Hi everyone,

As part of a four-month world trip with our kids (ages 6, 12, and 13), we’ll be spending four weeks in Indonesia. Choosing destinations is so tough because everything is just so appealing! We’ll be spending some time on Java and will likely make a "quick trip" to Borneo for the orangutan reserve. We also want to experience Bali’s culture and the small islands of the Lesser Sundas, with their incredible marine life... but which ones should we prioritize? For a few days of diving and relaxation, do you think we should go for Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands, or Moyo Island? Is Sumbawa complicated to explore? Is it worth taking the time to visit? Can it be crossed by car to then reach Komodo National Park? Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to avoid overly touristy spots (but not places that feel too unsafe with the kids), to discover local culture and villages, and to be amazed both underwater and above. Thanks so much for your help!

Hi there. About a month ago, I posted a potential itinerary for Bulgaria and Istanbul, but in the end, since we found some relatively cheap flight tickets to Istanbul, we decided to go for a trip to Turkey instead.

When? 2 weeks, late August (14th to 29th) Who? Dad, mom, a 17-year-old teen, and an 11-year-old child

Here’s our plan: do you think it’s doable? Any practical tips?

We start with 4 full days in Istanbul (5 nights) Then, we rent a car and head to Ephesus. We stay there for 1 day (2 nights) After that, we drive to Kaş. We stay there for 4 full days (5 nights), enough time to relax a bit, see Kaputaş Beach and Kekova, the site of Myra, the site of Patara, and possibly the site of Çıralı/Olympos—even though it’s a bit far—and Saklıkent Gorge. From Kaş, we spend 2 nights near Denizli to see Pamukkale and Aphrodisias. Is it possible to visit both sites in the same day? Then, we travel from Pamukkale back to Istanbul, return the car, and spend one last night in Istanbul.

Thanks for your thoughts!

hi, I have two kids aged 12 and 7, and we’d love to visit Costa Rica, especially to explore the national parks and see the wildlife. I was thinking of going during the spring break in 2025. All-inclusive trips are *super* expensive, so I was wondering if it’s doable to plan this independently, even though I don’t drive. Has anyone had experience with this kind of trip? Does it seem realistic to get around using local transport? And what about safety? I’ve traveled alone with my kids before, but only in European countries close to France. Thanks so much for your insights! !

Hi dear Voyage Forum community,

So glad this precious forum still exists!

I’d love some advice on choosing a Christmas destination for a trip with my partner and our two kids, aged 10 and 12.

We’re looking for a place where we can enjoy great, easy snorkeling with the kids—ideally from the beach or in shallow water.

And if possible, a beautiful spot to explore, with nature, hikes, and a more laid-back, backpacker-friendly vibe than big resorts or mass tourism.

A "reasonable" flight time and not too much jet lag would be ideal!

I’ve been considering Mauritius, Zanzibar (plus possibly Tanzania), Martinique, or Guadeloupe—but maybe you have other suggestions or thoughts on these options?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Greece this summer with my 3-year-old son. I recently separated, and we were originally supposed to go on a road trip to Brazil, so I’m now forced to find a Plan B. I’m usually a backpacker who travels with just my backpack, but with my son, I’ll have to opt for all-inclusive hotel packages. I don’t feel ready yet to go backpacking alone with him at the other end of the world. When he’s 5, it’ll be easier :)

Anyway, with so many options for Greece, I’m a bit overwhelmed. There are so many islands and resorts. Do you have an island to recommend? And more specifically, a hotel?

We’re looking at the first two weeks of August.

Thanks for your help!

Thomas

Hi there,

I’m planning a trip to Indonesia between June and August 2025. I’ll be traveling solo with my two daughters, ages 9 and 13, for 7 weeks, and then solo without them for another 3 weeks.

This trip has a special meaning for me—I’ve got a break between my soon-to-be former job and launching my business. It’s my first big solo trip outside Europe with just my girls, and I’m heading to Indonesia because I’ve dreamed of discovering Bali since I was 12 (though I’m *terrified* of mass tourism!). Also, five years ago, I decided to limit myself to one flight every 10 years—this is my "big 40" trip, and it’s really important to me. I’ll probably never return to Indonesia after this.

