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So if you had around $5,000 for a holiday where would you go in January 2014?
2 adults, 2 kids 12 and almost 8. We need a holiday but neither of us have a clue where we want to go! Nothing "full on" it will need to be a chillax holiday.
OR save the money for extras when we go overseas in February 2015?
It's wet season but Bali, Fiji or January is great time to visit NZ.
Fiji and NZ have been on list time and time again, but are they really doable on $5,000?
Any suggestions on where to stay?
Hawaii, just got back, and loved it way more than I thought!
Edit; just read the 5k limit, don't think it would work!
Western Australia
We're going on a big over seas trip feb 2015, so I can either put the 5k towards that or go on a small holiday in jan next year. Don't want some big exciting running around all over the place trip either, it's very much about relaxation.:
You could do Fiji on $5k. Love it there, have been twice and have heaps of tips if you like!
Anywhere in mind? As much as I love going somewhere new I hate working out the details because I'm always worried we'll end up with sucky accommodation.:
Hamilton Island. Depending on where you live :)
The far north in NZ. Can do Whale/dolphin watching etc and really good beaches. Fly into auckland, hire car, can get a whole house on bookabach. Or Rotorua has lots of stuff to do and see. Central Otago is lovely at that time of year, Queenstown and Wanaka have things to do and Cromwell is a relaxing little town if you are after serenity.
But Hamilton Island is a good idea too, or something else in your own backyard that you have never got around to doing. Gold coast hinterland is nice. If you are just wanting a beach type of relax then you can save airfares and go up to Noosa (or just out of for more quiet at that time of year). The Eumundi markets are quite cool. I rode a camel there. P.S, don't ride a camel several weeks after giving birth.
WA in January will be hot and flights $$. We went home to Qld from WA last Xmas and spent nearly $4000 on airfares and car hire for two adults and a toddler! It's beautiful here though, but maybe the wrong time of year.
I can vouch for Fiji - I've been in January and it was awesome. Doable on your budget too I believe. The afternoon storms were waay cool too ;)
Is $5000 enough for a cruise? There would be heaps of choices over the school hols.
Hamilton Island. It was ace, and you can get a self contained apartment, buy your groceries at the shops, and then just eat and play and swim to your heart's delight :)
The rooms are pretty reasonably sized in the apartments too, and many come with a golf buggy.
I was thinking Fremantle or Margaret River area. But that's probably just because I want to go there! South of Perth would be cooler but I've been to Perth in Jan/Feb and I found it not too hot. Nice dry heat and the afternoon breeze makes it easier to enjoy.
Perth can be seriously hot in January, and over recent years really humid too. Down south is beautiful and if you stayed in the Margaret River area it would be a bit cooler but its not cheap unless you are looking at caravan/park cabin sort of accommodation. Further south to Albany or Denmark would be good and a bit cheaper, but you would have to hire a car and that is going to put a hole in your budget. Rottnest Island is beautiful but again, accommodation isn't cheap (and definitely isn't flash if you stay in a cabin) and its very popular over the summer school holidays. You can often get cancellations from the ballot though. It is a really relaxed place though - mainly because there is close to nothing to do but beach sort of stuff. No cars so the world slows down and it is great for kids.
Given you're over east I would vote for Fiji too. Easily do-able on your budget I would have thought, and flights are short for you.
So if Fiji any tips on where? I want a swim up bar with ****tails, everything else I don't care! Do any of the places have a kids club?
We went to nz south island in january and it was fab. The weather was lovely - altho cold and rainy on the afternoon we arrived, the rest of the days were beautiful. We spent 5 nights/6 days and hired a car. We did a little bit of driving but it was very cruisy. Some great food/produce and lots of beautiful scenery. The jet boats are fun and we visited a seal colony. If we could afford it, i'd be tempted to go back again this summer!
I i think you could do it within budget. Not a swim up bar sort of place but still sone great ****tails!!
We stayed at Sonaisali in Fiji run by Aussies so the kids liked the food, they got their Vegemite sandwiches! Swim up bar and lots of tours available with a kids club and babysitting was only a couple of dollars an hour. We got a free upgrade to a beach bure. Can't wait to go back.
I can go without the swim up bar as long as the drinks are still good and a kids club!
I want to do nothing for 3-5 days! Nothing but drink and eat and have someone else clean up!
We also got meals included there was so much on offer, two courses at lunch and three at dinner.
Fiji sounds exactly what you want. It's the perfect place to chill. I've not been to Vanuatu, but that sounds lovely too.
There are many resorts with kids clubs. We stayed next to Plantation Island, which had a kids club. There are loads of others though.
so am I better off booking things on my own or getting a package? where would I look for a package, what do I need to know/avoid? help lol
When we go away, we normally book airfares, and accommodation as separate packages.. In my history, it has always worked out cheaper.. I found if you are staying at places that offer food, go for breakfast, and possibly dinner.. I like to be close to 'home' for evening meals with kids, especially in a new environment, You can try local things through the day..:
We book them through an agent but she does airfares and accommodation/meals separately.
We stayed at Denarau (which I now can't spell, sorry!) Island, Nadi. The 'island' (its connected by a bridge to the mainland, not like some of the other islands that are a boat ride away) is basically self sufficient so we didn't have to go anywhere if we didn't want to....we did visit Nadi one day and did a tour of local villages another, but you don't have to. There are heaps of day trip options though.
There were lots of free activities at the resort, from beach/water activities to pools, basket weaving and jewellery making demos and shows at sunset. There was a kids club too. Breakfast and dinner was included and I drank ****tails in the pool for lunch ;). There was a free bus around the island too. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. One of my fave, most relaxing holidays ever.
I'd find a travel agent and look at packages - you might get an all inclusive price, or you might find it cheaper to book accom and flights separately. Packages that include all/some meals tend to be better deals - the more stuff that's included, the better the deal (as long as they're not including stuff you don't want/need). Though not always. Look for 'kids stay and eat free' type deals too. I always try and work out the cost of each component too so I can see how much of a good deal I'm getting :)
We stayed on an adults only island so no, no kids club. Could highly recommend dumping the kids and just going with your man though ;-)
Friends have stayed four times at the Sheraton in Fiji with their kids - obviously they love it. Google the Holiday with Kids website - there are lots of recommendations on there for kid friendly resorts all over.
My DH did the fit out for the Sheraton Fiji ;)
Do you use Groupon? There's a Fiji deal up today - 7 nights including flight $899 each, said something about kids being free. Check it out.
Was just coming in to say I saw a Scoopon deal for Fiji this morning. Didn't see any details though as I've pressed a button on my email and nothing is working now....need I say more! :wall: