Thailand and Vietnam. Maybe Japan and the lure of its ski slopes. Maybe a bike trip in Spain, scuba diving…
There are so many options, so many exciting places to consider, my youngest daughter says happily, as she and her fiancé debate honeymoon choices for later this year.
Whether it’s a honeymoon or a trip to Orlando’s theme parks, a special anniversary or birthday trip, a family reunion or spa getaway, the anticipation—and planning—can be nearly as much fun as the trip itself.
All the better if you can get the kids involved in the planning. You will be surprised what’s top of their must-do list.
Yes, trips can disappoint. Kids—and relatives—will squabble as they do at home. Hotels or vacation rentals may not be as advertised. Flights will get delayed, and bags lost, as we saw over the holidays.
But as long as we understand all that and protect our investment with travel insurance, there’s nothing more wonderful than discovering new places, revisiting favorite haunts and sharing experiences with those you love most— and those new friends you meet along the way.
My kids say they have learned from all our not-infrequent misadventures. One daughter arrived in a foreign city without knowing where we were staying (a flight snafu meant the person charged with meeting her didn’t have her correct flight information). Another daughter, then 12, was sleeping in an Australia vacation rental when it was burgled.
All was fine in the end and travel mishaps have made my kids more confident as they embarked on their own adventures.
I’ve been thinking about the power of anticipation a lot lately as I’ve been unexpectedly hobbled from complications after a routine knee replacement. I’m finally on the mend and everyone has been asking me where I want to go first. It’s fun to just consider:
- Do we want an adventure, or do you want to be pampered? Perhaps there is a way to combine the two.
- Are we seeking City Lights with great food, museums, concerts and theater, or would we rather focus on getting outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle?
- Do we want to return to a place we know and love or head somewhere new?
- Are we seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or just the chance to kick back?
- If you are planning with extended family, this might be the time to not only appoint a trip leader but also work with a travel adviser. That way, no one in the family gets blamed for any missteps—and the experienced travel professional not only can help plan but also step in when travel plans go awry.
