Many of the things you already know about the land "Down Under" are completely correct. The Aussies are friendly, their lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the sun shines, the beaches are golden and the vast Australian continent is ripe for family exploration and adventure. A bit farther afield, Thailand and China offer their own exotic brands of family fun.
The Orient and Australia are exciting destinations but they are, undoubtedly, on the other side of the world. If the length of the journey seems like a drawback, consider this: it takes no longer to fly to Sydney from San Francisco than it does to fly to Europe. And though your itinerary says you arrive on "Day 3," one of those days is a figment of international timekeeping - it's the day you "lose" crossing the International Date Line.
Like big cities everywhere, Bangkok and Beijing have their traffic problems, and popular sightseeing stops can be crowded. We find innovative ways to give you unhurried "insider's access and, whenever possible, (especially in huge countries like China and Australia), you'll fly point-to-point to save precious time for sightseeing instead of road trips.
And if local cuisines seem too daunting for young palates, don't worry. Everything on the menu in Australia or New Zealand is likely to be familiar. In Thailand and China, dining is an art - and local chefs are pleased to improvise for non-local tastes. "Continental" cuisine (and in some places, American fast food) is also widely available.
