FamilyTravelBlog

Right Time, Right Place?

Before making a decision on a destination, here are a few things I check out and how I get the answers.

1. Is it the right time of year to visit (rainy season, winter vs. summer, special holidays)

To answer the weather question, I usually go to www.weather.com and check out the monthly averages for temperatures and rainfall.  To find out about national holidays, I usually consult a guidebook.  You can also look online at the national tourist bureau's website. If you get to a destination and it's a major holiday, you may not be able to see all the sites you had hoped to visit.  On the otherhand, it can be really interesting.  We were lucky to be in Thailand for the New Year celebration when everyone lines the streets and splashes water on everyone else.  The kids had a blast.  But, it's good to know what you are in for in advance.

2. Is it safe?

The US State Department (http://travel.state.gov/) has an overview for every country as well as travel "alerts" and "warnings". 

I sometimes wonder, if we will be flying within the country, if the airlines are safe.  That can be checked out at sites like this one  http://www.airsafe.com/.

3. Do we have the right vaccines? Or, am I willing to get the vaccines that are needed?

That question can be easily answered with a visit to the CDC's website http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx and a call to your doctor's office. 

4. Can my frequent flier miles get me there "on the cheap"?

Visit the airline's website to see which cities they serve.

5. Is it really expensive due to the exchange rate?

Do a quick search for hotels on a website like travelocity www.travelocity.com  and get a feel for the cost of a one night stay in your usual type of hotel

And, since I have a bunch of travel goals (taking the kids to every continent), I'm always making sure that I'm using our precious vacation time and money to work toward those goals.

Chances are, the answers to all of the questions won't be positive. That's hard to do.  We've spent many family vacations at places when they are really, really hot (like Egypt in August!) because of other factors like the timing of school breaks and when frequent flyer miles can be used.

Here or There? Should You Travel With Your Kids in Your Home Country? Abroad?

My own interest in travel was sparked as a child when I traveled with my family around the US.  To historic spots and national parks.  It was a great way to see a little history and meet interesting people.  I would have thought I would start my own kids off on the same type of US adventures.  While we do try to scout out great spots and national parks right here, I have really pushed to get my kids to foreign countries.  You might be wondering, why?

About eight years ago, my husband and I went to London.  I was struck by how much London had changed in the years since I had been a student there. I was even more surprised by how much it had become just like big cities in the US.

As a student, in the mid 1980"s, I was wowed by all the things about London and England that made them so different and special-- the fashion, the music, the stores, the buildings, the TV/movies.  They were all different than what I was used to.

On my return trip to London, it was very different-- because everything felt the SAME.  That is, London felt like another big New York.  There was a Starbucks on every corner, kids were wearing US brands, they were listening to the same music our kids listened to. 

It's not surprising that this happened.  Low cost phone calls and the internet make London seem like it is right next door to LA, Chicago and New York.  Realizing that this globalization of culture was likely to just accelerate, I made it a goal to take my kids to foreign countries to learn about their history and heritage as quickly as possible.

As we've ventured out to explore new countries, in fact, it does seem like "popular culture" has really spread everywhere already.  There internet cafes in the Galapagos Islands!  Kids from all over the world are playing Club Penguin in the airport lounges. 

However, it is still possible to meet people and get an appreciation for rich, cultural differences.  Especially outside the major cities.  However, a recent UN forecast suggests that by the end of 2008 half the world's population will live in cities and by  2050 that number will rise to 70%. 

So, if it's important to you that your kids learn about other cultures, I wouldn't wait too long to let them go and experience new countries.

Setting Travel Goals

You probably have career goals or savings goals, why not travel goals? If your kids are getting to the age where time away is getting harder and harder, then it's especially important to spend each vacation doing what's really important to you and your family.

My personal goal is to show my kids each of the seven continents before they are off to college.  So far, we've seen six continents together.  (Antarctica is the last one-- but is it pricey!) We have a great laminated map framed and on the wall in our house.  We have yellow flags on all the countries we've been to and blue flags on those countries that are our "goals".  If you've read The Secret, you'll be reminded of the vision board they recommend. 

Your goals might be very different. . .

• go to every famous beach
• see new animals on every trip
• learn to appreciate the environment and do green travel
• stay in every Four Seasons around the world

One goal I wouldn't recommend is trying to beat Starbucks around the world.  I had that as a goal, and have to admit defeat.  They're everywhere.  I decided if you can't beat them, join them. I bought stock.

Have fun setting your goals and even more fun achieving them.