The Best Family Trips for Every Age and Stage
The Best Family Trips for Every Age and Stage
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https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-best-family-vacation-for-every-age-from-babies-to-adult-kids
From babies to near-adults, these are the best trips to take, no matter what stage of life your child is in.
Pulling off a successful trip that works well for both parents and kids often comes down to choosing the right destination for your child’s age. The perfect trip for a toddler will likely be met with revolt from a teen. An idyllic week by the beach is likely to turn stressful quickly if your child is old enough to wander away, but isn’t yet old enough to swim. Meanwhile, older kids need a trip that gives them some independence and autonomy.
As a mom to four kids, including a child in elementary school and a high schooler, I’ve been to dozens of states and 30 countries on six continents with my kids so far. Through a lot of trial and error, I figured out which trips work best for different ages and stages, whether you are still snuggling an infant or getting ready to watch your child walk down the aisle to get their diploma.
Here are our recommendations for the best trip for every age and stage.
PHOTO: ARTYOORAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
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Head to Oahu, Hawai’i with Infants, Ages 0 to 1
Counterintuitively, the first year of a child’s life is a great time to take a trip. Before long, infants transform into walking, talking toddlers with strong opinions. Once that happens, life (and travel options) changes dramatically.
For the first year of life, as long as babies reliably nap on the go, parents don’t need to worry about babies getting restless on long flights, sticking to a strict nap schedule, or going out for a late dinner. They also don’t need to worry about their baby wandering away.
Before age one, vacations are still mostly about what parents will enjoy. Oahu, Hawai’i is a great choice for new Moms and Dads in desperate need of rest and relaxation after recovering from the sleepless nights of the newborn phase. Oahu’s Waikiki Beach is known for its calm, clear waters, making it a perfect spot for babies to dip their feet in the ocean for the first time. Plus, Americans don’t need a passport to visit Hawai’i, so little ones who haven’t gotten around to applying for one yet won’t have a problem getting in.
The Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu is the perfect choice for families with young children. The resort features Poppins Day Care, a rare kids’ club that accepts children as young as three months old. Plus, they have a fantastic network of kids’ pools, including interactive fountains perfect for the youngest visitors.
PHOTO: HILTON WASHINGTON DC NATIONAL MALL THE WHARF
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Take Toddlers to the Nation’s Capital, Ages 2 to 3
Whether at home or on vacation, toddlers can be a handful. Long flights with a two or three-year-old who would rather wander the aisle than sit still pose a logistical challenge. Moreover, when I had toddlers, the classic family beach vacation terrified me. Spending a lot of time near water with little ones who were quick to wander away, didn’t fully understand danger, and couldn’t swim, wasn’t my idea of a good time. Instead, for my family, the terrible two and “threenager” years were largely about domestic city breaks.
Washington, DC, is a great choice for toddling tots. The National Mall is a wide, open space where children can roam for hours. Just off the National Mall are several free Smithsonian Museums that cater to different toddler interests, from spaceships and dinosaurs to rows of “princess dresses” that doubled as ballgowns for First Ladies at their husband’s inauguration. Not far away is a free, world-class zoo. Plus, many Smithsonian museums have interactive rooms designed for the youngest visitors. Even better, Washington, DC, is very walkable and has excellent, affordable public transportation, making it easy to navigate, even with a stroller.
The Hilton Washington, DC, is a family-friendly hotel ideally located between the National Mall and The Wharf, a waterfront area with plenty of restaurants. The hotel also has an outdoor pool that is open seasonally. They can provide family-friendly amenities such as cribs. Even better, kids 17 and under stay free when sharing a room with their parents.
PHOTO: RICHARD JOHNSON
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Embrace the Perfect Preschool Experience in Jackson Hole, Ages 4 to 5
It can be hard to keep preschoolers entertained. A vacation that lets them embrace their wild side is perfect. Jackson Hole and the surrounding area have plenty of room to wander. Teton Village, the epicenter of outdoor activity in Jackson Hole, has a playground, splash pads, a gondola that can take kids to the top of the mountain, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants. Go on gentle hikes in the nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Or head to the Jackson Hole rodeo for a classic Western experience. Seasonally, take a sleigh ride at the National Elk Refuge.
Stay at Flat Creek Ranch for an all-inclusive Dude Ranch experience. While at the ranch, families can go horseback riding, hike on the ranch’s trails, canoe, kayak, or go fly fishing before taking a shuttle into town.
