Nous allons voyager avec nos deux enfants de 2,5 et presque 6 ans, pendant 4 mois de décembre à avril, et nous serons en Nouvelle Calédonie du 07 janvier au 02 février, soit 26 nuits !!
J'ai essayé d'établir cet itinéraire, sachant qu'on ne souhaite pas courir (surtout avec 2 enfants en bas âge), ni changer de logement tous les jours ! On alternera entre du camping (tente familiale à acheter à Décathlon en arrivant..oui oui c'est assez osé!!) et du logement en dur.
Pour la Grande Terre, je ne sais pas encore quelle(s) transversales choisir ?? Donc j'indique à titre indicatif les lieux ou nous souhaiterions dormir sans préciser par quel chemin on y arrive !
J1 (soir) - J5 (soit 4 nuits/3 jrs) : Nouméa. Plages et visites, sans loc de voiture.
J5 : transfert aérodrome pour l'Ile des Pins
J5 - J9 : IDP (soit 4 nuits, j'attends une réponse du gîte Nataiwatch)
J9 - transfert vers Lifou via Nouméa
J9 - J13 : Lifou (4 nuits, gîte Hukekep?)
J13-16 : location de voiture à l'aérodrome et direction Mont Doré / le Sud (3 nuits): logement au même endroit et visite du Sud en étoile
J16 - J17: Farino / Sarraméa (1 nuit seule nuit voire 2 ?)
J17 - J19: Bourail (2 nuits, Camping de Poé?)
J19 - J22 : Poindimié / Hiengène (3 nuits ou c'est trop?)
J22 - J24 : Poingham / Poum (Relais de Poingham ?)
J24 - J25 Koumac ? Koné?
J25 - J26 ?
J26 : logement proche de l'aéroport (Boulouparis?) car vol tôt le lendemain matin pour Sydney !
La fin est assez flou. Il y a possibilité de rajouter des nuits à droite à gauche je pense car je crois qu'on est assez large niveau timing !
Qu'en pensez-vous ? Quelle(s) étape(s) pourrait on rajouter ?
A savoir, nous pourrions je pense ajouter une île (Ouvéa) mais on va déjà pas mal passer de temps dans les avions et aéroports en 4 mois donc j'ai voulu nous limiter à 2 îles seulement…
ton parcours me parait bien adapté avec des enfants en bas âge mais voici quelques remarques pour optimiser ou passer par de belles routes.
- Question, vous arriverez de France ou pas (question pour le décalage horaire) ? Si oui, ok pour 4 nuits, sinon, pas la peine de rester autant de temps sur Nouméa si jamais vous avez besoin de "gratter" une nuit pour la suite du voyage.
- IDP : 4 nuits 3 jours plein c'est bien. 1 journée pour la sortie pirogue + piscine naturelle d'oro, 1 journée pour faire un tour de l'ile est des différentes plages et des baies en voiture + monter au sommet du pic N-ga, et une dernière journée pour faire une sortie bateau ilot Nokanhui + ilot brosse. Puis dernier jour plage du camping avant retour en avion. Vous pouvez même rajouter une nuit supplémentaire si nécessaire.
- Lifou, 4 nuits c'est un minimum (je mettrais une 5ième à votre place vu que vous avez le temps) pour bien profiter de l'ile. Par contre l'ile étant assez grande il serait peut-être plus intéressant de passer 2 nuits dans le sud (gite Hukekep par exemple mais je le connais pas) pour faire les plages de Luengoni, Mu, Peng et même Chateaubriand, puis 2 nuits au nord (vers Easo par exemple) pour voir la baie de Santal, les falaises de Jokin, la plage de Kiki et la baie de Jinek pour l’un des plus beau spot de PMT de Nouvelle Calédonie. Ca limiterait les kilomètres. Voiture de location fortement conseillée pour Lifou car c’est grand et pour faire du stop à 4 ça va être compliqué !
