family trip to asia or europe...help decide
Jan 25th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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family trip to asia or europe...help decide
hello everyone!
thinking about traveling to malaysia/singapore and possibly thailand as well. It will be a family trip with 3 kids. Will be coming from florida, us
Which cities do you recommend? And I'm open to other destinations as well. We're thinking about the summer time. Which cities will be good to visit and how much can be done. Possibly a 10 day trip.
I am leaning towards asia, while the hubby thinks we should go to europe....london or paris...maybe even switzerland.
open to all recommendatons!
thanks!
thinking about traveling to malaysia/singapore and possibly thailand as well. It will be a family trip with 3 kids. Will be coming from florida, us
Which cities do you recommend? And I'm open to other destinations as well. We're thinking about the summer time. Which cities will be good to visit and how much can be done. Possibly a 10 day trip.
I am leaning towards asia, while the hubby thinks we should go to europe....london or paris...maybe even switzerland.
open to all recommendatons!
thanks!
Jan 25th, 2012, 03:04 PM
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With the greatest respect, why don't you decide first, then come in and ask? With only ten days and 3 kids, coming to Asia, by the time you've all got over your jet-lag, culture shock and confusion, it'll be time to go home again. Go to Europe.
Jan 25th, 2012, 03:42 PM
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I dont think jet lag/cultural shock, etc will make too much of a difference as we have traveled to the eastern hemisphere a few times already.
We can extend our trip by some days as well.
Purpose of me being here was for some options of cities to visit that are kid friendly as well.
Malaysia and Singapore are fairly close and I feel it can be combined together. Not sure if 10 days is enough or too much. Can Thailand be included as a stopover for a few days--if so what city?
We can extend our trip by some days as well.
Purpose of me being here was for some options of cities to visit that are kid friendly as well.
Malaysia and Singapore are fairly close and I feel it can be combined together. Not sure if 10 days is enough or too much. Can Thailand be included as a stopover for a few days--if so what city?
Jan 25th, 2012, 04:11 PM
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We have traveled throughout Europe and also to Thailand/Cambodia and Tokyo with our kids, but not to Malaysia or Singapore. How old are the kids and are you looking for sightseeing/great meals, nature, culture, beach or adventure? Also, when in the summer are you traveling? Parts of Asia are rainy in August, and parts of Europe are VERY hot.
Jan 25th, 2012, 04:54 PM
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express, how old are your kids and what do you like to do as a family? Also, what kind of budget are you on?
It's very difficult to give you a one-size fits all answer to which Asian cities are the most kid friendly. Having traveled extensively throughout Asia with my (one) kid I can say all and none. Cities by definition can be fascinating and also tiring for children so it would be best to combine a city with a beach or countryside location.
June/July/August are high season in Asia and rates are inflated. For many families, that the only time available, but you should be aware that costs will be impacted.
Depending on the age and interests of your kids I would suggest that you consider a combination of TWO of the following: Bangkok, a Thai beach, Siem Reap (Angkor), Bali, Singapore. Malaysia wouldn't be on my top list either.
It's very difficult to give you a one-size fits all answer to which Asian cities are the most kid friendly. Having traveled extensively throughout Asia with my (one) kid I can say all and none. Cities by definition can be fascinating and also tiring for children so it would be best to combine a city with a beach or countryside location.
June/July/August are high season in Asia and rates are inflated. For many families, that the only time available, but you should be aware that costs will be impacted.
Depending on the age and interests of your kids I would suggest that you consider a combination of TWO of the following: Bangkok, a Thai beach, Siem Reap (Angkor), Bali, Singapore. Malaysia wouldn't be on my top list either.
Jan 25th, 2012, 04:55 PM
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Europe and SE Asia are such different places that it’s hard to give advice, esp without some more information like:
1. How old are your children?
2. What are their interests? Animals? Museums? Science? Shopping? Snorkeling? Hiking? Music or other arts? What are your interests?
3. Are they picky eaters?
4. What month in the summer would you be thinking about (makes a difference in some cases for festivals and crowds)
5. Do you want city or countryside or beaches (or do you get enough of the latter in Fla?) or a mix?
6. Does the 10 days include the international flights? With time changes, flights times and connections, you may only end up with 8 days “on the ground”. This can make a big difference in how much you can fit in. (Look at flights via Canada which may offer best prices and connections.)
