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3/5/2020
Three Active Family Vacations That Have You Disconnecting From Technology (and not even missing it!) Photo courtesy of Adventures by Disney Do you ever ask yourself what happened to all that time you thought you had? I sure do - every year seems to zip by faster and faster. And I find this especially apparent when I see friends and family with children. Seems like one day they have toddlers and the next day they have young adults headed off to college (or out on their own). Spending quality time together as a family isn’t easy. It’s understandable - families are busy with work, school, sports, band, clubs, parties….the list is long. And it becomes more challenging as the children get older and start going their own way, building their own futures and families. One thing though doesn’t change – whether you are a parent or grandparent - you basically have 18 summers, spring or fall breaks with your family before becoming empty nesters. Maybe an additional 4 years if they don’t leave until they are in their twenties. Being in the business of helping people build stronger bonds with the people they care most about through travel, I help you make the most of this limited time. One way to do this is through experiences where you put away those pesky devices (ie smart phones, ipads, tablets, etc.), and better yet, forget about them because you are having too much fun as a family to even remember them. My three recommendations for active family vacations that will disconnect you from technology for most of the day (possibly even all week!) follow. ACTIVE SPORT ADVENTURES There is an amazing world to explore beyond the city limits, a world you see under your own power and own pace. A world without the crowds, full of natural beauty and experiences you’d never have on your own. And best of all, everything is planned for you so all you need to do is to enjoy the adventure. Accommodations, meals, routes, all taken care of. Active adventure companies have itineraries all over the world, from walking and hiking in Canada, Alaska, US National Parks and the French, Italian and Swiss Alps to biking in Croatia, Japan, New Zealand and Bali to camping or multi-adventure opportunities that include walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, fishing and horseback riding in Bhutan, Peru and South Africa. The hardest part is choosing where in the world to go. No shortage of fun – something for everyone. These trips are especially great for families traveling with kids. Even better are departures focused on specific age groups. We all know that a 20 something doesn’t want to spend their entire vacation with a 12 year old (and vice versa), so while activities may be the same, kids get to hang out with kids in their age groups. Guaranteed smiles at the end of every day. And no complaints about going to bed. Photos courtesy of Backroads ACTIVE OCEAN AND CRUISES Unpack once, using the ship as your base. Explore multiple regions on a luxury small ship, adventure or river cruise. No lines. No crowds. No over touristed attractions. All the benefits of a cruise with the added active component. Adventure specialists have partnered with river and ocean cruise lines to bring you family vacations that are unique, like no other, taking you to places you wouldn't normally get to on your own. Perfect for multi-generational groups with activities that cater to all age groups.  Photo courtesy of Uncruise ACTIVE LAND ADVENTURES Family trips, whether its parents and their children, grandparents taking their grandchildren or a multi-generational group, are designed to inspire the adventurer in us. For some it may be out in nature or on a ship, for others it may have a more cultural bent. Imagine visiting the iconic museums of Italy, watching history come alive in London, or participating on a scavenger hunt in the Louvre to searching for the Big 5 on daily game drives in Africa or cooking with cowboys in the American West. Carefully crafted itineraries planned to create wow moments while giving parents the peace of mind of knowing the details are all taken care of. Perfect, don’t you think? Photos courtesy of Tauck Family Bridges At the end of the day, no matter what type of trip you choose, it’s about spending precious time together, bonding, making memories that you as family will treasure for a lifetime.
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Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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