Nous pensons partir 3 semaines début octobre, plutôt en mode routard sac à dos avec notre petit loustic de deux ans.Nous avond déjà voyagé de la même façon avec lui en Malaisie et en Equateur mais je souhaitarais avoir des infos pratiques générales sur ce pays et sur les itinéraires à eviter ou au contraire à privilégier.Merci de me faire partager votre expérience!
Je vois que personne ne réponds. Pour ma part, je ne vois qu'une seule chose à dire, les trottoirs inexistants ou totalement défoncés.... le petit loustic sera mieux dans un sac à dos que dans un buggie. Mais cette recommendation n'est pas propre à la Birmanie.
Bonne préparation
Véro
Avec un bebe, je te conseille de rester sur les sentiers touristiques ou tu pourras trouver le confort necessaire. Ce pays est magnifiaue, mais il manque de beaucoup de moyens et tu dois emmener avec toi tous les medicaments aue tu peux juger utiles car tu n en trouveras pas sur place, du moins pas facilemement.
Les incontournables sont le lac inle et bagan, tu trouveras des hotels tres confortables, decris dans le guide du routard que je te recommande. D ailleurs, tu trouveras toutes les infos dedans.
A savoir qu avec un bebe je te recommande de voyager en avion, avec air bagan ou air mandalay. Les vols sont pas chers du tout (bagan-lac inle pour 58 $)
Nous realisons un voyage de 2ans avec nos trois enfants, Lea lou qui avait 12ans
au depart en juillet 2005, Viktor 5ans et Ruben 5 mois.
Nous sommes a notre 15 ieme mois de voyage et 7 pays traverses, nous sommes actuellement
en Inde pour 5 mois encore. Ruben marche aujourd hui et Viktor sait lire et ecrire, il parle
un peu l anglais aussi. Jamais 1 seul probleme de sante malgre les conditions parfois
difficiles...
Nous voyageons principalement en utilisant le bus, le train, le bateau, la pirogue, la charette,
a pied...et l Avion pour traverser les oceans ou lorsque c est obligatoire comme au Myanmar.
Nous avons commence par Madagascar, 7mois, Moheli (petite ile des comores), puis la Thailande, 2mois, le Cambodge, 1 mois, le Laos, 2 mois, puis la Birmanie 1 mois, et nous sommes en Inde depuis plus d un mois.
Pour le Myanmar, pas de probleme avec les enfants. La population est une des plus gentille
accueillante, souriante, de la planete. Il est vrai qu il peut etre difficile de voyager en train,
tres inconfortable meme, Idem en bus. Il faut savoir qu en tant qu etranger, tout n est pas possible non plus. Il existe des comptoirs prevus pour les Touristes.
Pourquoi ne pas louer un voiture avec chauffeur, ce n est pa si cher, et beaucoup plus
confortable : plus le trajet est long, moins c est cher.
On s arrete quand on veut pour admirer le paysage, voir les gens, discuter, faire un detour par une petite route, s arreter dans un petit village...
Voyager en avion ou en train ne permet pas de percevoir la diversite du paysage de ce magnifique pays.
Les sites commes Bagan, Mandalay, le Lac Inle sont magnifiques mais ils sont touristiques...
Meme si le tourisme n a pas l importance d autres pays. A Bagan et Inle il y a
beaucoup de monde concentre sur les sites. Tout le monde va au memes endroits...ceux decrits
dans les guides ou tout s est organise, a force pour recevoir le tourisme...Boutiques, restos...
Le Myanmar est a decouvrir par d autres routes a notre avis, meme s il est incontournable
de voir Bagan et Inle !
Votre enfant a 2ans marche certainement. Est-ce un gros bebe ? personnellement je porte
mon fils de 18 mois dans un porte bebe customise par mes soins> J ai porte mon premier
fils en Afrique dans le meme porte BB. C est tres pratique vous etes libre de vos mouvements,
mais attention votre dos est occupe.. pas de sac a dos mais un sac avec poignee ou
un sac ventral pour porter vos propres affaires.
Cote sante en effet, pas d hopital, il vous faut une assurance rapatriement en cas de gros pepin.
emportez du paracetamol en sirop pour bebe, de l arnica en cas de chute ou de bosse,
des pansements, un desinfectant et un produit pour le laver.
Porte-il des couches ? vous en trouverez dans toutes les villes touristiques, a la Yangoon
Bagan, Inle, Mandalay, Tanggoo.
Cote nourriture on mange des curry epices, mais dans les sites touristiques vous trouverez
des resto pour touristes. On mange "local" pour presque rien ! c est delicieux.
Attention plus difficile de trouver des petits pots et des lingettes pour nettoyer les fesses...
Je dois vous dire que nos enfants mangent de tout et nous n avons jamais mange
dans un endroit pour touriste, de plus notre budget etant rikiki nous ne pouvions pas !
En Inde c est encore pire cote piment !
Vous pouvez trouver a vous loger partout pour environ 10 $ de facon tres correcte, il
faut negocier. A moins de 10$ ce peut etre plus rudimentaire, question d habitude...
Vous serez - partout - accueilli avec bonheur avec votre BB, vous verrez et on s occupera
de lui pour vous...
