Noah, Eden, and Jonah have been traveling with me their entire lives. So far the three of them have been to at least 22 countries, 4 continents, and almost every state in the United States. Needless to say, when I ask them what the best family vacations were, they had more than a few opinions! 

They quickly fired off an assortment of places we have been. It was interesting to hear what they picked, some of them I knew, but other ones were a complete surprise. After some serious conversation with them, we’ve narrowed it down to 17!

Top 17 Family Vacations You will Never Forget!

1. Singapore

Singapore is in all of our top ten picks. My oldest, Noah considers Singapore to be a utopia because of its cleanliness and orderliness. Oddly enough, we were only in Singapore for two days, making it one of the shortest stays we have done anywhere. It only took one day for us to fall in love with this city. We recommend walking around Marina Bay where the architecture is insane and definitely visit some parts of the Marina Bay Gardens. I can assure you that your kids have never seen anything else like this! The kid’s favorite hotel here is the Fairmont Singapore. For more ideas on what to do and where to find the best milkshake see my article: Singapore Travel Guide.

2. Cancun

Cancun has so much going on, and don’t worry, it’s safe. We spent a week there and basically had a non-stop adventure! The entire area is set up well to accommodate any kind of family and literally any type of budget. Families will appreciate luxurious, all-inclusive resorts with kid’s clubs and teen clubs. While the kids are off doing their own thing parents can head to a spa or the bar. There isn’t a bad beach anywhere in the area, so plan to spend at least two full days beach bumming.  While you are there, be sure to see Mayan Ruins, swim in a cenote, eat lots of Mexican food, and go ATVing. 

For a list fun family things to do in Cancun check out this post: 12 Adventurous Things to do in Cancun. I recommend staying at The Grand in Cancun or at another one of the  11 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Cancun for Families.

If at some point you head over to Cozumel (you totally should), check out my post: 13 Things to do in Cozumel. I recommend staying at Allegro Cozumel.

3. Thailand

Thailand is absolutely incredible and I wasn’t surprised it landed in my kids top three places. You can basically go anywhere in Thailand and have an interesting experience. I recommend visiting at least these three places when you go: Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. Although they each have some similarities they are completely different experiences.

Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s islands and it’s extremely kid friendly. My kids thought taking a Thai cooking class was cool and they loved going to the beaches and interacting with elephants and tigers. To find the elephants on the beach check out my post: Swimming with Elephants in Thailand. And for more help planning your trip to Phuket see my article: 5 Day Phuket Itinerary with Kids.

Bangkok

Bangkok is massive so there are loads and activities. The kids loved biking through the city despite the heavy traffic and they were thrilled when we stumbled across monstrous milkshakes. To read more about taking Bangkok to kids, check out my article: Two Days in Bangkok with Kids.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is an easy city to get around and it has tons to see and do. The city has an incredible night market where you and your kids could shop for hours. Here you will find interesting things to purchase like leather journals, bracelets, and tuk-tuks made out of soda cans. There is an elephant sanctuary where families can care for elephants and of course the food is outstanding! I recommend staying at the Shangri-la and taking a food and city tour by bike. Learn more about visiting Chiang Mai with kids in my article: 4 Things to do in Chiang Mai with kids.

4. New York City

New York City is currently Noah’s #1 and in Eden’s top 3 and in my top 15. The kids love the many dessert experiences here like Serendipity and  Black Tap. Both places have outrageous over-the-top desserts. They all enjoy hanging out in Central Park and Bryant Park, both parks have lots of free activities. At Bryant Park, kids can play kubb, while parents grab a drink at the little outdoor bar there. In Central Park, there are multiple playgrounds.

Visiting the 9/11 memorial is a must and if the kids are 10 or older tour the museum. Kids enjoy touring the Statue of Liberty, but not necessarily Ellis Island. If you do, go to Ellis Island to look for your family’s name on the wall. If you want to do a bus tour I recommend The Ride, especially if your kids are teens or tweens. I think going to a Broadway show is a must, but this is expensive and not worth it if your kids hate musicals or might possibly sleep through it. Good plays for kids are Wicked, Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera.

Remember the further out you can plan a trip to New York the cheaper the trip will be. Here are 15 Ways to save money in NYC.

We’ve been to NYC more times than we can remember. Check out our New York City Travel Guide to help you plan your own epic NYC getaway!

5. Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is another place that all three kids agree on and Oahu is their top island followed by Kauai. On Oahu, their favorite thing to do is sit at the pool or sit on the beach.

The kids recommend hanging out at the beach on North Shore to check out the waves and do some shopping. While you are up there have shrimp from Giovani’s Shrimp truck and get shaved ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice. If you feel like getting active rent a paddleboard at Sea N Surf and paddle up the Anahulu River and look for sea turtles. The last time we went we saw five huge sea turtles.

Also, fun in Oahu is parasailing in Waikiki and hiking to the top of Diamond Head. When you get done hiking Diamond Head, stop by Shimazu Shave Ice for massive shaved ice.

For more help planning your family’s Oahu vacation read our Oahu Travel Guide. 

I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Aulani if possible. 

6. Orlando

Orlando would probably make any kid’s list. With it being home to Disney World, Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Universal Studios a family could spend a month and do something different every single day. Universal Orlando is a must once each kid is tall enough to ride all the roller coasters and the new water park, Volcano Bay is fantastic. Besides the theme parks, there are all sorts of other fun things to do like swamp tours through alligator-infested waters, knight tournaments at Medieval Times, and within a short drive lots of beaches.

7. London

London also made it high on the list of the kid’s favorite places. We visited during Thanksgiving a few years ago and everything we did was awesome. There is so much to see and do that you can easily spend a week or two here and never run out of activities. Some of their favorite things were seeing the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, eating at Borough Market, and doing the Tower of London tour. Both boy’s least favorite thing to do is the bus tours. I personally appreciated how many free things there were to do in London. For more London ideas and tips, see my article: London with Kids.

8. Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica is Jonah’s #1 pick, and if I was his age, I think this would possibly be my #1 too. We recommend staying at Beaches Negril. This is an all-inclusive resort geared specifically for families. Highlights of staying here include:

• Sesame Street parade and BBQ party where families can dance with the characters, DJs lead dances, flame throwers perform, and more.
• Ice Cream Machine – The kids loved the ice cream machine which they visited a minimum of three times a day. (Don’t judge me, it’s vacation!)
• Snuba – Even kids can snuba at Beaches Negril and they do not have to have any experience to do this. The instructors are fabulous and it’s an activity the kids will never forget.
• Multiple pools, a lazy river, a water playground, and hot tubs.
• Miniature golf
• Video game lounge
• Kid’s club

9. Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado is another destination that is enjoyable year-round. During the summer the kids enjoy biking around town, riding horses around the mountain, and visiting the Epic Discovery adventure park set up on the mountain. In the winter the skiing is excellent. My kids have skied since they were little and appreciate the extensive skiing found in Vail. If you do not ski, this is a great place to learn.  For more info, check out our Vail Travel Guide. 

