked. As for the glacier - it's what glacier??? (DC were 7& 12 at the time, oldest obviously remembers when prompted, but it wasn't as impressive as the other stuff!)

@sparkle17 - go on whatever holiday you want, but do it for you & DH, with the kids tugging along.
If you want something for DC, water parks & junk foods, some freedom and independent adventures (however small) are the most memorable.

PS I highly recommend planning a holiday around this, the area has lots to offer for everyone!
www.europapark.de/en

Personally I’d split it up to 10/2/2/2 and do one big trip all together and then 1:1 trips in Europe with each kid. I take my 2 kids on 1:1 trips when they are 6/12/18 and they remember those best somehow - possibly because I plan around exactly what they like to do and eat and such so it sticks a bit better.