Nous avons dormi pour presque rien dans des temples, des monasteres et meme chez
l habitant meme si c est strictement interdit pour eux de recevoir des etrangers sans agreement
du gouvernement... Cote hotel notre budget etait de 15 $ pour nous 5. et nous avons toujours
reussis a trouver, mais pas soubent dans luxe. Nous avons chope des poux, faites attention aux
draps et literies, regardez bien...
Les Birmans sont extraordinairement gentils !!!!
Tout le monde parle Anglais, les taxis (attention faut negocier dur les prix), les restos,
dans les villages (pas partout).
Si vous avez des question precises n hesitez pas.
Nous sommes actuellement a Madras, notre camp de base ou nous louons un appar et vivons
tout compris (nourriture, transport, loyer, charges etc...) pour 700 euros par mois (pour Info)
Nous partons pour Varanasi et la frontiere Birmane la semaine prochaine, alors ne tardez
pas pour les questions...
Je lis vos interventions depuis un moment et je me décide à vous écrire. Nous prevoyons de faire un voyage d'un mois avec notre petit loutic au mois de novembre 2007. L'année dernière nous sommes allés en Thailande. Il avait 8 mois et nous connaissions la thailande donc nous savions que c'était facile (transport, medecins..). Nous n'avons pas trop bougé, nous ommes allés à Koh Samet (horreur bcp trop touristique) par contre nous avons adoré Bang Saphang( petite station très peu touristique avec jolis villages de pecheurs), et puis nous sommes allés à KOh Pan Gan. Nous logions dans des petits bungalow (1 chambre, 1 douche froide).
Cette année on pense que ça sera plus facile, il marche, comprends pas mal de chose (l'année dernière il était à 2 doigts de marcher et rampait partout!). Pour notre voyage, on hésite entre le Kerala on a eu une pensée pour la Birmanie mais pour des raisons de palu, nous avons un peu laissé de coté cette destination.
Si vous avez un moment pour nous donner vos impressions, des idées, je sais que vous avez logé un mois à Madras dans un appart; comment vous l'avez trouvé? combien coute environ une voiture avec chauffeur? les transport sont ils si catastrophiques que ça? avion, bus, train?
Nous aimons beaucoup le concept sac à dos, on a pas besoin de beaucoup de confort mais on est pas non plus des "hippies routards" qui laissent leurs gamins marcher pieds nus! (désolé pour le cliché!) Que pensez vous des conditions sanitaires? Est ce que vous qu'on peut avoir un voyage reposant malgré tout en Inde?
Bon, au plaisir de vous lire si vous avez le temps, et encore beaucoup de beaux voyages!
Nous avons habité 6 mois à Chennai (Madras) mais par tranches de 10 à 15 jours, car le reste du temps nous visitions le pays...
Pour trouver un appart, nous avons simplement fait les petites annonces d'un journal gratuit local, à la rubrique location immobilière. Nous avons passé beaucoup de coups de fils et visité quelques apparts avant de trouver.
Pas facile de trouver un appart pour six mois, car comme en France les propriétaires préfères louer sur du long terme...
Pas facile d'éviter les "Brockers" spécialistes de l'arnaque (intermédiaires - agences immobilières)...
Nous cherchions un logement "normal" et nos interlocuteurs nous proposaient systématiquement des apparts "aménagés" pour les étrangers, les expatriés... nous avons trouvé un appart meublé avec 2 grandes chambres, comme nous voulions (deux jours à nettoyer la crasse...), dans un quartier calme et ombragé, sous quelques cocotiers avec plusieurs terrasses (il fait très très très chaud à Chennai...) pour 150 euros par mois tout compris (sauf la bouteille de gaz et l'électricité). Chennai n'est pas une ville vraiment touristique, c'est une ville énorme de près de 12 millions d'habitants, polluée et surpeuplées, il faut des mois pour en découvrir les secrets... Rien à voir avec Varanasi (Bénares) ou d'autres villes connues... Nous avons adoré cette ville, les plages sont malheureusement si affreusement sales et incroyablement polluées...
Non les transports en Inde ne sont pas si difficiles, surtout le train "plutôt" confortable, très peu cher, mais relativement lent ! Il faut simplement bien faire attention à vos affaires. Les distances sont énormes en Inde... le bus est souvent bondé et lent, les bus de nuits avec couchettes ne sont pas toujours super propres, et souvent en mauvais état... mais c'est si peu cher... Notre budget ne nous permettait pas toujours de choisir, nous n'en sommes pas morts pour autant !
Il existe plusieurs compagnies aériennes "low-cost" qui proposent des vols vraiment intéressants, mais ne comptez pas sur la ponctualité des avions.... Pour les très grandes distances c'est une solution intéressante financièrement (King Fischer, Air Duccan...) pour gagner du temps.
Une voiture avec chauffeur coûte entre 18 et 25 dollars par jour tout compris suivant le type de véhicule que vous prenez (Ambassador, petite TATA avec ou sans CLIM, 4x4...) et suivant votre capacité de négociation, car tout se négocie... Vous avez le choix de passer par des agences ou directement avec les chauffeurs qui stationnent sur les grandes places...