10. Silvies Valley Ranch

Visiting a dude ranch is a completely unique vacation. You can have an experience as a family that just can’t be had unless you are on a working ranch. Here you can shoot guns, interact with baby goats, hit the spa, experience gourmet dining, participate in a cattle round-up, and much more. They even have four golf courses on the ranch. Golf lovers will flip out over the reversible golf course that’s right I said reversible! With a little bit of everything, your family is sure to have an incredible time. To get a feel of the overall ranch read about our Silvies Valley Ranch Experience.

11. Greece

Greece is an epic experience because let’s face it, there’s no other place on earth like it. It basically doesn’t matter what part of the country you visit, you will never have a bad meal, you will experience history and culture like never before. I can state this as a fact because we’ve traveled all over Greece and it’s all been wonderful. 

Athens

Chances are high that one way or another a Greek vacation is going to take you through Athens at some point. Plan to spend at least a day here so you can visit the Acropolis before heading out to the islands. At night during the sunset dine at Savvas, their rooftop overlooks the Acropolis. Hotels can be difficult to get for a family, you may want to stay in an Airbnb.

Mykonos

A one of a kind city and gorgeous beaches await you in Mykonos. Teens and parents alike will love Mykonos City full of white-washed buildings. Also, if you can get a sitter or if your kids are old enough to stay at the hotel alone plan to go out. Mykonos has one of the best nightlife experiences in the world.

• For more advice, check out my post: Mykonos with Kids

Santorini 

Here you will have the opportunity to see things you’ve never see before like Red Beach. Perissa, the black beach is also worth visiting if you’ve never seen one before. There are two towns built into the sides of the island, both of which are worth spending time in, Fira and Oia. In Oia, you will see one of the greatest sunsets in the world. 

• For more things to do and where to stay check out my post: Santorini on a Budget. 

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is from biblical times and many of their historical sights have withstood the test of time. (Okay, I know what you are thinking. Yes, all of Greece is from biblical times.) They basically have ruins or a gorgeous church around every corner. The food scene is excellent here. For a list of things to see and do check out my post: Thessaloniki on a Budget. 

Kassandra

Can’t afford to splurge on the islands? Head here instead. Here you will be greeted with that famous aqua water and glorious beaches. Go shopping in Pefkochori and grab lunch at Agora Beach Bar. I highly recommend staying at Alexander the Great Beach Resort in this area. 

12. Australia

If you can get yourself to Australia, do it! Australia is just as fabulous as everyone says it is. There are so many varied experiences to be had throughout the country.  Try to plan a minimum of 9 days in the country. More than two weeks would be better. 

Whitsunday Islands

If swimming the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, then this should be your first stop. Whitehaven Beach should also be on your bucket list. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Melbourne

If you’ve got a family of foodies, Melbourne is sure to delight. They have the most over-the-top, whimsical food creations you’ve likely ever seen. In between beautiful meals stop by the Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes and the graffiti alleys. The alleys in Melbourne are really cool. 

• Where to eat in Melbourne

Great Ocean Road 

One of the top road trips in the world is driving the Great Ocean Road. Along the way, you can stop at dozens of scenic overlooks and take in the magnificent rock formations like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles. You can enjoy one of the many nice beaches where kids can swim and play in the sand. Plus, there are animal encounters. Pull over to look for koalas in the trees and feed the birds at Kafe Koala. Be sure to stop at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos. 

13. Texas

We are originally from Texas so it was no surprise that Texas made the list. The kids have been all over Texas and they recommend eating lots of Tex-Mex food and visiting the following cities: Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

San Antonio

San Antonio has a ton of stuff for families to do. Here you will find a massive zoo, Fiesta Texas theme park, the famous San Antonio River Walk, and just outside of town is Schlitterbahn the #1 water park in the world. When visiting plan at least one full day at Schlitterbahn, half a day at the river walk, and float the Comal river. Our favorite restaurants in San Antonio currently are Ocho, Toro Kitchen + Bar, and Rita’s on the River. 

In San Antonio, I recommend staying at Hotel Emma.

Plan your entire trip with our San Antonio Travel Guide.

Dallas/Fort Worth

The Dallas, Fort Worth area is packed with stuff to do for families. Over in Fort Worth will love the rodeo at the stockyards. Be sure to go when they have bull riding. Also found in the stockyards is a fun maze and Texas-themed shopping. Plus, they do a daily cattle drive. Our favorite restaurants in Dallas include Meso Maya for dinner and El Jordan Cafe for breakfast. Just north of Dallas is Addison, TX which is jammed packed with great restaurants. 

14. Honduras

Honduras is easily one of our top vacations, according to me. Unfortunately, the kids remember very little of the trip. I recommend going to Roatan and Copan. These two places are no where near each other and two extremely different experiences. What they do have in common is affordability!

Roatan

Roatan is one of the Bay Islands and along the 2^nd best barrier reef in the world. The reef is near the shoreline making it extremely easy for kids to snorkel. Jonah was 4 when we visited and he was able to snorkel. Also fun here is zip lining and paddleboarding.

Copan

Copan is a Honduran city that borders Guatemala. Here you can go horseback riding up a mountain, go zip lining on one of the longest zip lines in the world, and visit an incredible hot spring.

15. Panama City Beach

Another family favorite in Florida is Panama City Beach. The beach has soft, powdery, white sand. It isn’t as big as many of the beach towns, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do. Go mini-golfing and go-carting, spend the day at the beach, or shop around at Pier Park. Spend one day bopping around Scenic 30A, where you will find tiny beach towns like Seaside or Rosemary. Renting some bicycles is a perfect way to explore this area. Another interesting spot worth venturing out to is Sandestin’s Baytowne Wharf. Here, families can indulge in boutique shopping, zip-lining, ropes courses, an arcade, and unique eateries.

Use our Panama City Beach travel guide to plan your entire vacation.

16. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is super cool country with a wide variety of things to do. The food was consistently good, the activities were exciting and the people were so nice. Whether rafting down a volcano’s raging rivers in a tube near La Fortuna to chilling at a beautiful beach on the Pacific or the Atlantic everyone is going to enjoy the country. Costa Rica Travel Guide

17. La Paz

La Paz features miles of white sand beaches and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure including paddle boarding, kite surfing, kayaking, SCUBA diving, whale watching, swimming with whale sharks, sportfishing, hiking, mountain biking, and much more. If you want your kids off their devices and outside doing stuff you will love it here. Plus, the food is unbelievably good. 

Plan your own trip with our La Paz Travel Guide for Families. Plus, Best Places to Stay in La Paz, Mexico and Best Beaches in La Paz.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it, the best of the best family travel locations. There are hundreds of other places that could have made the list but didn’t. These were ones that just barely missed making our list: Las Vegas, Bavarian Alps in Germany, Paris, and house boating on Lake Shuswap in British Columbia. Like Honduras, my kids do not even remember house boating up in Canada, but if they did (well not Jonah, he had yet to be born), I am sure it would have made it onto the list.

Where are your favorite places to take your kids on vacation? We are always taking recommendations and planning our next family vacations. Yes, plural. Why take just one vacation? I think you should take as many as possible, big trips, weekend getaways, family reunions, you name it. These are all opportunities to have fun, spend time together and make the most memories possible. And don’t delay. Noah’s a high school senior and he’s about to move on with his life. (Oregon State University #Bragging) And y’all, I straight up ran out of time with him. You will run out of time, so make today count.

