thursdaysd

Option 1 would not be lovely. I live in NC, August is brutal. It will be hot, likely very hot, and very humid all the way.

Otion 3 is also likely to run into weather problems, plus there is the safety issue, check the Asia board.

Traveling in August is a problem, because of crowds and weather. I would go north - can you afford Scandinavia? Maybe the Baltics and Russia. Or up - Switzerland and Austria, maybe?

Katzgar

I would spend time working as a hired hand on a farm in central asia.

alex4

Thanks thursdaysd -- I agree that the issue is August. I lived in NYC for a number of years and you jogged my memory of how hot it can get in August.

You have a good idea with the baltics and Russia come to think of it. I will look into this.

thursdaysd

alex4 - lol. Glad to hear the memory fades with time, I'm thinking of moving somewhere I can be outside in the summer.

I would add Ukraine to the Russian idea, I really liked Lviv. September is maybe better for the Trans-Siberian, but you could consider it. For my trip across Russia see http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html - for Ukraine see 2006 on the same site and for a more recent Baltics trip click on my name.

Melnq8

<I also love New Zealand (both islands) -- but would rather not pack tonnes of bulky winter clothes.>

I was going to suggest NZ. We love NZ in the winter/spring months. You don't need tons of bulky clothes - it's not nearly as cold and Germany. Think layering and you'll be fine.

Melnq8

<I also love New Zealand (both islands) -- but would rather not pack tonnes of bulky winter clothes.>

I was going to suggest NZ. We love NZ in the winter/spring months. You don't need tons of bulky clothes - it's not nearly as cold and Germany. Think layering and you'll be fine.

Melnq8

Or Western Australia!

cathies

Or the east coast of Australia. With 5 weeks you are in the enviable situation of having lots of choices. Perth and the coast south of Perth is all lovely, as is Sydney, where I live.

Ella1511

I agree that Western Australia is best for you guys as there are so many places to visit both for sightseeing and adventure delights and it offers unique experience for its guests. There is an abundance of family friendly activities for you .beaches are the excellent example which make it ideal spot for enjoying your day. This place offers pristine beaches and amusement parks and lot of things to do. I am sure your children going to enjoy the attractions and sightseeing opportunities.

alex4

Thanks everyone. This has been massively helpful. We're down to two options now. The Baltic, Russian, Ukraine experience or western australia with or without New Zealand. I think given the age of the kids that we will head to the southern hemisphere. I personally would love to do the Russian trip, but I agree with my husband that the kids will get way more out of it when they understand a bit more about the history of the area. Also the Russian trip is more "on our doorstep" and we could always do that with a more normal 2 week holiday (or at least parts of it).

So I am now headed for more information in the australasia part of the fodors forum.

Thanks!!

Melnq8

Amusement parks in WA? I've lived in Perth almost five years and have yet to see an amusement park, other than the water park at Hillary's, which is pretty pathetic in the scheme of things.

Ella1511

I would like to add a list of amusement and theme park Check out list of fun theme parks below:Adventure World,The Maze,Wanneroo Botanical Gardens,Scitech and I a m sure there you find everything you need for a perfect, fun filled, family day out.

PeaceOut

South America?
South Africa?

You haven't mentioned if you would consider them.

suze

<is it a bit of a case of seen 3 islands, seen them all?>

Nooooo!! Even among just the Hawaiian islands they are very different from one to the next.

Sound like I'm too late to vote, but I was coming to enourage the islands of the Pacific trip.

Melnq8

Ella -

You and I obviously have different ideas of what an amusement park is. Regardless, WA is a great place to visit.

archmack

where you want to visit and why you're going. it depend on your interest, your kids interest...

alex4

Suze -- you're definately not too late to say your piece. We've been debating back and forth the pacific islands vs. Australia -- the world is simply such a beautiful place and there are too many options (!). I will take another look at the islands -- I know so little about them and much more about australia and NZ (having been there a few times).

PeaceOut -- As for S. Africa and S. America... S. Africa is on our timezone so could theoretically be done in our normal holiday allocation (2 weeks trip). Also we'd like to wait until the kids are bit older to do safari's where there's no chance they become the dinner of our sightseeing (only joking but I think they would enjoy it more later). Now S. America is another question. This is a continent I would love to see. My husband sadly has little interest here. I suspect I will take the kids later on a trip without him (!). Personally I would like to master Spanish or potentially portuguese before going as I would rather do more of the beaten track stuff and I guess Spanish would be very helpful?

thursdaysd

Spanish would be helpful, although I managed without. Google translate helped out a couple of times. Take a look at my TR - the scenery was fantastic, but I wasn't so impressed by the cities.

archmack

disny world is now one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. You can spend hours and hours of fun with your family and friends, Book yourself... hotel near walt disney world

suze

I'm crazy for Hawaii (i live in Seattle) but it's an awful long way from Germany!