Nous ne sommes ni des "hippies" ni des "routards", seulement des voyageurs... Mais que vous dire sur les aspects sanitaires en Inde... C'est difficile à dire... La crasse, les immondices, la puanteur des égouts et une misère indicible se conjuguent avec les parfums des innombrables fleurs réservées aux temples, à celle des épices sur les étals, à la beauté des gens, avec les couleurs chatoyantes des Saris... l'Inde est un pays pollué, sale, irritant, surpeuplé, insupportable, extraordinaire, et magnifique. Les hôpitaux fournissent de très bons services, mais il faut se trouver dans les grandes villes (en Inde les grandes villes sont IMMENSES).
Nos enfants ne sont jamais tombé malade en Inde durant ces 6 mois, en dehors d'une gastro contractée après avoir nagé dans les mangroves (Back waters) de Calicut (et bu la tasse), et une autre après voir nagé dans les mangroves du Kerala... Pourtant nous vivions dans des conditions plutôt simples et partagions le repas de nos hôtes Indiens. Ce que je vous annonce là ne représente pas une généralité sachant que nous avions voyagé durant 14 mois dans les pires conditions avant de séjourner en Inde, nos organismes étaient donc préparés, habitués et nos défenses immunitaires rodées...
Ruben était bébé, il était allaité mais il mangeait aussi à table comme nous (souvent végétarien car les Indiens sont principalement végétariens).
Faire un voyage reposant en Inde
Je ne sais pas si nous sommes les bonnes personnes pour répondre à cette question sachant que nous ne cherchons en rien à faire des voyages "reposants"... Nous marchons énormément, nous voyageons principalement dans les endroits que les guides présentent comme "sans intérêt", nous ne cherchons en aucun cas le confort, mais plutôt les rencontres... Nous cherchons à partager le quotidien des gens, et donc leurs conditions de vie... Nous montons nous même nos expéditions, nos treks et voyageons principalement en "hors piste" et sans itinéraire pré-déterminé... Pas souvent reposant, du coup... Mais souvent génial... il faut aimer ça...
Mais, si vous allez dans le Kerala, faites une croisière sur les back waters en louant un house boat, c'est très très beau et vraiment reposant...
Le Rajasthan est également très touristique, et aussi très reposant, et surtout très beau. Nous n'avons pas trop aimé, mais cela n'enlève
rien à la beauté des paysages, des villes et surtout à la gentillesse des Rajasthanis, c'est une question de point de vue et d'attentes... Mais nous
avons trouvé notre séjour dans le Rajasthan reposant (justement) et ce n'est pas ce que nous cherchions... Notre fils Viktor nous a dit :
"On dirait qu'on est en vacances" lorsque nous étions dans le Rajasthan... Nous avons donc filé vers le Gujarat...
Nous avons tout de même réalisé une semaine dans le désert du Thar en autonomie, à dos de dromadaire et à pied, en dormant dans les dunes de sable (50° à midi et 2° la nuit !!!) un souvenir à jamais gravé dans nos mémoires...
Nous avons ADORé le Gujarat, mais là... rien de reposant car c'est un immense état qui ne propose que très peu d'infrastructures aménagées pour les touristes occidentaux. Les guides type Routard ou Lonely n'en parlent que très très peu (raison pour laquelle nous y sommes allé...).
Le Gujarat est dur, peu de gens parlent Anglais, peu d'hôtels qui acceptent les touristes étrangers, que des restos locaux - délicieux et très épicés - en dehors des grandes villes comme Ahmedabad... Mais c'est si beaux !
Le Myanmar
Sachez qu'il y a bien pire que les moustiques au Myanmar (ex Birmanie) c'est la junte militaire qui impose une des pires dictatures de la planète, ne respecte en rien les droits de l'homme, pratique les travaux forcés pour les Birmans, les meurtres, les déplacements de population...
Si vous allez au Myanmar un jour, pensez à cela en priorité, et sachez que vous ne verrez rien d'autre que ce que la junte vous permet de voir... mais que derrière les paysages paisibles, la douceur et l'immense générosité des Birmans que vous rencontrerez... C'est l'horreur.
Si vous y aller tout de même, n'achetez surtout pas un voyage ou un séjour organisé : c'est verser ouvertement et directement un financement à la dictature militaire. Voyagez par vos propres moyens avec des guides "indépendants" et évitez les hôtels gouvernementaux. Vos dépenses bénéficierons dans une moindre mesure au gouvernement.
Voilà !
N'hésitez pas à nous questionner à nouveau, c'est avec plaisir que nous vous répondrons si nous avons les infos !
C'est bien de voyager en famille, allez-y doucement, prenez soin de vous sans pour autant stresser de trop sur les critères santé, il y a beaucoup de nuances entre ce que vous appelez "les hippies", les "routards", le tourisme de masse, le "tout confort", le hors piste... C'est à vous de mettre le curseur là ou vous vous sentez bien... Vous verrez que plus vous voyagez et plus le curseur bouge tout seul.... il faut simplement voyager avec son cœur grand ouvert...
Bon courage dans vos préparatifs, car c'est déjà le début du voyage...
Nous sommes dans la phase "retour"... c'est encore un peu le voyage....
Nous emménageons en ce moment (en Bretagne après 17ans de Paris)... Nous sommes encore dans les cartons et retrouvons nos affaires après 2ans de périple... Tout un voyage !
Il faudra vraiment nous compter dans ta liste de mails lorsque tu donneras de tes nouvelles, car nous avons vraiment envie de suivre
ton périple !
Ou en es-tu dans ta préparation ?
