Where to Go - 4-week Family Trip in July-August

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa! It’ll be cool there at that time. You can do safari but also spend a good amount of time in Cape Town. I’d also recommend Grahamstown/Makhanda, which is an adorable college town. You can do the Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, either driving yourself or being driven. The Wild Coast is also a very special place in South Africa that you’d have time for.

I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough for this trip— and have the time to do it properly.

We are doing SA this summer (in June) and then some of the group are going to Madagascar after for 2 weeks. Could be a good option for op.

You’re going to have a wonderful time. I lived there for awhile and it is one of the highlights of my life. I’ve since gone back twice to bring family and they’ve also fallen in love!

[Anonymous]

Provence. Just stunning. Portugal would also be great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SE Asia is hot year long. The difference between July and January is more about rainy seasons which vary by region.

I wouldn’t dismiss that part of the world so quickly with that much time available.

OP here. I’d love to go but I’m afraid of not coping well with the heat. Summer in D.C. is already unbearable to me.
Can you tell me more about your experience in SE Asia and how to enjoy it despite the heat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 weeks is a long time to spend on Madagascar, but combined with some other places it would be fun. You’d probably have to fly through South Africa, so why not spend some time there? It’s so beautiful and it’s their winter (though very mild). Mauritius is right near Madagascar for some gorgeous beach time. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia is not far.

These are interesting suggestions, I’ll look into them.
Thanks
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SE Asia is hot year long. The difference between July and January is more about rainy seasons which vary by region.

I wouldn’t dismiss that part of the world so quickly with that much time available.

OP here. I’d love to go but I’m afraid of not coping well with the heat. Summer in D.C. is already unbearable to me.
Can you tell me more about your experience in SE Asia and how to enjoy it despite the heat?

I mean it’s SE Asia. It’s gonna be hot and humid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd probably do Scotland or Ireland or Scandinavia.

I was just looking for something more exotic, a completely different cultural experience outside of modern western culture.

Definitely worth a visit though!

[Anonymous]

A few years back we went to VN in early August. I love the heat and humidity and it was a lot for me to handle.

If you do decide to go, I’d recommend an American hotel. The VN ones did t have real air conditioning. It will be hard to find places to eat that have air so having it at your hotel will probably be a necessity for you. (We stayed in VN hotels and the room was not a retreat from the heat).

Also check out typhoon season dates if that matters to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:South Africa! It’ll be cool there at that time. You can do safari but also spend a good amount of time in Cape Town. I’d also recommend Grahamstown/Makhanda, which is an adorable college town. You can do the Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, either driving yourself or being driven. The Wild Coast is also a very special place in South Africa that you’d have time for.

I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough for this trip— and have the time to do it properly.

Uhmmmm are you trying to put OP in danger?

[Anonymous]

I was in Japan last July and it was so hot that I mostly took the subway and trains to get around, even though normally I like to walk to explore neighbourhoods. I would duck into shops for AC relief. If I was walking outside, I’d try to walk slowly because in just minutes I’d be all sweaty with minimal exertion. I’m someone who loves to be outside and I just couldn’t wait to get to an underground shopping area or the subway Still, I enjoyed it enough for the amazing food and historical sights that I would return, but probably in the fall so that I could get a better feel for the neighbourhoods.

Everyone carries umbrellas for relief from the sun or tries to walk in the shade. You could plan to bring an umbrella and a quick dry towel, and wear loose cotton sundresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few years back we went to VN in early August. I love the heat and humidity and it was a lot for me to handle.

If you do decide to go, I’d recommend an American hotel. The VN ones did t have real air conditioning. It will be hard to find places to eat that have air so having it at your hotel will probably be a necessity for you. (We stayed in VN hotels and the room was not a retreat from the heat).

Also check out typhoon season dates if that matters to you.

OP here. Thanks for this.
It pains me NOT to go to SE Asia in that period but I think it doesn’t make sense to put myself through the heat and humidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was in Japan last July and it was so hot that I mostly took the subway and trains to get around, even though normally I like to walk to explore neighbourhoods. I would duck into shops for AC relief. If I was walking outside, I’d try to walk slowly because in just minutes I’d be all sweaty with minimal exertion. I’m someone who loves to be outside and I just couldn’t wait to get to an underground shopping area or the subway Still, I enjoyed it enough for the amazing food and historical sights that I would return, but probably in the fall so that I could get a better feel for the neighbourhoods.

Everyone carries umbrellas for relief from the sun or tries to walk in the shade. You could plan to bring an umbrella and a quick dry towel, and wear loose cotton sundresses.

OP here. Very helpful, thanks.
I know it’s anecdotal but this is the
kind of story that helps me understand why it's just not a good idea to do this in August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa! It’ll be cool there at that time. You can do safari but also spend a good amount of time in Cape Town. I’d also recommend Grahamstown/Makhanda, which is an adorable college town. You can do the Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, either driving yourself or being driven. The Wild Coast is also a very special place in South Africa that you’d have time for.

I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough for this trip— and have the time to do it properly.

Uhmmmm are you trying to put OP in danger?

South Africa is fine. All of us suggesting it on this thread have come back safe and sound. It’s an amazing country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa! It’ll be cool there at that time. You can do safari but also spend a good amount of time in Cape Town. I’d also recommend Grahamstown/Makhanda, which is an adorable college town. You can do the Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, either driving yourself or being driven. The Wild Coast is also a very special place in South Africa that you’d have time for.

I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough for this trip— and have the time to do it properly.

Uhmmmm are you trying to put OP in danger?

South Africa is fine. All of us suggesting it on this thread have come back safe and sound. It’s an amazing country.

+1. I’m convinced trolls have set up a Google alert because they always seem to pile in immediately, with nothing substantive to say, as soon as someone mentions South Africa. Mexico too. It’s totally bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:South Africa! It’ll be cool there at that time. You can do safari but also spend a good amount of time in Cape Town. I’d also recommend Grahamstown/Makhanda, which is an adorable college town. You can do the Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, either driving yourself or being driven. The Wild Coast is also a very special place in South Africa that you’d have time for.

I cannot wait for my kids to be old enough for this trip— and have the time to do it properly.

Uhmmmm are you trying to put OP in danger?

South Africa is fine. All of us suggesting it on this thread have come back safe and sound. It’s an amazing country.

I’m not questioning you or disagreeing with you but I do wonder whether there are some countries that were previously okay for American tourists that may be less so with the total collapse of U.S. AID. I would imagine that the collapse of certain health infrastructure that we were helping support will increase the risk of instability and also probably animus against Americans.

[Anonymous]

Morocco is one of my favorite places to visit. I only had 2 weeks but in 4 weeks you could visit all the major cities, ride camels and stay overnight in the desert, and do some hiking in the mountains. The markets are interesting, the food is amazing. If you can speak French, it's helpful.

It's hot but not humid and I think that makes a big difference. I was in Morocco in July and it was just fine, even in the Sahara desert, whereas I find the heat and humidity pretty insufferable in SE Asia at the same time of year.