- - 3 nuits dans le sud OK. Savez-vous où vous allez dormir ? camping, hotel ? Le Camping du gite Iya à Yaté est très bien (vous pouvez y manger) et une visite du sud en étoile à partir de là est tout à fait envisageable. 1er jour visite du parc de la rivière bleue, 2ième jour trou bleu du barrage de Yaté et visite des chutes de la Madeleine en fin d’après-midi, 3ième jour retour vers Nouméa en passant par la pointe sud (cascade de wadriana, arrêt à port boisé pour prendre un verre à l’hotel kanua tera, Visite de la réserve du Cap N’Dua, Visite de Prony village et des vestiges du bagne et retour sur Nouméa. Nuit à Nouméa (la nuit que vous devriez supprimer au début de votre voyage) et ravitaillement !!
- - Route de Nouméa à Farino et visite du parc des grandes fougères (1 nuit suffit si vous ne comptez pas faire beaucoup de randonnées)
- - A partir de là, je vous propose de revoir le parcours et au lieu d’aller à Bourail continuez sur la transversale et rejoignez Hienghène depuis Sarraméa en passant par Kouaoua, Houailou, Poindimié, Touho et Hienghène). Cette route est magnifique et l’arrivée sur Kouaoua depuis le sommet des mines offre une vue sublime sur le lagon Est. Ca va vous faire une bonne demi-journée de route mais ça vaut le coup.
- - 3 nuits à Hienghène non ce n’est pas trop suivant ce que vous comptez faire. Pour le logement en camping il y a Babou coté océan qui est très bien situé et qui propose plein d‘activités (sortie bateau le long des roches, sortie ilots, plongées, kayak etc). Il y a aussi des gites et l’hotel Koulné village (même sans être client vous pouvez aller y prendre le petit déjeuner qui est très bon). Pour les repas du soir il y a un service de livraison de plats avec les couverts etc. donc même en camping vous pouvez avoir un vrai repas le soir (demandez aux gérants des camping et gites du coin). Donc sur les 2 jours plein à Hienghène, vous pouvez faire balade sur la plage + point de vue sur la poule le matin et une sortie bateau l’après-midi le long des roches, puis le lendemain aller jusqu’à la cascade de Tao pour baignade et visite et celle de Colnett le tout en passant sur la bac de la ouaième.
- - Le lendemain route vers l’extrême nord (re-passage sur le bac mais c’est gratuit et ça plait toujours aux petits et grands) Poum et les alentours. Pour la pointe nord le relais de Poingam est très bien sinon il y a un camping que j’aime beaucoup un peu avant le gite c’est le Camping Bora Bora, le proprio est super sympa, les emplacements très bien aménagés et spacieux et la plage est top (mieux que celle de poingam). Par contre comme dans beaucoup de camping c’est eau froide et non potable (bon froide en janvier tout est relatif, la fraicheur de l’eau sera plutôt la bienvenue) donc prévoir en conséquence (eau, grillades, etc. le bois est fourni par contre). 2 nuits à l’extrême nord c’est bien.
- - Route vers Koné, en route arrêt aux grottes de Koumac. A Koné possibilité de faire un tour en ULM pour voir le cœur de Voh et le lagon ou sinon rando pour le voir mais en plein été avec les enfants ça me parait compliqué. Aucun intérêt de passer une nuit à Koumac ou à Koné si vous ne faites pas d’ULM ou de sortie bateau. Si pas d’ULM ou de rando continuez jusqu’à Bourail.
- - 2 nuits sur Bourail : OK, plein de petites randos possible dans le domaine de Déva (très belle vue sur le lagon pour l’une d’entre elles) + le sentier des 3 baies (roche percée, baie des tortues et baie des amoureux) + baignade dans le lagon
Voilà pour mes conseils, c’est un peu dense mais je pense n’avoir rien oublié. Par contre n’oubliez pas que vous serez en NC en plein été donc grosse chaleur et possibilité de Cyclone ou dépression tropicale. Donc forte chaleur à prendre en compte avec des enfants en bas âge (crème solaire en GRANDE quantité et achetez la en France de préférence car ici ça coute un bras) + de l’eau toujours en quantité. Pour la météo y a pas grand-chose à faire à part croiser les doigts. Ceci dit sachant que la coté Est est plus pluvieuse que la côte Ouest, ne pas hésiter à bouleverser votre planning et à faire la boucle dans l’autre sens si nécessaire.
