July is the best time to book for year-end school holidays
Why?
If you want to secure your flights and lodging, this is the time to start planning and book that holiday. From experience, if you book now, you may still get preferential rates for flights and choice accommodations. Anything later and you might end up paying a lot more for that holiday. In fact, a difference of a month could mean savings of a few thousand dollars for flights and lodging.
So where do you start planning your holidays?
Fret not, we are here to help with a top 10 holiday destinations for families that had proven very popular with Singapore families.
1 Alpenski , Korea
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| Holiday inn, Alpenski |
We want snow!
For many, December is the holiday to see the snow. After all, being in Singapore meant you would not see snow here. One of the closest places you can see snow is at Alpenski, Korea. If you have been to Alpenski, you would be forgiven to think that you are in Singapore sans the snow... Almost everywhere we go, we would bump into a fellow Singaporean!
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| Snow Ski |
Alpenski will make an ideal training ground before a trip to the popular ( and more expensive) Hokkaido. With white powered snow blanketing the resort, a ski ride or a snow sledge ride is a must-do activity.
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| Snow Sled |
If time permits, head to the nearby YongPyong resort and take a cable car ride up to Dragon Peak. This winter wonderland was used as a location for Winter Sonata. You will not be disappointed here!
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| YongPyong |
Read about our winter escapades
2 California, USA
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| Seven Magic Mountains |
This would be the ultimate road trip. A trip in California from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to San Francisco.
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| Route 66 |
This would be the best road trip in the US for families.
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| Grand Canyon |
For nature lovers, there is the Grand Canyon, For historical buffs, sites such as Route 66 and Alcatraz would delight you. For families with young kids, theme parks such as Disney California Adventure park, Universal Studios and Disneyland are a must on this road trip. Don't just plan for one ... go for all three!
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| California Adventure Park |
In California, parents would love the numerous outlet shopping while children would enjoy the theme parks and exploration around this area. It's a win-win holiday for both young and old.
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| Golden Gate Bridge |
At San Francisco, explore familiar sights such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Get the
San Francisco Go Card that covers the major attractions and transportation. It is the most cost-effective way to discover San Francisco!
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| Alcatraz |
We strongly recommend planning at least 3 weeks for this ultimate road trip. If you need help with the planning, check out our guide below.
3 Club Med, Cherating Malaysia
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| Archery |
Only a weekend to spare and want to save the hassle from planning a holiday?
Pack your luggage ad let Club Med Cherating take care of the rest for you.
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| Circus Acts |
Club Med is an all-inclusive holiday. Activities, shows, food are all included in the package. All you have to do is just to enjoy yourself. Club Med Cherating also include tours outside the resort. We think the Firefly tour is one of the best nature experience we have so far!
Read about our experience in Club Med Cherating.
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| Club Med Cherating |
4 Margaret River, Perth
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| Bootleg Brewery |
One of the best holidays we had in recent years is a trip down to Margaret River. We love it so much that we decided to head there twice in consecutive years!
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| Animal Farms |
Most travellers would make Margaret River a day trip or two. We say if you are travelling with young kids, plan for a week there. There are at least 7 caves to explore, multiple animal farms, numerous wineries and breweries, fantastic beaches and even opportunity to catch a whale or two. If you have not been there, you should!
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| Caves |
Guides to Margaret River
5 Melbourne, Australia
Another Australia destination on the list. Hardly surprising considering that you have a fantastic exchange rate to take advantage of. Compared to a year ago, everything is cheaper in Australia by 10 %!
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| Puffing Billy |
We have to include Melbourne, Australia. Billed as the best place to live in the world, it would be hard to exclude this city from any list!
Melbourne has a lot of interesting attractions. Go on a train ride at Puffing Billy, take a trip on the Great Ocean Road, visit the fantastic museums and zoo. There are a good mix of natural and man-made attractions to make this trip worthwhile.