Malaysia has a lot to see and do, esp the marvelous east coast in the summer months. Not to mention the island of Borneo. And terrific food and very nice people. Singapore is a good starting point as it offers good flights from the US, great food and is compact and easy to get around. Its mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese culture is quite interesting. Thailand is also a good place, but you could spend 10 days there alone, so may be hard to combine with Malaysia and Singapore, other than just Bangkok, which of course would be interesting on its own. Without more info it is hard to say. I might also throw in a good word for Hong Kong (where I live) which also offers a lot to see and do, but then something else would have to go.
On the other hand, I used to live in Switzerland and it is hard to beat the beauty of the Swiss countryside in summer (unless you go in winter when it is even more beautiful, IMO). Easy to get around on your own, you don’t need a car, great food. (And usually not at all hot in the summer, baring unusual conditions which of course do happen, but typical weather is very pleasant.) But quite expensive in terms of hotels and meals, although if you stay away from the main tourist hubs it is more reasonable. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like London, esp for kids.
1. How old are your children?
2. What are their interests? Animals? Museums? Science? Shopping? Snorkeling? Hiking? Music or other arts? What are your interests?
3. Are they picky eaters?
4. What month in the summer would you be thinking about (makes a difference in some cases for festivals and crowds)
5. Do you want city or countryside or beaches (or do you get enough of the latter in Fla?) or a mix?
6. Does the 10 days include the international flights? With time changes, flights times and connections, you may only end up with 8 days “on the ground”. This can make a big difference in how much you can fit in. (Look at flights via Canada which may offer best prices and connections.)
Malaysia has a lot to see and do, esp the marvelous east coast in the summer months. Not to mention the island of Borneo. And terrific food and very nice people. Singapore is a good starting point as it offers good flights from the US, great food and is compact and easy to get around. Its mix of Malay, Indian and Chinese culture is quite interesting. Thailand is also a good place, but you could spend 10 days there alone, so may be hard to combine with Malaysia and Singapore, other than just Bangkok, which of course would be interesting on its own. Without more info it is hard to say. I might also throw in a good word for Hong Kong (where I live) which also offers a lot to see and do, but then something else would have to go.
On the other hand, I used to live in Switzerland and it is hard to beat the beauty of the Swiss countryside in summer (unless you go in winter when it is even more beautiful, IMO). Easy to get around on your own, you don’t need a car, great food. (And usually not at all hot in the summer, baring unusual conditions which of course do happen, but typical weather is very pleasant.) But quite expensive in terms of hotels and meals, although if you stay away from the main tourist hubs it is more reasonable. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like London, esp for kids.
Jan 25th, 2012, 04:59 PM
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I agree with Marmot about choosing TWO (and only two) locations in Asia. In addition to the places listed by Marmot, I'd add in Malaysian Borneo, specifically, the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, if your children are of an age and inclination to enjoy seeing wildlife, It's one of the few places in the world you have the opportunity to see orangutans in the wild (not at a "rehabilitation center" where they feed the orangutans in order for tourists to photograph them).
Jan 25th, 2012, 05:53 PM
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From one of your other posts, I can see your kids are probably 11, 9 and 3-4?
If you want city, Singapore is fantastic. Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa Island...tons to keep kids entertained. Diverse and delicious food. Safe. Clean. Down side is that it is not at all cheap. But if your budget can accommodate it, great stop.
Singapore combines perfectly with Bali, another place that is great for kids. Lots to do and see.
The two would easily fill 10 days. We spend 5 days in Singapore and could have stayed another 5. 3 weeks in Bali was 3 weeks too short.
Thailand is also great. City, beach, elephants, art, food..something for everyone.
Perhaps sit your family down with some pictorial guidebooks and browse together and see what appeals. There is no right answer.
If you want city, Singapore is fantastic. Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa Island...tons to keep kids entertained. Diverse and delicious food. Safe. Clean. Down side is that it is not at all cheap. But if your budget can accommodate it, great stop.
Singapore combines perfectly with Bali, another place that is great for kids. Lots to do and see.
The two would easily fill 10 days. We spend 5 days in Singapore and could have stayed another 5. 3 weeks in Bali was 3 weeks too short.