Bon séjour en NC et vous pouvez toujours allez jeter un œil sur mon blog (lien en signature) pour plus d’infos...surtout visuelles.
Whaou !!! Merci infiniment pour tous ces conseils !
Donc vous êtes expat sur le caillou c'est ça ? C'est mon rêve !! D'où en fait mon souhait de passer un peu de temps au début sur Nouméa pour me "rendre compte" de la vie locale…même si en 3-4 jours ça parait difficile ! Et puis j'ai lu qu'il y a avait quand même pas mal de choses à visiter et d'îlots à voir ?
Nous viendrons de Melbourne donc pas de soucis niveau décalage horaire mais on aura fait pas mal de visites pendant 5 jours en continue donc une pause de 4 nuits à Nouméa me paraissait pas mal !
- IDP : ok pour votre programme !
- Lifou : ok je vois pour une 5ème nuit éventuellement avec 3 nuits au sud et 2 nuits au nord ou inversement !
- pour le grand sud, je ne sais pas encore. En fait tout dépend si on aura fait que du camping sur les îles ou pas. Si oui, je crois qu'on se tournera vers un logement en dur pas trop cher (max 50-60€), et j'ai repéré des AirBnb au Mont Doré. Ce n'est peut-être pas le plus pratique mais bon…je note votre programme!
- Ok pour 1 nuit à Farino et la transversale vers Hienghene. petite question: pas de nuit nécessaire à Poindimié du coup ?
- ok pour à la rigueur 1 nuit à Poingham et 1 nuit au camping Bora Bora (je l'avais repéré sur le Lonely !).
- on trace ensuite sur Bourrail et on aimerait aussi faire l'ilot Ténia, j'ai lu quelques avis sympas sur ce site !
Je vais revoir le nombre de nuits que cela fait et si j'ai de la marge, j'en rajouterai une au Bora Bora, et/ou Bourail et/ou Hienghène.
MERCI encore, c'est vraiment super sympa de votre part, et je vais m'empresser d'aller jeter un oeil en détails à votre blog !
Oui je vis en NC depuis plus de 7 ans maintenant et je n’avais même pas pris la peine de faire une première visite avant de venir ici, ça aurait pu ne pas me plaire mais ça n’a pas été le cas.
Bref passons à tes questions :
Pour Lifou si vous faites 5 nuits je dirais plutôt 3 nuits au sud et 2 au nord surtout si vous tombez sur une journée ou il y a un bateau de croisière vous serez plus tranquille dans le sud. Les bateaux accostent à Easo. Voir sur le site ci-dessous pour savoir où et quand ils sont là (idem sur l’ile des pins, affluence avec les croisiéristes).
Pas de nuit nécessaire à Poindimié si vous ne comptez pas y faire de plongée bouteille. Donc 3 nuits à Hienghène OK.
Oui l’ilot Ténia est très bien et dispose de quelques aménagements. Mais vous pouvez aussi allez sur d’autre ilot je pense notamment à l’ilot Tiam-Bouene près de Poum dans le nord qui a l’air très bien (30/40min de bateau depuis l’hotel Malabou). Dans les 2 cas vous pouvez y passer la nuit pour une robinsonnade inoubliable mais il vous faudra tout prévoir (nourriture, eau, de quoi faire du feu ou des braises ou faire cuire etc.) et en janvier il y a pas mal d’oiseaux qui hurlent la nuit donc c’est parfois très bruyant (pétrels, puffins etc qui font comme des cris de bébés…). Nous l’avons déjà fait sur un tout petit ilot en face de Thio (l’ilot Kindé) mais nous n’avions pas encore de bébé. Actuellement avec notre bébé de 18 mois je pense que je ne le ferais pas (En cas d’urgence c’est très compliqué car on est loin de tout).