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With its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and tropical landscape, it’s no wonder why Phuket is a popular destination for travelers around the world.

Whether you’re a beach lover, a nature enthusiast, or a sun worshiper, you won’t want to miss the chance to visit these 7 breathtakingly beautiful beaches during your trip to Phuket.

From the crystalline waters of Patong to the quiet seclusion of Bang Tao Beach, here’s a list of the 7 most stunning beaches in Phuket that you won’t want to miss in 2023. From secluded coves to bustling beaches lined with restaurants, you’ll find something to suit every traveler’s taste.

Patong Beach

This is Phuket’s most famous and popular beach, known for its bustling atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops. 

It is a great spot for people-watching, shopping, and partying, and offers a variety of water sports activities, including jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides. 

The sand is not the finest, but the waves are good for beginner surfers. Patong Beach also has many sun loungers, umbrellas, massage pavilions, and other amenities that you would expect from such a popular tourist destination. 

Even during peak season, it isn’t too crowded; there’s plenty of room to spread out along the shoreline and enjoy the sun and sea. There is a lot to do in Patong Beach, including shopping, dining out at restaurants or bars, and renting jet skis or parasailing. It’s also an excellent spot to watch the sunset over the ocean.

Kata Beach

This stunning beach boasts clear turquoise waters, white sand, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. There are several restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, and the beach offers a range of water sports activities, including snorkeling, windsurfing, and kayaking. 

The beach is also ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and picnics. If you’re looking for some peace, Kata Beach is usually not overcrowded, as there aren’t many resorts near it. On top of that, it’s easily accessible by car or public transportation from anywhere on the island. 

Visitors looking for nightlife entertainment can head over to the north end of the beach to find an array of bars and clubs. Try renting an umbrella or a beach bed for maximum comfort and relaxation!

Surin Beach

A more upscale option, Surin Beach is known for its luxurious resorts, pristine waters, and beautiful scenery. 

There is no shortage of things to do; from checking out the bustling nightlife at Surin Beach to going fishing or learning traditional Thai cooking in one of the local markets, you’ll never be bored. Plus, during the low season (May-October), you can get great deals on accommodation at resorts along the shoreline.

There are several high-end restaurants and shops nearby, and the beach offers a range of water sports activities, including paddleboarding and kayaking. This beach is also popular with surfers due to its reliable waves. 

Surin Beach is located on the northern part of Phuket’s west coast, so it can be accessed by taking a taxi or renting a motorbike or car. The beach is located near the Phuket airport, so it’s easy to get there once you arrive in Phuket. 

Several local buses stop at Surin Beach on their way around the island, making it possible to visit the beach without a vehicle.

We recommend staying at Destination Resorts Phuket Surin Beach Resort if you want to be close to this beach. 

Karon Beach

With its 3-kilometer-long stretch of sand and calm waters, Karon is a great choice for families. The beach is lively and bustling, but not as crowded as Patong, and offers a range of restaurants, bars, and shops. 

There are several water sports activities available, including jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides, and the beach is also ideal for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and picnics. 

While this beach can get quite busy with visitors during peak season, it tends to be quieter during low season, making it easier to find an ideal spot

We recommend staying at Destination Resorts Karon Beach it is directly across the street from this beach. 

Nai Harn Beach

Often considered one of the best beaches in Phuket, Nai Harn is known for its stunning scenery, clear waters, and peaceful atmosphere.

There are several restaurants and shops nearby, and the beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Amenities at the beach include umbrellas, loungers, lifeguards, and toilets. Boat tours can also be arranged at the beach, giving visitors the chance to explore nearby islands and bays. 

In addition, scuba diving trips are available, providing a unique underwater adventure with spectacular coral reefs and aquatic life. Many hotels and resorts line the shoreline near Nai Harn Beach, offering luxurious accommodations with breathtaking views of the beach. 

For those looking for an adventure-filled day trip, there are multiple hiking trails close by that lead up to Kata Viewpoint or along the nearby coastline. Alternatively, a relaxing stroll through nearby Ya Nui Beach is always a popular activity with stunning views. 

Make sure to try out some of the delicious seafood restaurants on the beach and get lost among the vibrant nightlife after dark! Whatever your preference may be, Nai Harn Beach is worth adding to your bucket list when visiting Phuket in 2023!

Kamala Beach

The beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and picnics, and there are several water sports activities available, including paddleboarding and kayaking. There are also plenty of shaded areas with picnic tables where you can relax with your family or friends. 

To the north, there’s an area where you can explore different small islands off the coast by boat. For a unique sunset view, you can climb up to the Big Buddha located nearby and watch as the sun sets over the horizon. 

Make sure to bring your camera along—you’ll be able to capture some amazing shots of this stunning beach!

Bang Tao Beach

A 6-kilometer-long stretch of sand, Bangtao is known for its quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is less crowded than some of the other popular Phuket beaches and offers a range of restaurants, bars, and shops. 

The beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and picnics, and there are several water sports activities available, including windsurfing and kayaking. Bang Tao also has a luxury 5-star hotel if you’re looking to splurge while vacationing here. 

Conclusion

Phuket offers a diverse range of stunning beaches to suit a variety of interests and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a lively and bustling atmosphere, a more serene and peaceful experience, or anything in between, there’s a beach for you. 

From the famous Patong Beach to the family-friendly Karon Beach, to the secluded Nai Harn Beach, Phuket has something for everyone. So make sure to plan your visit to one of these stunning beaches and make the most of your time in Phuket.

If you’re dreaming of an exotic beach getaway, where would you think to go? Somewhere in the states like Santa Monica Pier and Beach in LA or somewhere far way like Phuket? Tell us in the comments below!

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The post 7 Stunning Beaches In Phuket Not To Miss appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Phuket, Thailand

If you wish to have an international honeymoon, then you will find Phuket to be the cheapest but the best option. The attractions that this city offers are endless, whether it be Phang Nga Bay, Patong Beach, or Bangla Road; they all leave you in awe. You can either enjoy staying in a hotel with a lavish balcony view or taking a walk under the glistening moonlight at Phuket’s silver beaches.

The endless landscapes and islands in Phuket can be easily explored by hopping from one speedboat to another. The snorkeling and diving in the clear blue water of the Similan islands have to be the experience of a lifetime. You will want to add this destination to your bucket list for all the beauty it brings to the table.

5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Bali, Indonesia

Having seen so much content related to Bali, you might think it’s too overrated, but it’s honestly worth the hype. It’s one of Asia’s most romantic and not to forget, budget-friendly getaway. Bali is a tropical island and one which has unmatched beauty. The jungles are enhanced by attractive waterfalls, clear water beaches, volcanoes, and so much more.

It has world-class resorts, spas, and beach villas. You can even customize your date nights in Bali from choosing bamboo cottages, plush tents to dining under a canopy of stars on a magical night. You can woo your spouse right off their feet by spending time gawking at picturesque sunsets or exploring the extraordinary beauty that the island offers. Not only this, but Bali makes a perfect place for ideal photoshoots. Bali is an experience that you won’t forget throughout your lifetime.