Si tu as une minute, tiens-nous au courant.
Bon courage, même si nous constatons que tu ne sembles pas en manquer...
Les enfants sont partis en métropole la semaine dernière et ont donc déjà dit au revoir à leur île natale.
Ce qui me laisse du temps pour finir tranquillement ce qu'il me reste ici en déménagement, démarches administratives et boulot.
Cassandre est inscrite au CNED. Pour les gars, les instituteurs m'aident à préparer le travail de l'année prochaine.
L'itinéraire se réduit petit à petit, pour que l'on puisse s'impregner d'avantage des ambiances, sans courir comme des tarés....après quoi d'ailleurs?😉
Donc pour l'instant, je prévois sur 10 mois: Inde et Asie du SE, et je crois que c'est bien pour nous.
On a étalé les vaccinations choisies sur plusieurs mois, et je fais des listes, je lis des bouquins, je fouille sur le net.
Bref, ma vie se résume essentiellement aux préparatifs de notre projet: j'adore ça !
Et de votre côté, j'imagine que la reprise de la vie sédentaire doit avoir son charme aussi...à bientôt!
🙂 merci!
mais je vais quand même éviter les hors sujets!😛
(je viens de consulter votre profil: je crois que vous aimez me lire parce que l'on a des points communs: le boulot, les enfants, les voyages...)
Hi everyone, we're heading to Brazil for two weeks during the Easter holidays.
Arriving in Rio and departing from São Paulo. Any recommendations for hotels, guides, or must-see spots?
I’d like to organize everything myself with reliable local drivers, and I’m looking for nice, comfortable accommodations considering my 5-year-old son.
Thanks so much!
Emilie
I’m heading to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) at the end of October for 10 days at an all-inclusive hotel with my wife and kids (ages 8 and 10).
Since I’m not a fan of spending entire days at the hotel, I was wondering what the best way(s) to explore the area might be.
Last year, I went to Mexico and rented a car, so I initially thought about doing the same here—but this time, I’d get full-coverage insurance, which I didn’t do in Mexico.
After checking a few forums and reviews, though, I’m really second-guessing it because some posts make it sound completely crazy to drive there.
So, I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been there recently and rented a car, as well as the different ways to get around while you’re there.
After scouring the forum without managing to decide, I thought I’d ask for your advice!
Before becoming a mom, we traveled for a year from Iran to Indonesia, and now my partner and I are finally ready to take our first big one-month trip with our kids.
We’d like 2 or 3 places to visit, settle in, and explore the surrounding area.
We’re looking for a destination that’s fairly easy (since our kids aren’t always easy themselves), but I’m hesitant about Thailand (which I didn’t enjoy because it felt too touristy at the time).
I was thinking about Vietnam, which I don’t know at all. Maybe Laos, but spending a few days near a nice beach would be relaxing with two little ones full of energy…
We don’t want to rush through crowded, commercial sites—we want to take our time and discover beautiful places.
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a family trip with our two kids, aged 5 and 8. I’m leaning toward using a local agency to take the mental load off organizing everything once we’re there and to fully enjoy the moment.
Do you know any reliable, local agencies I could reach out to?
I’d love to hear from parents who’ve traveled in this country with young children.
We're a family with two kids aged 7 and 2, planning a trip to Morocco from December 21 to 28, 2026.
We're thinking of spending 2 days and 2 nights in Marrakech, then heading out on the third morning to the Erg Chebbi dunes (Merzouga or Khamlia, still deciding), and returning to catch our flight.
The plan is to go via Skoura, the Valley of Roses, the Dadès Gorges, Tinghir, to reach the Merzouga dunes. On the way back, we'd stop at Tamnougalt before returning to Marrakech.
A few notes, since traveling with young kids slows everything down:
- Ideally, we'd like to travel by shared taxi or bus
- I don’t want to stop and sleep in Ouarzazate, as I’ve already visited.
Questions:
- Does this seem doable in December (especially the Marrakech-Ouarzazate stretch)?
- Which overnight stops would you recommend between Marrakech and Merzouga? We’ll spend 2 nights in two different places, then 2 nights in Merzouga, and 1 night in Tamnougalt.
- I’d prefer shared taxis, but can they drop us off a bit farther than city centers (e.g., if our hostel is a few kilometers from Boulmane Dadès, or not in central Merzouga but in Khamlia)? Basically, is it possible to travel a little off the beaten path with shared taxis?
- We love family-friendly hostels—if you have any recommendations, we’re all ears!
I’ve read the forum a lot and found a wealth of information. I’ve tried to compile all of it into our itinerary and would love your feedback to finalize the bookings (we’re planning this *very* last-minute).
Here’s what we’re thinking of doing:
22 July: arrival in Johannesburg
Night of 22–23: Johannesburg
Nights of 23–26: Marloth Park (with Kruger visits on the 24th, 25th, and a crossing visit on the 26th)
Nights of 26–28: Graskop (visiting the canyon and Panorama Road on the 27th and 28th)
Nights of 28–30: Hoedspruit (visiting the central area of Kruger on the 29th?)
Nights of 30 July–1 August: Balule Park (private reserve with safari)
Nights of 1–5 August: flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town, then 2 days in Cape Town, 1 day on the peninsula, and 2 days for wine (just the route) or something else based on your advice (we don’t know where to stay—whether to stay all 5 nights in Cape Town and where in the city, or do 2 nights in Cape Town and 3 nights nearby—but where?)