Et au cas où sur le blog il y quelques infos sur la Great Ocean Road et les Grampians si jamais ça t’intéresse (mais pas Melbourne car j’avais pris la route directement).
Ancien expat, je suis quasiment d'accord avec tous les conseils de ciol46 .
26 jours est vraiment une bonne durée qui va vous permettre de bien voir la calédonie avec tous ses différents aspects.
voici toutefois mon avis sur votre parcours:
- Nouméa : 4 jours sans voiture ça peur être un peu long , j'en enlèverai un aussi sauf si vous voulez aller sur un ilot à la journée (amédée , signal , , larégnèr, e maitre , ...dans l'ordre de mes préférences pour les plus accessibles en taxiboat depuis noumée). Comme vous enchainez sur l'idP ou vous ferez des plages , bien plus belles qu'à nouméa , pas trop besoin de s'éterniser, surtout que vous n'aurez pas de décalage.
-IdP :essayez de partir sur l'un des premiers vols depuis magenta. Attention à ne pas tarder pour vols et locations de voitures sur les iles , ce seront les vacances scolaires en NC. Je conseille de prendre une voiture même si des excursions à la journée sont prévues. Ne pas louper l'atoll nokanhui à prévoir en J2 et donc que vous pourrez décaller à J3 ou J4 si mauvais temps en J2. Nous l'avons fait avec différents prestataires :mana nautique et iles des pins plaisance. Le premier est plus complet mais le 2ème est plus confort (bateau , repas , ilot du midi). Montez aussi au pic n'ga (45 minutes avec des enfants), les plus belles couleurs sont en fin de matinée mais attention à la chaleur!
-Lifou : Par contre je pense qu'une situation centrale (vers Wé) peut éviter de prendre 2 locs. Voiture obligatoire (nombre limité , ne trainez pas)
En plus des conseils de ciol46 , j'ajouterai la plage de drueulu , non loin de peng. Si vous avez la chance d'avoir du soleil , vous ne le regretterez pas.
Très important de vérifier la présence ou non des croisiéristes australiens à esao.
4 nuits c'est pas mal , vous aurez le temps de faire au moins une fois tous les incontournables (jokin , jinek , luengoni, peng , drueulu , kiki beach , xodre , mu, ...il y en tellement ceci dit!) .5 nuits c'est le top.
- 3 nuits au sud :Le gite iya est effectivement très bien , meme si le camping est très sommaire (comme partout ceci dit!) ou le camping des bois du sud (à réserver et à 1h de nouméa).
Les sites sont les mêmes que ciol46 : rivière bleue , madeleine , prony , trous bleus de yaté, wadrana , port boisé. A vous d'organiser vos journées en fonction de vos souhaits , de la fatigue , de la météo ... Attention la météo peut etre instable dans le sud.
- Nouméa -Farino
1 nuit à farino suffit sauf meme si vous vous arretez en chemin vers ouano , teremba (un plus au nord toutefois) , cela laisse du temps pour le parc des grandes fougères. Le dimanche , marché typique à la mairie de farino.
A partir de là , moi aussi je vous conseille de traverser jusqu'à kouaoua. La route va vous sembler très longue , ça tourne pas mal , mais c'est magnifique. La remontée jusqu'à hienghène ou poindimié est superbe aussi.
Vous pouvez aussi faire une nuit à poindimié(le camping mosasa est très bien) et 2 à hienghène.
L'ilot tibarama est superbe vers poindimié (avec aqualagoon) et la région de hienghène vaut bien 2 ou 3 jours pleins (on peut aussi aller vers une tribu de la chaine en plus des activités côtières)
-Ensuite , Hienghène-Poingam en passant par le bac et les cascades. Le relais de poingam est un havre de paix au bout du monde. Effectivement le camping bora est agréable , un peu plus au sud.
