Bonjour,
Notre petite famille envisage un voyage au long cours à partir de l'été 2006. Nos enfants auront 5 et 7 ans. Certains pays que nous voudrions visiter nous semblent à risque avec des enfants pour des raisons sanitaires et/ou politiques : inde, indonésie, amérique centrale, afrique du sud, kenya/tanzanie.
Qu'en pensez-vous? Certains d'entre vous ont peut-être une expérience dans ces lointaines contrées.
Soyez sympas de nous en faire profiter.
Nous partons également pour un voyage au long cours (1 an) en 2005/2006 avec nos enfants qui auront 12, 5 et 1an.
Nous irons également en Inde, pour le reste nous n'irons pas dans les autres pays que vous souhaitez visiter.
A mon humble et très modeste avis, aucun des pays que vous citez n'est vraiment à grand risque. Du point de vue Sanitaire, l'Inde est évidemment le plus difficile, mais de simples précautions d'hygiène permettent d'éviter les gros bobos. Nous sommes "très" vaccination, ce qui n'est pas le cas de tous sur le Forum, nous préférons le préventif...
En préventif également, suivant où vous allez dans chaque pays, pensez au palu, allez sur le site www.astrium.com, vous avez des fiches "santé" par pays (et possibilité de commander des produits sur catalogue).
Allez également sur www.abm.fr vous avez des kilos d'infos par pays (risques, prévention...).
Pour encore plus d'infos allez sur le site du gouvernement http://www.sante.gouv.fr/, très complet sur les typologies et rapports existants sur les maladies et secteurs touchés, préventions...
Si nous pouvons vous aider plus, n'hésitez pas à nous écrire.
Francis.
Découvrez notre site Internet :
Documentaires photo : francisfrenkel.com/
Cette année, nous sommes allés en Indonésie avec notre fils de 8 ans. Nous avons choisi l'île de Bali car c'est une région où le palu ne sévit pas. C'était en pleine saison sèche, mais nous n'avons pris aucun risque. D'un point de vue sanitaire ou sécuritaire, il n'y a pas de problème non plus.
Dans cette région du globe, il y a aussi la Thaïlande qui vaut le détour et qui ne présente pas plus de danger (à surveiller tout de même l'évolution de l'épidémie de grippe aviaire)
« Le paradis n'est pas sur la terre, mais il y en a des morceaux » Jules Renard
Attention, le site du ministère des affaires étrangères est réputé pour être très pessimiste; ainsi, les informations contenus sur ce site sont parfois exagérément alarmistes. De plus, si tu prends l'exemple de l'Indonésie, tu ne connais que la situation à Jakarta. Or, les conditions d'hygiène changent radicalement d'une Île à l'autre.
En retour, je te donne mes sites de référence, en matière de mise en garde diverses aux voyageurs:
Merci pour la réponse. Je vois que nous avons le même projet. peut-être pourrions-nous échanger nos impressions sur la préparation de ce voyage au long cours (pour nous ça ne durerait que 6 mois). Trajet?budget? boulot? vaccins ?
Par ailleurs, jeviens d'apprendre que le gouvernement allait passer l'âge de l'instruction obligatoire à 5 ans. ca ne nous arrange pas du tout car cela fait deux instructions à assumer ! Comment vous-y prendrez-vous à ce niveau ?
Merci à tous. Ce qui m'inquiète plus en Indonésie c'est l'insécurité "terroriste" surtout à Bali. Etant donné les attentats qui ont frappé l'île j'ai un peu peur de faire courir ce type de risque à mes enfants (si on partait à 2, je réagirais autrement). Cela étant dit, toutes les personnes y ayant séjourné en sont revenues enchantées. Je vois que vous confirmez ce point de vue.
voici mon idée sur les sites "térroristes" et les "sites sensible"
voici des coin ou je n'irais pas en ce moment;irak, afganistan algérie (et encore pour ses 2 derniers), mais pour ce qui est de bali, bien sur le risque zéro n'est pas sur mais c'est la méme chose pour paris(attentat cette semaine, madrid(il y a quelques mois)ou new york (il y a quelques années).ce n'est par ce qu'il y a eu un attentat qu'il faut "rayer" cette destination car par exemple en inde tu as plus de chance de mourir d'un accident de la route que d'un attentat.