Night of 5–6 August: Kelders for penguins and whales
Nights of 6–8 August: Tsitsikamma (what is there to do/see?)
Nights of 8–10 August: Addo Park on the 9th
10 August: flight from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg and back home
What do you think?
Is there a lot of driving time?
We’d really appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks!
We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our kids.
On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.
This time, we’d like a trip more focused on nature. We don’t want to visit any cities (maybe a floating market if it’s really worth the detour).
We’re looking for:
- Spectacular jungle;
- Animals in their natural habitat;
- Beautiful hikes or boat rides;
- Paradise-like beaches;
- Turquoise water with excellent snorkeling, preferably directly from the beach (turtles, tropical fish, etc.).
We’re thinking of including Khao Sok, but we’re unsure which islands to combine with this park.
Do you have any suggestions for 2-week itineraries with reasonable travel times? We’re prioritizing landscapes, nature, and the sea above all else.
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?
I wanted to share our experience after a 5-day trip to Armenia with my wife and our 8-month-old baby.
It’s a destination that’s still relatively unknown, but it’s really worth the trip, especially if you enjoy cultural, spiritual, historical, and human-centered travel.
We were looking for a change of scenery but not too complicated with a baby—and easy to organize (even though our travel agency helped us a lot, thanks to them! 😊). In the end, Armenia was a wonderful surprise. It’s not a "postcard-perfect" destination. It’s a raw, mountainous, ancient country with real depth.
And most importantly: Armenians *love* children.
That’s probably what surprised us the most. In restaurants, waitresses, owners, or even other customers would naturally come over to play with our baby, hold them for a few minutes, smile at them, or keep them entertained while we ate.
It wasn’t intrusive. It was very natural, very family-oriented. You can tell that children have a real place in society. For parents traveling with a baby, it’s honestly a pleasure.
Day 1 — Yerevan
We started with Yerevan, a pleasant capital that’s quite easy to explore with a child.
The city isn’t huge. You can stroll around Republic Square, visit cafés, discover markets, and walk at a relaxed pace.
With a baby, it’s pretty practical: you can easily take breaks, return to the hotel, or go back out in the evening. The vibe is laid-back, family-friendly, and we felt safe.
In the evening, Yerevan is very lively. The restaurants are welcoming, and almost everywhere, our baby drew smiles.
Day 2 — Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap
On the second day, we headed to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual heart of Armenia. It’s an important place for understanding the country and its Christian identity.
Then, we visited Khor Virap, facing Mount Ararat.
It’s probably one of the most striking places on the trip. The monastery, the plain, the distant Ararat—everything is visually and symbolically powerful.
With a baby, you just need to plan a relaxed pace, avoid rushing, and take your time.
Day 3 — Garni and Geghard
The third day was one of our favorites.
We visited the Temple of Garni, very different from the monasteries, with a stunning setting in the mountains.
Then we went to Geghard, a monastery partially carved into the rock.
The atmosphere is incredible. It’s quiet, mineral, almost timeless. Even if you’re not very religious, you feel something.
With a child, the visit goes well, but again, it’s best not to overload the day. The key is to keep a flexible pace.
Day 4 — Noravank
On the fourth day, we headed to Noravank.
The road itself is an experience: dry landscapes, mountains, red rocks, valleys. The monastery is surrounded by impressive cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful sites we saw in Armenia.
You really get the sense that Armenian monasteries were built in impossible places—between sky, stone, and mountain.
Along the way, you can also pass through the Areni region, known for its wine. With a baby, we mostly prioritized simple breaks, relaxed meals, and uncompressed travel times.
Day 5 — Lake Sevan and return to Yerevan
For the last day, we went to Lake Sevan.
The lake is vast, bright, and surrounded by mountains. The Sevanavank Monastery, up high, offers a beautiful view.
It’s a gentler stop, perfect for ending the trip.
Then we returned to Yerevan for a final dinner. Once again, the welcome in restaurants stood out. In Armenia, traveling with a baby isn’t seen as a hassle. On the contrary, people spontaneously come up to the child.
Our overall impression
In 5 days, you obviously don’t see all of Armenia. To reach Tatev, Dilijan, Haghpat, or Sanahin, you’d need more like 7 to 10 days.
But for a first visit, 5 days are enough to feel the essence: Yerevan, the major monasteries, Mount Ararat, the landscapes, the Christian history, and the Armenian hospitality.
What we loved most:
- the kindness of people toward our baby;
- the very family-friendly atmosphere;
- the monasteries in incredible landscapes;
- the view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap;
- the atmosphere of Geghard;
- the cliffs of Noravank;
- the food;
- the feeling of safety;
- the fact that the country is still relatively untouched by mass tourism.
What to know when traveling with a baby:
- distances can be longer than expected;
- some roads are mountainous;
- avoid overloading the day;
- it’s better to have a driver or a car;
- plan for breaks, water, diapers, baby meals;
- a stroller isn’t always practical on ancient sites;
- a baby carrier can be very useful.
Recommended 5-day itinerary
For a first trip, I’d suggest:
Day 1: Yerevan
Day 2: Etchmiadzin + Khor Virap
Day 3: Garni + Geghard
Day 4: Noravank + Areni
Day 5: Sevan + return to Yerevan
It’s balanced, not too tiring, and gives a great first impression of the country.
