We are visiting family in Dubai in March/April and wondered about a stop over somewhere family friendly in Asia on the way. Any suggestions for a destination that is not just lying on a beach but perhaps a bit of nature exploration and culture whilst not having to traverse too far?? Originally thought about Borneo but some of the accommodation sounds dodgy and sites (orangutans, hot springs etc) sound over rated and VERY busy and touristy. Am desperate for some advice - kids are 7 - 12 in age. Is Singapore Zoo like every other zoo or well worth a visit? What else could you do there? Thailand??
Help much appreciated.
Reply to this Hello Kate 😊
Maybe joining
Couchsurfing would be worth it for you. They specialise in offering each other hospitality free of charge. Asia is generally child friendly so maybe with good luck there is somebody who will host your whole family.
There are also homestays that you pay for in India. Maybe somebody here can provide information about where to find them.
And you could also volunteer your services at an orphanage in an Asian country. Then your kids would have plenty of playmates in a safe environment. Maybe somebody here can also provide information about where to find one looking for volunteers. One that I know of is the Dada childrens home in Thailand near the Burmese border. It charges a small fee. Just a few euros per day per person. Any services you can offer are welcome.
Dada
I was in Thailand a couple of times with my 7 year old daugher. I found it very safe and child friendly. The accomodation was also good. You could hire a couple of beach huts on an island for you your family.
Or what about this place in Malaysia.
Long house adventure
Mel
Reply to this Thailand would be a nice stopover trip. Thailand is very "tourist friendly" and you can find tours to many places that may interest you. For tours in Bangkok (or Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket,) just locate the nearest local travel agency, travel agents act as tour brokers. Choose an afternoon tour or evening dinner cruise in the morning and probably be on it that same day. Tour companies will pick you up at your hotel and return you there at the end of the trip.
Here is a link to your visa requirements, many countries can get in with a free visa stamp at the airport.
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490
Things to see and do:
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/ThingstodoinBangkok.shtml
http://www.visualthailand.com./
Shopping:
http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/districts/garment.html
http://www.mbk-center.com/en/
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/ChatuchakMarketBangkok.shtml
A hotel in Bangkok near the Skytrain will make it easier to get around town (perhaps in the Siam or lower Sukhumvit Road areas.) http://www.moveandstay.com/bangkok/guide_metro_subway_skytrain.asp
Have a nice trip.
Reply to this You asked about Singapore Zoo..
We had a great time there and think it's one of the best we have ever been to.
Feel free to check out our blog and the video of the zoo.
http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Singapore/Singapore-Zoo/blog-212408.html
Happy travels
Reply to this Hongkong, Thailand, Philippines or Singapore will be perfect destinations, and I listed it in order of my personal preference.
Reply to this Thanks for your ideas. The longhouse website looks great, does anyone know anyone who has been there?? Would you get there from Brunei or Singapore?
Reply to this I dont know anybody who has been to the longhouse yet. It is still only a couple of years old. I was chatting with one of the guys who was setting it up on another website a couple of years ago. As far as I remember they will pick you up from someplace and take you to it. There was a trip to some animal sanctuary or something like that on the way which they take you to included in the price.
Would you get there from Brunei or Singapore?
There is a section about getting there from various places on the website. Look on the left when you go into the link.
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