Malaysia: The ideal school holiday destination

Yet to finalise your school holiday plans this Winter? Well Malaysia has some fantastic solutions for families young and old.

Malaysia in June and July promises plenty of excitement and adventure, with a great mix of exhilarating activities on offer. It’s definitely the place to be for shopping enthusiasts. Malaysia already enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of Asia’s best shopping destinations. But bargain hunters will especially love the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, one of Malaysia’s three major annual shopping events, which kicks off on 27 June and transforms the entire country into a shoppers’ paradise for more than two months. There are amazing discounts at retail outlets, malls, and shops right across the country selling everything from luxury goods to electronics and souvenirs.

And if you need a further excuse to visit, one has just arrived in the form of the newMitsui Outlet Park at KLIA Sepang in Kuala Lumpur. Japan’s most successful fashion outlet operator just opened its first Outlet Park in South East Asia on 30 May, which houses a huge range of products including luxury and branded products, fashion apparel and accessories, perfumes and cosmetics, chocolates and confectionery, kids wear and sportswear, household goods and luggage, as well as some great cafes and restaurants.  Even better, Mitsui Outlet Park is only 5 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and only 50 minutes from the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with free shuttle buses operating all day, and even on-site check-in for travellers flying with Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines and Bangkok Airways.

Thrill seekers after an adrenaline fix should head to Malaysia’s newest theme parks. Located in the newest shopping mall, IOI City Mall, Putrajaya, District 21 is the ultimate destination for anyone keen on climbing, jumping, riding, sliding and flying! It’s loaded with challenging rides including an obstacle course suspended 20m up in the air. Or get your spring on at Jumpstreet, Malaysia’s first indoor trampoline park located in Petaling Jaya. Jump around in the open court, play trampoline dodge ball or hone your aerial skills in the high performance area in this amazing urban indoor playground.

Escape in Penang is billed as Malaysia’s first environmentally friendly theme park. Set in pristine Penang rainforest, its emphasis is on connecting with visitors with nature – and providing them with a sense of adventure. Challenges include aerial obstacle courses, tree climbing, leaping off high platforms and squeezing through tunnels and burrows.

And if you really want to experience the Malaysian rainforest in a unique way, look no further than Langkawi’s Skytrex Adventure, which provides a tree-to-tree ‘sky-trekking’ experience where visitors can fly, swing, glide and dangle on a variety of aerial obstacles suspended above the lush tropical Malaysian rainforest.

For those interested in cultural pursuits it is definitely worth visiting Malaysia during the holy month of Ramadan, which this year kicks off on 18 June. Observed by Muslims all over the world, no eating and drinking is permitted during daylight hours. But come evening, they break their fast with special meals, prayers and spiritual gatherings.

The chance to break fast in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s bustling heritage district is a truly unforgettable experience. Each Saturday and Sunday evening during Ramadan Jalan Raja Road is closed to traffic for a mass gathering as part of Malaysia’s Jom Berbuka Puasa (Let’s break fast) program. Special mats are rolled out on what is usually one of the city’s most frenetic streets, with complimentary pots of traditional bubur lambuk porridge, drinks and local cakes on offer to Muslims and non-Muslims alike when they break their fast at around 7:30 pm. Increasingly popular with visitors to KL, the event is a great opportunity to reflect on the spirituality and cultural diversity that underpins Malaysian life.

So for your chance to truly experience Malaysia’s diversity and for a chance to really immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of one of Asia’s most intriguing countries, visit tourismmalaysia.com.au, be inspired and book your holiday now.  Visit Tourism Malaysia for more ideas on what to see, do and where to play in Malaysia

You might also like: