Bonjour,
nous envisageons de partir dans 18 mois avec mon mari et nos 3 enfants (6 ans au moment du départ, 4 ans et 1 an) pour un tour d’Europe du nord en camping car. Nous voulons profiter du fait que nos enfants n'étant pas encore en primaire, il n'y a pas d'obligation de scolarité. Nous sommes très motivé par le projet sauf que j'ai un peu peur que mon ainée n’adhèrent pas au projet. Elle a 4 ans aujourd'hui, adore l'école, adore faire des tas de choses avec ses copines à l'école, et j'ai peur que partir 5 mois sans l'école, sans ses grands parents dont elle est très proche soit difficile pour elle, à rajouté au fait que je commence de plus en plus à me dire qu'il faudra quand même la faire travailler pour pas qu'elle ait de retard en entrant au CP (ses instits placent la barre très haute sur la classe de grande section qui doit permettre à l'enfant de savoir quasiment déja écrire avant de rentrer au CP..) et que les premiers grands parents informés par notre projet n'ont pas du tout adhéré... Bref, tout ça pour vous demander si vous avez déja fait un voyage long avec des jeunes enfants et comment ils l'ont vécu??? Le principal reproche que nos familles vont nous faire c'est que nous sommes égoiste de partir avec eux (ben oui, mais moi je pars sans eux et c'est pas d'un voyage de 8 jours dont on rêve..). Je pense vraiment que ce voyage permettra de nous souder tous les 5, de faire une place au petit dernier, de profiter de nos enfants avant qu'ils grandissent trop vite. Mais comment expliquer les bénéfices pour les enfants?? (il y en a plein j'en doute pas mais comment les formuler??)
Merci par avance
Bonjour,
C'est une décision tres personnelle et il est difficile de donner un avis chaque expérience étant particulière a chacun...
Des amis proches sont partis un an avec leurs trois enfants ( 10-8 et 4 ans ) en tour d'Europe en camping car. L'idée leur trottait dans la tête depuis un moment, puis un déclic, ils ont quittés tout ce qu'ils avaient et sont partis !
Ils n'ont aucun regrets, c'était une super expérience, ils ont apprécié de pouvoir se retrouver "juste en famille" couper le quotidien "métro, boulot, dodo". Même si ce quotidien a 5 dans un si petit espace est parfois un peu...compliqué.
Ils ont donné de leurs nouvelles par téléphone, par internet ( quand ils avaient une connexion, pas toujours évident ) certains amis et membres de la famille les ont rejoint a certaines étapes pour passer un moment avec eux. C'est passé très vite.
Les enfants ont bien vécu l'expérience, même avec l'école par correspondance pour les aines. Mais ils étaient effectivement pressés de retrouver copains et copines. Pas beaucoup d'enfants croisés sur leur parcours et barrière de la langue, ils avaient envie de jouer avec des enfants de leur âge.
Malgré tout, ils restent tous les trois contents de leur voyage, ils en font un retour positif.
Voila, bon retour en tout cas pour eux.
Si vous avez l'opportunité de le faire et l'envie... Allez y ! 5 mois c'est très vite passé, les enfants s'adaptent souvent facilement a condition qu'on leur explique, qu'on les rassure...et ils ont besoin de parents heureux et épanouis pour s'épanouir eux même ! Alors...
Le bénéfice pour les enfants, c'est d'être avec leurs parents dans un contexte ou ceux ci sont plus disponibles pour eux. C'est de découvrir - même si ils sont petits - autres chose. C'est leur donner - même si il n'auront peut être pas beaucoup de souvenirs- ce gout de découvrir..
Si vous partez sereins en ayant un peu balisé le retour, l'entrée en primaire de ta grande...elle le sentira et sera plus sereine elle aussi...
