Five Family-Friendly Long Weekend Getaways

Travel search engine KAYAK.sg reveals its top five picks for a long weekend getaway with the family!

The Easter break has come and gone, but there are plenty more long weekends to come, mama! For those travellers who already want to book their next weekend away or are looking for a last minute getaway, the travel experts at KAYAK.sg have compiled a list of the top five destinations in the region for easy breezy long weekend fun with the family. You and the kiddos will be sure to experience interesting culture, see inspirational architecture and try the tasty local cuisine these destinations have on offer. Vibrant hubs with endless activities at your doorstep await. Now, let’s get to planning!

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Best known for its laid back café culture, ancient temples, art galleries and elephant sanctuaries, this delightful mountain-backed city in Northern Thailand is perfect for a long weekend getaway. Pack the swimsuits and take the whole gang to the Mae Sa valley, a 30-minute drive outside the city, for a day of swimming under the park’s multi-tiered waterfall. The Chiang Mai Zoo is another family favourite, featuring a playground and adventure area in addition to the animal exhibits. On Sunday afternoon, head to Ratchadamnoen Road for the local food and handicraft market.

How to get there: We found flights to Chiang Mai from S$349.
Where to stay: Nightly prices for triple occupancy at Holiday Inn Chiang Mai start at S$118.

2. Yangon, Burma
Even a site as majestic as Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda, with its giant golden-domed stupa surrounded by smaller shrines and statues, offers a great adventure where the kids can explore, and befriend Buddhist monks. It is best to avoid dropping by in the middle of the day when the sun is relentless. Close by is Kandawgyi Lake, which has a small playground and a tiny free zoo near the viewpoint for Karaweik, a reproduction of a traditional royal barge. The walking path around the lake is scenic at sunset. If you’re not a fan of spicy food you’ll love Burmese curries, which are generally mild, and sweetened with coconut milk.

How to get there: We found flights to Yangon from S$262.
Where to stay: Nightly prices for triple occupancy at Grand Palace Hotel start at S$132.

3. Hong Kong, China
On your next kid-friendly trip to Hong Kong, skip the amusement parks and relish the city’s simple pleasures. Start by taking the Star Ferry across the harbour from Central to Kowloon. Next, ride the gravity-defying Peak Tram. At the top, check out the Peak Circle Walk for views from every side, stopping at the kids’ playground in the middle. Finally, take the MTR to Tung Chung station and hop onto Ngong Ping 360, a glass-bottomed cable car that provides stunning views on the way up to the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. No visit to Hong Kong is complete without local desserts! Tai Cheong bakery in Central is a famous spot to sample these sweet treats – famed for their flaky, buttery crust and shiny, deep-yellow egg tarts – fresh from the oven.

How to get there: We found flights to Hong Kong from S$221.
Where to stay: Nightly prices for triple occupancy at Island Pacific Hotel start at S$240.

4. Yogyakarta, Indonesia
The home of classical Javanese culture is a feast for the eyes that will delight kids of all ages. A sunrise visit to Borobudur, the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, is worth the early wake-up call and the Hindu temple complex of Prambanan is equally fascinating. As you explore the city, make a game out of trying each of the diverse transport options from horse carts to three-wheeled becaks to jeep-taxis for the bumpy ride out to Mount Merapi. For a refreshing afternoon drink, try a delicious fruit shake from Milas Vegetarian Restaurant. This chilled out spot, featuring bamboo dining huts dotted around a shady garden, trains local youth in organic farming, cooking and restaurant management.

How to get there: We found flights to Yogyakarta from S$293.
Where to stay: Nightly prices for triple occupancy at Grand Aston Yogyakarta start at S$145.

5. Galle, Sri Lanka
This seaside gem with its small town feel, walled fort and colonial architecture is a great place to take relaxing strolls and soak up stunning ocean views. Check out the famous Sri Lankan stilt fishermen and watch for dolphins and whales off the coast. Mirissa Beach, a half-hour drive from Galle, is a great place to take the kids swimming and boogie boarding, but stick close to this beach as many others experience dangerously strong undertows. Perhaps the world’s most perfect breakfast, Sri Lankan egg hoppers, consists of a thin bowl-shaped rice flour crepe with a slightly runny egg in the centre, topped with spicy dry coconut chutney.

How to get there: We found flights to Colombo from S$413.
Where to stay: Nightly prices for triple occupancy at Best Western Elyon Colombo start at S$167.

Top tip: for more inspiration, KAYAK’s online Explore tool helps you discover the best flight deals within your set budget.

KAYAK is the leading travel search engine. To search and compare prices for flights, hotels, car rentals and much more, visit KAYAK.sg or download the app at KAYAK.sg/mobile.

*Images are illustrative only and may not be used, shared, or made available for download. Data provided by KAYAK.sg is based on flight and hotel searches on 11 March 2016 for travel between 25 and 27 March 2016. Flight prices quoted are per person and accommodation prices are based on triple occupancy. Prices are quoted in Singapore Dollars and are subject to change; availability may be limited and offers may no longer be available.