En fait je vais te dire la vérité car je lis un peu entre les lignes
quand tu met (si on etaient deux ca serait différent), on voie que ton soucis (tres légitime) est la santé de tes enfants mais surtout a mon avis le regard des autres si il t'arrivait un soucis de santé pour tes petits.je connais tres bien le sujet car je suis partis (a bali d'ailleurs)avec mon fils quand il avait 4 mois, bien sur personne ne t'encourage et au contraire si tu as un pepin tous le monde va te tirer dessus.
notre fils qui a 5 ans a passer 32 mois de sa vie a voyager, comme tous les bébé voyageur (je connais tres bien la famille hervé14 ans a vélo, la famille maurice en vélo avec ses 2 petits bout ou les dupuis en land rover depuis des années) a voyager dans des "coin pas possible", a dormis dans une tente par moins 3 degrés, etc, etc sans jamais etre malade ce qui aussi le cas des enfant cité plus haut mais personne ne te dira que tu est dans le vrai.par contre lors de nos voyage un petit de notre village est mort de meningite, bien sur c'est affreux et bien sur tout le monde a réconforté la famille mais si ça nous etais arrivé a nous en inde ou au pérou ?bien sur on aurais été montrer du doigt, traité de parents criminel, etc, etc. alors que dans les 2 cas il n'y a pas de responsabilité plus importante c'est le destin.(dans le méme genre d'idée, j'ai un cousin qui c'est tué en scooter a pariset bien sur ça été un drame famillial, imagine que ca me soit arrivé sur mon vélo quelques part dans le monde!!je suis sur que les réactions aurais été :il l'as bien cherché d'aller faire du vélo "la bas"
voila si ca peu t'encourager a partir!!c'est vraiment une super expérience que d'etre avec tes enfants 24/24 h quand il sont petit
la vie est comme un livre, celui qui n'a pas voyagé n'en connais que la 1ere page.
Très vrai Bikeman, cette crainte que nous avons d'être des mauvais parents vis à vis des autres...
Nous avons tous certainement - familles de voyageurs - cette inquiétude de faire prendre des risques inconsidérés à nos enfants, dans des pays difficiles, sales, sans dispositifs hospitaliers, politiquement instables... Il n'est pas possible de s'enlever cette inquiétude complètement, sachez-le. De notre coté, nous préparons nos voyages avec beaucoup de minutie, avec des sécurités, des sécurités de sécurité...
Tout cela afin de nous permettre, en définitive, de voyager "librement", en improvisant totalement autour de ces "sécurités" ! A Paris, et ailleurs, nos enfants sont confrontés à de nombreux risques que beaucoup ne semblent plus mesurer croyant connaître parfaitement leur environnement. Mais ces risques existent : les casseroles bouillantes sur la gazinière, les prises électriques, les fers à repasser, les produits d'entretiens à portée des bambin, les armes, lames, la violence, les accidents en traversant la route sans regarder, les accidents de la route, les chutes... les maladies !
Lorsque vos enfants durant vos voyages, seront avec vous, toujours proches de vous, à portée de regard, ne croyez-vous pas qu'ils seront plus en sécurité qu'aujourd'hui ? Lorsque vous êtes au travail, qu'ils reviennent de l'école à pied, qu'ils sont à la crèche, avec la nounou, chez un copain, chez la grand mère, à la piscine, en colonie de vacances...