Check out our Melbourne Adventures
6 Osaka, Japan
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| Osaka |
By now, you would probably realise that Osaka is taking over Tokyo as the best city for a family holiday. The beauty of Osaka is not only about the neon-lighted Tombori River and its fantastic street food at Dotonbori. It is also the base for you to explore cities around Osaka.
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| USJ |
After the mandatory trip to Universal Studios Japan, you should make plans to head out to Kyoto and Nara for day trips. To experience Japan on trains is a whole new different adventure.
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| Nara |
Feed the deers at Nara or see the beautiful Torii Gates at Kyoto Fushimi Inari. Wonders never cease in Osaka!
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| Kyoto |
Read about our Osaka Holiday adventures here
7 Penang Malaysia
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| Pinang Peranakan Museum |
Good food, street art, quirky museums and safe enough to walk on the streets. What's not to like about Penang.
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| Penang Street Art |
Penang is a destination that is full of heritage. From the old shophouses to massive temples, you have a taste of the old in a very affordable destination.
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| Kek Lok Si Temple |
Bring an empty stomach along, because you cannot resist the food of Penang. Foodies would rejoice at this destination.
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| Penang Char Kway Teow |
Here is what you can do in Penang
- Penang for kids
- DIY George Town Sightseeing
- Wonderfood Museum Penang
- Made in Penang Interactive Museum
- Pinang Peranakan Mansion Review
- Lone Pine Hotel Penang Review
8 Phuket, Thailand
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| Sail to nearby island |
Sun + Sea = Fun
Who could resist a dip into Thailand most famous beach destination-Phuket?
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| Have fun in your own pool |
Take a sailboat to the nearby islands, have fun in your own villas, watch Fantasea, head to the night markets, there is always something to do in Phuket. Plan to do a lot or plan to do nothing to simply enjoy the moment. Phuket is the place to go for a relaxing holiday.
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| Fantasea |
Your guide to Phuket
You could even consider Phuket Tour Packages if you want to leave the planning to someone else!
9 Sydney, Australia
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| Sydney Zoo |
Sydney is another self drive destination to consider in Australia. You can plan your way around Sydney and Blue Mountains. If you are a little more adventurous, you could add Hunter Valley and Port Stephens in your route.
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| Sydney Harbour Bridge |
Apart from the Harbour Bridge, make a visit to Fort Denison to see the last remaining Martello Towers in this part of the world.
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| Fort Denison |
Head to Bondi Beach for a little sun. As it is Summer in December, make sure you bring your swimwear.
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| Bondi Beach |
For the kids, bring them to Luna Park in the evening to enjoy the old school carnival rides and games.
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| Luna Park |
Take a day or two and head out to explore Blue Mountain.
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| Blue Mountains |
Do include a stop in the world's oldest open caves - Jenolan Caves. A 340 million-year-old cave site that has Australia largest and most spectacular caves.
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| Jenolan Caves |
Follow our Sydney adventures here
10 Tokyo, Japan
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| Gundam Diver City |
Tokyo has always been high on the list of parents planning a holiday. After all, who can say no to Disneyland or Disneysea?
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| Disneysea |
There are more to Tokyo than just Disney. Visit the Meiji Shrine for a historic walk or head to one of the many UFO catcher stores to catch your favourite toys.
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| Meiji Shrine |
If you want to delve into the wackiness of Tokyo, don't forget a visit to the Robot Restaurant.
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| Robot Restaurant |
If time is on your side, go for day trips to Yokohama or Hakone to discover more of Japan!
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| Hakone |
Here are our Tokyo Highlights
Tokyo Family Vacation: 5 Days Itinerary
Tokyo for kids: Top 20 Attractions
Surviving Tokyo Disneyland with kids
Sega Joypolis Review
UFO Catcher Tips and Tricks
Hakone Open-Air Museum
There you have it, top family destinations for this coming year-end School holidays.
Have you made your choice yet?
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