Sun chasing holiday: Kid friendly destinations for a winter free 2017

The temperature has been dropping lately, and moods can often go down right along with it.

 

Now, don’t get us wrong, we love hot chocolate in front of a fire or a ski holiday as much as the next person, but sometimes, when it’s cold outside you catch yourself dreaming of balmy beaches, right?

 

And with kids it can be even worse. They’re stuck inside and bored – a combination that often leads to trouble.

 

But to help you skip the worst of your winter woes and instead make 2017 the year of endless summer for you and your family, we’ve asked Rebeccah Elley, lifestyle and money editor at Mozo to round up some of the best kid-friendly destinations to catch some sun.

 

1. Port Douglas, Australia

You don’t have to bundle the kids onto an international flight to escape the winter blues this year. Sunny Queensland can be a welcome escape, and Port Douglas is close to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, with temperatures in the mid 20s even in winter. This is a perfect getaway if you’re pressed for time, or don’t want to take young tots too far from home just yet.

 

Top travel tip: If you’re driving up to the Daintree National Park, be sure to keep some cash on you, because some of the shops and ferries along the way don’t accept plastic.

 

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysian culture is very child-friendly, and Kuala Lumpur in particular is like an oversized fun park for young travellers. From the huge free water playground, Mega Kidzworld indoor play centre, to the aquarium or science museum, there’s so much to keep kids busy on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur, that they may even sleep through the entire eight hour flight back to Australia.

 

Top travel tip: If you need to exchange money for Malaysian Ringgit, avoid the pricey currency exchange outlets at the airport. There are heaps of forex booths in major centres and you’ll nearly always get better rates there than you would in an airport.

 

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is a great place for kids of all ages and your children will be instant celebrities in Thailand, where locals love tiny tots. Not only is the city a cultural hub, it’s also the heart of elephant tourism (just make sure to book an experience with an ethical elephant park). And for older kids, you’ll find plenty of fun activities like trekking, ziplining, and bamboo rafting.

 

Top travel tip: You’ll usually need cash for markets, street food or tuk tuk rides in Chiang Mai, but it’s a good idea to use a card for big payments, like accommodation, so you’re not carrying around a stack of cash.

 

4. Brittany, France

France might conjure up images of Parisian cafes and riverside strolls, but if you’re after something a little different, you can do France on the cheap while embracing your inner outdoorsman. Brittany is one of our favourite spots for camping in France. There are heaps of campsites around, most of which come complete with elegant cabins and a pool. Sit back and relax while your children make friends with local kids staying at the camping grounds.

 

Top travel tip: The Euro is generally pretty strong against the Aussie dollar, so France is not the cheapest destination around. Keep an eye out for a good exchange rate, and think about locking it in on a prepaid travel money card before you go.

 

5. Šibenik, Croatia

Šibenik isn’t as well known as Dubrovnik, just down the Croatian coast, but there are a couple of great reasons to have it on your winter destination list. In late June to early July, Šibenik hosts the International Children’s Festival, and July and August are the European school holidays, so there are heaps of events for kids held at this time of year.

 

Top travel tip: When looking for accommodation, remember that kids under 3 often stay free in Croatian hotels, and you might want to consider renting a private apartment, which is usually cheap and gives you the flexibility of cooking your own meals.

 

6. Tenerife, Spain

How does this sound: you book in the holiday, arrive and then everything is taken care of from that moment on. A stay at one of Tenerife’s all-inclusive resorts is heaven for busy mums. Most resorts have a kids club, as well as poolside entertainment and events. Plus with food and drinks all included in the cost, this no-brainer holiday is all about lazing in the warm Spanish sun.

 

Top tip: This kind of holiday is designed for sticking to the resort, but there are plenty of day trips like whale watching or a trip to a volcano around if you think your kids might go a little stir crazy. Just remember that these cost extra, so plan for them in your budget.

 

Rebeccah Elley is the lifestyle and money editor at financial comparison site Mozo.com.au which helps everyday consumers get a better deal on everything from their travel money to savings accounts. Whether it’s an in-depth guide or quick blog, Rebeccah loves nothing more than passing on her money saving tips to everyday Aussies.