Looking at travel plans... where would you 'stop over' for a few days on route from UK to Australia?

[MrsBigD]

Looks like it's all firming up and Easter 2008 will be the time we're moving to Australia. we'd love to take a few weeks to actually get 'down there' but can't make up my mind about route... all I know 100% is departure LHr arrival Sydney but inbetween???

Have to do a stop in Germany so family there can say their good byes especially to dd and ds.

Have you done it and if so where would you recommend with 2 young children? dd will then be 6 and ds 3.5

Sorry, just realised that you want to spend a few weeks en route rather than just a stop over! We did London to Singapore, stayed 2 nights in Singapore, flew to Bangkok, spent 3 nights there, took a taxi to Koh Tao, spent two weeks there, took a taxi back to Bangkok, spent 2 nights there then flew back to Singapore for 3 nights before heading on to Sydney. That worked really well for us BUT our children are were 13, 8 and 4 when we did it. I would recommend JetStar for internal flights - good safety record and they fly out of the international terminals at both Singapore and Bankok with better facilities (the recent crash on Phuket would make me a bit nervous). Koh Tao was amazing, and would work with your age kids, but getting there isn't easy and I certainly wouldn't have done it by bus or train. The kids all found Bangkok a bit much to be honest - very hot and a bit too much in your face for their liking. DD is very blonde and cute and was a bit overwhelmed by all the attention on the street - I ended up carrying her a lot just to stop people touching. It's all very good natured - the Thais love kids - but she wasn't used to it. I had deliberately booked a really nice hotel (the Lebua) as I thought it might be a bit full on, and the kids really preferred to just hang out by the pool and do brief forays out. They all absolutely adore Singapore - yes it is the safe option, but happy kids does make for a better holiday! If you want any more details feel free to PM me - we stayed in a lovely villa with it's own little pool on Koh Tao that was perfect with kids.

thanks for the details sunnyd dd LOVES attention so she'll be very happy ds is 50/50 depends on his mood

I missed out on the few weeks bit too, not sure if I'd want to do a few week in Singapore it's not very big and may get a bit samey after doing the sights if you don't have a network of friends to hang out with?

we've actually decided to only do 1 week as we don't want dd to miss out from school too long ... she probably begs to differ

I love Singapore and HOng Kong, usually fly through the latter although have done both. A week in each might be a bit long though unless you definately have a hotel pool and want to relax. If I had a week I would consider flying Emirates stopping in Dubai and Singapore. Shorter flights and still no jetlag I have been told although I have yet to do that route. Am considering it for when I go home to the UK next May for trip.

thanks Sibble, hadn't even thought about Dubai

QUOKKA most likely going to be Singapore so get that coffee ready

looking at hotels have no idea where to stay. Obviously the 5* ones look lovely but they are also $$$$$ youch

I've always heard Singapore is very clean. Does that also applie to 2-3* hotels?

Singapore is brilliant. Little India is a nice place to stay. Perak lodge is good. Small nice rooms. Good location. (Medium priced). Yes very clean. Takka food hall is well worth a visit.

Taxi to Malaysia is a good idea too and Tioman island is great (about 4 hours from Singapore). No cars, lots of kids. Sun sand and monkeys. Just make sure you get the larger ferry, and take a snorkel. Malacca is lovely too.

Another fun thing to do is to check in early (hours early) at Singapore airport before you fly on, then get the tube and then a free bus or a taxi to an amazing swimming complex nearby with a river system and waves and stuff. Info at the airport should be able to tell you where it is - its just on the other fork of the tube in east Singapore by the airport. Sorry forgot the name. Alternatively I think there's a pool at the airport you can use for a few quid.

Then you and the kids board the flight clean happy and sleepy. Also check out the playground and cactus garden upstairs at the airport.

Also eat lots of bananas and avocados to beat jet lag.

Thanks arabella shall scribble all that down

I hope you have a brilliant time Mrs Big D