Thailand is also great. City, beach, elephants, art, food..something for everyone.
Perhaps sit your family down with some pictorial guidebooks and browse together and see what appeals. There is no right answer.
Jan 25th, 2012, 09:55 PM
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Sorry for butting in, but much of this is very helpful to me as well. I have a bit more than a month for India, HK (very brief -- tho I would LOVE any advice on where to stay by the person who lives there -- as an older woman traveling alone) Thailand and ??? Bali (beach to rest up before heading home).
Does this sound doable? I'm thinking northern India for two weeks then two weeks for the rest? Of course I will only get a flavor, but I can't bear to take what may well be my only trip to Asia, and not at least see several places. Originally I wanted to go to KL, but have been talked out of it in favor of Thailand.
To the OP -- I suggest that you figure out what it is you want your children to get out of the trip. Ten days is very short.
Do you want it to be easy for the kids, or do you want them to experience a place where they have to/get to struggle with their nascent language skills?
Do you want just a lovely trip, or something that will possibly change your children's outlook permanently. (OK, I haven't been to Asia yet, but I sure wish I'd taken my kids there when they were young... right into the heart of India or Nepal for that matter...)
OTOH I've lived in France. Europe is lovely and different from the US, but in subtle ways. (Decide ahead how you're going to handle requests for McDonalds... I personally laid down all those rules, including "you gotta taste everything" before I even bought the plane tickets.) Lots of great culture (you could spend ten days at the Louvre or in the museums of Florence). BEWARE London has the Olympics tho! Southern Europe tho, as stated above, is HOT HOT HOT. I remember parts of Rome as a sizzling blur -- but I adored it... The Alps and the Riviera are wonderful but expensive.
And is the trip more for you, with kids along, for the kids, or a combination? You get the idea. Figuring out what you want to get out of it helps figure out where you want to go.
Best
IndiaNewbie12
Does this sound doable? I'm thinking northern India for two weeks then two weeks for the rest? Of course I will only get a flavor, but I can't bear to take what may well be my only trip to Asia, and not at least see several places. Originally I wanted to go to KL, but have been talked out of it in favor of Thailand.
To the OP -- I suggest that you figure out what it is you want your children to get out of the trip. Ten days is very short.
Do you want it to be easy for the kids, or do you want them to experience a place where they have to/get to struggle with their nascent language skills?
Do you want just a lovely trip, or something that will possibly change your children's outlook permanently. (OK, I haven't been to Asia yet, but I sure wish I'd taken my kids there when they were young... right into the heart of India or Nepal for that matter...)
OTOH I've lived in France. Europe is lovely and different from the US, but in subtle ways. (Decide ahead how you're going to handle requests for McDonalds... I personally laid down all those rules, including "you gotta taste everything" before I even bought the plane tickets.) Lots of great culture (you could spend ten days at the Louvre or in the museums of Florence). BEWARE London has the Olympics tho! Southern Europe tho, as stated above, is HOT HOT HOT. I remember parts of Rome as a sizzling blur -- but I adored it... The Alps and the Riviera are wonderful but expensive.
And is the trip more for you, with kids along, for the kids, or a combination? You get the idea. Figuring out what you want to get out of it helps figure out where you want to go.
Best
IndiaNewbie12
Jan 26th, 2012, 06:44 AM
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IndianNewbie, generally you get better answers if you start your own thread. But I'll put in my two cents worth: Less (stops) is more in Asia. So you will be in Hong Kong, India (how many places?) and want to finish with Thailand and Bali. I'd suggest you cut Bali and spend some time at a beach in Thailand instead. Thai beaches are nicer - you really do to Bali for the culture. That is still a lot of territory to cover in a month!
Jan 26th, 2012, 07:47 AM
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If your kids are young, go to Asia, we have been doing that. We prefer Asia over Europe for younger kids, nothing more exciting for them then to touch a baby lion/Tiger Kingdom, night safari, ride an elephant, visit Hong/Krabi unique caves/beaches in Thailand. In Malaysia, see fireflies, snorkeling with fishes in Langkawi Coral, monkeys close to Selangor, butterfly farm, great zoos, Cameron Highlands and not far from Singapore. Singapore is a safe bet.
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