Fab Vacation Ideas For The March School Holidays

Got children who’s been feeling super stressed out at school? Take them to Hongkong Disneyland Resort in time for the park’s Disney Friends Springtime Carnival (from Mar 15 to Jun 20). The new African-themed Karibuni Marketplace opens in March for the lil munchkins to explore the sights and sounds and interactive games of Africa. A We Love Mickey! night-time projection show debuts in March, too, paying tribute to Mickey’s milestone moments. Altogether now, awwww. Also new: a festive springtime parade that features the cute folks from Zootopia and Alice in Wonderland, while Moana, Black Panther and Groot will be roaming the parks for photo opps for the first time.

Exclusive springtime merch — including a Duffy and Friends souvenirs (pictured) — will surely do wonders for a #humblebrag for the ’gram. Book online at least seven days in advance to enjoy a 10 per cent discount on rooms at select Disney hotels (room rates from HK$1,350 or S$227), free room upgrades and an Attraction Priority Admission Pass.

For more info, go to https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

Photos: Hongkong Disneyland Resort

So you’re all about gifting your kids experiences, not things. How about also teaching them the value of charity work too? Hop on a plane to Siem Reap from Mar 15 to 18 for the inaugural ‘Holiday for Hope’ trip. Helmed by local charity outfit Operation Hope Foundation (OHF), and non-profit social enterprise Crib Society, the programme aims to spearhead a holiday-for-good concept to support and raise funds for overseas charities.

A $5,000 donation covers expenses for two adults and two children (below age 12) — accommodation at Shinta Mani Shack Ankor (pictured), some meals, transport, cultural experiences like a Benglea Temple tour and a Tonle Sap river cruise are included, though airfares are excluded. What about the charity element, we hear you ask. The money also goes towards upgrading a local school’s building, playground, water filtration system and electrical wiring. Remaining proceeds go to OHF’s work in Prey Veng, Cambodia.

For more info, go to http://ohf.org.sg/holiday-hope. To join the trip, e-mail Overseas Hope Foundation at volunteer [at] ohf.org.sg (volunteer[at]ohf[dot]org[dot]sg).

Photos: Operation Hope Foundation

If you’ve always wished for more peace and quiet at home, impart mindfulness to your kids by herding the clan to Bali over the Nyepi Festival (Mar 17), aka Silent Day. From 6am on Mar 17 to 6am on Mar 18, when the entire island comes to a silent halt and complete standstill during this annual affair. Shops are closed, lights are turned off, machines and vehicles are banned from operating, and no one works. Plan your flights, too, because there are no flights to and from the Bali airport during this time.

Locals and tourists alike don’t leave their homes and hotels (why would you want to?). But guests at Ayana resorts (Ayana Resort and Spa, The Villas at Ayana Resort and Rimba Jimbaran Bali) can enjoy the unique festival with a two-night Nyepi Package. On the eve of Nyepi, guests can take part in a traditional ceremony around the resort before enjoying a buffet feast — decked in complimentary traditional Balinese togs, too. On Nyepi day, enjoy a spot of star-gazing and a dessert picnic at the Rimba lawn. Breakfast for both days, airport transfers and a two-hour pool therapy treatment for two (pictured) are included in the package. Prices start from US$486 (S$638).

For more info, go to www.ayana.com.

Photos: AYANA