taking 2 little kids round the world - all advice welcome

[nappybaglady]

Dh and I are planning to buy round the world tickets this weekend for ourselves and 2 children - DD (4y) and DS (18 m). The vague plan is to go to New York to buy all the stuff we might need then Canada (Toronto and Calgary/Rockies) to visit friends/family. After that we'll probably head somewhere like San Fran or Yosemite before heading for Australia then NZ. Probably stop somewhere beachy/ Singapore on the way home. We're going May/June/July. Dh is on unpaid leave and I've resigned.

Yup, you're right, we must be asolutely mad. Clearly DD will remember some of it and enjoy it but who, in their right mind, chooses to go on a trip to the supermarket with their 18 month boy, let alone right around the world. However the deed is done. I've handed in my letter of resignation so now we just need to make it happen.

If anyone has any advice, particularly about mustsee/mustdo stuff for Australia (in June/July)or about travelling with little ones in general please let me know. I've started trawling through the travel bit of MN, not to mention lots of serious googling but any advice welcome

Thanks

wow, thanks for that RTK.

Getting v excited now - seems as though it's really going to happen.

Thank goodness for the internet - there's so much stuff out there to help (as well as MN)

am off to bed but if you want any more questions can answer in the morning

you could put out an appeal for suzywong to ask what motorhomes she has seen around perth etc.?

SW will be around now as time diff.

ask as muchas you like and will help as much as poss.

Travel is yet another passion as well as mumsnet and TV

Oh dear - getting summoned by small child. Will check in tomorrow to see if any more top tips around. Thanks so much for the advice and positive comments so far

crossed posts - really thank you. Gotta go...

this book might be interesting
one year off

Also, scroll down the page - there is a link to the Lonely Planet book - travelling with children. And further down some other similar titles.

Message withdrawn

myermay do you mean negative responses from MNetters?

If you give me an idea of where you are planning in OZ or anywhere else I will try to help

Have you sorted out insurance?

Long time world travel is qujite spealized will look out who we used if you like

this thread sounds great, I will enjoy following it, good for you nappybaglady, what a great adventure!

Sounds fantastic. The Sunday Times "Travel" magazine, was bi-monthly, might now be monthly, were featuring an article in each edition about a family doing just what you are planning. The edition I'm looking at was Aug/Sep 04, you might be able to find the articles on-line.

Haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to say, friends of mine did this (although around Europe) when their kids were 3 years and 9 months. They chucked in their jobs, rented out their house, sold half their possessions and took off for 18 months in a camper van.

You're not mad at all. They had a fabulous time and it was wonderful for the kids. And because the children had been so young when they left, coming back was exciting too - the littlest one had never slept in a real bed and thought walking around on carpet all day the funniest thing ever!

Sounds very cool.

Check out Lonely Planet's 'Travel with Children' as it might have some things you hadn't thought of.

If you do go to Singapore you have to do the Night Safari.

Rather you than me, but I admire your bravery and hope you all have a lovely time

nappybaglady - my husbands family live in Brisbane and my sis in law was just over for a couple of weeks with her 9 month old daughter. She was surprised at how few places in the uk you can take your children too - mainly eating places etc. She wouldnt hesitate to take her kids to any pub for a meal during the day and probably at night too - plus there is much more of a cafe culture over there and they are wonderful with kids in my experience!

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wow mumsnet - you're great. Just came to check my thread and found all these new messages. DH has just made pancakes so I'd better go eat. See you later

Dear nappybaglady, I think this is great, good for you. I have travelled with DS since born (now 2) so far to Aus, Japan, USA, Thailand, UAE and around Europe. My top tip is - do not fly BA unless you have no choice. I would rather go by train. Singapore, Quantas, Thai and Virgin are all welcoming to children - BA are not.

Don't be worried, it will be fantastic. Don't take much stuff with you, it's so restricting. Good idea to buy stuff in the US - new York can be pricey though. Canada is very reasonable for children's stuff. Dream and enjoy!

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They do different round the world ticket

with different mileages so once you worked out your route there will be a ticket to suit

Thank you so much for all the positive comments and advice.

We've got the LP travel with kids book. DH is reading the destinations bits but I'm fixed on the logistics section so far - travel cots, high chairs,etc. It certainly echoes your advice Lisalisa about cutting luggage and expecting to pay more.

LP website is also v good witha section for travel with kids and loads of great links. However with so much choice of where to go it's actually hard planning a route. So, dear MNers, this is where you can help...most of the route is vaguely planned but we really don't know what to do in Australia. We've never been and I only really know where cities are after watching the rugby world cup. We'll probably end up in Oz for most of June and I'm sure we'll go to Sydney. We don't want to dash around, 'doing' the sights. We want to dawdle around (like a 4y old girl), kind of a tour of the swings of the world.

Where would you go in Oz if you were there for the whole of June, could take a few flights and hire a motorhome?

Finally - wow RTK thanks for all the info. I've been looking at insurance but definitely interesred to know who you used. Thought I would ask who Trailfinders recommend when we go to get tickets on saturday although will almost certainly buy insurance on line

Melbourne is pretty cool - my sis lives there and if you need/want a contact then honestly CAT me and I'll send you her details (she has two DDs 3 and 1).
Also just wanted to say - good for you - sounds fantastic!

will look out insurance

we have been Sydney, then up to cairns out to barrier reef, then flew to ayers rock and alice springs [best airport in the world]

then flew to perth

motorhome up coast melbourne - and up maybe

AR and AS and P are really only flights away.

little penquins that come out of sea every night

brill in melbourne

If you are neighbours fan go to Pin Oak court [ramsay street]

Alice springs hotel has a rescue center for kangaroos there where you can go and talk to them lovely little joeys

has little gekcos in bedroom which freaked me out but they are so tiny once you realise they won't hurt you they are lovely.

sorry not replying - on phone to my mum.

On visiting Aus - to get a feel for the place - Sydney definitely - Harbour, ferries, beach, zoo

Uluru and Alice Springs

Great Barrier Reef - Cairns... there are a number of islands off the coast of QUeensland near the reef - one which is changing to cater to families - Great Keppel Island

Tasmania - wilderness

We had a stopover in Singapore on our way out to Australia - dd was almost 2. It was brilliant.

I think it is a fab thing you are doing.

There was a thread ages ago about things to do in Australia... will try and find it for you.

here

and here

here

there are some others perhaps not as relevant - I just searched the archived messages and searched for Australia. Try a rough guide or lonely planet too - usually have brilliant ideas.

I am in Aus - so any questions don't hesitate to ask. If planning motorhome - remember lots of distance driving would be in order in Australia. Another option - train or cheap airfares.