Family Holiday of a lifetime

BoardsMember

Hi All,

Hope to get some good ideas here. We are planning on taking some time off next year to brings the kids (boys, 8 & 11) on a trip of a lifetime. Probably during the Irish summer months.

We'd hope to go away for 4-5 weeks, maybe a little more. We'd be happy to do a mix of things, so maybe taking in a few different countries. But I suppose we need to keep to one continent or general area so that we're not racking up huge air miles too often.

Ideally the holiday would take in plenty of nature and adventure, not too interested in cities or museums etc.

Off the top of my head, the following are what we are thinking about, but I would welcome any ideas, links, feedback on experiences etc:
- Asia - Bali, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia
- Africa - safari etc
- South America - Argentina trip maybe, or Amazon basin tour or something
- Australia & NZ
- Canada/USA - I'd love to do a road trip with the kids in a camper van but distances are probably too much, maybe do a roadtrip with them another time

Would trailfinders be a good place to start? I wonder what the best way of going about this might be?

Thanks.

average_runner

BoardsMember wrote: »

Hi All,

Hope to get some good ideas here. We are planning on taking some time off next year to brings the kids (boys, 8 & 11) on a trip of a lifetime. Probably during the Irish summer months.

We'd hope to go away for 4-5 weeks, maybe a little more. We'd be happy to do a mix of things, so maybe taking in a few different countries. But I suppose we need to keep to one continent or general area so that we're not racking up huge air miles too often.

Ideally the holiday would take in plenty of nature and adventure, not too interested in cities or museums etc.

Off the top of my head, the following are what we are thinking about, but I would welcome any ideas, links, feedback on experiences etc:
- Asia - Bali, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia
- Africa - safari etc
- South America - Argentina trip maybe, or Amazon basin tour or something
- Australia & NZ
- Canada/USA - I'd love to do a road trip with the kids in a camper van but distances are probably too much, maybe do a roadtrip with them another time

Would trailfinders be a good place to start? I wonder what the best way of going about this might be?

Thanks.

Be hard to do Australia and New Zealand in 5 weeks. We did Australia for our honeymoon over 4 weeks, alot of moving around to see most of the east coast.

Wife did New Zealand, she wants to bring the kids there sometime, so i vote for New Zealand!!

Stationmaster

Because of their age I'd actually do one that's not on your list - Europe. Loads to see and do and distances are short compared to the other choices. Camper van or rail - a great 4/5 weeks.

_Brian

I'd say stick to Europe..
Serious diversity in Climate and topography, maybe rail or campervan, cultures to a lesser extent..

The only thing that might attract is Aisa for the bang for buck..

VG31

I highly recommend Bavaria for a family holiday. You could easily spend a month there. It's perfect if you're not in to cities/museums and want a more outdoors holiday like you said. The scenery is spectacular, particularly in Upper Bavaria. The excellent (and cheap!) rail network means you do not need to hire a car. You may wish to base yourself in cities (Munich/Nuremberg) and do day trips from there or move around various towns.

Here is a list of only some of the area's attractions:

Schloss Neuschwanstein (probably the most famous castle in the world)
Schloss Linderhof
Schools Herrenchiemsee
Zugspitze (Germany's largest mountain, cable car)
Legoland Germany

Berchtesgaden (Königssee, Eagle's Nest)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (picturesque medieval town)
Nuremberg
Salzburg (Austria)
Lindau/Lake Constance
Bamberg
Regensburg
Mittenwald
Oberammergau
Passau
Aschaffenburg
Amberg

Munich:
Marienplatz (town centre)
Olympiapark
Schoss Nymphenburg (palace)
Residenz (palace)
English Garden
BMW Museum
Deutsches Museum (science and technology museum)
Tierpark Hellabrunn (zoo)
Viktualienmarkt (large food market)
Allianz Arena
Starnberger See (lake)

BoardsMember

Thanks for the feedback people, much appreciated.

I don't know about Europe, though I understand the arguments for it. They've seen a good bit - Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, though further afield could be great.

Part of this is that we're doing something really different that otherwise we'd never do. Let the kids see some stuff they would not otherwise see, possibly ever, or at least until they get a bit older.

I think Safari might be cool for them to see

Or else maybe something less exotic...campervan in the USA, take in some of the theme parks and other interesting stuff.

