1 Simple Step to The Perfect Family Getaway

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. 

--------------

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!

Ocean vs. River cruising: Which one is right for you?

When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.

But each one comes with its own unique perks, and - depending on your specific needs for your next trip - you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other.

So what are the major differences?

One big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members.

That smaller scale translates to all areas of the river cruise. You dine on a regular schedule at tables with other passengers (often wine & cocktails are included in the price of the cruise). Instead of 50 different things to do on board, amenities tend to be more modest with river cruises — think libraries, a complete gym and spa, cultural programs, and free Wifi vs. ten kids’ playrooms, glitzy Broadway shows, and a skydiving simulator. There tend to be fewer kids on river cruises, making them popular for couples seeking quiet and relaxed time together or a group of friends looking for something different.

You stop almost every day at a new port with river cruises, often for walking tours through quaint towns with little tourist traffic, and you’re always in view of land. There are usually less excursions from which to choose, but they are often very immersive. 

With ocean cruises, you can go days without seeing land, and ports of call and excursions tend to be numerous with lots of variety to accommodate the greater number of age groups. They also tend to be a tad more exotic and high-adventure. And more and more ocean cruise lines now have their own private islands - Royal Caribbean has Cococay & Labadee; Disney Cruise Line stops at Castaway Cay; Norwegian owns Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye; Half Moon Cay greets Holland America Line guests; and Princess Cruises guests can enjoy time on Princess Cays. 

Because of their larger size, ocean cruises offer plenty of options for many ages, from young kids to octogenarians, and they are often more able to accommodate a wide variety of special health needs. For this reason, they tend to make the best option for multi-generational family gatherings that include young children. For the traveler who is into high-octane adventure, ocean cruises provide a wide variety of activities on board, as well as exotic and more daring day excursions.

River cruises do tend to be more expensive per person — but that price also includes more things. Ocean cruises have a lower sticker price per person, but you are often charged extra for alcohol and other amenities.

When you’re getting ready to plan your next on-the-water trip, here are a few questions to consider:

• How many people are traveling? What are their ages?
• What time of the year do you want to travel?
• Do you need the amenities of a mega ship — spas, gyms, a dozen restaurants, and many activities? Or are you looking for something calmer, more intimate and easy-paced?
• Are you seeking authentic inter-cultural experiences? Or do you prefer more familiar settings?
• Some cruises offer pre- and post-cruise land tours. Would that be of interest?

As always, I’m here and would love to discuss your next cruise. We can look at all the moving parts of your upcoming trip — what you need, what you want, what your dream is — and together we can come up with a cruise you and your loved ones will remember fondly for the rest of your life.