Did you ever have a vacation where it seemed everything went south? Maybe you all came home a little grumpy, tired, and wishing for a do-over? You can't seem to figure out what went wrong. It looked amazing on paper! Friends or family may have recommended the destination/idea and can't believe you didn't have an equally good time.
Here's a little (not-so) secret: All families are different and have different travel profiles.
Yep, a Travel Profile. And it doesn't take long to discover yours.
A Travel Profile outlines all the things that are valuable to everyone when you travel together and allows you to get to know your family better. This simple process can save you from the "but-it-looked-great-on-paper" trip disappointment.
The best way to learn your family travel profile is to sit down with your family and ask them what they like about the way their trips have gone so far – both the successes and the failures. If you can work out why a trip went wrong, then you can avoid it happening again, or at least find a solution that works now but will be different from the original idea. You'll avoid going down blind alleys, which are much more frustrating than blind spots.
1. List your most fun memories of trips you've taken.
Are there any themes? You can't replicate even the best vacations. And you don't necessarily need or want carbon copies of past trips. However, you can use those more significant ideas to guide your plans. Should you decide to step out of your comfort zone, you'll have valuable ideas on how to make moments meaningful and memorable. What activities did you all enjoy? Was quiet time essential? How about the weather? Did you make the most of rainy days? When you build on these elements and put them into your vacation, you're more likely to return home energized and restored.
2. Ask the Right Questions
Once you've worked out what your family likes about their trips, you can move on to asking what they don't like. Doing this will help you identify what kinds of things they want to avoid and need to avoid in the future. Be prepared, as this might get difficult. Some people have strong feelings, good or bad, about trips that happened in the past. Not all of this is about you – some of it is just what they liked and didn't like about their experiences – but some of it will be about you. People might point out that a trip went wrong because something was different from how your family typically does things. They might blame you for bad experiences or put the responsibility on your shoulders for good ones - this is normal. The trick is to keep in mind your goal: working out what kind of trip works well for your family. You'll want to discuss these issues openly so that you can identify the common attributes of your successful trips and make sure that your next trip will be like them.
Remember: you're looking for patterns.
3. What do you do to relax, unwind, have fun, or re-energize when you're not on vacation?
Are you active – enjoy hiking, running, water sports, tennis, etc.? Do you like the bustle of the city? Or do you prefer to relax and read a good book? Yes, these seem like silly questions, but you'd be shocked how often someone books a family vacation filled with activities that others may not enjoy or are set at a pace either too slow or too fast.
4. What is the purpose of your trip? What do you want to take away?
Travel broadens and deepens our horizons – culturally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Looking to change things up and make new memories with the kids? Do you want to immerse yourself and your family in a cultural experience? Maybe you're looking for a service-oriented trip? Plan your trip around that kind of experience and emotional takeaway.
5. Do you prefer to be in control, or are you relieved when someone else takes the wheel?
Some people THINK they love being in charge of everything. But then the reality sinks in, and the fun fizzles when faced with all the details involved (before, during, and even AFTER the trip). Whether you LOVE to be in charge, are tired of being responsible for it all, or prefer someone else taking over, you'll always get the best balance between autonomy and assistance when we work together on your trip. You'll be able to maximize fun, relaxation, and adventure with less stress.
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When you take a little time to know how you travel best, your vacation can be more than just fun; it can be truly fulfilling. You'll come home refreshed, energized, and brimming with great new memories.
Have you ever created a travel profile? Or have you done something similar? Share in the comments.
Are you ready to start planning an unbelievable experience for yourself or your whole family? Contact me today and let me help you get there!
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