Location for Xmas Holiday

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mickeyg

Registered User
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My 2 sons are in Australia and my daughter, wife and myself are hoping to all meet for a few weeks at Xmas. Rather than flying all

the way to Australia I am checking out some other possible destinations ""in between" here and Australia to gather for a few weeks.

I would love to get any advice/recommendations on potential locations
 
If you stop off en route to Australia you will probably be jet-lagged in any event at your intermediate stop, as you are flying ahead in time, i.e. flying East. For example, Perth is 7 hours ahead of Dublin but so is Singapore. If you think you will be jet lagged on a flight to Perth you will also be if you stop off in Singapore. So fly direct to Australia and allow a day or so to get over jet lag. Then stop off somewhere, e.g. Bali and / or Singapore on the way back, as you are flying West.
 
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Thailand would be a good option, lovely country, lots to do and while not exactly 'in the middle' is a reasonable flying time and very well served by airlines on both sides. Plenty of nature, wildlife and nice weather, good food and variety for all ages, and depending on which area you choose might not break the bank as much as the Emirates spots at that time of year.
 
Taiwan was lovely last December, maybe a little too hot. Lots to see, and a range of foods and accommodation.
8 hours by air from Australia, 12 hour flight from Amsterdam/Paris/Vienna...
 
We did this a number of years ago; sister was in Oz and myself and the Parents met her in Thailand. We all flew to Bangkok separately and went down to the Islands; Koh Samui is where we spent most of the time, few days in Bangkok and then up to the North of Thailand (Chiang Mai); myself and my sister then went to Laos; folks went their separate way at that point. Worked out very well. Thailand is a fab country.
 
Me and my wife and 4 year old daughter are looking at flying from Ireland to Australia for 2-3 weeks.
Is this a crazy journey for a small child and will it be with it for such a short time ?
 
It's a very long journey, very expensive, and your daughter won't remember much.
It's too short a time to do much travel in Australia.

Having said that, if the aim is to be with family, yes, it is worth it.
I spent Nov and Dec in New Zealand, and one son had travelled from Germany with wife and two children, one 3 year old, the youngest under 1 It took them 60 hours to get there, due to a change in connections by the airline, but to see how the brothers reconnected, and how the little boys and their uncle enjoyed each other, was almost beyond price.

You know your daughter's temperament: how would she manage the long time shut in an aeroplane?
 
My sister lives in Oz (kids and an Aussie partner) and comes home once a year with one of the kids. She travels on her own - her OH has no interest in coming. She recommends to do it in one go and come/go via Abu Dhabi with Etihad. She thinks spending a night in a hotel en route is a waste as you may sleep or not sleep; its very easy to transfer in Abu Dhabi; the youngest she has brought one of the kids on their own is 5 - there are 2 of you though. GO for it if you are up for it.
 
GAAmam said:
She recommends to do it in one go and come/go via Abu Dhabi with Etihad.
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We had a dreadful experience with Etihad and that was travelling business class. Abu Dhabi is a huge airport. Bus transfer from plane to terminal took 20 minutes. Never again.
 
Sorry to derail this thread but it is a slightly connected question
Flying to Japan this year through Dubai airport, on the way over we have a 3 hour stopover, no problems there
But on the way back it's an hour stop over, so I'm wondering, I know it's tight but is it doable??
The travel agent has said they wouldn't have arranged it that way unless it was possible
But if for some reason we miss the connection, what can I look forward to??
For reference my flight from Dubai is 07:20, the next and only flight that day is 15:15
Will Emirates look after us with food and accommodation should the need arise??
 
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What I am saying is it worth going to Australia for 2-3 weeks just to see it ( like is it a once in a life time thing)with my 4 year old daughter and wife,and no I have no family there .
Or else go on my own ?..
 
trump22 said:
What I am saying is it worth going to Australia for 2-3 weeks just to see it ( like is it a once in a life time thing)with my 4 year old daughter and wife,and no I have no family there .
Or else go on my own ?..
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I have travelled a lot with my children since they are only a couple of months old (on my own and with my partner). My worst trip was when I flied with a two months old and a 3.5 years old on my own. So logistically, I think it's possible. However, I don't think it's a good idea to plan a "once in lifetime" trip with such a young child. They just don't remember or enjoy it. And, while I have travelled quite a bit with mine, up to 7/8, their interest can be quite short-lived and there are limits on what you can do. We still joke about my eight years old complaining in New York that she was fed up of visiting tall buildings. So while if it was for family reason, I would do it, I would wait for the trip of a lifetime.
 
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