PHOTO: ROMANBABAKIN/ISTOCK
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Hang Onto the Magic of the Holidays in Finland, Ages 6 to 7
Children who have just started elementary school rejoice in learning about the world around them. They may still have a hard time distinguishing between what is real and what is make-believe. However, they won’t believe in childhood heroes like the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa for much longer. Parents can tap into the magic of this wondrous age, when kids are not quite little but not yet big, by taking them to Santa’s home in Finnish Lapland.
Kids five and up can experience the full magic of Christmas on Intrepid Travel’s Finnish Winter Family Holiday. On this small-group tour, kids will visit Santa Claus’s home and experience unique winter activities like husky dog sledding, a visit to a reindeer farm, and arctic cocooning with other families.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CANTACUZINO CASTLE
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Europe is Right for Elementary School, Ages 8 to 10
When my son was almost eight, I knew he was ready for a big kid trip. Older elementary school kids are ready to start exploring the world far and wide, making it the perfect stage for a European vacation. Although Bucharest, Romania, might seem like an unlikely choice for a family trip, it’s a very kid-friendly country. As a bonus, it’s less expensive than many more popular European destinations and doesn’t yet grapple with the overtourism that is prevalent in many other European capitals.
Instead of touring grand palaces like Versailles in France, check out castles kids already know from lore and pop culture. Bran’s Castle, otherwise known as Dracula’s home, and the nearby Cantacuzino Castle, are engaging and entertaining without being frightening. Wander through Old Town Bucharest’s cobblestone streets past Belle Époque buildings and centuries-old churches before grabbing dinner. Then, take the kids to Theme Bucharest for the day. Therme is Europe’s biggest bathhouse. On one side, Therme has an enormous waterpark with over a dozen slides, a wave pool, and an interactive water playground. A beach and outdoor splash pad are open seasonally. Parents can take a bit of time for themselves in Therme’s themed saunas, mineral pools, and red light therapy beds.
Stay at Novotel Bucharest City Center, a centrally located family-friendly hotel within walking distance of Old Town and Bucharest’s main train station. The hotel also has a pool, a play area, and an impressive breakfast buffet with plenty of kid-friendly options.
PHOTO: OSCAR FARRERA
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Go Remote for Prime-Time Travel with Preteens, Ages 11 to 12
Preteens are ready for prime-time travel. They usually have enough stamina to take more adventurous trips, but the moodiness of the teen years hasn’t yet set in. That makes the preteen years the perfect time to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. Take an expedition cruise to explore untamed, remote areas.
In the Galapagos Islands, kids can snorkel with sea lions and sharks. In Antarctica or Svalbard, Norway, families can kayak next to icebergs and hike through otherworldly, icy landscapes. Or, traverse Greenland or Alaska, taking your children on a new, wild adventure every day.
HX Expeditions, a family-friendly expedition company, has been operating for 130 years. That gives me peace of mind that they can keep my family safe no matter where we go in the world.
HX has onboard naturalists and scientific experts who can handle even the most challenging questions kids throw their way, as well as unique experiences such as family-friendly rides on science boats and science corners. Plus, many sailings include kid-friendly activities such as meet-and-greets with scientists, baking classes, and art sessions.
PHOTO: HILTON CANCUN
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Head to Mexico With Your Teenager, Ages 13 to 14
Cancun, Mexico, may be more closely associated with spring breakers, but it’s a great jumping-off point to explore the Yucatán Peninsula. The Yucatán has beautiful beaches where teens can swim, snorkel, or dive. Then head out to explore the Chichen Itza, a large Mayan complex that includes soaring pyramids, an ancient observatory, and sacrificial sites, among other ruins of the once-great civilization.
Cancun is also home to plenty of cenotes, large swimming holes, sometimes located deep within caves. The Yucatán Peninsula is also home to Xcaret, a park offering natural and cultural activities, including swimming in underground rivers, relaxing in natural pools by the ocean, hiking, and much more.
Teenagers want some independence but aren’t quite ready to roam on their own. Even families who don’t usually stay at all-inclusive resorts might find that staying at one in Cancun is a good fit with teens.
In addition to the typical kids’ clubs at all-inclusives, Hilton Cancun also offers a Teen Space, perfect for teenagers who need a break from their parents. Plus, teens may be in a better mood once they find out they have unlimited access to mocktails, ice cream, and churros at the resort.
