Recommended once in a lifetime holiday

Wailin

My wife and I are planning on taking an extended holiday next year for 6-8 wks during the summer with our 2 kids. We are looking for opinions on that once in a lifetime holiday. Australia is out because it would be Winter obviously so we were thinking of a campervan in canada or US, probably more likely Canada.

Any ideas folks of this one off holiday? Kids will be 15 and 7 years old. I think an English speaking country would probably be best for such a long stay but we're open to other ideas.

dizzyn

Iceland is absolutely unbelievable!! You can hire a jeep and basically just takeoff; visit geysers, volcanoes, thermal pools etc. You could easily spend 6 weeks there with plenty to do. English is widely spoken and the people are some of the friendliest you'll meet. Totally a once in a lifetime experience!:)

beauf

New Zealand in a Camper Van

Wailin

beauf wrote: »

New Zealand in a Camper Van

Would love it but not that time of year, their winter. If we're spending nearly 2 months on holiday it has to be summer weather!

Wailin

dizzyn wrote: »

Iceland is absolutely unbelievable!! You can hire a jeep and basically just takeoff; visit geysers, volcanoes, thermal pools etc. You could easily spend 6 weeks there with plenty to do. English is widely spoken and the people are some of the friendliest you'll meet. Totally a once in a lifetime experience!:)

Something to consider....Iceland always appealed to me. I just thought it's not too much bigger than Ireland and 6 wks would be too long there (Couldn't imagine 6 wks in Ireland...you'd see all the tourist spots in 2 or 3!).

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Australia maybe? Spent two months there last year. Went all around the country. Amazing experience; especially Central Australia.

beauf

Is the weather so bad in Oz or Nz even during their winter? The I have no idea.

toadfly

Winter in Oz isn't bad though, we landed there in May on our trip and the weather was fab. We flew into Cairns and spent 5 weeks travelling the east coast. It was cooler in Sydney but not cold.

spurious

New Zealand is glorious, winter or summer.

You could always hit Fiji or Hawaii for some sun on the way back.

Spanish Eyes

Road trip around the US. No contest.

There are so many options.

judeboy101

Kazakhstan, it was on sale return to dub for 189 you could follow silk road to china.

Stationmaster

There are so many options but what a great position to be in!

If it was me I'd consider some of the following, then pick one and do it right:

- Road trip across america
- Inter-railing across Europe
- Australia (their winters are better than our summers so don't rule it out!)
- China (a lot more planning involved I'd imagine but it's such a stunning and diverse country that it would be an unbelievable trip)

Whatever you decide you're in a great position to be able to experience this type of trip so congrats and I hope it works out.

Also, what about asking the kids for ideas? Would be a great way of getting them involved in the planning of the trip as well especially the 15 year old.

I'm not one bit jealous by the way........

schemingbohemia

I'd travel around Central America. Fly into Cancun and then get out of there as quickly as possible and then travel through Mexico and on to Costa Rica and Panama.
If it's to be a holiday of a lifetime I wouldn't bother particularly with the US or Canada as they can likely be done in smaller chunks at other times. Is budget not an issue at all?

Wailin

schemingbohemia wrote: »

I'd travel around Central America. Fly into Cancun and then get out of there as quickly as possible and then travel through Mexico and on to Costa Rica and Panama.
If it's to be a holiday of a lifetime I wouldn't bother particularly with the US or Canada as they can likely be done in smaller chunks at other times. Is budget not an issue at all?

Well it won't be until june or july 2018 so plenty of saving. Budget shouldn't be an issue. I think the kids would prefer the US rather than central america. Those types of travel are more suited to single or couple and not a family.

Wailin

Stationmaster wrote: »

There are so many options but what a great position to be in!

If it was me I'd consider some of the following, then pick one and do it right:

- Road trip across america
- Inter-railing across Europe
- Australia (their winters are better than our summers so don't rule it out!)
- China (a lot more planning involved I'd imagine but it's such a stunning and diverse country that it would be an unbelievable trip)

Whatever you decide you're in a great position to be able to experience this type of trip so congrats and I hope it works out.

Also, what about asking the kids for ideas? Would be a great way of getting them involved in the planning of the trip as well especially the 15 year old.

I'm not one bit jealous by the way........

Most people seem to prefer a road trip across the US rather than Canada. Is Canada too wild and sparse for such a trip?

Stationmaster

Wailin wrote: »

Most people seem to prefer a road trip across the US rather than Canada. Is Canada too wild and sparse for such a trip?

