4 week family holiday ideas - August 2019

[ThorB]

I have a sabbatical next year and we're desperately trying to think of something worthwhile to do with it. Due to it being 4 weeks it can only be in August (school holidays). It'll be me, wife and 2 boys (9 & 11).

Ideas we've had so far :

Me - South Africa, wife has safety concerns, plus it's winter
Both - Australia - it's their winter so I'm not keen
Wife - Disney / Florida - fills me with dread, hate queues and busy places, but could tie in with elsewhere
Both - US / Canada other than Florida, but having never been to the States I have no idea where to start.

We're an active family, all ski, mountain bike, hill walk, camping, swimming, snorkel/scuba, but also love big cities, good eating, etc. Budget is £15,000.

Anyone got any amazing suggestions?

[romeodelta]

Decent amount of time and budget. I'd definitely do multi-hop for that length of time.

Think you have most of it covered.

Camper down the east coast of Oz.
Tour Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos etc.
Tour Europe - France, Italy, Switzerland etc.
US - LA, San Fran, Vegas - perhaps NYC on the way back.

[ThorB]

romeodelta said:

Decent amount of time and budget. I'd definitely do multi-hop for that length of time.

Think you have most of it covered.


Tour Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos etc.

US - LA, San Fran, Vegas - perhaps NYC on the way back.

Cheers.

Those 2 definitely appeal, just worried about the costs, I'm very conscious when paying for 4 travellers, costs seem to escalate massively. I always wince when it's time to book our ski holiday and that's only 1 week.

[DuraAce]

Don't discount OZ just because its their winter. It won't be cold, especially up north. Doing anything active during their summer (40C+) isn't much fun!

We're doing the trans Canada higway late summer. Might be too many miles for kids though maybe?

[romeodelta]

ThorB said:

Cheers.

Those 2 definitely appeal, just worried about the costs, I'm very conscious when paying for 4 travellers, costs seem to escalate massively. I always wince when it's time to book our ski holiday and that's only 1 week.

Depends on your standards I guess - Asia can be done very cheaply if you're happy to stay in budget accommodation and internal flights are cheap too. I also feel this is a more authentic experience than staying in 5 star resorts.

As mentioned, Aussie Winter is more hospitable than Summer to a Brit (pom living in Melbourne). I think this probably fits the brief best to be honest as you can scuba in GBR, lots of good food and active stuff in Melbourne/Sydney.

Edited by romeodelta on Sunday 18th November 22:24

[Whistle]

I did 4 weeks in the US in summer for exactly this budget.

4 nights in newyork
8 nights in Orlando, just did universal studios, my kids are a bit older than yours
4 nights in Miami south beach and the city
8 nights at fort Myers beach on the gulf
6 nights on st armonds circle Sarasota

[toastyhamster]

Florida (kids)->NY->Niagara->Toronto->Vancouver->San Fran->drive to LA->San Jose

Alt Vancouver->Alaska or San Fran then Hawaii (bit far for kids).

Wouldn't do Vegas with kids, hence San Jose, if time loop in New Orleans?

[Greshamst]

A friend just did a tour of Sri Lanka with his family, and it looked amazing. Great train journeys now through amazing scenery, and also very cheap to have your own driver for other bits. Kids loved it!

[ninepoint2]

Four weeks could get you a decent touring/driving trip round Italy, some of the best roads, scenery and food in the world IMHO, with enough time to build some cycling/walking etc activities around it if you plan properly... oh and you are right about Florida avoid at all cost it's ghastly beyond your wildest imagination

[bakerstreet]

I would do multi destination for that price. Maybe 10 days in Orlando, as your kids are obviously growing older and I would say they are a good age to enjoy it. Might mot be the same as they grow older.

I would then go to somewhere like the Candian rockies or Alaska. NYC for the final leg. If you need a relaxing part, maybe consider the keys (Some good diving there) or west coast of Florida.

Fantastic opportunity. Good luck

[MYOB]

Hire a Winnebago and do a driving tour in America or Canada. Personally I like the idea of SE Asia or South America but I would go off the beaten track and avoid the 5 star hotels.