Bahamas

The Bahamas is a spectacular honeymoon location set in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean. The best time to visit is from November to mid-April as that’s when the Bahamas Private Islands are best for exploring. There are more than 700 islands to explore, and couples will never run out of places to visit in the Bahamas.

The couples can take long walks along the crystal clear turquoise waters, dine by the beach at Arawak Cay, or even have an adventurous day at The Aqua venture Water Park. Also, the Bahamas offers hidden gems like the Bahamian Cruise, extravagant hotels, and resorts along with an exotic cuisine you can’t say no to.

Vietnam

All a couple wants is to de-stress after a hectic wedding. Vietnam is the perfect location to do just that. It is a place that has something for everyone. It is filled with architecture, crowded streets, adventure, and breathtaking views. Vietnam even has special places such as Dalat: The Valley of Love, SaPa, and so much more for couples on their romantic escapades.

The beaches in Vietnam are incredibly romantic and can be easily used to woo your partner. Other than this, Vietnam offers cave camping, old-world charm, and so much more that you and your spouse won’t forget for a long time!

One place we recommend staying is:

Pullman Danang Beach Resort – Vietnam

Vietnam is well-known for its coastline of stunning beaches and resort hotels. A favorite for families is the Pullman Danang Beach Resort located on Bac My An Beach in Danang.

The luxurious Pullman Danang Beach Resort offers a variety of accommodations including family suites and villas.

Children can enjoy their beachside playground and kids club whilst the adults can treat themselves to a relaxing spa treatment at the Nang Spa. If you are after something a bit more strenuous a workout in their gym might just be the thing for you with aerobics and yoga classes as well.

Free activities include tennis, badminton, petanque, and basketball which are all free to guests staying at the resort.

Song Watersports in the resort offers jet skis, surfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking. If you are a foodie you can even book an early morning market tour and on your return cook up a storm in their Cooking Classes.

After a full day of activities head to the Azure Beach Lounge for a ‘sundowner’ and a relaxed dinner on the beach.

Address: 101 Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang

Check current rates. 

Maldives

The Maldives offers a range of beautiful beaches, most of them still undiscovered. Imagine going to the Maldives and having a beach all to yourself. Amazing, right? The Maldives provides couples honeymooning with a setting so intimate that it is unparalleled. 

Couples can easily enjoy the striking beauty of nature at the Maldives while indulging in chosen activities. Whether it is a couple’s massage or a candle-light dinner, the location is set to impress. The romantic couple can also spend their honeymoon exploring marine life, cruising, going for a seaplane ride, diving, or ending the day on a romantic note at Maldives glowing beaches. It’s a place worth visiting.

Here’s one place we recommend staying:

Conrad Rangali Island – Maldives

Conrad Maldives makes it possible to organize a holiday in the Maldives on a budget. One of its greatest advantages is its size, Conrad Maldives is one of the largest resorts in the Maldives. It consists of two islands for guests plus one for the staff, and there is enough space to make anyone feel almost as on a desert island even when it’s full. Accommodation ranges from various types of beachfront villas, directly facing the ocean (with or without a private pool) and overwater bungalows. The larger beach villas comfortably accommodate up to 6 people in 3 rooms.

Of course, it offers a well-organized kids club that will make the adults jealous when they see the kids set off on a pirate ship on an organized trip. There are restaurants for all tastes, 12 different offers alternate during the week from romantic dinners, buffets where you can try everything, and traditional grills, to more sophisticated options also with areas for adults only.

Don’t forget the countless excursions: from peaceful picnics on deserted sandbanks to adventurous swims with whale sharks.

Check current rates.

Antalya, Turkey

Even though Turkey is a beautiful country as a whole, Antalya has something entirely different to offer. Honeymooners often visit the city. It may be a small city, but it is full of breathtaking views. The city provides deep-blue water beaches, cliffs, and attractive waterfalls. 

If you and your partner are a fan of ancient ruins, you can even go on a romantic stroll (320-mile) on the Lycian Way and explore them. However, the best part is how all of those, as mentioned earlier and so much more, are extremely pocket-friendly.

Skardu, Pakistan

Skardu is the most picturesque place in Pakistan. The best part? The couples on romantic getaways can get amazing packages at extremely cheap rates. Skardu is a place that has mountains, clear lakes, beautiful resorts, and so much more to offer.

The most famous places to visit in Skardu are Chilas, Shangrilla, Khaplu Palace, Montokha Waterfall, and Upper Kachur. The beauty of Skardu is indescribable and offers a romantic setting to the couples. The couples can also spend time doing boating, camping, and taking gorgeous Instagrammable photos!

In addition to this, the place offers gorgeous sunsets and hiking opportunities. The hospitality of the locals is unmatched, and the cuisine is to die for. It is a place that you and your spouse don’t want to miss out on!

Mauritius and Reunion Island

This place is considered as one of the top international honeymoon locations. It is extremely budget-friendly and provides the opportunity of basking in the sun on a secluded beach. What’s better than that? Well, the place offers much more. 

The couples can watch dolphins and whales; they can enjoy romantic dates on private islands, do paragliding, chill in a Jacuzzi and even trek up to the active volcano at Reunion Islands. The place offers the best hotels and that too, with breathtaking views. It’s a place you want to visit.

We all believe in the magic different places bring to our lives. In reality, the people we choose to spend time making the entire experience worth remembering. So, if you are a couple looking for the perfect honeymoon, then be sure to select the best among the places above and start your marriage by treating yourself to a soulful retreat and romantic getaway.

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The post 8 Budget-Friendly Honeymoon Destinations appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island just slightly smaller than Singapore. It’s one of Thailand’s many islands that is part rainforest and somewhat mountainous, located in the Andaman Sea.

Phuket is by far the most touristy of all the Thai islands, which means there is a lot to do. You can do pretty much anything you want here. I know many travel writers that did not love Phuket, but we had a great time. If you are traveling with kids, it’s sometimes best and easiest to stick to the touristy places.

5 Days in Phuket

Day 1: Street Food and Beaches

Check into your hotel, I personally recommend staying at Novotel Karon Beach. I have a few other recommendations below. Once you are settled in go enjoy the pool or hit Karon beach across the street.

Karon Beach – Karon beach is the second longest beach in Phuket. It is not near as lively as Patong beach or as quiet as Surin beach. This beach is a perfect place to play a game of beach volleyball with other tourists or snorkel with the kids.

Be sure to take a walk along Karon beach at some point. 

Hotel Tip: Try to be in Phuket no later than 1 P.M. in order to check in around 2 P.M. 

Street Food Tour – This evening for dinner, take the Phuket Street Food Tour.  During the Phuket Street food tour one of the stops is a local market in a parking lot. All of the foods there are likely to be unidentifiable, but the whole family will have to be brave and taste the foods together. Suggested things to try are Kao Kriab Pak Mor (a gooey purple dumpling with a sweet peanut filling), a tasty little Kanom Krok (coconut pancake) or Khanom Buang (a dynamite, crunchy Thai crepe with a creamy filling). Plus, the tour takes you to Old Town.

Day 2: Cooking and Shopping

Cooking Class – Learn to cook an authentic Thai meal. One of the neatest ways to get kids to try new foods is to have them cook the food themselves! Phuket has several cooking classes that are kid-friendly if needed. The Phuket Thai Cooking Academy is a good one for kids and especially convenient for families since they provide transportation. Before the class begins, they take you to a local market where everyone shops for the ingredients they’ll be using in their Thai dishes. Kids will be amused by the seafood in the wet market. Some of the fish and squids are so fresh they are still wiggling around. Once you arrive at the school, kids and parents will learn food carving in addition to making multiple dishes. Once everything is prepared, you all get to enjoy lunch or dinner together as a family.

Shopping: Surprisingly, the shopping in Phuket is quite good. There are several places to shop, including the mall at Patong Beach, Jang Ceylon. Some fun souvenirs include: hand carved soap, keychains and magnets, massage oils, incense, cosmetics, T-shirts and clothes. We found some Adidas and Nike shirts for super cheap. They were probably knock offs, but who cares!

Dinner: If you are not completely filled up consider having dinner at Kataturk restaurant which serves delicious Turkish cuisine. Their non veg platter is brilliant, baklava is complimentary, and the owner is extremely friendly. He will likely shower you with complimentary rice, curry, baklava.

Day 3: Elephants and Beaches

Swim with Elephants – All over Thailand there will be options for encountering elephants. You can take an elephant jungle trek, go give one a bath at a sanctuary or swim with elephants in Phuket. This is an opportunity for a quick swim with two young elephants. This was one of the most incredible experiences the kids and I have ever had and I highly recommend it. The whole experience lasts less than 15 minutes, but still worth it.

Patong Beach – Patong Beach is somewhat hectic because there is so much going on. Here you can swim, jet ski, shop, dine and more. If you are looking for a night out, Patong’s nightlife is awesome. The main street here, Bangla Road, does turn into a full-on party street after 10 P.M. Keep kids away after 9:30 PM otherwise they will get an eyeful. Some fun party spots are Illuzion, Aussie Bar and Sole Mio.

Day 4: Day Trip to Phi Phi Island

Another highly recommended excursion is a boat trip to idyllic Phi-Phi Island, also the most famous island near Phuket. The tour stops at several islands (one of which is Tapu or James Bond Island, where “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed) along the way, giving you plenty of opportunity to snorkel in the clear emerald waters. If you so choose, you can arrange to spend the night on the beach of this remote island. What a great way to wind down before heading back home!

The island is accessible only by boat. There are many companies that can take you out there. One way is by speed boat with My Phuket Tours. It’s a long way out there even on a speed boat, which is why I recommend taking this type of transportation. Plus, sitting up front in the speed boat can be extremely fun and exciting for youngsters as they get bounced all around.

Once on Phi Phi Island, you can visit the famous beach where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed The Beach. The water is turquoise, and the beach is hemmed in by cliffs. It is quite stunning. The snorkeling is excellent in many spots around Phi Phi Island.

Another beach to visit is Monkey Beach. Here, monkeys are hanging around waiting for tourist to feed them. They are so eager for the food, the monkeys sometimes board the boats to get to it. Kids will delight in feeding them and watching them jump around. If you are part of a tour they will take you by here. They will also take you to bamboo beach. From what I observed it doesn’t matter who you take the tour with you make all the same exact stops. 

Night Market: If you are not too exhausted after your day at Phi Phi Island visit a night market.

• Karon night market: Banana and Nutella Pancakes and 
• Sticky rice with coconut milk and mango are two must eats here. 
• Weekend Night Market at Phuket Town – Fri, Sat, Sun: Prawns and Chicken
• Kata beach night market – Sunday

Day 5: Massage and Beach Day

Thai Massage – There’s nothing quite like a Thai Massage and you have to get one before you leave. There are lots of places that offer them, including every hotel.

• Coqoon Spa
• Bua Luang Spa

Beach Day – It’s your last day at the beach, so enjoy it. There is an abundance of beaches to choose from and you can’t go wrong hanging out at any of them.

• Kata Noi – This beach is found on the west part of the island just south of Karon. This is a popular place for surfing. They have surf lessons for beginners.
• Laem Phromthep – This is considered one of the best places on the island to catch the sunset.
• Surin Beach – This is a small beach. 
• Tri Trang Beach – Not far from popular Patong Beach is Tri Trang Beach. Often times there are hardly any people here. Families can spread out, and the kids can roam. Because there are so few people, it is easier to keep an eye on your kids here. There are a few food options, and the hotels along the beach have bathrooms. The way we accessed this beach was by stairs. If stairs are an issue, skip this beach, because it’s a lot of stairs.

Sea Kayaking – If you do not want to spend a day at the beach go sea kayaking instead.

To get away from it all, go sea kayaking out in the breathtaking Phang Nga Bay. The bay is punctuated by towering limestone cliffs, creating a picturesque backdrop against the emerald green water. The sea kayaking tour picks you up at your hotel and transfer you to a boat, stopping at several islands.

One exhilarating stop is to explore the sea caves. Here, a guide takes you on an inflatable 3-person kayak, and enter a series of sea caves, some whose entrances are so tiny you have to lie flat in the kayak to get through them. With the help of a flashlight, you will glide through the pitch-black caves and occasionally catch a glimpse of the resident bats. Just when you thought you were lost, the cave opens up to a lagoon, and you find yourself in bright daylight surrounded by the tall limestone formations. It is truly a magical experience.

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Tiger Kingdom
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids
• Phuket FantaSea a 60 acre theme park
• Visit Big Buddha a massive Buddha statue that can be seen from many places on the island.
• Scuba dive at Similan Islands
• Rock Climb at Railay
• Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
• Khao Phra Thaew Royal Wildlife and Forest Reserve
• Take a Thai Boxing lesson

Other Places to Stay in Phuket

The main drag around Patong Beach is the most crowded and vibrant, with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The nightlife can be pretty wild, as anything goes in this funky beach town. If you prefer quieter beaches away from the crowds, Karon Beach to the south, or Kamala and Bang Tao Beaches to the north are good choices.

Novotel Surin

Keemala Treehouse Hotel

Treehouse Villas (adults only)

Thailand Travel Tips

If you are coming from the United States, you do not need a Visa.

T-Mobile works great in Thailand.

I do not recommend using a flat iron or a curling iron. They do not do well with the electricity there. 

There are plenty of ATMs in the Phuket International Airport. I suggest pulling some money out before leaving the airport.

Have your hotel arrange any taxi or other transportation you may need to avoid getting over charged.

Potential Costs

• Thai entry visa: 2000 baht per person (We did not get visas to visit Thailand.)
• Airport Transfer: 800 baht
• Scooter rent: 200 baht per day (125 cc)
• Food: 90 – 150 baht per meal per person 
• Sunglasses: 100 baht
• T-shirts: 100 – 150 baht
• Hand carved soaps – 4 for 100 baht
• Magnets – 4 for 100 baht
• 2 Beach chairs and umbrella – 200 baht
• Water proof bags – 200 baht for 10kg
• Mobile covers – 100 baht
• Bermudas – 250 baht
• Hand Fans – 120 baht for 2
• Banana pancakes – 50 baht
• Nutella pancakes – 60 baht
• Leechis from the local fruit stall – 100 baht
• Sticky rice with coconut milk and mango – 120 baht
• Parasailing – 1500 baht
• Phuket Fantasea – 1850 baht per adult / 1650 baht per child
• Elephant bathing at beach – 1000 baht per person
• Island tour Phi Phi – 13000 baht for a family of four

Should You Get Travel Insurance for Thailand?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Unfortunately, Noah had a seizure while we were out at Phi Phi island. Thankfully, I had gotten coverage that included airlift. So, needless I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. 

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental, I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Don’t want to rent a car there’s always a minibus or an Uber. Uber is available in Phuket. Use my Uber invite code, meagans343ue, and get a free ride up to $15.

Helpful travel guides, and blog posts

• 4 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand with kids

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post 5 Day Phuket Itinerary appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Phuket Street Food Tour

During our family vacation in Phuket, Thailand we went on a handful of tours. One of them was the Phuket Street Food tour where we got to indulge in the authentic flavors of Phuket. We went around various parts of Phuket including Old Town in an air conditioned van trying the local food including sweets, savory dishes and incredible bowls of noodles.

Every Phuket Street Food Tour includes

• Guided tour of delicious, authentic food & famous sights in English
• Enjoying a snack with panoramic views from Khao Rang
• Nighttime stroll through the bustling, popular local market
• Tastings of Thai-style macaroons along the iconic Talang Road

• Lunch or dinner (not both)
• Round-trip transportation to and from your Phuket hotel in an air-conditioned van.

Our first stop was a busy street market. The market was in a parking lot and didn’t look like much, but all the food was spectacular! Most people stop first at Khao Rang to enjoy a panoramic view along with a beer, but due to another obligation, the kids and I had to cut the first bit of the tour off.

Market in a Parking Lot

At the market in the parking lot the food we saw and ate was unidentifiable. It was fun to watch the foods being prepared. I think it helped all of us when it came to eating something we couldn’t identify.

Suggested things to try are:

• Kao Kriab Pak Mor (A gooey purple dumpling with a sweet peanut filling that is fascinating to watch being prepared. It’s in the video below.)
• Kanom Krok (a tasty little coconut pancake)
• Khanom Buang (a dynamite, crunchy Thai crepe with a creamy filling).

I have to comment on peanuts. My daughter is highly allergic to peanuts and the guide did try to make sure none of our food had peanuts in it. At one point at a stand in the parking lot we were trying mango salad when I realize there was a peanut in it. I told my daughter to spit it out. Lucky for us she had not swallowed and did not have a reaction, but this could have been bad.

Our main course was a stop at the most famous noodle house in Phuket. I do not remember the name of it and have tried to figure it out, but haven’t. The best I can do is show you a photo of the outside and maybe somehow you can find it. I know Lonely Planet wrote about it in one of their guidebooks. Everyone got noodles except for one kid, that one got fried rice, which you can see in the video below. I cannot remember which kid refused noodles.

Most people end their experience at a local sweet shop along Talang Road, with a treat of Thai-style macaroons. Thalang Road is the main central street of Phuket’s charming Old Town which was the original center of Phuket. This quaint, narrow boulevard boasts numerous attractions, great shops, a diverse mix of restaurants, small guesthouses, and more, all housed in the beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture that makes PhuketTown famous. Old Town was built on the riches made from Phuket’s tin boom. We did a walk through this area and saw some interesting shops and doorways. We were given some history of various things as we went along.

We, however, did not end our food tour there. I think we were near there, but we stopped at a food cart for something kind of like ice cream. To be honest I cannot remember what it was.

Book your own tour here!

Have you taken this tour? I would love to hear about your own experience. Leave a comment below!

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Phi Phi Island Tour
• Tiger Kingdom
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids

Where to Stay in Phuket

Novotel Surin

Novotel Karon

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful travel guides, and blog posts

• Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket
• 5-Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post Phuket Street Food Tour  appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Phi Phi Island

One of the most famous islands near Phuket, Thailand and possibly one of the most famous islands in the world is Ko Phi Phi island. It’s famous for many reasons, but one of the main ones is because several of the beaches were used in Leonardo DiCaprio’s film the Beach.

How to Get to Ko Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island and is accessible only by boat and there are tons of companies that will take you out there. We got out there on a speed boat with My Phuket Holiday. We had to sit up front because the main cabin was full. This was fun at first, but a little insane. We bounced all around. The waves were massive and they were going super fast. Depending on how large your group is, it would not be much more to take a private boat instead of a group boat.

The Beach on Phi Phi Island

Once you get to Phi Phi island you can visit the famous Beach, where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed The Beach. The water is turquoise and the beach is surrounded by cliffs. It is quite stunning. You can swim in a sectioned off area or just lounge. There are restrooms here and I guess sometimes there is a snack bar open. There was no snack bar during the morning we visited.

• Be careful where you place your things! We set our stuff on the beach and swam. Luckily I noticed the waves hitting higher on the beach. I barely saved some of our stuff from being ruined. My advice – leave most stuff on the boat!
• Take your own toilet paper. Apparently, you should carry your own toilet paper with you depending on what you are doing in Thailand. Sometimes the toilet paper is up high on a wall outside of the restroom.

Snorkeling around Phi Phi Island

The snorkeling is excellent in many spots around Phi Phi island. People were snorkeling at various locations around the island. The waves were a little too intense in areas for my 10 year old. So, if your kids are snorkeling make sure everyone has a good life jacket on and try to stay together.

Monkey Beach  on Phi Phi Island

One of the stops is monkey beach. It isn’t much of a beach, but the water is turquoise and there are lots of monkeys. The boat guide gets up close with them and all the kids got the chance to feed them. Sometimes the monkeys will come on to the boat to get to the food.

Here is a little video of us feeding the monkeys. Jonah got to feed a couple of them!

Bamboo Beach

Last but not least they took us to Bamboo Beach. The sand here was white and the water is turquoise. I heard that the snorkeling is good here, but sadly we did not get to try it ourselves. A big storm was blowing in so we had to leave.

One more thing I thought I might should add. There are a lot of companies you can go with. I feel extremely comfortable recommending My Phuket Holiday. One of my kids had a seizure on the boat and the staff was phenomenal. One of the guys caught him, so he didn’t hit his head. The guy got him down on the floor of the boat and a nurse that was on board jumped in and helped. The staff checked on us throughout the rest of the excursion and if I had asked them to they would have taken us back even though they had a bunch of other people on the boat and we were basically in the middle of nowhere.

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Phuket Street Food Tour
• Tiger Kingdom
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids

Where to Stay in Phuket

Novotel Surin

Novotel Karon

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful travel guides, and blog posts

• Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket
• 4 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand with kids

• 5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post Phi Phi Island Tour appeared first on Mommy Travels.

6 Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand with Kids

1. Swim with Elephants

All over Thailand there will be options for encountering elephants. You can take an elephant jungle trek, go give one a bath at a sanctuary or swim with elephants. For us it was a time and money issue. We were already doing some much that I didn’t want an all day activity. So, instead we did a quick swim with two young elephants which didn’t cost much. This was one of the most incredible experiences the kids and I have ever had and I highly recommend it.

2. Try the Local Food

All of the resorts have fine food, but don’t be afraid to venture out and sample some foods at a street market. Your kids will remember trying unique foods, and it is an outstanding way for them to experience the real local culture. For example, on the Phuket Street food tour one of the stops is a local market in a parking lot. All of the foods there are likely to be unidentifiable, but the whole family will have to be brave and taste the foods together. Suggested things to try are Kao Kriab Pak Mor (a gooey purple dumpling with a sweet peanut filling), a tasty little Kanom Krok (coconut pancake) or Khanom Buang (a dynamite, crunchy Thai crepe with a creamy filling). You can read my entire review of our experience on our Phuket Street Food Tour. 

3. Visit Phi Phi Island

One of the most famous islands near Phuket is Ko Phi Phi Island, which is accessible only by boat. There are many companies that can take you out there. One way is by speed boat. Sitting up front in the speed boat can be extremely fun and exciting for youngsters. Once at Phi Phi Island, you can visit the famous beach where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed The Beach. The water is turquoise, and the beach is hemmed in by cliffs. It is quite stunning. The snorkeling is excellent in many spots around Phi Phi Island. Another beach to visit is Monkey Beach. Here, monkeys are hanging around waiting for tourist to feed them. They are so eager for the food, the monkeys sometimes board the boats to get to it. Kids will delight in feeding them and watching them jump around.

4. Learn to Cook Thai Food

One of the neatest ways to get kids to try new foods is to have them cook the food themselves! Phuket has several cooking classes that are kid-friendly. The Phuket Thai Cooking Academy is a good one for kids and especially convenient for families since they provide transportation. Before the class begins, they take you to a local market where everyone shops for the ingredients they’ll be using in their Thai dishes. Kids will be amused by the seafood in the wet market. Some of the fish and squids are so fresh they are still wiggling around. Once you arrive at the school, kids and parents will learn food carving in addition to making multiple dishes. Once everything is prepared, you all get to enjoy dinner together as a family and by dinner I mean an insane feast!

5. Spend Time at the Beach

As mentioned previously, there are an abundance of beaches in Phuket. A family could easily spend their time hopping from one beautiful beach to another. These four beaches are nice choices for families. They each offer a little something different, but all are accessible by public transportation, near restrooms and food which is important when traveling with kids.

• Surin Beach – Surin Beach is small and beautiful. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby. There are chairs and umbrellas available to rent. If you stay at one of the hotels there like Novotel Surin Beach, they provide you with umbrellas.
• Karon Beach – Karon beach is the second longest beach in Phuket. It is not as lively as Patong or as quiet as Surin. This beach is a perfect place to play a game of beach volleyball with other tourists or snorkel with the kids.
• Patong Beach – Patong Beach is somewhat hectic because there is so much going on. Families can swim, shop, dine and more. And parents, if you are looking for a night out, Patong’s nightlife is fantastic. The main street here, Bangla Road, does turn into a full-on party street after 10 P.M. so kids will get an eyeful if they are out there.
• Tri Trang Beach – Not far from the more popular Patong Beach is Tri Trang Beach. Often times there are hardly any people here. Families can spread out, and the kids can roam. Because there are so few people, it is easier to keep an eye on your kids here. There are a few food options, and the hotels have bathrooms. The way we accessed this beach was by stairs. If stairs are an issue, skip this beach.

6. Meet a Tiger

There are two Tiger Kindom locations in Thailand and one is located in Phuket. There you can meet a baby, toddler, teen, or full grown tiger. We met with a toddler tiger and I would never recommend going into a cage with one bigger than this.

The list of things to do in Phuket with kids could keep going and going with other island trips, zip lining, animal encounters, temples and more. Hopefully these four suggestions will help your family have a successful trip to Phuket with kids.

Have you taken your children to Phuket? What was your family’s favorite activity?

Where to Stay in Phuket

Novotel Surin

Novotel Karon

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful blog posts

• 5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post 6 Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand with Kids appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Destination Resorts Phuket Karon Beach

While we were in Phuket, Thailand we stayed part of the week at a super family-friendly hotel, Destination Resort Phuket Karon Beach. We stayed in one of their family suites with a private pool. That’s right, we had our own plunge pool. I suppose it isn’t necessarily a family suite, but the way they set it up when you are visiting with kids makes it a family suite in my mind.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Spider-Man and a clown. They had welcome drinks for us. I can honestly say we have never been greeted like this before. The resort is incredibly family-friendly. In our room, there were toys and stuffed animals. Each kid had a themed bed made up for them.

An Amazing Kid-Friendly Welcome!

Having Spiderman and a clown show up was just the first of many reasons I consider this resort family-friendly. The next reason was because of the way the room was set up. There were toys for the kids and stuffed animals, plus each of their beds were made up in a character theme.

Now it wasn’t just the kids that liked the suite, I was pleased with my setup as well. I had a large bedroom all to myself. It is always nice to have your own space at times when traveling.

Massive Bathroom

Another perk is that despite only having one bathroom it was large and was accessible from both the living room and the bedroom. I appreciated it having two sinks and a separate shower and bathtub. 

Private Plunge Pool and Patio

Another massive perk of our suite was our large patio with our own private pool. I never sat at the table, but I sure dried a lot of swimsuits on it.

We did venture over to the other three pools. We spent most of our time at the main pool where the pool bar and restaurant was. As a super busy single mama, it is so nice to lounge around and have waiters to bring you food and drinks. The menu had a lot of options which was nice. Of course, my kids all opted for hamburgers. They have excellent hamburgers and pizzas. One of the three pools is a kid’s pool. It is next to the kids club. This pool has a fun slide.

Kid’s Club

My kids liked the kid’s club quite a bit, which is unusual for them. Usually they all refuse to go for whatever reason. This time they went and stayed so long that I had to go get them. They were playing video games and getting henna tattoos!

There are other kid activities available for a fee like the water ball. 

Amazing Thai Food

One of the nights we were there we were treated to a nice dinner at their on-site restaurant Tai. Tai is an Asian restaurant highlighting food from southeast Asia. Our meal kicked off with spring rolls and continue with one delicious dish after another.

We are not into fish enough to properly appreciate a dish like this. But we do appreciate grossing each other out and watching each other eat weird stuff. This is why I was able to get Noah to eat the fish’s eyeballs! To see the kids eating grasshoppers check out Mommy Travels’ YouTube channel.

Amenities

• 24-hour front desk Babysitting or child care (surcharge)
• Children’s club (free)
• Supervised child care/activities (surcharge)
• Airport transportation (surcharge)
• 224 rooms
• 2 bars/lounges
• Breakfast buffet available (surcharge)
• Concierge services
• Dry cleaning/laundry service – We had our clothes laundered and I recommend only having them wash clothes that can be dried. One of my outfits shrank badly.
• 24-hour gym
• Spa
• 2 pools and a Children’s pool  with a water slide
•  Free Wi-Fi
• Refrigerator with some drinks for purchase
• Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)

Check current rates. 