I wouldn't know enough to give an expert reply but my gut reaction would be that yes, it possibly would be. I'd imagine it to be a similar type trip as south america - fantastic for backpacking if it was just the two of you but maybe not ideal for the 2 kids as well.

sullivlo

Wailin wrote: »

My wife and I are planning on taking an extended holiday next year for 6-8 wks during the summer with our 2 kids. We are looking for opinions on that once in a lifetime holiday. Australia is out because it would be Winter obviously so we were thinking of a campervan in canada or US, probably more likely Canada.

Any ideas folks of this one off holiday? Kids will be 15 and 7 years old. I think an English speaking country would probably be best for such a long stay but we're open to other ideas.

I travelled the East Coast in Australia in their winter. Melbourne was cold. Sydney was like an Irish spring day. Anywhere further north was hot. Don't discount Australia just because of the weather though.

A camper van around America would be awesome. Route 66 and the coast roads would be great.

What about inter-railing around Europe? It's not English speaking, but I reckon the kids would get a huge amount out of seeing the different cultures (and trying the different foods). Not to mention the plethora of different theme parks around Europe that you could go to to give the kids a treat.

I've travelled all over, and whilst Australia and America are fab, there's a lot to be said for Europe.

Alternatively you could do a round-the-world dealio and take in a few places. Go to Dubai, Hong Kong, LA, Florida, Cuba...

Puibo

South Africa would be my recommendation. I went in August and the weather was grand! I drove a lot of the garden route which was unreal and went to Krugar for a safari. The food was unreal and it's impossible to get a bad glass of wine!

It's not as unsafe as people think either. You just need to be a little street smart!!

There is so much to do there winery tours, hiking, wildlife and shark cage diving!!!

Let us know what you choose in the end!

I've spent a year in NZ to and I don't think you could go wrong there either!

Are ye an outdoor type of family?

Balmed Out

I agree with South Africa but think the east coast way nicer then garden route.
Inter rail trip would be fantastic.
Thailand island hopping, its not all sodom & gomorrah.

ainecaine

We hired an Rv and crossed the Rockies in Canada last summer. We had an amazing holiday. We flew into Calgary, picked up a medium sized rv with push outs. We stood beside glaciers, relaxed in hot springs, stayed in amazing campsites, took 3000 photos of snow capped mountains, swam in mirror lakes, had hot chocolate some nights, ice-cream some days, visited the Calgary Stampede, Whistler Mountain, White rock beaches, Sunshine Coasts, stood under the Peace Arch (one foot in US, one in Canada) and so so much more. It was a holiday of a lifetime, I went with my 2 daughters age 7 and 8.

Any questions let me know.

theoldbreed

ainecaine wrote:

We hired an Rv and crossed the Rockies in Canada last summer. We had an amazing holiday. We flew into Calgary, picked up a medium sized rv with push outs. We stood beside glaciers, relaxed in hot springs, stayed in amazing campsites, took 3000 photos of snow capped mountains, swam in mirror lakes, had hot chocolate some nights, ice-cream some days, visited the Calgary Stampede, Whistler Mountain, White rock beaches, Sunshine Coasts, stood under the Peace Arch (one foot in US, one in Canada) and so so much more. It was a holiday of a lifetime, I went with my 2 daughters age 7 and 8.

That sounds amazing. I lived in Canada for a few years but still didn't get to experience it all. Would love to return with my husband and do something like that next year. Did you organise yourself or go through an agent? How long did you spend doing it? Canada is just amazing!

Tigerandahalf

6 weeks is a long time to take a trip.
It is a long time to be on the road especially with kids.

I think the Northern half of Australia would be a great trip plus you could always head down to Melbourne and Sydney for the last week or 2 to settle down before the flight back.

The Northern Territory is a gem that many people overlook. They have summer then and it will be dry 25 - 35c degree weather without the humidity.
Fabulous national parks where you can camp out under the stars, go on river cruises to spot crocodiles and swim in various rock pools throughout the park. I went on a group tour up there for a week and it was a fab time going round in a 4x4. Camp fires at night and barbecueing the dinner each evening and then you can sleep under the stars in a swag.

Maybe mix up the holiday. Do a couple of group tours in the NT, then hire a camper for a couple of weeks and travel from Darwin down to Brisbane. Great options along that coastline.

Then spend the last 2 weeks in Sydney and Melbourne. At that stage you might appreciate a proper bed to relax.