Merci de ta réponse, ça me rassure. Je suis du genre à tout organiser donc pour le retour c'est sur que rien ne sera laissé au hasard. Ta réponse m'éclaire aussi sur la façon dont je dois l'expliquer aux enfants le moment venu pour les rassurer.
merci
J'ai voyagé 2 x 3 mois avec mes enfants en Asie. lors du 1er voyage, ma fille avait 3ans 1/2 et mon fils 6 ans, lors du 2ème voyage elle en avait 6 lui 9. Je crois que voyager fait partie de mes "valeurs". Pour moi éduquer un enfant, c'est lui montrer ce que tu as envie de voir. Mieux que tous les discours, mieux que tous les cours. c'est l'expérience de la vie. Bien sûr, ça bouscule les habitudes, ça implique des renoncements. Vos enfants ne peuvent être mieux que là où ils sont avec leurs parents réunis. alors si vous avez envie de le faire, faites-le et n'écoutez pas trop votre entourage. on nous a traité de fous, d'irresponsables, d'égoïstes, ou de "chanceux". Chacun doit vivre sa vie en accord avec ses propres valeurs et cela personne ne peut vous le dénier. Maintenant il est possible et même probable que vos enfants n'en profitent pas comme vous souhaiteriez qu'ils en profitent. je dois bien avouer que les miens gardent un souvenir beaucoup plus fort du second voyage car ils avaient une plus grand maturité et une plus grande capacité de savourer cette aventure. Les tous petits ont davantage besoin d'être dans leur routine. Bonne chance.
A trop écouter les contres indications des uns et des autres et à commencer à te poser trop de questions, tu finis par rester chez toi.
Alors qu'une telle expérience est vraiment riche pour tous.
Nous sommes partis une année avec deux enfants de 1 et 5 ans à l'époque.
Pour le BB, c'est génial, il est en permanence entouré de ces proches et nous profitons pleinement de son évolution, particulièrement importante à cet age.
Pour la grande, effectivement, c'était un peu plus compliqué car elle comprenait très bien qu'elle ne verrai pas pendant un certain temps la famille et les copines. Mais les journées sont tellement remplies et riches que le manque ne s'est pas fait sentir une fois sur les routes.
Nous avions convenu avec l'instit d'établir une correspondance durant cette année, en procédant à des envois en poste restante.
Concernant les "devoirs", nous lui en avons fait faire à sa guise (elle en apprend bcp en voyageant) : un peu de lecture, un peu d'écriture...
Nous avons aussi, lors du voyage, commencé un blog afin de donner des nouvelles à la famille et les amis (adresse en signature).
merci à vous 2. Pour le blog, je l'avais déja vu mais j'avais perdu l'adresse, merci!
Vos messages me remotivent, reste plus qu'à communiquer cette positive attitude à notre entourage!!
un de plus pour le "FONCE"
juste notre experience, nous revenons d'un tour d'Europe de 5 mois puis 4 mois1/2 en Asie et re 2Mois en Italie/Croatie/Slovenie le tout dans un vw combi de 1979 ( sauf pour la partie Asie qui etait en sac a dos) donc si tu calcul, cela donne UN AN.mais le plus c'est que nous etions......5 à bord du petit combi ( 3 enfants de 13/13/7) d'une, c'etait le bonheur absolue après un bon "reglage" apres les 15 premiers jours, ensuite= 100% de bonheur, enfin NOUS SEULEMENT oui, on ne c'est jamais connecté pour avoir des infos optimistes de la tv francaise..... ni d'amis ou famille.
Nous avons ouvert un blog bien renseigné et les personnes qui voulaient de nos nouvelles allaient sur le blog et la, tu as des surprises, ce n'est pas forcement les gens qui te font la morale de ne pas partir pour des raisons de "securite" qui sont les plus inquiets car ils ne viennent meme pas visiter le blog, pour info, nous avons du avoir un mail en un an de nos parents ( donc des grands parents qui n'ont pas du tout accepté ce voyage par peur ou par egoisme) donc.... n'ecoute personne et vivez ENFIN VOTRE VIE !!!!!!!
