Would like to take family on a long haul trip (kids 12, 10, 6).

Recognise flights will be pricey, so looking for something cheap when you get there – so Australia, NZ out of budget.

Basic criteria:
– doable in 2 to 3 weeks
– flights not too ridiculously expensive
– cheap when there
– culturally interesting
– adventurous but reasonably safe
– Beach, mountain, rain forest

Thought about Thailand, but bit dodgy at the moment. Have been to Costa Rica in the past. Mexico? West Coast of States? (prob doesn't meet the cultural bit.

Any ideas?

thanks all!

Seattle. Trips to BC, Olympics, Oregon, the big passes over the Cascades. Whale watching, bears, elk, volcanoes. Rafting, Bikes, Art, multi day hikes. Don't kid yourself that USA doesn't meet the culture bit either.

Nepal?
Sri Lanka?

Depends what you mean by 'culture' doesn't it?

yeah – by culturally interesting i guess I meant different language / food /way of life etc,.

But I have done some of the West coast of USA and it's got a lot going for it

Does it need to be long haul? If not, what about Morocco? (But no rain forest.)

india – rajasthan. relaitively cheap to get to and dirt cheap when you're there. LOADS of adventure by rail/bus to be had if you think that your lot will cope with a bit of travelling to different towns. culturally it's an amazing place with all the temples, forts & religion. it's safe. wildlife – searching for tigers and always plenty of monkeys about, or cammel trekking for a few days. top place, reckon it'd be a great holiday!

Thailand is fine and reasonable value even with the poor exchange rate …few days in bangkok visiting the sights followed by a week in Phuket , swimming , nice beaches snorkling , hiking , good cheap food and western food choices if the kids desire that not to mention the thais are freindly people and will look after you .

Dont let Thailands recent dramas put you off !!

my esteemed cousin, the army major, has a wonderful adventure holiday company in Nigeria, specialisation is for the family holiday, and we are happy with payment of 75% deposit by western union

EDIT – go and visit Ro in vietman and give him a smack from Binners……

I would say Vietnam, kid friendly and can be done super cheap. Lots to see and do. Saw quite a few families there with very small kids.

pigface – i would second vietnam actually! when i was there i met an aussie family who were out there on their vacation, it's a very popular family holiday destination for our cousins. lots to do (mountains, rainforest, beaches) and some lush accomodation for a decent price. if you do go, you HAVE to do Halong Bay for a few days staying on a boat cruising around the archipelago, visiting the floating families etc. wicked place!

Kazakstan.

I got Salmonella in Vietnam. Won't be taking my kids there just yet.