At ETG we don't believe in being too prescriptive about the "best" time of year to travel. From colourful festivals to wildlife sightings to the right time for you to get away from the UK, it’s all about the kind of experience your family seeks. What follows is a calendar-based guide to inspire you with a range of ideas for your next family adventure.
CHRISTMAS & WINTER HOLIDAYS
Given its proximity to the equator, Asia is an excellent option for winter sun en famille - whether you want to embrace the festive season or completely escape it.
Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, southern Vietnam and the west of Malaysia are warm, dry and sunny, yet the scenery is lush and green from the recent monsoon. This means that rivers, waterfalls and lakes are still full, creating the perfect conditions for river rafting, kayaking or exploring the floating communities of Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake and Laos' 4000 islands.
Now is also an ideal time to visit most of Sri Lanka and The Maldives. In The Maldives, the clear seas make for good snorkelling; there's even a chance of seeing whale sharks in December. It's a wonderful destination for banishing the winter blues and can combine with Oman or Sri Lanka if you're after a richer cultural experience.
Southern India has excellent weather and offers an exciting option for anyone wanting to experience a Christmas celebration in a totally different culture to their own.
CHRISTMAS & WINTER HOLIDAY ITINERARIES
CHRISTMAS IN CAMBODIA
Siem Reap is a fantastic spot for a very special Christmas celebration. Get up before Santa's been and head to Angkor Wat or Tonle Sap for a day everyone will remember. Quad bike through the countryside or hang out at the beach before finishing in Phnom Penh for New Year celebrations and fireworks.
FESTIVE FUN IN SOUTH INDIA
Bangalore and Goa have significant Christian communities, meaning you can enjoy Christmas festivities 'Indian' style; think decorated mango trees and colourful churches. From wildlife in Nagarhole National Park and a homestay on a tea plantation to a gorgeous beach retreat, this makes for an immersive yet gentle adventure.
OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK IN THAILAND
Warm and dry but not oppressively hot, this is a great time to combine the beach with adventures in Thailand's countryside without younger ones getting too hot and bothered. A trip based on this itinerary is a good option for those who like to avoid big, bland resorts but still enjoy plenty of creature comforts.
A NOTE ON CHRISTMAS
It's quite possible to dodge the festive season completely, swapping turkey and the Queen's speech for a picnic on an island with wildlife sightings. But, if you're apprehensive about missing out, most hotels celebrate, and the bigger the resort, the more elaborate the festivities will be. Don't be surprised to find Santa skipping around the swimming pool in Thailand or a Vietnamese choir singing carols in the hotel lobby in Ho Chi Minh City! The celebrations will often centre around Christmas Eve, and bigger resorts usually hold a festive dinner.
Trying to wind up work, finish the school term, pack for a holiday, and then consider Christmas shopping can be overwhelming. But don't panic; because from Colombo to Saigon and from Chiang Mai to Muscat, your consultant will be able to give you suggestions on unique presents you can pick up along the way. Travelling at this time could even put the fun back into Christmas shopping!
EASTER& SPRING HOLIDAYS
At this time of year, you're spoilt for choice. The rains are ending around the equator and are unlikely to have begun elsewhere. Your trip could coincide with Solar New Year - a time filled with festivals and celebrations. Local children will be on holiday too, so this is a great time to meet and make new friends. Laos, Cambodia and parts of other countries like Sri Lanka and Vietnam celebrate in earnest; think colourful festivities and traditional Buddhist rituals to behold and enjoy. As it's known locally, Songkran is a big national holiday in Thailand and is brilliant fun. A particular highlight is the water festival when streets are closed to traffic, and people of all ages get involved in one big water fight.
For wildlife, it's an excellent time to go on a safari in Sri Lanka. It's also the beginning of the dry season in Borneo and Sulawesi, where you can spot unusual creatures like tarsiers and black crested macaques.
Vietnam works well at this time of year – it's dry and warm throughout the country. Southern Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia will be beginning to get quite warm - don't let this put you off, but it is worth bearing the heat in mind in terms of the pace and structure of the trip, keeping sightseeing to the morning or late afternoon.
Finally, Oman is sunny but not yet oppressively hot, making it an ideal time to explore with kids.
EASTER AND SPRING HOLIDAY ITINERARIES
FAMILY ADVENTURE IN VIETNAM
Spring is the best time to have some fun beyond the tourist trail in Vietnam. From an eco-resort in the mountains to a boutique retreat near one of the world's most epic cave systems to a homestay in the Mekong Delta, this itinerary is ideal for families seeking a holiday packed with adventure. There's even time to relax at the beach too.