Beyond that, I’d love to immerse myself in Balinese culture. For the rest of the trip, I’m especially drawn to nature and its grandeur. Basically, outside of Bali, I’d love to see breathtaking natural landscapes that are totally different from what I can find in Europe. I’d also love to spot some endemic wildlife (which my girls would find exciting too!). And if I can squeeze in a few "chill" days to just relax or go snorkeling in a nice, quiet spot, I’m all for it.

I’d love your advice, especially since I’d like to start in Bali (we’re arriving around June 20th—I’m hoping to avoid the peak tourist crowds from the Northern Hemisphere summer break).

Thanks!

Hi there,

I’m planning my first trip to Asia next summer with my partner and our daughter, who’ll be 3 and a half at the time, for 4 weeks (maybe 5).

I’ve heard that the timing is better for visiting Indonesia, but I’m hesitant because Thailand seems more accessible, and I’m worried that traveling to Indonesia during high season might be less enjoyable and a lot more expensive due to the number of tourists. We love cultural sites as much as natural ones, and we’re big foodies. We’re not necessarily looking for luxury and tend to take our time, travel by public transport, and look for accommodations with a good value for money—though we do occasionally splurge on a high-end restaurant.

I’m also wondering when and where to buy flight tickets and how comfortable the journey will be (especially for our daughter) if we fly with Thai Airways or Garuda.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and tips!

Damien

Hi everyone (hope the forum becomes as active as it used to be),

We’re a group of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids aged 8–10) planning a trip to Indonesia. We’d like to visit (order doesn’t matter):

On Java: - Yogyakarta - Borobudur - Kawah Ijen

- Bali

- Lombok + the Gili Islands

But we’re wondering whether to fly in and out of Denpasar or take a flight to Jakarta and then leave from Denpasar. Unfortunately, we haven’t found any good flight options to Yogyakarta.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I’ve spent two solid months reading the Lonely Planet and pretty much every post about Thailand here, plus French and English blogs. Now I’d love to get your expert opinions on our itinerary. We’re heading off in August 2025 with our 7-year-old daughter. We only have a maximum of three weeks off, and I’m keeping an eye on flight prices before booking (1400 € per person really stings 😕). So here’s what I’ve planned—let me know if you spot any major issues or if I’ve been way too "optimistic."

D1 - Arrival in Bangkok / rest, quick visit, overnight stay D2 - More temple visits, etc. D3 - Morning flight to Chiang Mai D4 - More Chiang Mai sightseeing D5 - Day trip to Chiang Rai (guided tour to book: blue and white temple), return to Chiang Mai late in the evening D6 - More Chiang Mai visits / Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon D7 - Morning flight to Koh Samui, sightseeing D8 to D10 - More Koh Samui visits D11 to D13 - Ferry to Koh Phangan D14 to D15 - Ferry to Koh Tao D16 - Return to Koh Samui, then flight to Bangkok D17 - Day trip to Ayutthaya, return to Bangkok in the evening D18 - Flight back to France :(

I know a lot of you recommend heading straight to Chiang Mai to recover from the international flight, but my partner and I NEVER sleep on planes (personally, I’ve been flying to Taiwan since I was little and have never slept more than an hour on a 14-hour flight...), so it’s essential for us to rest upon arrival . That’s also why I opted for domestic flights instead of the sleeper train—I know we’d lose over 10 hours and wouldn’t be able to rest properly in those conditions. And I’m sure you’ll also say BKK > North > South is too much for three weeks, but I really want to see as much as possible. Given how much the flights will cost, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to come back 🏴‍☠️.

So, questions: 1. Since we’ll only be in Bangkok for a maximum of two nights and need to easily reach the airport with luggage (and a child), which neighborhood should we prioritize? We’d love to experience the evening vibe of Asian night markets, ideally within walking distance of the hotel or just a few metro stops away. I’ve looked at Chinatown, but the BTS seems far... Should we go for somewhere near BTS Saphan Taksin or BTS Krungthonburi? But is the area lively in the evening with food courts, etc.? We’d also like to treat ourselves to a hotel with a pool.