Re Asia, I loved it when I traveled a bit in my 20s. The bustling markets, the idea of waking up in a hut on a beach with turquoise sea, the tropical jungles etc.

BoardsMember

Thanks VG31 - some of that looks cool alright, through I still am not sure it hits the spot. I suppose I am thinking of something like travelling for kids, rather than just a long holiday somewhere.

Dodge

If it was me, I'd be looking to head to the US for a roadtrip. I don't know what your boys are into but I'd imagine visiting a variety of theme parks and/or baseball stadiums in the summer would be pretty cool for most lads

Doesn't have to be Orlando. Look at somewhere like Ohio which has Cedar Point and dozens more

Dodge

If it was me, I'd be looking to head to the US for a roadtrip. I don't know what your boys are into but I'd imagine visiting a variety of theme parks and/or baseball stadiums in the summer would be pretty cool for most lads

Doesn't have to be Orlando. Look at somewhere like Ohio which has Cedar Point and dozens more

BoardsMember

Dodge wrote: »

If it was me, I'd be looking to head to the US for a roadtrip. I don't know what your boys are into but I'd imagine visiting a variety of theme parks and/or baseball stadiums in the summer would be pretty cool for most lads

Doesn't have to be Orlando. Look at somewhere like Ohio which has Cedar Point and dozens more

Yeah that's a definite possibility. Would love to take in the deep south, everglades, NASA with them, and sports stuff is a great idea too.

Sunny Dayz

I'd second America with water parks theme parks, national parks, old skool America (eg 1950's diners, music etc).


As much as the scenery in Asia, Sth America, Oz etc would be amazing, the boys are still quite young and at the age still where they want fun and excitement. Also as it's a holiday of a lifetime, they will remember having fun rather than nice scenery.


We went to NYC when our son was 4 (7 yrs ago) but we were chatting about it recently and all he remembers from it was being on top of Empire State Building and how small the cars looked from there, and also seeing a grey squirrel up close while passing through a park after visiting the statute of liberty!


We've been lucky to be in a position to put money aside for annual sun holidays this past few years and himself loves the days out at water parks and theme parks. He still remembers much of Porta Ventura in Salou and it's 3.5 years since we've been.


But based on your listing, I would say Safari would be memorable for them. Excitement of staying in wooden cabins, going out on the range in a jeep looking for animals etc, actually seeing the animals in real life in their natural habitat would be amazing for anyone.


OP you don't mention what your kids are actually into: sports, science, music, gaming?

BoardsMember

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I'd second America with water parks theme parks, national parks, old skool America (eg 1950's diners, music etc).


As much as the scenery in Asia, Sth America, Oz etc would be amazing, the boys are still quite young and at the age still where they want fun and excitement. Also as it's a holiday of a lifetime, they will remember having fun rather than nice scenery.


We went to NYC when our son was 4 (7 yrs ago) but we were chatting about it recently and all he remembers from it was being on top of Empire State Building and how small the cars looked from there, and also seeing a grey squirrel up close while passing through a park after visiting the statute of liberty!


We've been lucky to be in a position to put money aside for annual sun holidays this past few years and himself loves the days out at water parks and theme parks. He still remembers much of Porta Ventura in Salou and it's 3.5 years since we've been.


But based on your listing, I would say Safari would be memorable for them. Excitement of staying in wooden cabins, going out on the range in a jeep looking for animals etc, actually seeing the animals in real life in their natural habitat would be amazing for anyone.


OP you don't mention what your kids are actually into: sports, science, music, gaming?

Thanks for the reply. Very valuable input re concentrating on having fun.

The USA idea is really appealing now, I'm coming to the same sort of conclusions you have identified re some of the options. Even with Safari, they might get more out of it if they were older, i.e. they might "expect" to see all the animals, and be disappointed if it does not happen, which is a distinct probability!

I'd like to mix it up a little in the states, maybe do some of it staying in/near theme parks (NASA, water park etc), maybe a couple of short city stops, and then some outdoor adventure in an RV.

