Thorn Tree travel forum

Vietnam for 2 weeks with kids - (next week!!)

Hello all - newbie here,

Well we are off on Saturday, first to Hong Kong to visit friends then on to Vietnam for 2 week adventure before heading to South Thailand to see family (scots abroad).

I have done so much reading about Vietnam that my head is buzzing, but I would love to know which places people recommend. My children are 3 and 8, but we live in a very rural area of the Scottish highlands so they are used to a lot of roughing it and walking etc.

I would love to head to Sapa, but a few of the reviews re. aggressive touts are scaring me a little. I am keen to take the night train down towards Danang and Hoi An, but as we will be there in mid - December believe that it may be pretty wet ? As for nearer Saigon we would love to see the Mekong but maybe hard going for 3 year old in a boat?

Any ideas on good hotels would be much appreciated - also how people went... more »

What do you want to see?

Hi folks,

We've been talking lately about how to better serve our travelling parents and families. Our editorial teams already learn a lot from your terrific discussions, but we also wanted to give you a chance to specifically tell us what you might like to see us do differently, or improve.

What kind of information is most helpful to you when heading somewhere with kids in tow? What kind of advice isn't helpful? Would you like a child-friendly icon (to denote child-friendly cafes, hotels, entertainment, etc)? Anything else you'd like us to think about?

Many thanks for your continued feedback and insights!

Egypt with an 18 month old

Hi Guys,
We jsut got back from a trip to Syria and Jordan, when our daughter stayed with her Granparents but now want to take her to Egypt in March. Anyone have any experiences travelling Egypt with children. I would love to hear your thoughts.

advice for family holidays on the road?

Hi - I posted the following message in our Lonely Planet Group, "Long-Term Family Travel and Sabbatical," and am reposting it here in case anyone has advice. Please join our LP group http://www.lonelyplanet.com/groups/long-term-family-travel if you're doing long-term family travel!
With the holidays approaching (our American holiday of Thanksgiving is just a few days away), I'm wondering if anyone has advice or anecdotes for holidays on the road. We will have a very un-traditional Thanksgiving somewhere in Santiago, followed by Christmas at the peak of summer in New Zealand. All in all, very different for our family this year! I'm looking forward to weaving in old traditions (such as expressing gratitude on Thanksgiving, singing carols for Christmas) in our new settings, but I worry the kids will be homesick and consequently I want to do what I can to have happy holidays for them.
t... more »

Sulawesi or or good spots in Indonesia

We are going to Indonesia for 3 weeks in July 2010 and taking 2 kids, (3 and 5). We want a location you can fly direct on Air Asia (so from KL), which is good for kids. We thought southern Sulawesi might be good. Anyone been, especially with kids? We've been to Bali lots of times. Also Sumatra and Java ( a litle bit) both before kids. Sulawesi would be new for us. Any ideas, comments, advice???? Thanks.

Car seats on plane

I've heard about people taking car seats on planes but i've never actually seen anybody do it. Most of the web sites talking about it refer to US carriers and domestic flights.

Anybody have any idea how this works in Europe? We are flying next week with Vueling from Paris to Rome and so far we have always checked our seat. However, it's gotten lost twice and this time we bought a separate ticket for our daughter (until now she used to travel in our lap).

I am quite keen to take her car seat on board, if only so that it won't get lost, as well as to keep her safe, but is there anything is should know or do?

thanks

Kid friendly places to stay in Peru

Hi can anyone recommend any child friendly places to stay in Peru? Preferably coastal and reasonably priced! We will be travelling with a 12 year old.

Thanks

Families on Gap Years

Hi,

Are you taking a career break, packing up the kids and going off to experience once-in-a-lifetime adventures?

Are you set on giving your children an education unlike any they would find in a classroom?

Channel 4 (UK) are producing a new series about the growing number of British families putting day-to-day life on hold to see the world with their children. Through the films we hope to highlight just how rewarding, educational and most importantly possible it is to go travelling with the kids.

If you or someone you know is planning a family trip with a difference we'd love to hear from you!

Email naomielkinjones@twentytwenty.tv