2. Have we planned too many days in the south? Should I skip Koh Tao and just do Koh Samui + Koh Phangan? My partner and daughter aren’t strong swimmers, so we’re looking for beautiful beaches without too much current. Crowded beaches don’t bother us—we just want stunning turquoise waters without killer waves . Going all the way to Koh Tao and then back to Koh Samui to catch the flight to Bangkok seems too stressful. Is it still possible these days (I haven’t seen any recent posts on this) to head to Koh Samui in August and decide on the spot how many nights to spend in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao based on how we feel, booking hotels as we go? Or is that too risky?

If you have any better suggestions for fitting all this in while reducing internal flights, I’m all ears for your great tips

Hi everyone. A few days ago, I asked my 14-year-old son to pick a destination for a trip, and he chose Germany. So, we’re heading to Berlin for four days in February. The catch is that I don’t know this city (or this country) at all—I hadn’t even considered visiting just a month ago . Could you please share some suggestions to make this first mother-son trip abroad a success? 🙂 Thanks for your tips and great deals. Nanyne

Hello,

I’ve been dreaming about the Silk Road for a long time and hope to visit Uzbekistan next year with my husband and son (11 years old). Late April to early May.

I’m planning a very classic itinerary: Tashkent - Samarkand - Bukhara - Khiva - Tashkent.

I checked the Uzbekistan Railways website, but it seems you can only book tickets three months in advance?

Otherwise, I’ve seen some people in other discussions suggest booking through Uzrailway. Are these the apps below? Are they reliable?

I really don’t want to go through a travel agency—I’d prefer to organize everything myself—and it seems the only hurdle is booking the trains. I was thinking of taking the train from Tashkent to Samarkand, then to Bukhara, and finally to Khiva, before flying back from Urgench to Tashkent with Uzbekistan Airways (is that a bad idea?🤪). What do you think?

Since we’re traveling with a child, I’d rather book and organize everything in advance to avoid any potential hassles. I tend to plan my trips much more now than I used to😏.

Would you have any great accommodation recommendations (not luxury, but not a youth hostel either)? We prefer places with charm, friendly owners, and a nice setting...

Also, I speak several languages but not Uzbek or Russian🤪... Is English widely spoken these days?

Thanks everyone 🙂

Hi everyone, We’re planning to visit a small part of Indonesia in October 2026 with our kids (8 years old). Ideally, do you think it’s possible to visit Kinabatangan (3 days), Yogyakarta or Borobudur, and finish with some beginner snorkeling on the Gili Islands in 2 weeks? Thanks for your valuable feedback! 😊

Hi everyone,

We’re a family with two kids who’ll be 3½ and 6½ years old at the time of the trip. We live in the city, and the little ones aren’t big hikers in nature, but they’re pretty cool with transportation. Travel month: May 2026 for 3 weeks (round trip) What we’re looking for: a relaxed trip combining nature, culture, beautiful beaches with snorkeling, and sunshine! We want to take our time with the kids and avoid driving 6 hours every couple of days. We’ve traveled as a couple before but not much with the kids (in Europe, by car).

Choices: I ruled out Mexico for various reasons. I’d also dismissed Indonesia because it seemed more tiring with kids in terms of transportation, but it’s back in my top 2 now! 😊 I also crossed off Sri Lanka because of the monsoon on the west coast in May. So, I’m left with Malaysia (KL-Malacca-Selangor-Borneo Sabah-Perhentian Islands area) or Java (Yogyakarta-Bromo-Karimunjawa Islands)... This list isn’t exhaustive—just some rough ideas.

