The Insider Guide to Travelling with Children
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THE INSIDER GUIDE TO TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN 1 WHERE TO GO? Deciding on a location for a family vacation can be challenging, especially with the abundance of destination, travel, sightseeing, activity and packing considerations. It is certainly not as easy as simply putting a pin on the map, making last minute decisions and going where the wind takes you, as you had probably done before your family expanded. There are a number of factors to take into account when you plan a holiday with your children. THE INSIDER GUIDE EXPLORING YOUR OWN BACKYARD “Taking a vacation as a family is a great We developed this Insider Guide as way to bond. Every trip your children a handy resource, to help you create Both domestic and overseas travel provide great options. Domestic holidays are generally take helps them to develop a keener unforgettable moments on every easier to plan, children will still be in familiar surroundings and travel time may be shorter and sense of the world, open their eyes trip you take with your young ones. easier to organise. If you are lucky enough to live in a country with diversified environments and minds to new cultures, sights, Packed with helpful tips from industry and landscapes, exploring locally can be a great option for the family. sounds and flavours, and grow to be experts as well as insider knowledge global insiders. from us at InterContinental Hotels & Going abroad on the other hand will help broaden their minds by absorbing different cultures Resorts, this guide will bring you one and encouraging them to be more adventurous. It takes a lot of effort to prepare for step closer to having everything you a family holiday. At InterContinental need for a worry-free family holiday Hotels & Resorts, we know that the with your little globetrotters.” journey begins from the decision to DISCOVER THE AMAZING DOWN UNDER take a holiday, through planning, all Australia is an enthralling country to explore as a family. Filled with unspoilt the way until you arrive back home. beaches, dense forests, picturesque mountains and cosmopolitan cities, there are a plethora of experiences to be enjoyed. Bruce Ryde Tracey Spicer, renowned Australian Journalist, Writer and Family Travel Director Brand Management Expert said, “The Sunshine Coast is my ideal backyard vacation spot. I have InterContinental Hotels & Resorts lovely memories of that place as a child. Now we love taking Taj (age 9) and and Hotel Indigo Grace (age 7) there for the beautiful beaches, stunning hinterland, five-star IHG Asia, Middle East & Africa dining and tremendous attractions. Family favourites include The Ginger Factory, Underwater World, Australia Zoo, Aussie World, the Spirit House and Noosa, a town near Sydney famous for its colourful bays.” 2 3 THE EXCITING EMIRATES The United Arab Emirates’ seven different emirates all have something different to offer. Neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi are just an hour’s drive apart, but differ greatly in their offerings. From the tallest building in the world to the man- made islands of the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai has plenty to offer the whole family. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, is home to the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Theme Park, as well as exciting activities such as kayaking through the mangroves or cycling along the city’s picturesque corniche. “In Abu Dhabi, the city’s Corniche is an ideal spot for families to enjoy the great outdoors, with its 8km of manicured waterfront that includes children’s play areas, pedestrian and bicycle pathways and sociable cafes. Dubai is unrivalled for its shopping and iconic architectures including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Meanwhile, weekend getaways to the emirate of Fujairah offer some of the UAE’s best snorkeling and dive spots. Close to the city of Abu Dhabi is Al Ain, known as Garden City, with the impressive Hajjar mountain range that you can drive up to view the green vista made up of palm plantations. A visit to the incredible Al Ain Zoo to see the Middle East’s indigenous species is also a must,” says Nader El Kari, Chief Concierge, InterContinental Abu Dhabi. INSIDER TIP: Ask your children! Include them in the decision making process over a meal and get everyone excited about the destination together. This provides the whole family with a sense of ownership and encourages a shared vacation agenda that both adults and children can look forward to. 4 5 WHEN TO GO? What types of climate are your children accustomed to? Are they quick to adapt to JAPAN environmental