Trip of a life time if you plan it well.

PopTarts

Adopt me please.

Wailin

Thanks folks....plenty of options to think on. RV around Canada or US seems to be the most appealing to me but that could change.

Wailin

ainecaine wrote: »

We hired an Rv and crossed the Rockies in Canada last summer. We had an amazing holiday. We flew into Calgary, picked up a medium sized rv with push outs. We stood beside glaciers, relaxed in hot springs, stayed in amazing campsites, took 3000 photos of snow capped mountains, swam in mirror lakes, had hot chocolate some nights, ice-cream some days, visited the Calgary Stampede, Whistler Mountain, White rock beaches, Sunshine Coasts, stood under the Peace Arch (one foot in US, one in Canada) and so so much more. It was a holiday of a lifetime, I went with my 2 daughters age 7 and 8.

Any questions let me know.

This sounds like the perfect holiday to me! How long did you go for and roughly how many miles did you travel over the course of the trip? Also, whats the weather like in Canada in summer time?

unklerosco

Vancouver to San Diego would be my choice. Down along the coast.. or hop on a fancy ass train https://www.rockymountaineer.com/

Tigerandahalf

Getting the kids on board will probably be your hardest task. The younger one should be fine but many 15 year olds will want to spend their summer with their friends at home. It is a tricky age. If you are out in the middle of nowhere will the 15 year old be happy that they have no wifi to message their friends. Depends on their maturity and you would want to involve them in the planning so they feel part of it.

Do bear in mind the busy summer season in the US, Canada and Europe. Roads will be busy, hotels more expensive and campsites more difficult to book. Flights to those places could also be expensive.

I would say if you gave a quick google online you would come across a good few blogs of families that have done similar and they might have good details on the finer details of the planning.

Wailin

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Getting the kids on board will probably be your hardest task. The younger one should be fine but many 15 year olds will want to spend their summer with their friends at home. It is a tricky age. If you are out in the middle of nowhere will the 15 year old be happy that they have no wifi to message their friends. Depends on their maturity and you would want to involve them in the planning so they feel part of it.
Do bear in mind the busy summer season in the US, Canada and Europe. Roads will be busy, hotels more expensive and campsites more difficult to book. Flights to those places could also be expensive.

I would say if you gave a quick google online you would come across a good few blogs of families that have done similar and they might have good details on the finer details of the planning.

Good advice and you are right about the 15yr old. That will be by far the toughest part for us. Something to consider before plunging ahead.

Sunny Dayz

What are yourself and your children into? Any particular sports? Wildlife? History? Technology?
There's little point in booking a safari in the wilderness if your kids are going to break out in hives after a few days with no wifi!
I think you do need to get the children involved in the planning if you are talking 6-8 weeks of a holiday. What are they into? If they like sports, then in America you could include trips to baseball and basketball games.


I know if we were to plan a once in a lifetime trip my son would make sure it included a Formula 1 grand prix!

ainecaine

theoldbreed wrote:

That sounds amazing. I lived in Canada for a few years but still didn't get to experience it all. Would love to return with my husband and do something like that next year. Did you organise yourself or go through an agent? How long did you spend doing it? Canada is just amazing!

We did it completely on our own. I'd be a very independent traveller in any case. We stay with my uncle in Calgary for 3 days at the start, rented the RV for 10 days and stayed in Vancouver for a week at the end. We hired a car in Vancouver and drove to the Sunshine Coast and Whistler and the Peace Arch. We pre-booked all our campsites, and I researched them all for weeks beforehand. We didn't even see it all.

You are right, Canada is amazing.

ainecaine

Wailin wrote:

This sounds like the perfect holiday to me! How long did you go for and roughly how many miles did you travel over the course of the trip? Also, whats the weather like in Canada in summer time?

We hired the rv with fraserway in Calgary and we covered about 1200km. We returned it to Calgary and then fles to Vancouver. We hired a car in Vancouver. The campsites are easy to book. You book with Parks Canada and even get to choose your actual site. The sites usually have an electric and water hookup, and sometimes a drain for emptying the tanks. If not on your site there is a general tank emptying area. The weather in Calgary was 20 to 25 C, but ip the mountains it got colder. No lower than 12c though, even standing beside the Glaciers! We had 1 rainy day. But hey we're Irish, bit of rain never stopped us. Vancouver was balmy and warm. Like Irish summers but with a warm breeze.