Budget-wise, we’d like to stay in small hotels with pools for under 100 € in cities, but no need for a pool at the beach. Thanks in advance for your tips! Hélène

Hi there, I’m planning a family road trip (with young kids) next August in Montenegro, Bosnia, and Dubrovnik. Not sure if it’s doable to combine all three in 16/17 nights. Here’s my first draft itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Dubrovnik. Head to Mostar (Blagaj village, Kravica waterfalls, Počitelj) in Bosnia. 3 nights. 2h35 drive Day 4: Head to Sarajevo (city), stopping by Jablanica Lake for 2 nights. 2h00 drive. Unsure if we should go all the way to the capital. Day 6: Head to Durmitor National Park (Zabljak) for 3 nights (hike, Durmitor Ring, Tara Canyon, Black Lake). 4h00 drive (anything worth seeing along the way?) Day 9: Head to the Bay of Kotor (between Kotor and Budva) for 4 nights. 3h00 drive. Day 13: Morning departure for Mljet Island (Croatia) for 3 nights. 5h00 drive (via Trebinje in Bosnia). Day 16: Head back to Dubrovnik (city + Lokrum Island) for 1/2 nights. Day 17/18: Return flight

What do you think?

Hi, We're traveling as a family with 2 kids (7 and 15 years old) in July 2025 for a road trip in South Africa. We have a round-trip ticket from Paris to Johannesburg and are considering taking 2 domestic flights: one between Johannesburg and Cape Town and another between Cape Town and Durban. Do you know when it's best to book the tickets to get the best fares and which airline to choose? I'm currently finding tickets on Safair for 300 € for 4 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. What do you think? Also, I have a slight hesitation. We're going for 18 days. Do you think it's better to focus on the northern part of the country, including Kruger, or is it worth visiting the Cape region as well (the kids dream of seeing whales!)? Thanks so much for your advice. I’d really appreciate it! Have a great evening, Sophie

Hello everyone,

So, summer 2025 is when I turn 40, and to mark the occasion, I had the idea of doing a road trip through Northern Spain. Since I’ll be traveling with my two kids (9 and 6½ years old), I’m tied to school holidays, but I’m hoping the northern regions of Spain are a little less crowded than the Costa Brava.

We’d leave from Lyon to reach the Atlantic coast, head down to the Basque Country, cross the Spanish border, and then visit: Cantabria - Asturias - Galicia. It’s not exactly around the corner—I’ve seen that it’s about 1,500 km (one way) from Lyon to Galicia. But for this adventure, I’ve got 3 to 3½ weeks. The twist would be doing it in an electric car, stopping for 2-3 days here and there before moving on (alternating between wild camping and hotels). Why electric? Because it’s my company car, and my employer covers the charging and toll costs. Over 3 weeks of vacation, that adds up to big savings.

Question: Do you think this plan is doable? Aside from the charging stops, does the route seem too ambitious for 3 weeks with two kids? And in July/August, are these regions not too packed?

Thanks for your feedback and experiences!

Hi there,

We’re a family of five (our kids are 6, 15, and 19) and we’d love to go somewhere warm with our feet in the water during the first two weeks of August 2026. We’d also like to do some cultural visits and a bit of hiking. We were thinking of Guadeloupe—I know it’s not the ideal time of year, but we don’t have much flexibility. Is it really a bad idea, or can we still enjoy it despite the weather?

Another option for us would be Madeira, which seems more reliable weather-wise, but it sounds like the beaches are less accessible and not as nice.

We haven’t really looked elsewhere because everything else (except the Canary Islands, Balearics, or Corsica) seems way too expensive. But if you’ve got any recommendations, don’t hesitate—we’re just starting to look into it.

Thanks so much,

Pierre

We’re planning a 4-month trip in spring 2027. We’re looking for a third destination that optimizes transport costs. Ideally, somewhere very different from the other two (Polynesia and Indonesia). Thanks

Hi there, we’re heading to Tuscany in the second half of August with two kids (8 and 6 years old). We’ve zeroed in on the area around Siena and Florence for now. I’m looking for recommendations on places to stay and things to see that are great for families. Also, just to add, we’ll be traveling by train and plan to rent a car once we’re there—any tips on car rental companies?

Thanks!

