It’s been over two years since we all got to take a proper break during the year-end holidays. If you’re still not sure where to take your family, here are some of our suggestions.
Japan
Japan is one of the easiest places to travel around, whether with a tour group or on your own. With the country long-awaited border re-opening, you’ll need to determine how many days you want to stay in the country and decide how many cities you want to visit. In Japan, travelling between cities on your own is easy thanks to the country’s bullet trains and buses. The only thing you’ll need to do now is to hurry and book your plane tickets and accommodation before they’re sold out or get too expensive. Child-friendly activities we love: Staying in a ryokan near Mount Fuji or a visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
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Australia
Australia, with its mix of city life, country living and the ocean views, is a beautiful place to head to. The country is so big, we’d recommend visiting one city at a time during your visit, or two at the most. We love Australia’s laidback vibe, beautiful sights (such as the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House at, well, Sydney). A flight there will take around five to eight hours depending on where you’re flying to. You’ll have to prepare visas for you and your kids beforehand. Activities your family will love include drives along the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne, and visits to koala sanctuaries.
Get up close to cuddly koalas and more of Australia’s native animals at the Moonlit Sanctuary near Melbourne. Book your tickets on Klook now – NSmen get 10% off all activities with min. $50 spend (capped at $10); more info at safra.sg/promotions/klook
Desaru, Malaysia
If you prefer not to deal with the hassle of flying, head to a resort town nearby where you can kick back and relax. Desaru, a coastal town in the state of Johor on the Malaysian Peninsula, is located just about an hour’s drive away from central Johor Bahru. However, if you prefer to skip the traffic jams on the Causeway, the new ferry service between Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will take less than 90 minutes. The service loops between both ferry terminals, with the single round trip departing at 8.30am from Singapore and at 5.30pm from Desaru. At Desaru, choose between the various resorts and enjoy a few days off with your children. While you’re there, don’t miss Desaru’s Adventure Waterpark for a splashing good time!
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South Korea
With its mix of modern facilities and historical culture, a visit to South Korea could be fun. There are plenty of things to do and see within this country. Think beautiful hanbok portraits with the family in the middle of an ancient South Korean palace, to a day of fun at Lotte World, a theme park that has around 45 attractions for adults and children alike. If your family enjoys K-dramas, a visit to the buildings and sites featured in the shows could be fun, too.
Discover K-drama filming locations and more in Jeollanam-do, a magical province situated between Seoul and Jeju Island.
Maldives
Since it’s been two years, go all out and treat your family to the sparkling blue waters in the Maldives. Easily considered one of the most exotic destinations in the world, a visit here won’t disappoint. You’ll want to look for child-friendly resorts here, of course, where such resorts have kids’ clubs to keep your children well occupied within a safe environment. Some recommendations include the Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resorts, which offers packages where kids stay for free, as well as the Meeru Island Resort & Spa, where families and couples have their own corner of the exclusive island. If you’re travelling with young children under 12, do take note that overwater villas may pose a safety hazard as they offer direct access to the open seas.
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