PHOTO: AMPARO GARCIA/ISTOCK
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Mid-Adolescence is All About Adventure, Ages 15 to 16
By the time kids reach middle adolescence, many parents realize their days of traveling with them are limited. That makes this stage a great time to plan an epic family adventure.
Head deep into Peru to see Machu Picchu, an Inca citadel hidden in the Andes Mountains for centuries, now a wonder of the world. Spend a night or two in the Amazon rainforest to hike through the jungle and see wildlife up close. Then, visit the Sacred Valley for a cultural experience to see how locals live, farm, and craft.
Keep your teens happy by exploring Peru on an Intrepid Family Holiday. By taking a small group tour of Peru, teens (and their parents) will have built-in friends, which will help keep everyone happy.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF PARK HYATT TOKYO
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Take Your Almost-Adult to Japan, Ages 17 to 18
Japan is popular at any age, but it’s especially intriguing for older teens. By the time kids enter their late teen years, they can truly embrace all that Japan has to offer, from the country’s pop-culture obsession and bullet trains to its tranquil hot springs, temples, and countryside. Whether your teen is into video games and anime or history and cultural experiences, Japan has something to inspire and intrigue.
Must-do experiences include visiting the interactive teamLabs Planets at Universal Studios Japan, experiencing the chaotic Shibuya Scramble, exploring the pop-culture mecca Akihabara Electric Town, facing historical atrocities in Hiroshima, and eating at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant. Plus, Japan is exceptionally safe, so parents can feel confident sending their older teens out to explore on their own. Trips at this age might be the last you take with your child before they fly the coop, so make it memorable.
The Grand Hyatt Tokyo is a great base in Japan. Located in a quiet neighborhood, the Grand Hyatt Tokyo is near a metro stop, offering easy access to the city and beyond. There are several on-site restaurants, from a casual cafe to an upscale steakhouse.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CRYSTAL CRUISES
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Traveling With Your Adult Children, 19+ Plus
No matter how old kids get, they will always be your baby. If you can convince an adult child to tag along on family vacations, you’ve done something right. A cruise is a great option for a trip with your newly minted grown-up because everyone in the family can spend as much, or as little, time as they like during daytime excursions and nighttime meals. Plus, a lot of tension disappears when you don’t need to worry about how to get from place to place or switch hotels every night.
Travel from Lisbon to Barcelona, or choose another route, with Crystal Cruises. Cruises with Crystal are a far cry from ships with carnival-like atmospheres that children entering adulthood have likely outgrown, and a great way to acknowledge your child’s new grown-up status.
Trump Administration Warns Traveling Influencers: Don’t Profit on Your Posts
PeopleImages/Shutterstock
https://www.fodors.com/news/news/trump-administration-warns-world-cup-influencers-dont-profit-on-your-posts
The U.S. Homeland Security warned creators ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are collectively hosting the FIFA World Cup this month, welcoming millions of fans from around the world. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to influencers entering the U.S.—you are not allowed to create content and post it on social media for the purpose of making money if you have entered the country on a tourist visa. Amid unfriendly immigration policies in the U.S. that have made headlines, this is another blow to fans.
Influencers are generally not policed for traveling and monetizing content. This is a lucrative way for creators to make money. However, those traveling for the FIFA World Cup need to be cautious because the DHS and Customs and Border Protection said in a joint statement to EL PAÍS that generating earnings from the U.S. requires a work visa. “People who enter the United States under a visitor program and receive income from a U.S. source would be violating the conditions of their admission status.”
The U.S. tourist visa permits travelers to participate in social events, but any sort of employment is illegal. This also includes instances of work where no money exchanges hands—for example, housesitting or petsitting. Travelers have been deported for failing to follow these rules, and the U.S. government is sending the same warning to content creators.
A government source revealed that the country is tightening border inspections at airports and crossings with Mexico to deter Mexican influencers and those from other countries who may use their tourist visa to generate income. This is being done to “protect American jobs.”
Their videos give them away, the source said, pointing out that influencers share videos of obtaining visas from U.S. embassies and then film content in the U.S. Disregarding visa rules can result in deportation, visa cancellation, and future bans from the U.S.
