For families, travelling without pre-planning is rare. For us it’s not the lack of will to pack up at a whim; it is stringent school terms (and the eldest starting high school). So what we need, is to be is less about departing on the spur of the moment; instead relying on early planning to squeeze in as much as we can.

Beginning a New Year with travel plans in place is something of a mixed blessing. It is fabulous to have adventures to look forward to; because of course the joy of travel begins with the planning.

Yet being flexible to take at whim new opportunities is an indulgence; for whomever knows what lies just around the corner. We leave some room for these possibilities.

Most of our trips are as a family; a few with just Mum and Dad. Several involve extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins); in places they live – what better way to get to the heart of a place – than with a local.

I am as excited about posting back all of our discoveries as I am about the trips…With all that in mind, here are our destinations for 2015;

WHY: Family Holiday – our annual January break usually revolves around skiing; this is our first trip to Japan; we have a long list to squeeze into 3 weeks.  The cultural feast of Japan will give us plenty of new experiences.

FLYING TIME:  From the East coast of Australia it is a manageable 10 hours.

WHERE: Happo One – ski Hakkuba, Nagano,  Kyoto – Japanese history,  Tokyo – for lights, and food and fabulous sights…and several nights at The Peninsula (of course…)

WHY: I want to make this trip to enjoy the re-emergence of my hometown; after earthquakes devastated much of the images of my childhood. Poignant because I will take this journey with my 93 year old grandmother who lives there; she is thrilled to bear witness to the city of new.

FLYING TIME:  Approximately 3 hours (try for a day flight because the views as you fly in over the Alps are spectacular).

WHERE:  Christchurch, South Island.

WHY: The Youngest and I are going to Singapore to meet up with the cousins (my sister and nieces are meeting us from their home in London). A kid-centric trip – loads of fun to be explored. I haven’t been back for 14 years so look forward to seeing lots of changes.

FLYING TIME:  8 hours…

WHERE: We are staying on Sentosa Island at the Shangri La (& a night or two at Raffles Singapore of course…)

WHY: The Husband’s annual golfing trip; I want to explore Ho Chi Minh first and then we will meet up for a resort break…Da Nang is on the Trip Advisor list for 10 Destinations on the rise in 2015

FLYING TIME: 8 hours 40 minutes (as this trip is without kids, just enough time for two movies and a little nap…bliss).

WHERE:  Ho Chi Minh City & surrounds;  Da Nang – golfing & Zen – ; I am thinking the Hotel InterContinental – it looks pretty good don’t you think…

WHY: The Husband has a conference and we are tagging along for a Family Holiday.

FLYING TIME:  9 hours (we left after breakfast and arrived at the hotel for supper – really easy transfers).

WHERE: Phuket – exact destination yet unknown (although we loved this spot at Bang Tao Bay last visit);  Bangkok – I want to show the boys the historical side of this Asian capital; particularily the grandeur of the Grand Palace. What trip is complete without dinner at the Mandarin Oriental.

WHY:  Family Holiday – it is our second home and truly the place we can unwind. With pristine beaches; kilometres of waterways; and miles of National Parks  – it is one of the world’s remaining untouched paradises.

FLYING TIME: About 2.5 hours; when you arrive on Hamilton Island you are immediately transported to holiday land – so convenient…

WHERE: Shute Harbour on the Mainland; Hamilton Island for a few nights of action packed adventure for the boys (and relaxing for Mum & Dad).

WHY:  Because I discovered this destination for the first time this year and nominate it as my Hot Spot for 2015 (so does Flight Centre, so I must be on to a good thing…).

FLYING TIME:  At just 3.5 hours; it is amazingly close for an international trip ex Australia (really contributing to making it a brilliant family option).

WHERE:  Efate (home to the capital of Port Vila & the Holiday Inn Resort – with their fantastic Teens Coordinators);  Tanna Island (volcanoes).

WHY:  Because I love Sydney in November; time to start swimming in the Ocean again.  The days are longer and the kids finish school.

WHERE: CBD (lots of new bars pop up at the beginning of summer); the Eastern Suburbs – because it is home and we love it best.

Any suggestions to fill our December – let me know your favourite spots; maybe somewhere Domestic?