-Poingam-Bourail. Si le jour s'y prête (jeudi ou samedi je crois) , allez faire le matin la visite du vieux village minier de thiebaghi , vers koumac. Réservation obligatoire , les guides sont supers et les vues sur le lagon fabuleuses. LEs grottes de koumac ne m'ont laissé un grand souvenir.
Si vous pouvez vous offrir l'ULM , le coeur de voh se fait depuis koné mais vous pouvez aussi survoler le lagon de Poé vers bourail.
De koumac à bourail, pas tellement d’Internet, je suis d'accord avec ciol46.
-Bourail ,2 nuits me semblent le strict minimum , surtout pour finir le voyage , la région de Poé est la plus adaptée avec des enfants. Construisez votre itinéraire et finissez le séjour là , meme si il vous reste 3 ou 4 nuits. L'aéroport de tontouta est à 1h30.
Dans l'ensemble , votre projet tiens la route. Vous trouverez forcément des gens qui vous dirons de ne pas louper ouvéa mais faire 2 iles est déjà pas mal.
Attention , la vie est très très chère sur le caillou et à part à nouméa , rares sont les endroits ou on peut s’arrêter manger sans réserver .
Crème solaire , PMT et...lunettes polarisées feront de ce voyage un moment inoubliable.
Je viens enfin d'avoir les horaires et dates finalisés pour les vols vers les îles (c'était franchement fastidieux avec le décalage horaire = réponse au minimum 24h après !!) et nous resterons bien 5 nuits à Lifou, puis 4 nuits à IDP (3 jours pleins).
Je reste sur les 4 nuits et 3 jours pleins à Nouméa, car nous avons envie de prendre notre temps, et comme je l'ai dis plus haut, c'est important pour moi de "m'imprégner" au maximum de l'ambiance de cette ville pour une éventuelle future expatriation !
Et pour le reste de l'itinéraire, malgré vos conseils de prendre la transversale depuis Farino, je ne sais pas si c'est ce que l'on fera car malheureusement un de mes enfants est malade en voiture et ça risque d'être cauchemardesque avec tous les virages ! A voir !!
Voyager avec des enfants › Nouvelle-Calédonie · 5 replies
Nous serons en nouvelle caledonie en janvier dans le cadre d'un tour du monde. Nous sommes un couple avec une petite fille de 3 ans. Nous nous posons des…
Voyager avec des enfants › Nouvelle-Calédonie · 4 replies
Je suis en train de débuter les préparatifs d'un voyage que je vais faire seule avec mon fils de 8ans en nouvelle caledonie du 15 juillet au 15 septembre.…
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’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!
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.
Hi,
This summer, we’re spending a month in Malaysia. There are 3 adults and two kids in our group. I’ve just finished planning our itinerary and I’d love to get your thoughts on whether it feels "coherent."
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Christelle
07/07 Depart France 10:30 AM
08/07 Arrive KL 7:50 PM
09/07 KL
10/07 KL / Batu Caves
11/07 KL
12/07 KL → Kuching (flight)
13/07 Kuching
14/07 Bako National Park
15/07 Bako → Kuching
16/07 Semenggoh Reserve
17/07 Kuching → Mulu (flight)
18/07 Mulu National Park
19/07 Mulu → Kota Kinabalu (flight)
20/07 Kota Kinabalu → Sandakan (flight)
21/07 Kinabatangan
22/07 Kinabatangan → Sandakan / Sandakan → KL (flight)
23/07 Malacca
24/07 Malacca → Chin Swee Caves Temple
25/07 Chin Swee Caves Temple → Kuala Tahan / Taman Negara Park
26/07 Taman Negara Park
27/07 Kuala Tahan → Kuala Besut
28/07 Perhentian Islands
29/07 Perhentian Islands
30/07 Perhentian Islands
31/07 Perhentian → George Town
01/08 George Town / Penang
02/08 George Town / Penang
03/08 Ipoh
04/08 Cameron Highlands
05/08 Return to KL
06/08 Return to France
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Malaysia this July with my 6-year-old son.
