I don't think $10k will cover a 2 week trip for 5 to Australia. I'd really price it out before you get your hearts set.

Peru?
Scandanavia?
Iceland?

We absolutely loved New Zealand!!

We spent two weeks there -- mostly on the south island. We'd love to go back with the kids when they're older, and I think we may just stick with the south island entirely next time. It was gorgeous and there was so much to see and do!

The airfare was expensive, of course (we used FF miles), but NZ was remarkably affordable once we got there. It was also very easy to get around. We rented a car and drove everywhere. The drives themselves were fantastic. The landscape changes dramatically across the south island, and the views are stunning. Plus, there's a lot to stop and explore between towns.

We went kayaking, hiking and skydiving (!!). We took a helicopter up to the glacier and hiked around there. We stopped at vineyards, spent a wonderful day at a sheep farm, and toured a chocolate factory. We did a great excursion to see penguins and sea lions. And we relaxed a ton. The south island is compact yet diverse.

We planned an itinerary through a travel agent in NoVA. Can't remember her name, but I'm happy to track it down if you're interested. It helped a lot to have the basics booked in advance.

Anonymous wrote:We did two weeks in Australia and a week in New Zealand for our honeymoon. We both agree - while Australia had some cool parts - we had no desire to go there and wish we had spent less time there. New Zealand on teh other hand was fantastic. If it wasn't so far away - we would really love to emigrate there

Here's why:

Australia
- Everything is very spread out - BIG country so you have to fly.
- Very urban country - most people live in cities which while cool are not all the distinctive/different from US/Europe
- Outback was cool but the bugs....the flies...if you go out in the daytime - tiny flies constantly swarm your eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
- We went to Sydney, island out of the reef, Port Douglas, Uluru (Ayer's Rock)
- expensive

New Zealand
- Gorgeous, dramatic landscape
- Rivers, mountains, ocean - very cool geographic formations
- Very drivable
- Great food, neat small towns, friendly people
- All sorts of hiking & kayaking systems - hut to hut, etc.
- 1/3 the price of Australia - we could pull into any town there and stay at the nicest place easily
- Felt like America back in the 50s - slower pace of life

+1

NZ!!

What about Thailand. You can do a safari there and stay in huts.

We did two weeks in Australia for our honeymoon and I think it perfectly meets your criteria. We did a few days in Sydney, a few days in Ayers Rock, and a few days on a barrier reef island - good mix of relaxing and "adventure." It was not too expensive when we were there but that was many years ago now. I think if you can make the airfare work, it will meet your requirements perfectly! Can't wait to go back with my kids!

PS: hope you reconsider on the safari one day - it's an amazing unparalleled experience.

If you go to AU or NZ, fly their national carrier. You can get off in Tahita or the Cooks, spend a few days and continue your trip with no extra charges. Bora Bora or Aitutaki are worth it if you have never been.

And a +1 for NZ!

If you go to Oz, make sure you go to Fraser Island on a bus tour that takes you on hikes to both lakes. Magnificent.

I'm not sure about cost, as I went to Australia 10+ years ago and it was much cheaper then, but I loved it. I went for my honeymoon and we spent about 11 days in Australia and 2-3 days in New Zealand on our way back to the U.S.. We LOVED Sydney - took the boat to Manly, went to a performance at the opera house, went to the zoo, walked and walked and walked. The people were so friendly, and the food was good, too. We also spent two nights in the Hunter Valley and 2 nights in Brisbane. My husband and I cannot wait to take our kids back when they are a little older. The hardest part for me was the flight and the time change. It took several days to adjust to the time change, but once we did, we had an amazing time. I also liked New Zealand, but we were only in Auckland. That is a place I would like to go back to someday as well.

What about Alaska? Or London? Either would be cool, in different ways. I don't see how you can do Australia with a family for $10,000.

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered somewhere in Asia? Australia seems like it's so big for a 2-week trip. Someplace like Japan with a couple days in a Hawaii would be fun. Or maybe Egypt and Israel - that's a great family trip.

I'd think twice about Egypt. We currently live in Israel with the fed gov't and no one goes over there due to the unpredictable situation.

Having said that, Israel and Jordan would be a great trip. Petra, scuba diving in the Red Sea, Dead Sea, Masada, Jerash, the list goes on and on. Just go before it gets too hot.

Airfare alone is going to blow your budget. Plus it's a long way to go for only two weeks. Go to Europe. There's so much to see.

Anonymous wrote:We did two weeks in Australia and a week in New Zealand for our honeymoon. We both agree - while Australia had some cool parts - we had no desire to go there and wish we had spent less time there. New Zealand on teh other hand was fantastic. If it wasn't so far away - we would really love to emigrate there

Here's why:

Australia
- Everything is very spread out - BIG country so you have to fly.
- Very urban country - most people live in cities which while cool are not all the distinctive/different from US/Europe
- Outback was cool but the bugs....the flies...if you go out in the daytime - tiny flies constantly swarm your eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
- We went to Sydney, island out of the reef, Port Douglas, Uluru (Ayer's Rock)
- expensive

New Zealand
- Gorgeous, dramatic landscape
- Rivers, mountains, ocean - very cool geographic formations
- Very drivable
- Great food, neat small towns, friendly people
- All sorts of hiking & kayaking systems - hut to hut, etc.
- 1/3 the price of Australia - we could pull into any town there and stay at the nicest place easily
- Felt like America back in the 50s - slower pace of life

I'm Australian and I agree with this summary and conclusion!

And yes, Australia is very expensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I vote safari. South Africa. Kenya/Tanzania. Best vacation ever.

I hate to say it, but I don't think we are nearly that adventurous.

Too bad. It's amazing.

go to New Zealand . . . AWESOME!!