Road trips? Check. Summer vacation at the cabin? Check. Cross-country trips to visit friends and family? Check and check again. When your family’s ready for a vacation that’s more adventurous, it’s time to start looking outside the U.S. borders.
A lot of families feel like overseas or international travel is prohibitively expensive, or just not compatible with so many busy lives to schedule around. However, with some smart planning, a trip abroad is well within your family’s reach.
The options are virtually countless when it comes to traveling internationally, so choosing the country you want to visit can be a fun challenge. You can make your trip as easy or as challenging as you like, depending on what your family is comfortable with.
For instance, if you’ve got some hesitant travelers, consider a trip to Canada as a first foray across the border. Flights to Toronto are easy to come by, and exploring Canada’s largest city is a cosmopolitan delight. Even within Canada, you can go for a more European experience by visiting Quebec, or have a wild time visiting polar bears in Churchill, in northern Manitoba on Hudson Bay.
If you’re looking for a warmer destination, there’s something for every family member to enjoy on Costa Rica vacations. The country boasts a very environmentally conscious tourism infrastructure that celebrates its natural diversity and beauty. Go for zipline rides through the rainforest canopy, trek through Monte Verde Cloud Forest searching for elusive blue morpho butterflies, sit back and relax with a cup of the country’s excellent coffee or hit the beaches for a bit of sand and surf.
Europe’s appeal is as close as it gets to universal. The beautiful architecture, rich culture and diverse landscapes that are packed onto this relatively tiny continent give you some extraordinary options. While the big cities like London and Paris will always be enticing, consider cutting costs — and getting a more quotidian glimpse of Europe — by choosing smaller destinations. For instance, if Germany’s on your list, try forgoing Berlin in favor of exploring the southern state of Bayern. Its villages and major city — Munich — have charm to spare and come with a lighter price tag. Some excellent deals on Munich hotels can be found online.
Keep in mind that you can often cut costs by combining airfares, hotel rooms and car rentals into a vacation package on sites like Travelocity.com. And when you’re on the ground, take some cues from the locals to keep costs down — try shopping for a picnic lunch at a local grocery store for a memorable and tasty experience. Wherever you decide to go, you’ll be able to look back and fondly remember your first international family vacation for a lifetime.
