Where would you go?

kit

I have won 5k to spend on a holiday ...... I think I would rather have just won a holiday because its causing us sooooo much stress trying to decide where to go!!

There are 3 of us, DH and I with our 8 year old daughter. We initially wanted to go to China but not sure DD would enjoy it too much and I would need to go with a tour (cause i would get too stressed trying to do it myself) and tours tend to push the cost up to 6/7k.
Would love to have a beach hut literally on the beach but again would it be to boring for DD?!

So where would you go and why? Also have anyone done either of the above with one child aged 8 ish??

busy_mom_2

Florida!!!!

balletshoes

I'd second the USA with an 8-year old and a 5k budget. Theres so much to see and do there, for all ages. Beaches all over the shop in Florida, scenery, wildlife in the everglades, and of course the theme and waterparks around Orlando.

California would be on my list with your budget too - and Las Vegas, its so over-the-top.

zagfles

Trouble with Florida is there's not really a good time in the (usual) UK school holidays to go - you'd have to take her out of school.

If you want beaches and some Oriental culture, how about Malaysia or Thailand, should be easy with your budget. Say, few days in Bangkok or KL then a couple of weeks on one or two of the many lovely islands those countries have to offer...

peachyprice

Another vote for Florida, I'd do a 2 centre Orlando and Gulf coast.

kit

Thanks all. Took her to Florida just over a year ago and as much as she would love to go back I'm not sure us grown ups could take another lot of disney so soon!

Voyager2002

China could be a great idea. I first took my son there when he was 9, and he loved it. Check out Yangshuo: nicely set up for tourism, with lots of child-friendly things. And it is easy to arrange guides, tours and activities there, at a much lower price than through a tour company.

totallybored

Definitely Asia. Either Cambodia and Thailand (you could have a beach hut for a few days and do cultural stuff) and your 5k would go a long way if you DIY it.

Or Japan and Korea but you'd have to be careful with your budget.

apples1

Dubai - if you want to go in school holidays then Feb half term, Easter or October half term. Go for a 5 star beach hotel and you will ALL love it! So so much for your 8 year old and plenty of luxury relaxation for you. I haven't found a holiday to beat it. Avoid the summer months.

Look on the Dubai forum on trip advisor for more info or message me if you are interested and want to know more.

coupleuk

Compromise - 7 night Florida (for her) followed by a 7-10 night cruise (for all of you)

£5k would easily do it.

Royal Caribbean - usually booked thru a US agent like vacationstogo.

Then, use cruisefish.net to monitor price drops (so you can claim refund of price difference thru tour agent).

IF you can time Florida with a UK bound transatlantic cruise (usually April/May) you can get 13/14 night for less than £400 each.

mgdavid

Kenya - bit of safari and bit of beach; organise it yourself, someone else is paying so where's the stress?