Kids are into a bit of everything. Older boy is definitely more geeky/sciency, but both are into sports and outdoors fun, walking, swimming, cycling etc. They aren't into rollecoasters really, they get scared (much to my chagrin!!). We would all enjoy camping/touring in an RV, but probably best to pick a route from one city to another through nice countryside.

edeldonlon

G adventures do family holidays. I know they can be expensive but it might be worth looking at what they are offering and then build your own holiday using that as a template.

https://www.gadventures.co.uk/travel-styles/family/the-americas/

Tigerandahalf

It is a long time to be on a holiday!
Europe is a good option but July/August will be crowded and possibly hot. Going by train means you will have a lot of changing and possibly waiting around plus lots of scheduling.

The kids are very young for that length of time to be on the road. It is possible that they will miss their friends or relations. Most kids of that age want a beach, ice cream and a good variety of activities to do.

You could take a camper and do some camping in the US or Europe with them picking up some of the skills along the way.
Other option might be to enrol them in a language camp for a month or so to learn Spanish or French. That way you would have time to yourselves as well.

ProudDUB

BoardsMember wrote: »

Yeah that's a definite possibility. Would love to take in the deep south, everglades, NASA with them, and sports stuff is a great idea too.

The heat and humidity in the deep south in the summer months, can be unbearable, especially in Florida. Not so sure how well young kids would cope with it. If you were doing theme parks and resorts, you can always duck into pools & air conditioned rides & attractions, to take a break from the heat. But if you are doing outdoorsy, active stuff in general, I'd avoid the south, unless you know that your kids can cope with intense heat and humidity.

Stationmaster

As the boys have seen a lot of Europe so and you seem set on going elsewhere then I'd give another vote to the US. Some of your other suggestions sound fantastic but would probably be wasted for want of a better word on the two boys giving their ages.

The US would have a good mix of amazing scenery plus lots for the lads to do too. A road trip obviously sounds ideal but it would take a lot of careful planning.

Best of luck whatever way you decide - they're two very lucky boys to get this opportunity!

sadie06

This site is great for inspiration and stealing ideas for itineraries.

https://www.explore.co.uk/

Noo

Id recommend campervan in nz, saw loads of families doing it when i did, although cant be done during irish summer, nz gets very cold in their winter.

cactusgal

Just be aware of travel times in the USA. A road trip may sound appealing to an adult, but if you're a kid, all that time in the car is slow torture.

I'm American, we used to drive across the Midwest to visit our grandparents (Texas to Arizona), 3 days of driving each way was a killer.

Also agree with the comment about the deep South in the summer, it will be around 40 degrees Celsius with 100% humidity, so be prepared for that.

If you're looking to give your kids a great holiday, I'd say beach + water parks + Disney in Florida or California (weather in California probably better) or African safari.

BoardsMember

cactusgal wrote: »

Just be aware of travel times in the USA. A road trip may sound appealing to an adult, but if you're a kid, all that time in the car is slow torture.

I'm American, we used to drive across the Midwest to visit our grandparents (Texas to Arizona), 3 days of driving each way was a killer.

Also agree with the comment about the deep South in the summer, it will be around 40 degrees Celsius with 100% humidity, so be prepared for that.

If you're looking to give your kids a great holiday, I'd say beach + water parks + Disney in Florida or California (weather in California probably better) or African safari.

Thanks for this. Deep south in summer has been ruled out for sure, just too hot/humid. By road trip I mean renting a decent RV and planning a route that
will take in lots of fun things daily, not doing many miles at all. The fun would be "camping" and moving to another fun spot.

Still would like to do Disney/NASA/Evergaldes, so thinking maybe 8-10 days down there, then fly to Chicago, rent RV and to a loop around Michigan/Ohio, lots of waterparks, theme parks, islands, walks, boating etc around there.

ProudDUB

Just remember that RV-ing is a massively popular thing to do in the US, far, far more than it is here. It is a massive industry over there. The good news is that there is great infrastructure to support it. The bad news is that something like 75 million people hit the road every summer, in their RVs and camper vans.

That means you can run into terrible traffic jams and bottle necks, especially if you are going to RV friendly sites, such as theme parks, RV parks & campsites, or the likes of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone & other national parks and nature reserves. If you & 100 other RV's are all crawling along at 35 mph, on winding country roads, it can take a lot longer to get places, than Googles Maps or GPS systems will initially tell you.

Don't mean to put you off. If you are of an adventurous spirit and you are flexible, it is a fabulous way to spend a holiday. But it can be heavy lifting too, so it can't hurt to know the pros and cons of it.

