Once in a lifetime holiday ideas

[Starclocks]

DH and I have been saving for a once in a lifetime holiday for years. It'll be for us and our two DDs who will be 16 and 14 when we go next summer.
We've been lucky enough to have been able to save £250 for this every month for five years, so will have £15k. I can maybe add another £2k on top if I save a bit more each month between now and then.

Originally the plan was Disney Florida. We could do a fortnight there without compromising on anything. All the parks, good food, nice hotel. But the closer we get to it, the more I wonder whether it would be a waste when there is so much more of the world to see.

The kids do like theme parks, and we went to Eurodisney when they were 6 and 8, and had a blast. And I went and was amazed by Orlando as an adult 20 years ago, so I know it's not just for kids. But it's all so fake, and there is the Trump factor and America being such a weird place right now. As a family we have had some amazing city breaks in Amsterdam, Belfast, London, Edinburgh over the years. So we could go to an amazing g city like Singapore or Sydney (or both!). We also love animals and nature, and for this kind of money we could do something amazing in that space - Costa Rica, Borneo, places in Africa.

I am just overwhelmed by the choice and conscious that wherever we pick it will mean not picking all the other places! But this is a big deal for me as I have consciously saved to give us this one big family trip that we will never be able to afford again.

I realise that we are extremely lucky to have this problem. I dont mean to sound goady at all, and we really don't have a luxury lifestyle other than this one thing. It will be our first long haul trip anywhere. And I know that whatever we pick will be great, as all our holidays have been, whether they have been little trips in the UK or France, or slightly bigger ones like our week in Crete last year. But I wonder what gems the Mumsnet give mind can come up with as options.

Japan!!! You would have such an amazing time. It's so wonderful! I wouldn't go in summer though, too hot. But if you could swing two weeks in the October half term it would be a wonderful time to go. Easter would also be good but potentially very busy with cherry blossom season.

New Zealand is also amazing if you love hiking/the outdoors but I think Japan has it all.

Japan also has theme parks like Disney Tokyo and universal studios

Or, completely left field, but how about a trans Siberian experience or a Silk Road trip going to some of the stans like Khazakstan, Uzbekistan etc? Totally different but real once in a life time

I'd do an animal based trip, like a safari in Kenya/Tanzania or somewhere like Borneo or Cost Rica.

I'd definitely leave Disneyland. You'd have a blast, but I think in terms of making memories/having mind blowing experiences/really broadening the mind somewhere a bit less commercialised would be great.

If you went somewhere where the pound goes a long way, some places in Asia, for example, you could have a longer trip, move around and see lots of places, instead of just two weeks somewhere.

I mean, if you like theme parks you have very different ideas to those who like to see the world in all its splendour, chaos and natural beauty. Other people’s recommendations might not fit.

Sorry to be the one to say this. But £15k will be quite a limit to some places.

Japan/Africa (safari) certainly I’ve not managed for less than that for 4 of us. Although perhaps if you’re more flexible with flights than we can be it’ll help.

While I agree with your Florida concerns it’s a pretty unbeatable holiday, especially for that age group if they love theme parks. We struggle to be under £15k - especially if we want to visit Disney and Universal on the same trip (but we splash out on the hotels so could definitely save there. Just depends if you want a luxury stay after all your hard work saving) However you’ll definitely get better flight prices and there are always deals to be had.

Go on Safari!!! South Aftica can be done in style on that budget and it's so amazing. Much better than any theme park. See penguins at Simons Bay in Cape Town. Go whale watching and then go on Safari in style! It's mind blowing.

Costa Rica or a safari

I certainly wouldn't waste it on Disney ( I hated spending most my holiday standing in humongous queues). I wouldn't do Europe either as it's so close.

I'd do Japan too including a night's experience on the 7 Star train if you can.

Or a Safari?

If your typical holiday is little trips in the UK or a week in Greece I would split the money over the next 2/3 years and have a fantastic holiday each year - that is doable if you continue to save the £250 per month.

My DCs have had some fantastic holidays over the years, long and short haul but the ones with the best experiences haven't always been the ones to far flung places. Plus your time worth them travelling with you is finite so I'd be looking to maximise that with multiple trips.

I'd then think of a cruise, city breaks and some European holidays.

Why not do a road trip on the California pacific highway on the west coast of America - San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood up to Monterey and Carmel by Sea etc. Lots to see, loads of cool stuff for the girls, amazing food etc. You could even stop and do a couple of days in Disney.

Hawaii was my kids all time best ever trip
NYC-Maui-Hawaii-Kauai-LA
brilliant

Japan and Hawaii!
maybe you could do both?

I think this is what I would be more likely to do tbh.

It is possible to like both though, yes?

Sorry - do you mean this train:

“Japan's ultra-luxury Seven Stars in Kyushu train costs roughly $3,500 to $4,000 USD per person, per night”

I don’t think many people can count that kind of cost as even a once in a lifetime!

I’d probably just go to Disney and have an amazing time!

Not for £15k unfortunately 😕

I went on a once in a lifetime holiday. I tell you what, never again.

(Credit:Tim Vine)

2 weeks in Hawaii.

I hadn't even thought of Hawaii. What is there to do there that makes it special? In my head it's just glorious beaches but I have no idea what else there is there!

Galápagos Islands. Go on a boat round them - amazing wildlife and scenery. Highly recommend Think Galapagos to arrange your trip. We’ve done safaris, Disney, artic etc. this was still best.

Another saying Japan!

or East Coast Australia- from Sydney up to Cairns via the Whitsundays.

or Namibia/South Africa - safari & garden route plus Cape Town

or Peru (Inca Trail, salt plains of Bolivia, Amazon jungle, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Atacama desert).

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos.

I personally wouldn't waste it on Disney, I really didn't enjoy it that much when we went and I love theme parks.
I also came to suggest Japan - you could add in Universal studios and/or Disney, at the same time as experiencing such a different country.
I'd also love to go on a safari, if I had the money I'd do that but I'm not sure £15k would be enough.

That sort of trip is amazing, really really good, but would burn through £15k very quickly :(