Conclusion
Armenia is a wonderful destination with a baby, as long as you travel slowly and don’t try to see everything.
What touched us most, beyond the landscapes and monasteries, was the attitude toward children. There, you feel that babies are welcomed with real tenderness. In restaurants, people naturally helped us, played with our child, and gave us a few minutes to breathe.
That’s rare, and it makes a big difference in the travel experience.
Armenia isn’t a destination you consume quickly.
It’s a country that you *feel*.
For those who love cultural, spiritual, historical, family, and human-centered travel, I highly recommend it.
Hi everyone,
We're heading to Colombia soon for two weeks as a family with our two 10-year-old boys. I'm a bit behind on planning our itinerary and could really use your advice!
We arrive in Cartagena, where we'll spend 3 nights.
Next, we're heading to the Tayrona area for 3 nights. Could you recommend a nice hotel with a pool, ideally family-friendly? Unfortunately, Senda Watapuy and Senda Koguiwa are already fully booked for our dates.
After that, we were thinking of spending a few days in Minca. Is that a good idea in late July/early August? How many nights would you recommend?
Finally, we're looking for a last stop before returning to France. We've heard about Mompox, but we're hesitant because it seems like a big detour. We love nature, animals, beautiful landscapes, beaches, and authentic places. Do you think Mompox is worth the detour with two kids, or would you recommend another destination (Palomino, Barú, La Guajira...) instead?
We don’t want to take any domestic flights.
Thanks in advance for all your tips and experiences!
This summer, we’ve decided to do a 3-week road trip starting from Nice and heading down to Ksamil in Albania.
We’re leaving from Nice, and our route is already pretty much set:
Nice - Verona (Italy) - Rijeka (Croatia) - Zadar - Split - Budva (Montenegro) - Shkodër (Albania) - Ksamil, then back through Italy via Bari.
The itinerary is packed! 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for things to see—visits, beaches, viewpoints, villages, or excursions—to make the most of our journey?
Hi there, we're planning our vacation in Indonesia. We're a family with two kids aged 11 and 14. We leave on July 26th and return on August 17th, 2026.
We initially planned to visit Bali, Komodo, and Flores, but after looking into it more, we came across Sumatra, which is less touristy... a real plus for us. However, skipping Bali might be a shame.
I was wondering if spending 12 days in Sumatra and finishing with about 7 days in Bali is a doable plan.
Hi,
I’m traveling with my 5-year-old son this summer to Northern Thailand, Northern Vietnam, Yunnan, and Indonesia. I plan to equip him with a GPS tracker, but the SIM cards come with a contract. Do you know what the options are in Asia?
Thanks,
Nora
Hi there,
We’d like to spend 2 days in Lyon in May with our 8- and 12-year-old kids, exploring the city on foot.
We’ll arrive on day 1 around 11 AM and leave on day 2 around 6 PM.
I’ve mapped out two routes and was wondering if they’re doable in our 2 days, and if you have any tips or info on visit prices.
We’re not sure where to stay yet, but we’d like to optimize by booking accommodation (hotel or Airbnb) between the two routes, maybe?
Hi there!
I’m planning a trip with my wife and our three kids (ages 9, 6, and 3) from April 16 to May 6.
I’ve started sketching out the itinerary, trying to alternate between visits, hikes, safaris, and downtime. I want to keep the pace relaxed given the kids’ ages.
Could you let me know what you think of this route? I removed Nuwara Eliya, which I had originally planned before Ella, to cut down on stops. I was also wondering if I should break up the Arugam Bay to Colombo leg with an overnight in Galle, since it’s a long drive.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Day 1 – 04/16: Wilpattu
Arrival at the airport (08:00) + transfer to Wilpattu (180 km, 4–5 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 2 – 04/17: Wilpattu
Morning & afternoon safari
Overnight: Wilpattu
Day 3 – 04/18: Trincomalee
Transfer Wilpattu → Trincomalee (200 km, 4–5 h) + beach relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 4 – 04/19: Trincomalee
Nilaveli Beach
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 5 – 04/20: Trincomalee
Pigeon Island snorkeling
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 6 – 04/21: Trincomalee
Fort Frederick & relaxation
Overnight: Trincomalee
Day 7 – 04/22: Sigiriya
Transfer Trincomalee → Sigiriya (120 km, ~3 h) + visit to Dambulla
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 8 – 04/23: Sigiriya
Sigiriya Rock
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 9 – 04/24: Sigiriya
Minneriya safari
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 10 – 04/25: Sigiriya
Polonnaruwa & village tour
Overnight: Sigiriya
Day 11 – 04/26: Ella
Transfer Sigiriya → Ella (230 km, 5–6 h) + rest
Overnight: Ella
Day 12 – 04/27: Ella
Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arches Bridge
Overnight: Ella
Day 13 – 04/28: Ella
Ella Rock
Overnight: Ella
Day 14 – 04/29: Ella
Tea Factory & relaxation
Overnight: Ella
Day 15 – 04/30: Yala
Transfer Ella → Yala (110 km, 2–3 h) + afternoon safari
Overnight: Yala
Day 16 – 05/01: Arugam Bay
Transfer Yala → Arugam Bay (80 km, 2.5–3 h) + beach time
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 17 – 05/02: Arugam Bay
Surfing & relaxation
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 18 – 05/03: Arugam Bay
Local exploration
Overnight: Arugam Bay
Day 19 – 05/04: Colombo
Transfer Arugam Bay → Colombo (320 km, 7–8 h) + rest
Overnight: Colombo
Day 20 – 05/05: Colombo
City tour & shopping
Overnight: Colombo
Day 21 – 05/06: Colombo
Morning return flight from Colombo
We’re heading to Sri Lanka for three weeks in July with two kids (ages 6 and 13).