changes, or have they grown up all their lives in tropical weather? Save Spring Feb - Apr Summer potential vacation disasters from happening by knowing when the best times to visit a INDIA May - Jul Autumn location is so you can be ready for any weather. Summer Mar - May Aug - Oct Winter Winter Jan - Feb Nov - Jan Monsoon Jun - Sep CAMBODIA, THAILAND & VIETNAM MIDDLE EAST & LEVANT Monsoon Jun - Oct Summer Apr - Oct Winter Nov - Mar AFRICA Spring Sep - Oct Summer Nov - Feb INDONESIA, MALAYSIA Autumn Mar - Apr & SINGAPORE Winter Jun - Aug Monsoon Nov - Jan AUSTRALIA Spring Sep - Nov Summer Dec - Feb Autumn Mar - May Winter Jun - Aug 6 7 AFRICA Y Summer offers the sunniest and warmest due to the temperate weather and the climate, attracting a lot of sunbathers migration of southern right whales from and outdoor enthusiasts. The maximum Antarctica to the warmer South African temperature varies from city to city, ranging waters. KwaZulu-Natal, a province in the from 25 to 36°C. Autumn is a great time to East, has a year round summer climate, and visit Cape Town with sunny days and cooler is a good option for visiting anytime of the nights. The winter months are perfect for year. The best time to visit Kenya specifically game viewing in the North Eastern parts of is during the annual wildebeest migration South Africa, as vegetation gets thinned out. between the Serengeti in Tanzania and It is also the best time to visit the coast at the Masai Mara in Kenya from June and the Cape and Winelands for whale watching September. MIDDLE EAST & LEVANT C The best time to visit the Gulf region is skiing on the mountains in Lebanon, located during the cooler winter months, where just two hours away from the capital Beirut. daytime temperatures are in the mid-20°C. It is advisable to avoid the extreme heat The holy month of Ramadan takes place of the summer months, between May and from 28 June to 27 July this year and it is best September, as temperatures can rise to well to arrange for tours and transport ahead of over 40°C. However, the best time to visit the vacation. Travellers should note that it is Lebanon or Jordan, is between June and customary for Muslims to fast from sunrise September, where temperatures settle around to sunset and restaurants are closed during a pleasant 28°C. It is also the best time to go the day. INDIA = The three distinct seasons in India are environment. Typically the winter months are winter, summer and monsoon. In general, the best time to visit. In the south, it is the north India is cooler, the weather in central perfect weather for beach holidays and there India is dry and hot and the south enjoys are sunny skies throughout most of India. a more tropical climate. Summer will see Temperatures during winter are generally temperatures soar to over 40°C in the north more comfortable than any of the other and an average of 35°C in the south, and seasons, though it might get a little colder at the best places to visit during this season night. To the far north, around the Himalaya are the mountains and India’s national parks region, temperatures drop to below 0°C and to spot tigers and wildlife in their natural it is even possible to go skiing. 8 9 SOUTH EAST ASIA Characterised by its warm and humid will see temperatures reach up to 35°C weather, and famed for its tropical climate, and the wet season with a cooler 25°C. countries within this region are good to Thailand (north and central), Cambodia and visit any time of year where temperatures Vietnam, on the other hand, enjoy a cooler, hover around 30°C. Countries located in the dry season from November to February, and equatorial part of the region like Malaysia, as such are popular during this time. April to Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines, June, are considered the hot season where experience only two seasons. The dry season temperatures climb to over 40°C. AUSTRALIA s Australia appeals to families all year round famous for its ‘four seasons in a day’ so be with its four seasons: Destinations on prepared; in summer it averages 25°C and the East Coast, such as Gold Coast in 14°C in winter. As summer might be quite Queensland, also known as the Sunshine unbearable at some locations, it is advisable State, are sunny throughout the year, to choose a beach city like Sydney; near the generally within the mid 20°C range. Spring coast so that the Pacific Ocean can cool offers a gentle climate, with cool breezes you down as temperatures can reach up to and sunny days in cities like Sydney, with the 45°C. For a winter wonderland experience, average temperature ranging from 11°C families can hit the ski slopes in New South to 23°C. Melbourne on the other hand, is Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.