Hi there, We’re planning a solid six-week trip (July/August) to Sulawesi with our two kids, aged 5 and 7. I’ve been browsing various forums and have a lot of questions:

Can we "improvise"? We love traveling without planning every step, going with the flow based on fatigue, encounters, and discoveries. So, can we book NO accommodations in advance (except maybe our arrival in Makassar)? On the Togian Islands—is that possible? Same question—can we "improvise" local transport like buses, taxis, or scooter rentals, and book flight tickets (e.g., Makassar-Luwuk) or ferry tickets just a few days ahead? Is it safe enough to travel by scooter for day trips with the kids? Do they generally have child-sized helmets available? We’re struggling to map out an itinerary. Our priorities are hiking (trekking) in the Mamasa Valley and Toraja region, and seeing at least one volcano. Then, of course, we’d love to enjoy the water—easy snorkeling. The Togian Islands look dreamy, but are they the best for "easy" snorkeling (from the beach) with young kids? The journey there is long, too. The Banggai Islands look amazing—could they be a good alternative to the Togian Islands (where finding accommodation might be trickier)? Any feedback?

Other questions: My oldest is crazy about crystals and geology. Has anyone explored the karst region north of Makassar? I also just learned there’s a volcano in the Togian Islands—Una Una (Colo Volcano). Any feedback on that?

Thanks so much for your insights!

Hi there,

We’re planning to set off in September 2028 for a 10-month road trip. You might say we’ve got plenty of time, but all this takes some organizing! We have two kids, currently 4 and 6½ years old, and we’d like to explore South America (excluding Colombia, where security seems tricky these days) in a fitted-out van.

A few questions: - What itinerary would you recommend? - For the kids’ education, what’s your experience with CNED like? - And for the vehicle: is it better to buy locally or ship a fitted-out van from mainland France? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experiences on this!

Hi there, I’m planning a 3-week trip to Greece in July with my two daughters, aged 10 and 13. After looking into it, I’m thinking of spending about ten days on the mainland and another ten in the Cyclades. I’d like to avoid tourist traps but still hit a few must-see spots. Could you share your best tips for renting a car on the mainland and what the budget might look like? I’m all ears for any great tips (accommodation, activities with my girls, areas to avoid). What’s a rough estimate for the total budget, all-inclusive? Just to give you an idea, we’re experienced travelers who’ve already done a round-the-world trip. We’re pretty adventurous, even though it’s a vacation—though we won’t be staying in no-frills hostels either! Thanks! :)

Hello,

We’d like to travel to Oman in September for about two weeks. Our baby will be one year old then, and I’m wondering if the heat might still be too stifling at that time of year. What do you think?

Do you know if it’s easy to find baby food jars and diapers there?

We’re open to any feedback in general about a road trip with a little one if some of you have done it 😊

On another note, I see that a lot of sites recommend a 4x4. Do you think it’s really a must? I’m worried it’ll blow our budget… If you have a car rental company to recommend, we’d love to hear about it!

Thanks so much, and have a great day! ☀️☀️

hi, I’m heading to Guadeloupe in December for 12 days with my family—teenager, younger child, and my wife. I’m looking for folks who can help me plan this trip. I already have accommodation in the hills of Saint-François. Still need to map out daily outings and budget for meals. Thanks in advance!

Hi there, We’re planning a two-week trip to Colombia with our two kids at the end of July – early August, with a round-trip flight to Cartagena. What itinerary would you recommend, knowing we’d prefer to avoid domestic flights? We were thinking of Cartagena, Tayrona Park, Mompox, and maybe an island. Do you think it’s a shame to skip big cities like Bogotá or Medellín? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Hi,

We’re looking at heading to South Africa this summer (early July) with our two kids (6 & 10 years old). Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary so far. What do you think? Is it better to skip Addo? (We can’t add any more days...). If so, should we spend more time on certain stops or add something else? (Cederberg?) Thanks in advance, Bruno

D1 Arrival at 10 AM, rest in Cape Town D2 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D3 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula D4 Bonteboks National Park; overnight in Heidelberg D5 Botlierskop Game Drive; overnight near Mossel Bay D6 Garden Route; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D7 Bird of Eden and Robberg Nature Reserve; overnight in Plettenberg Bay D8 Tsitsikamma; overnight in Addo D9 Addo D10 Ostrich farm; overnight in Oudtshoorn D11 Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and caves; overnight in Oudtshoorn D12 Garden Route Game Lodge; overnight in Albertinia D13 De Hoop; overnight in De Hoop D14 Hermanus; overnight in Hermanus D15 Betty’s Bay and return to Cape Town D16 Cape Town; departure at 5 PM