I’d thought we’d go this year, but we ended up returning to Samui instead.
I’ve decided to limit it to 4 stops to avoid moving around too often and to fully enjoy each place without rushing. The travel times between each spot aren’t too long, except for the one between Sandakan and Langkawi.
* 05: Arrival in KL in the afternoon.
06: Day in KL. I’ve been there a few times and know the city a bit.
* 07: Head to Kota Kinabalu
08 – 09: In KK
* 10: Flight from Sandakan to Sepilok
11: In Sepilok
* 12: Flight to Kinabatangan
13 – 14: In Kinabatangan
* 15: Head to Langkawi
15 – 21: In Langkawi
* 22: Return to KL
23 – 24: In KL
* 25: Return flight
Any thoughts on this itinerary? I have a rough idea of what we’ll do at each stop after checking online and with ChatGPT.
We’re heading out at the end of February for a road trip with our two kids, ages 3 and 7. Our itinerary includes Ait Ben Haddou, Tizi-n-Tichka, Sourate, Tinghir, Zagora, Ouarzazate, Ouzoud, and Essaouira. I’d love recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, and typical/spectacular spots to visit. We’d like to spend a night in the Zagora desert. We’re looking for authenticity and a friendly vibe—not tourist traps—for our trip. We’ll be there during Ramadan—any tips?
Thanks in advance!
Your fellow globetrotter’s perspective is invaluable.
Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 — Sine-Saloum
Drive to Toubacouta via the Trans-Gambian Highway (Gambia)
Stay with a local host / camp on the bolongs
Activities: pirogue ride in the delta, Serer villages, biking, handicraft discovery
Overnights: Sine-Saloum (3 nights)
Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 — Petite Côte
Drive to Somone / Ngaparou (~3 hours)
Stay with a local host
Activities: beach, safari at Bandia Reserve, kayaking on the lagoon, craft market
Overnights: Petite Côte (2 nights, including Sunday, March 8, to enjoy the full day before the nighttime departure)
Monday, March 9 — Departure
Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport (~45 minutes)
Flight leaves at 2:00 AM
I’ve got a few questions:
- Is an afternoon on Gorée Island worth it? I really want to go, but the ferry departure days are a bit limiting.
- How easy is it to get around between these different stops? Can we find a taxi that fits all five of us?
- Do you have any accommodation recommendations? I’d love to stay with locals as much as possible—we’re not looking for luxury, just a bed and a shower.
- February 28 is my birthday, and I’d love to do something “special”: any ideas for a nice place to stay, a great restaurant, or an out-of-the-ordinary activity? We’ll be around Cap Skirring.
- Does this itinerary seem coherent? I really want to visit Casamance, and we’d prefer to stay no more than 3 nights in the same place.
Don’t hesitate to share your tips! Thanks so much!
Hello,
I’d like to go to Morocco with my 10-year-old daughter for three weeks in February.
Do you think, as women traveling alone, we’ll feel comfortable? Sorry if my question seems odd, but when I mentioned my plans, I got some hesitant reactions.
I’ve never been to North Africa. I’ve traveled several times to the Sultanate of Oman, where I felt very at ease as long as we respected the basic cultural norms. For those who know Morocco, do you think it’s different? Would it be appropriate for me to cover my head?
I was thinking of arriving in Agadir and spending a few days in Taghazout and the surrounding area.
After that, if you have any tips, I’m all ears. We’re looking to discover Moroccan cultures, see artisans at work, or even try our hand at a local craft—we’d love that. Simply meeting families, seeing landscapes, animals, and soaking in the culture gently, opening ourselves to something new—that’s what motivates us. And if there are opportunities to listen to local music, even better.
We’ll be traveling by public transport.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Happy travels to everyone.
we’re taking our grandkids in early 2026 (14 and 10 years old) without their parents. Do we really need to have birth certificates and other forms translated by a sworn translator?