It is not known how or if creators are being turned away or deported, but this does put a damper on the deal between FIFA and TikTok. The football association has collaborated with the social media platform to reach a younger audience worldwide, giving behind-the-scenes access to global creators in exchange for posts.
Digital creators can apply for another visa, called the O-1 visa, for those with extraordinary ability or achievements in science, arts, business, or education. In recent years, influencers have been successful in getting O-1 visas based on their follower and subscriber counts.
Immigration Barriers
Meanwhile, fans, athletes, and even referees face increased scrutiny at borders when entering the U.S. for the World Cup. A Somali referee was denied entry when he arrived at Miami International Airport. The Iranian team faced uncertainty for weeks before getting approval to enter the U.S., but visa applications for their staff members were rejected. The team moved its base to Mexico to avoid immigration problems in the U.S.
Days before travel, Scottish fans found their ESTA applications rejected at the last minute. The U.S. has also restricted the entry of fans who are on the list of banned countries, and even those who are not from restricted countries are facing rejection. The visa process has become more complicated and expensive for those who are not exempt, adding to the overall chaos for fans.
The Good News on Fuel Prices May Not Help Summer Travelers
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https://www.fodors.com/news/news/will-airfares-drop-after-the-iran-war-ends-experts-say-dont-expect-cheap-flights-yet
The end of the Iran war could ease fuel prices, but experts say travelers shouldn’t expect airfare bargains anytime soon.
The Strait of Hormuz, which has been the pinch point for a big chunk of petroleum shipping, could reopen as early as this week on the news that the United States and Iran had finalized a deal to end the four-month-old war.
But will that have an immediate effect on airfares in the United States?
Generally speaking, it won’t. Experts have pointed out that the Strait of Hormuz could take some time to return shipping throughput to normal because of the danger of mines. The U.S. largely sources its oil from outside the Gulf Region, but it’s worth noting that anticipated operation costs are just one driver of airfares, particularly in the U.S. domestic market.
Many airlines have already reduced flying as a result of the conflict and will be carefully watching passenger demand for future flights in addition to fuel costs. A metric that much of the industry will be watching is consumer confidence or the willingness of consumers to spend money on things like airfare. Consumer confidence had already ticked up in the U.S. in June on gas prices dropping as the war appeared to be coming to a close, but experts warned it could take some time for gas prices to return to pre-war levels as markets may remain jittery about how durable the peace agreement would ultimately be.
Response to the proposed deal was muted in the Senate, as the Trump Administration had not shared details of the agreement with lawmakers. Not even the Gang of Eight, the bipartisan group of congressional leaders briefed on classified information, had been informed of any of the contents of the agreement by late Monday.
“If it is a secret deal, then how can I take it seriously?” Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican of North Carolina, told The New York Times on Monday.
Adding to airfare problems, there are fewer seats for sale this June compared to last year, according to OAG, a company that provides flight analytics to airports. The shutdown of Spirit Airlines in May drove many airlines to add flights to accommodate travelers whose plans had been cancelled, but not all of that capacity was replaced. Many airlines also reduced flying—particularly in so-called “long and thin” markets as fuel bills increased, making it harder to turn a profit.
It can also be difficult to predict what airfares will do because many prediction sites, including Hopper, Kayak, and Google Flights base their calculations on historic price data, which limits their efficacy during events—like war—that shock markets, both on the operational cost and passenger demand sides of the equation. The sites are built for normal market conditions, not the double-whammy of price chaos created by the limiting of fuel supply and the large-scale closure of one of the globe’s key air corridors.
Passenger demand in the United States has also proven relatively resilient, even with airfare price shocks. Late last month, Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan told a group of investors he expected airfares would remain higher, particularly with Spirit Airlines now out of the marketplace.
“You hate to see somebody go out of business, but with Spirit out of business, I think it helps that environment,” he told FlightGlobal. “I do think the backdrop is constructive, when fuel drops, to retain the revenue and yield increases we’ve seen.”
Even if energy prices come down quickly, airlines are still reeling from the bottom-line impacts they faced during the traditionally weak first quarter. Before the news of the peace agreement with Iran, U.S. airlines had already largely predicted that their profit potential had decreased by up to half. With strong demand for air seats remaining relatively steady going into the year’s highest-demand season, they’ll likely spend most of the summer trying to claw back the profits they lost on increased costs earlier in the year.
For air travel consumers, that doesn’t mean major fare deals unless something else changes.
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