TURTLES, CANYONING & CAMPING IN OMAN
Make the most of Oman's remarkable scenery and natural beauty. Splash your way through wild streams and wadis, explore impossibly deep canyons, get a flavour of Bedouin life in the desert and learn about turtles at the beach. This suggested holiday features the best family-friendly hotels and experiences to wow all ages.
SAFARI & SURF IN SRI LANKA
Now is a great time to take in Sri Lanka's less-explored east coast (typically rainier than the rest of the country in the winter months). Cross the country to Arugam Bay with adventures aplenty en route. This trip weaves on and off the beaten track giving you a feel for the real Sri Lanka - and includes a range of unique and memorable hotels.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
"Schools Out!" Teenagers will be more relaxed once exam stress is behind them, and with six weeks to play with, this might be the best time of year for a big trip together – especially if this is the last one before university. Whatever ages the kids are, we have plenty of suggestions - from two-week holidays to all-summer-long adventures.
Now is the perfect time to visit Indonesia. With exotic wildlife, dramatic volcanoes and picture-perfect beaches galore, this diverse country offers a myriad of exciting family adventures.
Borneo is one of the best places in Asia to see animals in the wild. It also offers some terrific off-the-beaten-track cultural experiences that will impress even the most jaded teenager.
Though there is a higher chance of rain, don't rule out Cambodia. The lily ponds surrounding Angkor Wat are in full bloom, and the scenery is lush and green. There are typically fewer visitors, so the experience and sense of discovery can be much more exciting than in the "peak" season. Cambodia combines easily with the dry east coast of Thailand or Central Vietnam if you want a more reliable weather forecast for the beach.
There is a good window of opportunity for Sri Lanka, which is typically between its two monsoons.
SUMMER HOLIDAY ITINERARIES
OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK IN BORNEO
Journey deep into the jungles of Borneo to discover the tribal traditions of the Murat people and immerse yourselves in a one-off wildlife experience before spending time relaxing on an unspoiled beach. The accommodation adds to the adventure, from a research station in the jungle to hammocks under the stars.
DO DRAGONS REALLY EXIST?
Indonesia is a playground of remarkable once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Search for dragons, swim with manta rays on a cruise around Komodo National Park or explore Bali's paddy fields by bike. Make the trip extra special by watching the sunrise from a magnificent Javanese temple set between volcanic peaks.
ELEPHANTS AND THE EAST COAST OF SRI LANKA
On Sri Lanka's less-visited east coast, summer is the ideal time for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports at one of the island's most idyllic beach locations. The itinerary includes time in the tea country and off-the-beaten-track national parks, elephant adventures and scenic journeys by train.
HALFTERM BREAKS
February: We're big fans of travelling to Asia during the February half term. The weather is excellent, yet you'll avoid the peak prices of Easter and the Festive season. Travelling now somehow makes the dreary winter months fly by; it's not long to wait after Christmas, and the first daffodils and longer days will be ready to welcome you by the time you get back! Thailand, Sri Lanka, The Maldives and Oman are top picks for February since they all have great weather and direct flights – making for seamless short trips.
May: An extra bank holiday means May is a good time to travel for those looking to minimise annual leave. There will be fewer visitors and excellent low season offers in the Maldives; the humidity and rain begin to increase as you head into June, but rain clouds tend to blow over quickly, and it's a good time for surfing. Oman will be getting hot, but the mountains will be cooler than Muscat and the desert, so a holiday combining Jebel Akhdar and a lazy beach stay is still entirely doable.
October: Oman comes firmly back into its own as the perfect destination for the October half term when the heat is starting to fade across southern Europe. Rajasthan is another exciting option with clear desert nights and pleasant daytime temperatures. It's a good time to see wildlife in India; the national parks will have just reopened after the rainy season, meaning plenty of opportunity for some excellent sightings before it gets too busy.
HALF TERM BREAK ITINERARIES
BAREFOOT IN THE MALDIVES
A resident community and an idyllic lagoon make this is a slightly more educational way to spend half-term than your typical Maldives holiday. Cycle through the jungle to the nearby village to share traditional snacks with locals or spend time with the resident marine biologist to learn about the area's rich sea life and surrounding ecosystems.
VILLA HOLIDAYS IN SRI LANKA
Among its many draws, Sri Lanka has a wide choice of exquisite coastal boutique villas that are brilliant for families or bigger groups. With the right location, you can enjoy the island's magic and diversity without moving hotels. The following villa holidays have been carefully chosen; all are fully staffed and in locations where you'll feel immersed in the destination.
A WEEK IN THE ARABIAN TROPICS
We can't think of a better location for an 8-night October holiday. Salalah feels a little off-the-beaten-track, yet it's a microcosm of everything Oman has to offer. You can pack in the gorgeous scenery, culture, adventure and tropical beaches – all in just over a week - while staying in a super family-friendly hotel.
