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Top 7 Survival Tips: Travel with Your Grown Children
Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than time spent away, as a family, whatever age your children are. We all can relive some of our most cherished memories of family bonding and togetherness on vacations, weekends away, hikes, or just day trips. When you have your children all to yourselves, away from friends, electronic devices, and all the other distractions of daily life there are moments to tuck away forever.
Once they’re grown (ours are currently 27, 24 and 18), the moments become few and far between, whether they live at home (two of ours do) or around the world (our middle daughter currently lives in Thailand). So, a long awaited family reunion/vacation for us in Thailand was a simply unforgettable experience. The things we experienced together…from kayaking through sea caves in Phang Nga to private cooking classes in Chiang Mai…were made that much more special because we were together.
There is no debate: Instagram is having a profound affect on the travel industry. Now six years old, Instagram has more than 500 million active users sharing an average of 80 million photos a day. Influencers with large followings are being tapped by destinations worldwide to inspire those followers to visit. Some say it’s causing overcrowding of once undiscovered places, while other feel that tourism brings the awareness needed to protect those places.
In my humble opinion, the beautiful places of the world are meant to be shared and experienced. The special places we all dream about are not ours to own, though we need to find a way to responsibly share them with each other. Travel mindfully, respect the environment, and respect one another’s space, and keep seeking out those unexpected adventures that happen when we wander off the beaten path.
Now that that is said…here are a few of my favorite Instagramers that are inspiring me to grab my camera (or my phone) and get out there.
10 Reasons for Women to Travel Solo in their 50’s
We are honored to feature this post by Julie Beckers
(A Not So Young Woman Abroad) www.anotsoyoungwomanabroad.com
Julie Beckers is a travel blogger and writer from Melbourne, Australia. She loves sharing tips, interesting and juicy stories about her adventures, from witnessing a shooting in New York to stories about cheeky Frenchmen. Aimed at the not so young woman, Julie’s blog, “A Not So Young Woman Abroad” was born from her experiences as a solo traveller who has no desire to “do” any country much less be confined on a “guided” tour. Her blog has been awarded Top 100 Travel Blogs for 2016 and 2017.
For some women, the very thought of traveling solo can be daunting. For women in their 50’s who have never travelled on their own, the thought of solo travel can be down right terrifying. For me it’s the only way to go.
Have a seat at Elvis’s piano at RCA Studio B
The historic places we visit connect us with the past. Ancient ruins, battlefields, museums, and landscapes unchanged over centuries. Art and music in particular can transport us back in time. And the emotional connections we feel with the artist is expressed through the medium they choose. Its a moving, inner connection that we feel deep inside.
Well, I actually had such a moment in Nashville Tennessee. And if you’ve ever been, in general, its a whole big hunk of fun, just join right in and get carried away. The party starts in the early afternoon and just keeps going till the neon on main street lights up the night. So much great live music all in one place, a shot of whiskey and a cold beer and we’re all one big, happy family.
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a day-long experience, that takes you through the history of an American institution. They offer three tours: the Hall of Fame itself, Hatch Show Print (the working letterpress print shop that makes iconic show posters – highly recommended) and the Historic RCA Studio Studio B tour.
Ahhh, Nawlins niightlife…if you’ve been, you know what we’re talking about. From the elegant historic restaurants, Preservation Hall Jazz, to over-the-top, anything goes, party-all-night Bourbon Street, it’s all there. And everyone’s invited…
But during those sultry days of exploring the alleys and architecture in the French Quarter, there’s nothing quite like enjoying the classic watering holes, offering cool, refreshing, specialty cocktails and local delicacies in one-of-a-kind gathering places where you’ll share your adventures with new friends on both sides of the bar. Here are our top five:
We love New Orleans…(OK, kind of off topic, right?). It’s usually our first choice for a long weekend away for sooooo many reasons (but that’s a story to come). Point is, we wanted somewhere we hadn’t been. And there’s nothing quite like someplace new. So, off to San Antonio, which we must say, exceeded our expectations…and the bar was set quite high.
Another amazing post contributed by our ultimate happy wanderer, Jean Devlin
There are many places that I travel to that I enjoy thoroughly but when it’s time to leave, I feel satisfied that I’ve seen and experienced what I came for. New Mexico is one of those places that I could return to time and time again. The quality of light, the clean air, stunning pueblo architecture, spectacular sunsets, fine art and natural beauty are just a few reasons to explore the area.
Let’s give credit where credit is due…and New Jersey deserves more credit than it often gets. I just ran across a statement on Google citing NJ as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution’. Not something that would have been my first impression…but there you have it. We have a lot to be proud of, a lot to do, and a lot to explore. Beaches, Lakes and Mountains…Cities, Towns and Villages…Food, Wine and Culture…from Thomas Edison to Snooki, it’s all here.
In beautiful, rural Sussex county is the charming town of Andover, founded in 1904, with a population of just about 600. We discovered this gem by accident, on our way somewhere else, when driving through the small stretch of Main Street our youngest daughter, who has a passion for antiques, practically leapt out of the car. Within a small walking distance, the antique lover will be on overload, with easily a full day of shops to explore.
The World is Waiting For you
Not sure where to go? We’ve got a world of possibilities out there just waiting for you. Whether you want to travel close to home or head off on some exotic adventure, we’re here to help make your journey together safe and fun.
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Carla is standing by with travel advice, ideas, recommendations and the best deals you'll find anywhere. Reach out now to make your travel dreams a reality! Email Carla@vacationkids.com or call 973-370-5584