Karon Beach

It takes only a few minutes to walk across the street to the beach. Although this beach is busier than Surin Beach, I still felt like it was never that busy.

Check out the other family hotel we stayed at while we were in Phuket, Thailand, Destination Resorts Phuket Surin Beach Resort and Spa.

Have you taken a family holiday in Phuket? Where did you stay?

Disclosure: The kids and I were partially hosted at Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort. 

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Phi Phi Island Tour
• Phuket Street Food Tour
• Tiger Kingdom
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids
• Swimming with Elephants in Phuket, Thailand

Other places to Stay in Phuket

Destination Resorts Surin

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful travel guides and blog posts

• 25 Things to do in Thailand
• Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket
• 4 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand with kids
• 5-Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post Destination Resorts Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Tiger Kingdom

While we were in Phuket, Thailand we kept driving pass a place named Tiger Kingdom. It looked to me like a go-cart/putt putt type of place. Although, there is a go-kart track out front it is not affiliated with Tiger Kingdom, it is a separate business. It turns out that  they have real life tigers you can pet and take photos with. I use that word loosely because we certainly were not sitting there petting them.

There are a lot of rules for approaching and touching the tigers. There were three tigers in the cage we went in. We only took pictures with one of them. One of the tigers we didn’t feel comfortable approaching, it was way too feisty. I’ve read a lot online since we did this experience and have seen where many people say that the tigers are drugged. After our experience I am honestly not sure. There was one tiger that was definitely not drugged. Their website says that they are born here and interact with humans everyday, and because of that they are able to interact with the public. I honestly do not know much about tigers or any animal, so I just don’t know. I do know that it was neat and somewhat scary. I do not think we would do it again. I ask my kids if they would want to do it again and they all said no.

We got to interact with a tiger 12-18 months old and the cost was around $40 per person. We were in the cage with the tiger 10 minutes or less. I think they say 10 minutes, but we wanted out of there. We each got to sit next to one of the tigers and take a photo. Then we got a group photo. And that was it. For an extra fee, you can have a professional photographer take photos of your experience. The fee is super cheap, like 500 baht.

If you want to interact with a baby tiger, it costs more. Although we would have preferred to interact with a baby tiger the day we went the babies were only available for certain times and we were not going to wait around. My oldest could have interacted with a larger tiger since he is 16, but he was not interested in a bigger one. If you are an adult you can go into a cage with fully grown tigers. We did see people doing this, but again, there was no way one of us was going to do that.

Have you been to Tiger Kingdom? What did you think?

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Phi Phi Island Tour
• Phuket Street Food Tour
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids

Where to Stay in Phuket

Novotel Surin

Novotel Karon

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Allianz Travel insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful travel guides and blog posts

• Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket
• 4 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand with kids
• 5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post Tiger Kingdom in Phuket, Thailand appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach

Phuket, Thailand is definitely a place where you will want to take your kids. And you will want to stay at a family-friendly hotel like Destination Resorts Surin Beach (formally known as Novotel Surin Beach). They have rooms just for families. We stayed in one of their family suites when we visited and swam, relaxed, ate awesome food, indulged in spectacular cocktails, and played ping-pong.

As soon as we arrived at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach I knew we were at an awesome hotel. The lobby is gorgeous, the welcome drinks were delightful, and the cool rags were just what we needed after a fairly long taxi ride. We took public transportation everywhere we went since you have to have an international driver’s license to drive in Thailand.

Family Suites

Our family suite at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach had a living room and bedroom and one bathroom with a shower only. It also had a private patio. They set up the kid’s beds really cute with character sheets and lots of stuffed animals. Our room also had wifi, a refrigerator, and an electric kettle. When we arrived there was an incredible edible art welcome for them. Their pastry chef is so impressive. There were also little notes for each kid with a clue to where they could find some treasure. It didn’t take them long to find gold coin chocolates in the safe. 

Our room was calm and quiet, I never heard the neighbors. I thought that was impressive since there were a lot of kids staying here.

Great Location

We really enjoyed the location. The resort is right across the street from Surin Beach. Each morning that we stayed I would grab a cappuccino at the coffee bar and walk over and watch the sunrise. Surprisingly, there were no people at the beach early in the morning. Maybe no one was out there because they were up too late. I’ve heard the nightlife nearby is good, but we didn’t try it. The time change is severe and we basically could not stay awake past 8 PM. 

Food, Food, Food

They have three restaurants to choose from including a buffet restaurant, a sushi restaurant, and sports bar. 

Our favorite restaurant was ASIA Alive. This restaurant serves local and international dishes. In the mornings they offer a breakfast buffet featuring Western and in the evening they have a themed buffet. If you do not want buffet, they have amazing Thai food available on their menu!

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach features a water slide and two swimming pools. There is a swim up pool bar. There was no hot tub. My kids spent a lot of time in the pool and they loved going down the slide over and over. I forgot to pack Jonah’s bathing suit, but it didn’t matter because they have a little shop with pretty much anything you might need. They have another clothing shop in the lobby as well, but I didn’t check it out.

Kid’s Club at Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach

If your kids do not feel like swimming they can go to the kid’s club or go play in the large sandbox for kids! You do not need sand toys to play here because they are provided. There’s a hammock next to the sandbox. I spent a long relaxing hour or so reading in that hammock. I read A Man Called Ove. It’s an excellent book and I definitely recommend reading it on vacation in Thailand! I was literally laughing out loud while reading it in the hammock.

The kids club and an assortment of activities like toys, arts, crafts, movies, climbing structures, slide, ball pit, and video games. Some of the activities cost extra like pizza or candle making. You can do an affordable all-inclusive add-on for your kids that includes drinks and activities for them.

In Spa Balance

I didn’t take any pictures of the spa, but there is one. It is small and straightforward. My friend and I went to get traditional Thai massages. They were outstanding. If you stay here, you must get one of their Thai massages. I so wish I had gotten a picture of one of the massage therapists standing in my friend.

•  If you get a massage within the first 24 hours or so of checking in they give you a discount!

Other Amenities:

Free WiFi and free parking

254 smoke-free guest rooms

Near the beach

3 restaurants

Outdoor pool

Breakfast available

Free area shuttle

24-hour fitness center

Beach umbrella

Overall, we had a fantastic stay here. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again. Hopefully, we get to go back someday. Check current rates!

Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach

106/27 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Talang, Surin Beach, 83110 Phuket, Thailand

Phone: +66 76 303 300 – Fax: +66 76 300 303

More Fun Things to do in Phuket

• Phi Phi Island Tour
• Phuket Street Food Tour
• Tiger Kingdom
• 6 Things to do in Phuket with kids

Other Places to Stay in Phuket

Destination Resorts Karon Beach

Should You Get Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in Thailand, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.

Car Rental

If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the airport. You can get a car rental for super cheap in Phuket.

Helpful travel guides and blog posts

• Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket
• 4 Things to do in Phuket, Thailand with kids
• 5-Day Phuket Itinerary

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. To find out more, check out our Privacy Policy.

The post Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach appeared first on Mommy Travels.