We’ve drafted a rough itinerary but would love to hear from those who’ve already been there 😊
Of course, we want to see everything, but we have to make choices—even though three weeks on the ground lets us do quite a bit.
We originally planned a schedule that felt too packed, so we had to cut one stop. We decided to skip Tangalle, even though we were really tempted. The monsoon won’t let us swim there, and the weather in the south is too uncertain, so we preferred to keep our stops on the east coast. Plus, we don’t think it’s reasonable to cut nights from other places.
We’ve added a stop in Batticaloa, which we think will be a nice break between Arugam Bay and Sigiriya. What do you think?
We’re also debating between Batticaloa and Passikudah.
Does the itinerary seem logical to you?
Here it is:
Sri Lanka Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival around 1 PM at the airport
Night in Negombo
Day 2
Drive from Negombo to Galle
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 3
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Night in Galle
Day 4
Visit Galle and surrounding areas
Drive from Galle to Udawalawe
Night in Udawalawe
Day 5
Visit Udawalawe National Park
Night in Udawalawe
Day 6
Drive from Udawalawe to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 7
Ella Rock
+ Nine Arch Bridge
Night in Ella
Day 8
Visit Haputale
Lipton’s Seat and Dambatenne Tea Factory
Train ride back from Haputale to Ella
Night in Ella
Day 9
Little Adam’s Peak
+ drive from Ella to Arugam Bay
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 10
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 11
Visit Arugam Bay and surrounding areas
Night in Arugam Bay
Day 12
Drive from Arugam Bay to Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 13
Visit Batticaloa
Night in Batticaloa
Day 14
Drive from Batticaloa to Sigiriya
Night in Sigiriya
Day 15
Lion Rock and Pidurangala
Night in Sigiriya
Day 16
Visit Dambulla
Drive from Sigiriya to Trincomalee
Night in Trincomalee
Day 17
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 18
Visit Trincomalee and surrounding areas
Night in Trincomalee
Day 19
Drive from Trincomalee to Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 20
Visit Anuradhapura
Night in Anuradhapura
Day 21
Visit Mihintale
Drive from Anuradhapura to Negombo
Night in Negombo
Day 22
Day in Negombo and return flight
We’d love to hear your thoughts and tips! Thanks in advance!
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 everyone!
We’re so excited to be heading to Italy for the first time this April with our two kids for a week. We’ve booked our round-trip flight, and we’ll be arriving and departing from Pisa.
Our rough plan so far includes visiting Pisa, taking the train to Florence, and exploring the Cinque Terre. Last night, a friend also suggested adding Siena to the list.
Our kids are 12 and 9 and are used to walking, but we’re not looking to rush around too much. We’d love any advice, especially about accommodation. Should we stay in Pisa and take day trips by train, or split our nights between a couple of different places?
We’re just starting our research, so any tips would be amazing! 😉
Thanks in advance!
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
Next summer, we (2 adults and a 12-year-old child) have decided to visit Japan.
Admittedly, it’s still early to plan everything, but my wife will soon need to request her vacation time—either in August or July... and we’re hesitating.
I know summer isn’t the ideal time to visit Japan, but we don’t really have a choice... It’s either July or August. On one hand, I’d love to experience the O-Bon festivities from August 14th to 16th, and I’ve drafted an initial itinerary that would let us experience the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori, possibly visit the Okunoin Cemetery in Koyasan, and be in Kyoto on the 16th for the Gozan Okuribi fires. But on the other hand, I’m worried it’ll be *packed*, especially in Kyoto, and less enjoyable than in July. So, have any of you experienced these celebrations? Are they worth it? Too crowded? Do you know of other celebrations or festivals in July?
Thanks for your input!
I’m reaching out because I’ve already read tons of info from other forums (thanks a million, by the way!) and blogs, but now I’m overwhelmed with details and have so many questions. I’m really hoping you can help us figure this out! Here’s the plan:
We’re leaving France for Senegal in our camper van (with two kids, aged 4 and 7), then shipping the van to South Africa before heading to Namibia. We’re planning to leave this summer and should arrive in South Africa in early September. The goal is to reach Réunion by early December, which gives us 3 months to explore Southern Africa. Originally, we wanted to pick up the van in Cape Town, head up to Namibia, and visit the main parks and iconic spots, then go north to Botswana (Etosha Park) and Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls) before heading back down to South Africa to enjoy the milder temperatures while exploring the country. But now we’re wondering how to get back to South Africa. We’ve come up with three options:
- Head back down through Botswana: I’ve read everywhere that Botswana isn’t recommended for kids under 6 (most parks) because it can be potentially dangerous—few enclosures for animals (even though we have a camper van with "secure" beds), and the agencies we’ve contacted don’t recommend it. Plus, southern Botswana is tough to navigate in a camper van.