Mesurons maintenant les bénéfices de voyager avec nos enfants :
1° Pour eux d'abord : Une expérience qui les marquera. Des sensations qui enrichiront tous leurs sens. La découverte de la différence, des autres. La compréhension de la diversité et de la richesse de notre planète en cultures, géographie, histoire, races, langues, climats, saveurs, couleurs .... Même s'ils sont petits, je vous assure qu'ils sont "touché" par l'essentiels...Tout cela fait qu'ils se situent mieux - eux même - dans le monde, avec les autres. Les enfants apprennent aussi à utiliser le temps autrement qu'en regardant la TV ... Ils apprennent l'intérêt de la découverte et le plaisir que cela procure ! Ils créer - sans le savoir - leur propre identité, leur propre point de vue moins déformé par les images, la mode, la pub, leur entourage déjà sous influence...
Ensuite, c'est une expérience extraordinaire que de vivre 24h sur 24 avec son papa... Enfin un papa complètement disponible, qui ne rentre plus du boulot à 20h00 le soir crevé.... On peut jouer avec lui, mieux se comprendre, savoir qui est ce papa habituellement peu disponible... Idem pour la maman : plus de câlins, plus de dialogues et d'échanges, plus de vérité et d'intimité !
2° Pour les parents : En passant 24h sur 24 avec nos bambins nous apprenons à mieux les connaîtrent, à mieux les comprendre. Nous pouvons jouer pleinement notre rôle d’éducateur de "coach". Nous pouvons surtout prendre le temps : de les regarder, de leur parler, de les écouter, de partager avec eux... Et en définitive, je vous assure que nous apprenons, ainsi à leurs cotés, à mieux nous connaître nous-même !
Si vous aimez vos enfants, si vous aimez être avec eux, si vous êtes responsables, si vous êtes informés, si vous êtes préparés et si vous avez vraiment envie : Voyagez avec vos enfants, petits, moyens ou grands pour eux et pour vous ! Nous avons cette chance extraordinaire en tant qu'occidentaux riches que n'ont pas la plupart des habitants de la planète...
Francis.
Découvrez notre site Internet :
Documentaires photo : francisfrenkel.com/
Bon, je dois me rendre à l'évidence, vous avez raison ! Inutile de s'angoisser par avance à propos des terribles choses qui pourraient arriver à nos chérubins durant le voyage.
Notez que je m'inquiète sur Bali et le terrorisme alors que nous irons aux Etats-unis !!!
Bonjour,
Je rajoute mon grain de sel.
Nous avons toujours voyagé avec nos enfants (3 filles). En général, les enfants sont source de contacts avec la population. Il y a quand même peu de gens qui n'apprécient pas les enfants!
En Inde, elles avaient 13, 11 et 5 ans. C'était une super expérience car il n'y a pas beaucoup d'enfants occidentaux là-bas. Nous avons connu beaucoup de gens grâce à leur présence.
En Amérique Centrale, Mexique, Costa Rica et surtout Nicaragua. Là aussi, le fait d'être avec des enfants facilite souvent les choses.
Régulièrement, pour des tours organisé par un hôtel, les enfants n'ont pas payé, nous avions des commodités (obtenir une chambre au calme avec douche et wc pour elles).
Le seul désagrément que je vois, c'est la nourriture quand les enfants sont petits. Si elle est pimentée, ça passe mal. Dans ce cas, achetez des fruits au marché, des galettes de céréales, des desserts à base de cacahuètes, etc.
Bon voyage.
Philippe
Si tu pleures parce que tu as perdu le soleil, tes larmes t'empêcheront de voir les étoiles
Nous habitons a Jakarta depuis 7 ans et bien sur sommes alles a de nombreuses reprises a Bali, la derniere fois il y a 2 mois: ce n`est pas plus dangereux de voyager a Bali avec un enfant (nous avons une petite fille de 3 ans qui a deja "vu" 20 pays) que de traverser la France en voiture. Quant aux problemes sanitaires, le palud n`existe pas a Bali et pour le reste, on peut se faire soigner dans d`excellents centres sanitaires, bali etant une destination tres frequentee des touristes du monde entier.