Je t'assures que nous sommes pret a repartir demain si les moyens nous le permettaient, avec ma femme, on c'est retrouvé comme à nos 20 ans ( avec les enfants en plus) franchement, cela nous a SCELLE car nous etions deja tres soudes avant de partir, et puis tu te rends compte que c'est le stress quotidient d'une vie pépére statique avec le boulot, les sois-disant amis qui ne te parle que de leurs problèmes ( c'est evident, nous on ne peut pas en avoir puisqu'on a "la chance" de rien foutre et etre en vacances pendant un an!!!!) qui nous bouffe la vie.
Mais il faut bien te dire que ce n'est pas des vacances et bel et bien un VOYAGE tout est a gerer au fur et a mesure, mais tout ce fait très bien car tu ne vis que pour ta famille.
Je ne te parlerais pas du retour car cela n'en vaut pas la peine, cela fait 4 mois que nous sommes rvenus, nous avons viré la TV de la maison et nous passons de superbes soirées a enfin communiquer entre nous 5, pour l'education nous avions fait le choix du CNED et franchement, tu devrais y penser pour ta grande car c'est largement jouable de s'occuper d'elle ( 3h/ jour et la premiere partie du voyage, les 5 premiers mois en europe du Nord, nous avions prit 4 MOIS D AVANCE SUR LE PROGRAMME donc les 4 mois suivants en Asie, nous n'avions plus de cours!!!!!!)
Sinon pour expliquer aux enfants avant le depart, nous nous y etions prit bien a l'avance ( 18 mois) et on a fait une reunion de famille à 5 pour se poser et savoir ce que nous voulions de notre vie, la reponse a été unanime: passer du temps ensemble et si possible VOYAGER donc l'organisation a suivie et nous partions le 30/06/2011 tu verras enfin le vrais visage de ta petite famille ( pour ma part j'ai enfin DECOUVERT mes enfants à leur 13 ans!!!!! je te jure que cela met le cafard quand tu pense que j'aurais pu passer à cote de ces merveilleux moments si NOUS ETIONS RESTE EN FRANCE A SE PLAINDRE !!!!!!)
donc je me repete mais FONCEZ et pourquoi pas plus longtemps? car tu sais le plus dure est de prendre la decision et de tourner la clef le jour J. ensuite, la vrais vie t'attends avec de merveilleuse rencontres!
Enormes bise a toute tes filles et ton homme, n'hesite pas a me contacter en mp ou sur notre blog: http://lacombimaison.over-blog.com
le voyage commence a partir du moment ou tu as DECIDE de partir......
au fait juste un petit mot de ma fille de 7 ans qui etait impatiente de retrouver les copines de classe, la semaine dernière le matin au reveil elle dit à ma femme, " dit maman, en fait c'etait super l'année dernière, c'etait mieux qu'a l'ecole avec les copines qui font du bruit!!!!!" et là ... je ne te dis pas le BONHEUR de l'entendre car cela prouve qu'on a reussi cette année avec nos enfants et le DESESPOIR de la laisser seule aller à l'ecole.....
au fait je me repete mais: FONCE, FONCE, et FONCE n'ecoutez que votre coeur car les gens qui ne voyagent pas ne peuvent pas comprendre!!!!!!!😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Merci pour ta réponse, je ne connaissais pas ton blog, je vais me plonger dedans avec grand plaisir!! Surtout que je réalise que ton itinéraire des 5 premiers mois est quasiment le même que le notre mais à l'envers.
