Where should I go for a vacation?

[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

[Flashpoint]

Well, if you aren't coming to the US, I don't have much advice. Just remember, most Americans didn't vote for Trump. And I can assure you his policies are hurting America more than anywere else.

Setting that aside, given you have a 2.5 year old, my recommendation is Disneyland.

The climate is perfection right now, there is plenty to do, and the park is a model of efficiency for family entertainment. I take my 4 year old twice a month on weekdays (smaller crowds), and we have an amazing time.

It's perfect at the ages of 2-4 - land of wonder.

Have a great trip regardless of where you decide to go.

[CaptainCrunch]

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

The nice thing about going to Europe is its so compressed in a lot of ways that it encourages exploring. Plus the architecture is stunning and a culture shock for most north Americans.

[DownInFlames]

I'd hit Pyongyang before it gets all touristy.

[Flamenspiel]

Maui is the best for kids that age. Too young for Europe, I would say 8-15 is the best time for a Eurotrip.

Disney is must for the 4-8 time span, i guess its ok for 2.5 year old as well but it gets better at 4 because they are big enough for most of the rides.

[meritmat]

Best bang for your buck is mexico. Kinda fond of Cabo, world class fishing and San Jose De Cabo has a great art district the wife loves. We stay at one of the all inclusive resorts in San Jose De Cabo. Found it very safe

[Flamenspiel]

^^What do you do with the kid on the boat?

[Amethyst]

My recommendation for somewhere different would be Croatia. Europe is still warm in September and there will be fewer crowds. I travelled to coastal Croatia many years ago and it was beautiful. More recently I had friends who spent 6 months cycling in Europe and ended up in Croatia for about 7 weeks, which they really enjoyed. As soon as you get away from the coast, it's not touristy at all they said but everyone was friendly and helpful.

I have no experience travelling with children, but it sounds like you are looking to go somewhere with a child as opposed to a child-centered destination.

[tete]

Portugal is awesome for kids. We went there when my daughter was about 2.5 and had a great time. We went to Lisbon, Aviero and Porto and there was so much stuff to do. They were super welcoming, we'd often get to skip the line at historic sites and such because we had a kid, the weather is great, food is cheap and good, wine is cheap and good. I can't say enough good things about Portugal.

[chemgear]

Would a 2 year old even remember a trip to Disneyland to justify having to deal with the crowds?

[jeffporfirio]

Disney Cruise.
Mom and Dad enjoy it, kids have a blast and ends up exhausted every night from all the fun.

[Locke]

Have you been to Winnipeg recently?

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Well, if you aren't coming to the US, I don't have much advice. Just remember, most Americans didn't vote for Trump. And I can assure you his policies are hurting America more than anywere else.

Setting that aside, given you have a 2.5 year old, my recommendation is Disneyland.

The climate is perfection right now, there is plenty to do, and the park is a model of efficiency for family entertainment. I take my 4 year old twice a month on weekdays (smaller crowds), and we have an amazing time.

It's perfect at the ages of 2-4 - land of wonder.

Have a great trip regardless of where you decide to go.

This is a terrible idea, save Disney for when kids are older. When we were there you could see lots of stressed out parents hauling around cranky, crying toddlers. It looked like a nightmare dragging around a kid because you don't want to leave early seeing as you paid a fortune to go to the park.. It's too hot, too crowded, and too much for someone under 5 imo.

We took our kids to london/Barcelona when they were 3 and 7months, we rented a flat in both cities and just toured around, crashed back at the flat when kids needed a break.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Locke

Have you been to Winnipeg recently?

Balzac is closer.

[Knalus]

Avoid Vancouver.

An unusual roadtrip location - The Black Hills. I think a 2.5 year old would get a massive kick out of the herds of Bison in the area, not to mention the other animals around there. It's practically a North American safari. Pronghorn, Prairie Dogs, Bison, all really up close.

New York is also a good place if you are looking for good food.

[Knalus]

Oh right, no states. I get that.

Cuba?

[meritmat]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Oh right, no states. I get that.

Cuba?

Not a fan

I would avoid with your child. I know to many people that got sick there and your on your own.

We did two weeks this Feb/March in Bahamas. North Eleuthera and loved it

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Well, if you aren't coming to the US, I don't have much advice. Just remember, most Americans didn't vote for Trump. And I can assure you his policies are hurting America more than anywere else.

Setting that aside, given you have a 2.5 year old, my recommendation is Disneyland.

The climate is perfection right now, there is plenty to do, and the park is a model of efficiency for family entertainment. I take my 4 year old twice a month on weekdays (smaller crowds), and we have an amazing time.

It's perfect at the ages of 2-4 - land of wonder.

Have a great trip regardless of where you decide to go.

2 1/2 is about the worse age to take a kid on a 9 odd hour plane ride, they wont sleep as the younger ones tend to (Gravol is your best friend) nor will they entertain themselves as the over 6 or 7's will so I wouldn't bother with Europe or any where far away.

seriously I don't like Trump either but Cali' or Hawaii at that age are the only sensible ideas, the kid wont remember much past the hotel swimming pool but will cost as much as an adult and you need to be safe, clean and reasonably easy to deal with if you are schlepping young kids around, we took our daughter to Mexico but it was calmer their 25 years ago, not sure I would do that now.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Locke

Have you been to Winnipeg recently?

Winnipeg in the summer. Where the mosquitoes are the size of a 2.5 year old.

[meritmat]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Winnipeg in the summer. Where the mosquitoes are the size of a 2.5 year old.

You don’t go to Winnipeg, you get sent to Winnipeg