Nous avons traverse les iles de Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa et Flores l`ete dernier avec notre fille sans precaution particuliere (et nous ne sommes pas je crois des parents inconscients !) .Il faut cependant comme toujours sous les tropiques faire attention a l`eau dans certains secteurs (risques d`amibes) et pour ceux qui voyagent en bus (nous, nous avions notre voiture) avoir parfois le coeur bien accroche !
Mais nous recommendons a 100% le voyage en Indonesie avec des enfants, nombre de nos amis en ayant aussi fait l`experience sans jamais le moindre probleme ou regret.
Merci de votre réponse. Plus ça va et plus je pense que l'indonésie est tout à fait pratiquable avec des enfants. Nous avons une amie qui y passe 2 mois par an (Bali) donc nous ne serons pas en terre totalement inconnue. Je pensait davantage au terrorisme qu'aux problème sanitaires mais comme nous envisageons aussi les Etats-unis je pense que la menace est bien plus réelle là-bas. Va pour bali ! je ne pense même pas aux catastrophes naturelles (tsunami par exemple) car elles sont malheureusement imprévisibles et peuvent sévir partout sur la planète (on est allé 2 fois en polynésie sans même y penser).
N`hesitez pas a nous recontacter si vous avez besoin de renseignements sur Bali ou le reste de l`Indonesie (un petit tour a Lombok, tres proche de Bali et avec de bien plus belles plages, est me semble-t-il une tres bonne idee...).
Et si vous avez besoin d`unhebergement au cas ou vous passeriez a Jakarta, nous serons ravis de vous accueillir a la maison.
Merci beaucoup de votre proposition. je savais bien que les voyageurs étaient des gens ouverts et accueillants.🙂
Notre périple est prévu au plus tôt dans 18 mois (on attend que notre fille ainée ait fait son CP). Notre itinéraire est à peu près établi mais peut évidemment changer en fonction des évènements politiques ou sanitaires (grippe aviaire notamment). En tout cas, on imagine mal ne pas passer par l'Asie.
Il est vrai qu'on était pas très branché indonésie car on avait peur de tomber sur des tonnes de touristes. Mais plus ça va et plus ça me tente quand même tant au niveau des paysages, de l'accueil local et du cout de la vie. Donc à suivre...
Nous aussi on est indecis pour l'indonesie, on pensse faire balie - flores en velos pour notre petis periple autour du monde qui debuterais justement avec l'indonesie mi aout, mais les textes des differant site institutionel sont assez decouragant : pirate, kidnaping, teroriste et danger surtous pour les voyageur isoler, c'est a dire exactement NOUS puisque deux velos perdus sur les petites routes ne risque pas de trouver beaucoup de secour !! Mais a coter de ca le discour allarmiste existe dans bien des pays .. difficile de ce faire une idée !!
Est ce que pour finir tu est dessider pour faire l'indonesie ?
L' Amerique centrale est pas mal je veux dire le Costa Rica mais attention aux piqures de moustique a cause de la fievre dengue.
Tout dans la vie est une affaire de choix. Ça commence par la tétine ou le téton, ça se termine par le chêne ou le sapin. *Everything in life is a matter of choice. It starts with "pacifier or nipple", it ends with "oak or pine". Pierre Desproges.
ns étions en inde début 2000: lavage des mains très souvt (savon liquide à promener partout)
pas de risques sanitaires: repellent moustique, tortillons à faire bruler, pantalons+manches longues
+ éviter les heures à risques.Ns devions prendre unantipaludéen ns avs arreté aorès 2 semaines (trop fainéants
pr l'avaler chq jour)
af sud: ok aucun pb de santé. sinon ne pas rester ds les rues le soir et attention en voiture il est déconseillé de s'arreter si tu rencontres un pieton
paysages magnifiques, transports bus + train nuit excellents
am centrale: bien veiller sur tes enfts
parait il vols ds les rues et les cinés
ceci dit partout on es supposés avoit un oeil sur sa progéniture meme à Paris non?
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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,
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
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’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 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 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.
Nous sommes une famille avec de jeunes enfants ( 6 ans, 3 ans et un nouveau né) et souhaiterions partir une dizaine de jours en Aquitaine ( en Gironde ou dans les Landes).