pour répondre à ta question, on ne part "que" 5 mois pour plein de raison: pas assez de sous pour partir plus (le problème principal en fait) mais aussi le fait qu'on veut absolument que notre ainée fasse sa rentrée en septembre 2014 comme tout le monde (rentrée de grande en CP), et puis que le ou la petite dernière n'étant pas encore né, on préfère attendre que le bébé est 6-8 mois. Et puis, finalement, au vu de l'itinéraire qu'on a choisi, cela ne nous intéressait pas de partir en hiver donc 5 mois ce sera déja bien (et puis qui c'est, ce sera peut être qu'un premier grand voyage... on peut toujours réver d'un suivant quand les enfants auront grandis...)
allez, je vais me replonger dans le rêve de ce voyage parce que c'est sur que préparer c'est déja voyager (même 18 mois avant...) et puis, les paroles de ta fille font vraiment chaud au coeur, félicitation à toi et à ta femme!
merci pour tout, en effet 5 mois suffisent pour la partie Nord de l'Europe et je comprens tout a fait l'importance de la rentrée en CP c'etait la raison pour laquelle nous avions préferé partir l'année de CE1 de Melodie.
En effet, gardez la Norvège /Suede /Finlande pour l'été, nous avions fat ce choix egalement, nous y etions en Juillet/Aout et la temperature etait de 18/22°, donc parfat pour ce ballader, juste le bémol des longues journées ( ah le soleil de minuit c'est sympas mais le corps ne peut pas s'adapter donc en gros 3 mois de petits som, ca fatigue...)
Bon péparatifs, rassure toi, 18 mois avant c'est ce qu'il faut, tout ce que tu préparera d'avance sera ca de gagné sur place. pour les nuits, aucun problèmes, nous avons fait 58 mois de sauvage sauf en Finlande ou il est difficile de trouver car ce qu'il faut savoir ( on a pu le constater sur placr) c'est que ce pays est plein de superbes lac, donc on se faisait à l'idée d'y passer nos nuits, et bin ...... que neni, car tous les lacs de Finlande sont "privés" c'est à dire que tu les longes et au moment ou tu veux t'en approcher pour installer le campement et bien , tous les chemins d'acces finissent dans une propriété privée donc 😕
Pour le reste des pays, c'est du velour!
bon préparatif et pense bien que la NORVEGE est le pays le PLUS CHER DU MONDE oui, c'est vérifié par nos soins, on avait fait le plein de bouffe en Suede ( idem tarif que la France) et malgres cela, on a reeté aux iles Lofoten en laissant tomber le Cap Nord car fatigues par ces longues routes et les tarifs !!!! à l'époque l'essence etait dejas à 2€/l ...
Au cas où tu aurais encore besoin d'encouragements... Nous sommes partis 5 mois l'année passée avec nos enfants de 11 et 10 ans (3,5 mois Asie du S-E, puis 1,5 mois Sénégal). Je sentais pas mal de craintes chez ma mère quand je le lui ai annoncé, même si elle a eu la délicatesse de ne pas nous en faire part. Mais quand elle a vu la façon dont nous préparions notre voyage, not. au niveau santé (vaccins, assistance rapatriement...) et scolaire (enseignement dispensé sur base de manuels scolaires et corrigés), elle nous a progressivement fait confiance. Au final, nous sommes revenus heureux d'avoir pu réaliser notre rêve sans rester sur des regrets et nos enfants ont retrouvé l'école et d'excellents résultats scolaires sans aucune difficultés.
Si vous voulez voir notre blog www.travel4share.over-blog.com, le dernier article "Quand le voyage s'achève" pourrait vous "parler". Un bilan en quelque sorte de mes angoisses avant le départ et de ce que nous en avons finalement retiré.
Bonne chance, et n'écoutez pas les gens qui vous traitent d'égoïste, au contraire, c'est un merveilleux cadeau que vous offrez à vos enfants et à votre famille ! Nous avons croisé d'autres familles en voyage en Asie, aucun regret de leur côté non plus, foncez !
Claire
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Nous envisageons de partir une semaine en famille de 4 personnes: ma compagne, 2 petits garçons et moi. J'ai un peu de mal à choisir la destination et la…
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?