- Return from central Botswana (Maun) to Windhoek and drive back to Cape Town via Namibia.
- Cross Zimbabwe and potentially Mozambique to head down to Kruger Park and Johannesburg.
Anyone familiar with this region have any recommendations?
Also, is it necessary to book accommodations in advance? Is that only required in certain countries (maybe Botswana/Zimbabwe)? We’d like a mix of camping and lodges.
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!
Good morning! We're heading to Cape Verde for 2 weeks at the end of April—São Vicente, Boa Vista, and Santiago. We’re a family of 5: 3 kids (4, 6, and 12) and 2 adults.
My questions revolve around beaches (a spot with interesting snorkeling and safe swimming for the kids), accommodation (kid-friendly, parks nearby, pool, beach, or nature—more like guesthouses or family-run pensions), hikes (accessible for kids), and whether renting a car makes sense depending on the island, even though local buses are an adventure in themselves.
**Santiago:**
- Beach & snorkeling: Tarrafal, Quebra Canela in Praia, Ribeira da Barca (okay for kids?), Águas Belas?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Malagueta?, Baobab Boa Entrada, Pico António (accessible? elevation gain, time to climb, difficulty, interest for kids?)
**Boa Vista:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Santa Mónica, Praia de Chaves, Gatas, ... Estoril Beach in Sal Rei maybe?
- Can we swim at Turtle Bay to see the turtles even though it’s not nesting season?
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: Viana Desert? Can we explore it solo by renting a 4x4 and easily find the points of interest?
- Is it worth renting a 4x4 for our stay in Boa Vista?
**São Vicente:**
- Beach + snorkeling: Laginha, Porto Grande, Praia Grande, Baía das Gatas, São Pedro...? (safe, good snorkeling?)
- Any nice places to stay?
- Hikes: cliffs?, Monte Verde?
Thanks for your feedback, great tips—especially for accommodation where we’re totally in the dark! And your thoughts on whether renting a car is a good idea and which beaches are safest for kids.
Hi,
We’d like to visit the Alpes de Haute-Provence for 2 weeks with our 2 (adult) kids.
Any ideas for things to see and do?
Where should we choose our accommodation (house only) to be centrally located for sightseeing? We’re looking for villages with restaurants and bakeries.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best regards
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?
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.
I hope you're starting this new year with your head full of travel memories or plans!!
I’d love to spend a week in July on a Greek island with my 8-year-old son. I’m totally in love with Amorgos, but not all the beaches are accessible for him. I’ve been to Santorini and Naxos before and don’t want to go back. Would you have an island to recommend that’s not too crowded 😕, with a few accessible beaches and where we won’t have to fight to get around or park?
A few months ago, I posted a message in the Southern Africa section about a family trip in July/August. In the end, since I had too much trouble deciding on the destination and procrastinated too much with the planning 😎, I changed my mind and we’re going for a completely different trip—to Madagascar, a country we already know a bit since we’ve traveled there several times for 4 to 6 months each time, though our last visit was back in 2012!
The tickets are booked: 19 days on the ground (excluding arrival and departure days in Tana), spanning July and August.
We’re not looking to rack up landscapes (and kilometers). The kids really want to see lots of animals, while we mostly want to show them what daily life is like in Malagasy villages. So ideally, we’d like a trip split into two parts:
- For 8/10 days, a hiking portion. The idea isn’t to do a tough trek in very remote areas but rather to walk from one village to another. Let’s say 3-4 hours a day. And when we arrive in each village, we’d have time to explore a bit, chat with the locals, let our kids play with the village children, etc. Stay with locals when possible. Move to a new village every day or every 2-3 days.
- A few days visiting 1 or 2 national parks (with lemurs if possible to keep everyone happy!)
- With the inevitable travel days, we’ll quickly hit 19 days.
Does this kind of trip sound doable (and fun) to you? Do you know of any villages that would fit our hiking plans?
I don’t have a preferred region yet, except that very dry landscapes appeal to me less. My real love from past trips was the highlands and their bright green rice paddies against red earth, but I’m a bit worried about the cold at this time of year.
After my initial research (thanks to this forum), I get the impression that the Ambalavao/Ambohimahamasina area might meet our criteria. I saw there are "accueil paysan" (farm stays) in that area, which could match what we’re looking for and would let us visit Andringitra National Park and Ranomafana on the way there or back.
But I’m open to all your more original ideas!
For logistical questions (transport, guides, accommodations, etc.), I’ll tackle those later—it’ll depend on the area we choose.
We’re a family with young kids (6 years old, 3 years old, and a newborn) and we’d like to spend about ten days in Aquitaine (in Gironde or Les Landes).
We’d love to be near pretty villages to visit and, if possible, close to the sea.
We’re planning to stay at a campsite with a pool so the kids can play.
Could you recommend any places/villages/campsites for us?
We don’t know the region at all.
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.
Old Burmese Adventures (oh, so many!)
The Pearl of Africa - July-August 2026
A little piece of Sulawesi with the family: Rantepao and Selayar
Tanzania Classics (Safari & Zanzibar)
Getting Away to Ireland
On the Roads of Costa Rica
Storm in the Canary Islands
New adventures from Perpignan to Ranchi (Jharkhand)