Nous aimerions nous trouver à proximité de jolis villages à visiter et si possible proches de la mer.
Nous projetons de loger dans un camping avec une piscine afin que les enfants puissent jouer.
Auriez-vous des lieux/ villages/campings à nous conseiller ?
Nous ne connaissons pas du tout la région.
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?
Hi there, I’m really sorry if this question has already been asked several times—I’ve been scouring blogs, forums, and various sites for a while now, but I still have some more specific questions for our trip...
First off, we’re a family of four with two kids aged 10 and 14. We’ve already been to Thailand and Laos five times with them (each trip lasting a month or six weeks), and we’re huge Thailand lovers, but this year we’d like to discover Indonesia, which we don’t know at all (for a duration of 4 or 5 weeks between late June and late July). We travel pretty "roots" style with a budget of 100 € per day and avoid touristy areas as much as possible. We get around using local transport, rent scooters, and take our time (for a one-month trip, we usually visit 4 destinations to really soak it in). So here are my upcoming questions:
For a first visit, I wanted to focus on a single island—Lombok—by taking a flight from Paris to Denpasar and then a boat to Lombok.
Do you think the following route would work?
- Kuta Lombok
- Gili Gede
- Gili Meno
- Tetebatu
I saw there’s a local boat to Lombok—has anyone here taken it before?
For those who’ve been there during this period, do you know if Gili Meno and Gili Gede get crowded, or should we focus more on the coasts?
To get between these spots, are there buses, or do we need to take private taxis?
As for accommodations, we’re used to booking triple rooms for all four of us in Thailand. For those who travel with kids, do you know if that’s doable in Indonesia, or should we book two double rooms instead?
Last (slightly silly) question: We want to go to Indonesia because our son dreams of seeing beautiful marine life while snorkeling—I think Lombok is a good choice for that. But my daughter is a huge fan of those "knick-knack" markets full of Chinese trinkets that you find all over Thailand. Do you know if Lombok has any day or night markets where we could go?
We’re looking at heading to South Africa this summer (early July) with our two kids (6 & 10 years old). Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary so far. What do you think? Is it better to skip Addo? (We can’t add any more days...). If so, should we spend more time on certain stops or add something else? (Cederberg?)
Thanks in advance,
Bruno
D1 Arrival at 10 AM, rest in Cape Town
D2 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula
D3 Cape Town or Cape Peninsula
D4 Bonteboks National Park; overnight in Heidelberg
D5 Botlierskop Game Drive; overnight near Mossel Bay
D6 Garden Route; overnight in Plettenberg Bay
D7 Bird of Eden and Robberg Nature Reserve; overnight in Plettenberg Bay
D8 Tsitsikamma; overnight in Addo
D9 Addo
D10 Ostrich farm; overnight in Oudtshoorn
D11 Buffelsdrift Game Lodge and caves; overnight in Oudtshoorn
D12 Garden Route Game Lodge; overnight in Albertinia
D13 De Hoop; overnight in De Hoop
D14 Hermanus; overnight in Hermanus
D15 Betty’s Bay and return to Cape Town
D16 Cape Town; departure at 5 PM
We’ve visited Zeeland (Netherlands) several times with our two young children—Middelburg, for example—and really loved it. We’re looking for something similar in the Benelux or northern France:
- A pretty, historic small town with charm, not just a village, since we enjoy a slightly "urban" vacation vibe: parks, biking on dedicated paths, museums, cafés, restaurants, and shopping
- Very pedestrian-friendly and/or bike-accessible (like the Netherlands always is)
- Relatively safe and welcoming for kids, with activities for them (which is also very common in the Netherlands)
Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything as well-preserved and lovely as the extensive center of that small town, which seems to fly under the radar. I’m sure there must be others like it that I’m missing. In the same vein but on a larger scale, we love Bruges, for example—but it’s bigger (which is fine) and especially very expensive.