Hi there, we're planning a 3-week trip to Indonesia in October 2026 with our kids, who’ll be 5 and a half and 3 and a half years old. We’re thinking of visiting Komodo—maybe on a cruise—Sulawesi, and Raja Ampat. We were wondering if it’s doable with young kids? Are they welcome on boats? In homestays? We’re not the type to shy away from traveling with our kids, but since it *is* pretty far off the beaten path, we’ve got some questions. Thanks in advance for your feedback! !

Hello everyone, We’ve decided to head to Quebec next year—it’s been a dream for the whole family (after watching so many travel shows and the like...). There’ll be five of us: 2 adults, 2 teens (16 and 13), and a child (8 years old). We’re all pretty good walkers, though maybe the teens a little less so—it’s just that age, you know? 😊 That said, they’ve got no problem doing 15 km hikes, just not every single day.

We’re planning to go from July 23 to August 14, arriving and departing from Montreal, so almost 3 weeks. I’ve started looking into logistics and accommodation prices, but before I dive into bookings, I’d love some advice on the itinerary. I’ve read a few threads here and there. Our idea is to visit between 3 and 5 different places over the 3 weeks, so that means the same number of accommodations. The goal is to optimize travel as much as possible—I’ve realized that getting around can take a long time. I think the first two days will be in Montreal to adjust to the time difference, and the last two in Quebec City, though that’s not set in stone.

Anyway, I’m not really sure about the route. I’ve got time to plan everything, but I know the longer we wait, the more expensive and scarce accommodations will get. Same goes for budget—we’ve set aside a mid-range budget, flights included: 3k per person (1k for the flight). So if you’ve got any great tips or advice, we’re all ears!

I was thinking of going up the St. Lawrence River, but I’m not sure how long that takes or where to stop. Maybe there are other places worth visiting farther away...

Anyway, thanks for reading this far! If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate.

Thanks, everyone.

Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Florida during Belgium’s Carnival break, from February 14 to March 1, 2025. I’d love your help putting together our itinerary and getting ideas for family-friendly places to stay 😊 We’ll likely book a multi-destination flight, arriving in Miami and departing from Orlando. Here’s what we’d really love to do: - Visit beaches like Sanibel Island—we’re huge shell collectors 🐚 - See alligators in the Everglades and take a tour there - Spend some downtime in the Keys to relax a bit - Head to the Kennedy Space Center since my son is obsessed with astronauts and rockets - Maybe hit one of Orlando’s theme parks (we were leaning toward Universal, but the prices are just outrageous 😬) - Explore some cool spots in Miami.

We’d also prefer not to switch hotels too often—maybe at least two nights in each place? And no more than a 3-hour drive between stops.

Here’s our rough plan so far: Day 1–3: Miami Day 3–5: Keys Day 5–7: Everglades, Naples, and Sanibel Island Day 7–11: ??? Day 11–14: Orlando and Kennedy Space Center

As you can see, I’m not sure whether to add more days to the places we’re already visiting or if we should swing by Clearwater or somewhere else? Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations!

Hi everyone, I’m planning to go away at the end of May for a short 5-day trip, not too far away! I currently live near Montpellier and have two kids (ages 2 and 7). The idea is to have a relaxing, low-stress vacation that’s easy to manage with young children (I’m especially thinking of my 2-year-old—cities like Florence, which I’d love to visit, are probably too tiring for his age). I was thinking of Majorca (which I don’t know at all) or Crete, for example, which I visited a long time ago (ideal: good food, ruins to explore, beautiful villages, etc.). But it could also be Malta or somewhere else... It’s true that before having kids, I had more time (and budget) and traveled farther, so I’m not very familiar with the Mediterranean—my mistake!

My question is pretty vague, but what would you recommend for a 5-day trip at the end of May? Since the sea will still be a bit cold (swimming might be tough!), preferably by the coast, with a family-friendly hotel and kid-friendly areas?

Thanks in advance to everyone! :)