Where should I go for a vacation?

[Hockeyguy15]

Have you ever been to pound town?

[mikephoen]

Surprised no one has recommended Czechia yet! I haven't been in 10 years, but it was awesome when I was there, especially Prague, but other areas as well. I'm pretty sure some CP members would have some great tips for the trip as well.

If you want to stay in Canada, I highly recommend Tofino on Vancouver Island. It's probably my favourite place on Earth (at least that I've been to so far). I find it so relaxing out there. It's beautiful in September, and you'll be just past the busiest season so accommodations will be a bit cheaper. The food there is amazing as well.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

We are looking to travel for the first time with our 2.5 year old. We have done beach and car trips so far but want to go international to see something new, explore and eat good food.

The plan is to take twoish weeks in September and we are wide open for locations. I would prefer to avoid the US as I am not keen to support their economy when their goverent seems intent on harming ours.

Otherwise, we don't want to move around a ton so fewer locations is ideal although renting a car is an option to make moving easier.

We have travelled pretty extensively pre child but can't seem to narrow down a destination now.

We have been considering driving around Spain, Stockholm-Copenhagen-Iceland, Staying in Switzerland, Traveling Japan.
I have been told that Iran is out and I am not keen to fight bus queues in China or downpours in SE Asia. We won't take a package holiday and want some comforts along the way.

I am completely up in the air so any suggestions would be awesome.

Thanks

We took our kids to the Gracia neighborhood in Barcelona and rented an apartment...cool buildings, great art, food is good and it was nice to just have a home base from which to explore the city.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

The other option is to look into 'gap adventures' they do very cool travel packages for families

[Frequitude]

8 hour plane rides sound like hell with a 2.5 year old. I'd be heading to Maui 10 times out of 10.

[Wormius]

Enjoy traveling before you get stuck into the hell that is overpriced flights during kids’ school vacations. “Oh, is this the day Spring Break/Summer Vacation/ Winter Break starts? Flights are now 300% more than the day before, sucker!”

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

8 hour plane rides sound like hell with a 2.5 year old. I'd be heading to Maui 10 times out of 10.

Planes have enough videos and games on board to entertain kids for practically forever. I rarely hear a peep out of any kids during international flights. They just plug in their headphones and enter a movie induced trance.

[csnarpy]

Have taken my son and daughter on RCI cruises at that age and younger. They are sponsored by Dreamworks, with characters on board, and have kids groups, activities, pools, beaches, food and babysitters if you’d want one. Plus not expensive. You just start and end in the US.

2.5 yrs is way to young for Disney world. IMO.

[EldrickOnIce]

It is necessary to visit Greece at some point.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

8 hour plane rides sound like hell with a 2.5 year old. I'd be heading to Maui 10 times out of 10.

If 8 hours is too long, I doubt that 6 hours is much better.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

If 8 hours is too long, I doubt that 6 hours is much better.

Plus it's the U.S. which he stated he doesn't want to go to.

[Svartsengi]

If you really want to go international then Mexico, as some others have mentioned is your best bet. We did all inclusive in Cancun and Tulum when kids were younger and they loved it. They were older than yours when we went as we wanted them to remember it.

My suggestion is hit Vancouver Island in September. Its cheaper and a much shorter flight. Victoria's weather is good and you can drive around the island if you wish. The salmon will be swimming upstream to spawn just outside of Port Alberni in September/October, there is a ladder the fish use to jump up river and you can see hundreds of fish jumping in the air. Toddler would like it at least mine did. They like going to Walmart too at that age so I figure why spend a pile of money flying far away. Plenty of things to do in Victoria as well and they can still goto the beach and play in the sand.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

8 hour plane rides sound like hell with a 2.5 year old. I'd be heading to Maui 10 times out of 10.

Flying to Hawaii can be 6-8 hours depending on connections.

[Snuffleupagus]

Every Western Canadian should visit the Maritimes, fly to Halifax, rent a car (or better yet a small motorhome) and just drive for 4 hours, stop just about anywhere and visit for 24 hours, rinse/repeat for 2 weeks and you'll never ever forget the experience.

Seriously, I've been just about everywhere on this planet, the best holiday is in you're own backyard

[GGG]

With a 2.5 yr old I would do a location that you want to go to. 2.5 yr olds it doesn't matter where they are they will be entertained by the same stuff and have the same tantrums. Once they are 4 or 5 they will need to be interested in what you are doing.

I'd look at this as the last vacation where you can selfishly choose a destination all about you.

[WinnipegFan]

I saw someone mention it but Croatia is incredible. If you want more info on me we love going here.

Google the images for this park:

Plitvice Lakes National Park

[meritmat]

Originally Posted by GGG

With a 2.5 yr old I would do a location that you want to go to. 2.5 yr olds it doesn't matter where they are they will be entertained by the same stuff and have the same tantrums. Once they are 4 or 5 they will need to be interested in what you are doing.

I'd look at this as the last vacation where you can selfishly choose a destination all about you.

Other thing to consider is your going to have to pay full rate for airfare on your child. A lot of all inclusives your child would stay for free. Or load up the mini van and go across Canada

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Planes have enough videos and games on board to entertain kids for practically forever. I rarely hear a peep out of any kids during international flights. They just plug in their headphones and enter a movie induced trance.

this works fine for the over 5's or 6's, 2 and a half year olds not so much

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

this works fine for the over 5's or 6's, 2 and a half year olds not so much

We did our first trip over to China just before our son turned 2, and then again later when our daughter was just about the same age. It wasn’t a problem. The only thing was there was too much to watch on the plane and they didn’t sleep at all. I get that all kids are different, but I don’t remember disruptions by any kids on flights we have been on. Infants probably get earaches, but that only last for takeoff and landing so flight duration doesn’t impact that much.

You get the benefits of cheaper flights for the kids when they are young and your travel isn’t dictated by CBE holidays.

I don’t think it matters either if they are lgoing to remember stuff like Disneyland or not. As long as they have fun there that’s the point. Although, I am glad my kids remember it, because I don’t want to go back there. It didn’t do much for me.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by WinnipegFan

I saw someone mention it but Croatia is incredible. If you want more info on me we love going here.

Google the images for this park:

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Yes - Dubrovnik, Hvar, etc. It's a beautiful coastline. I was there in 2010. Would recommend.