BoardsMember

ProudDUB wrote: »

Just remember that RV-ing is a massively popular thing to do in the US, far, far more than it is here. It is a massive industry over there. The good news is that there is great infrastructure to support it. The bad news is that something like 75 million people hit the road every summer, in their RVs and camper vans.

That means you can run into terrible traffic jams and bottle necks, especially if you are going to RV friendly sites, such as theme parks, RV parks & campsites, or the likes of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone & other national parks and nature reserves. If you & 100 other RV's are all crawling along at 35 mph, on winding country roads, it can take a lot longer to get places, than Googles Maps or GPS systems will initially tell you.

Don't mean to put you off. If you are of an adventurous spirit and you are flexible, it is a fabulous way to spend a holiday. But it can be heavy lifting too, so it can't hurt to know the pros and cons of it.

Thanks for the input, and you haven't put me off at all but food for thought alright. I'm thinking, depending on route/itinerary, maybe we would be better off in a 4x4 or something like that - it would allow us go where RVs cant. If we have a fairly tight itinerary we'll probably end up staying in lots of national parks, and it would be fun to stay in cabins etc. Also, living in an RV for 2.5 weeks might get "challenging".

ncmc

If I had that kind of money/timescale, I would do a road trip down Route 1 on the east coast of the United States. Start in New England, make your way down NEW York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, the Carolinas, Georgia and then in to Florida. You'd see such a different amount of scenery and cities. I think the idea of an RV is great, but I don't know if the reality is as good as the ideal! Motels are cheap, clean and plentiful and I think it's nice to to be able to spread out in a hotel room. I think the key with a road trip is to pack light so you can pack and unpack easily. Also don't feel you have to drive a long way every day. You could do a hub and spoke itinerary where you stay in one place for a few days, see the surrounding areas and then do a big drive every few days. We've done 3 USA road trips and this is the method we use. You feel you get a good experience of each place rather than just passing through. You could do say, Boston to Florida in 2/3 weeks and spend the remaining 2 weeks exploring Florida which has so much to offer your boys.

BoardsMember

Thanks for the iput. I think the planned route now is loop from Chicago up through Wiscosnin, then across through upper and lower Michigan, their Ohio back to Chicago. There is loads to see and do, water activities, walks, theme parks, cycling, national parks etc. The base and spoke approach is what I'm leaning towards, less hassle and maybe a better fit for the itinerary.

Daisy 55

Hi op. We have two children that sound a bit like yours maybe? Curious, maybe slightly geeky types! Would take persuasion for roller coasters and zip lines!

South Africa last year was a great experience. Loads to see and do. Easy to get around by car. Also not too expensive apart from the flights. No need for vaccinations or malaria tabs as long as you stay south.

Also, Washington, D.C. Is great for kids of that age. Loads to see and do. Mostly free! We really liked San Francisco too. The national parks camping was great. The Bears and the huge trees!

Daisy 55

Hi op. We have two children that sound a bit like yours maybe? Curious, maybe slightly geeky types! Would take persuasion for roller coasters and zip lines!

South Africa last year was a great experience. Loads to see and do. Easy to get around by car. Also not too expensive apart from the flights. No need for vaccinations or malaria tabs as long as you stay south.

Also, Washington, D.C. Is great for kids of that age. Loads to see and do. Mostly free! We really liked San Francisco too. The national parks camping was great. The Bears and the huge trees!

The Black Oil

Don't forget there's a Motorhomes and Campervans forum on here. Posts seem largely about ownership, repairs, buying, etc, but still might be worth asking as I'd imagine some of the posters have been to the US.

okatied

I have 2 boys and we have done 3 US road trips. We have stayed in motels or cheap hotels. We looked into RVs but cost and size put us off. Best road trip according to the boys was Vegas - Grand Canyon - Flagstaff (Route 66) - Paige - Zion - Bryce - Moab - Four Corners - Monument Valley - Petrified Forest.
If you plan on going to see a few national parks then it is worth getting an annual family pass.
Their favourite activity was rafting on the Colorado where we slept out under the stars (with a guide)
They also loved driving through a Sequoia tree but that was on a different trip. We've done the whole West Coast so if you have questions on it just ask