I often get asked to recommend long-haul destinations for families who have never had the courage to venture too far out from home yet. 

The initial thought of travelling long haul with your children may seem daunting, but I’m here to put your mind at ease and help you realise that, yes you can travel long haul with your children, and wherever you decide to go, it will be an enriching experience for all the family and the memories you will make will last a lifetime. 

Travelling long haul creates a truly unique experience for all the family, one that you might never experience whilst travelling in Europe. For example: visiting an elephant in a zoo will be a thrilling experience for your children but watching a herd of elephants in the wild while they playfully spray themselves with water is by far better than watching an elephant in a zoo.  These, and many more, are the experiences that make going to long haul destinations worth the extra effort.

So, if you have been toying with the idea of travelling long haul for the first time, here are 3 countries that I would suggest as the ideal long-haul destinations to start off with.They happen to be all in Asia. Each country is very affordable compared to countries in Europe which will give you the opportunity to prolong your stay. They are listed in order of preference.

1. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a country that you and your family will fall in love with. It is one of my favourite long-haul destinations because it has it all. Mountains, waterfalls, beaches, temples, wildlife, delicious food and so much more…but the best asset to this country are the people. They are incredibly friendly and kind.

Sri Lanka will give you and your children the opportunity to experience untouched wildlife. Being an island, it offers beautiful beaches, and which child doesn’t like being close to the water? 

Sri Lanka is also a great option because it is easy to get around. You can hire a driver or rent and drive the car yourself. Both options are affordable.   

Best time to visit

Sri Lanka is an ideal destination because you can visit all year round. You can visit the south of Sri Lanka between December – April and the north from May- September  This makes it ideal as you can visit during both the Easter and Christmas holidays.

Affordability: 9/10

Food: 8/10

Culture: 10/10

Nature: 10/10

City Life: 4/10

Beaches: 8/10

Adventure: 8/10

Getting Around: 8/10

2. Malaysia

Malaysia is a country like no other. We love this country as one of the top long-haul destinations because of its diversity and perfect mix of nature and city life. The capital city offers great activities for children and families with fantastic adventure and water parks. 

This country is a great option for its divine food, especially if you have picky eaters, as they offer great and vast options. 

Malaysia also has many beautiful islands and seaside towns where you can sit back and relax while the children play. It is also very well strategically positioned between other countries which is great should you wish to visit another country. 

Best time to visit

If I had to pick the right time  to visit Malaysia it would be during the months of December to April, where there is little to no rainfall. This makes it a great time to visit as there are the Easter and Christmas holidays in that period.  Having said that, we travelled to Malaysia for 5 weeks during the summer months and it was equally beautiful since it was low season, which made it easier to find accommodation and the beaches were a lot less crowded.

Affordability: 9/10

Food: 10/10

Culture: 8/10

Nature: 9/10

City Life: 10/10

Beaches: 9/10

Adventure: 10/10

Getting around: 9/10

3. Vietnam

While a visit to chaotic Hanoi is a must, Vietnam’s beauty is found outside the cities. 

Vietnam has something for everyone, with its stunning landscapes, quaint fishing villages, gardens, parks and playgrounds, which is why it made it to one of my top 3 long-haul destinations.

Getting around Vietnam will be one of the highlights of your trip, as you will get to experience trains, boats, and motorbikes.  

The food is some of the tastiest you will ever get to taste in Asia. What makes Vietnam stand out is the opportunity to be able to visit tribes in the north of Vietnam, even having the possibility of spending a night or two with these families. Should you get this opportunity I highly recommend that you do.   

Best time to visit

Choosing the right time to visit Vietnam can be a little trickier than other countries as parts of Vietnam have their own micro climate. High season is between July – August which makes it ideal if you want to visit during the summer holidays. During the months of April- June the weather is not as hot and humid. This is considered as the low season. We had visited during this period, and we had encountered both very warm days as well as chillier days.

Affordability: 10/10

Food: 10/10

Culture: 9/10

Nature: 8/10

City Life: 6/10

Beaches: 5/10

Adventure: 8/10

Getting around: 9/10

Whichever country you pick from my 3 recommended long-haul destinations, rest assured that they are all safe and welcoming destinations for families with children of all ages. 

Like everything in life, one needs to be well organised and prepared. This will ensure that your travels go smoothly. The moment you start travelling long haul with your family, is the moment, travel will take a whole new meaning. Enjoy your faraway travels!

Love,

Michella xxx

PS: This is where you can learn more about Michella and her travel adventures with her family: > https://www.instagram.com/the_wandering_four/ <