School holidays begin this weekend and I’ve been madly working ahead of time so that I can maximise my time with the kids during the next two weeks. We’re not going anywhere these holidays, we’ll just hang out in our pyjamas a little longer in the mornings, go to the cinema and fun stuff like that.
It got me thinking about the next set of holidays though, the long summer one and planning our escape. I’m pretty terrible for organising ahead for these things so usually when I do; everything is either taken or costs a small fortune. I’m determined to make some decisions and book in the next couple of weeks this time around.
In the summer, we usually do the quintessential Kiwi thing and hire a bach for a week or two in some beautiful location and as I’ve discovered, there are endless possibilities here. I love those carefree holidays. There’s something to be said for walking home from an afternoon at the beach with ice-cream running down our arms and onto our flip-flops.
This year I want to do something a little different though. My first thought is to hire a campervan and travel around the south island of New Zealand. I’ve wanted to do that for ages, and with our youngest now four years old, it’s definitely doable and they will certainly love the adventure. I’ve also got such great memories doing a similar thing around Europe in a Kombi van in my early twenties. Because we’re a family of five, we need to hire a six-berth van, which is huge and puts the price up, especially at that time of year.
So this brings me to an island holiday. I thought for almost the same price we could go to Fiji or The Cook islands and have a real break. Being a mother of three, usually the only thing that’s different about a holiday is the change of scenery and break from routine. Clothes still need to be washed, food cooked and the dishes cleaned. Imagine having this done for you and access to a kid’s club! I might even be able to sit by the pool and read a book… Honestly, this kind of holiday was never appealed to me until I had kids but the fact is that I’m really tired and would love a real break.
I’ll be looking into it over the next couple of weeks. Both options are so high up on my wish list right now. Of course I would value any advice you might have and hear of experiences. What do you think we should do this summer? Adventure in a campervan in New Zealand or relax under a palm tree in Fiji? I’m also open to other ideas.
Mel xx
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Me too, on everything you said, weird, including the staying at home in pjs for these holidays.
We had a combi van when I was young and we used to travel down to the sth island, my mum and dad and my two sisters (5 of us fitted happily in the van). I will never forget those holidays, what adventures. I like the fact that you get to see so much of the country, at a slow and easy pace, the South Island is so beautiful and majestic.
The islands trip is on our wish list too, but we have decided we’d like to do it in our nz winter for a bit of an escape from the cold.
The Christmas before last we hired an amazing batch up north through book a batch, we had our own private beach. We stayed for two weeks and our extended family came and went, it was amazing. – we are thinking we will do this again this summer, there are so many amazing beautiful secluded spots in nz to escape to.
Oh doing a bach up north for a couple of weeks is really tempting too. They’re such easy holidays. 5 in a Kombi! Love it… what an adventure it would have been. When we travelled around Europe, we took turns who was lying in the back of the van with no seat belt mind you. What ever you get up to, I bet it will be amazing. We’re spoilt for choices x
Definitely a campervan holiday, isn’t the best time to go to fiji and the islands in winter anyway? I thought it rained a lot there in our summer. But anyway, ulterior motives, come say hello in Wanaka – we often have friends come park their campers in our driveway – so the offer is there!
I know, it’s cyclone season too! But many people go at that time and say that it’s fine. There is a risk though… Definitely siding with the campervan holiday. Would love to get to Wanaka this time and say hello. Thank you for the lovely offer Sophie xx