Watching the moonrise over the ocean, the bright reflection leaving a trail of glowing light across the water all the way up onto the beach, my husband and I enjoyed a rare moment of silence together.
With the kids tucked away in bed, exhausted from a full day splashing in the waves and building sand castles on Mexico's Caribbean coast, we had a moment to reflect on our family's vacation.
We were in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for the week. This beach town is everything you could possibly want, including plenty of places to stay, fun restaurants, a lively pedestrian and shopping zone, and easy access from almost anywhere in North America.
And now that our kids are getting a bit older, we've also discovered a wide range of activities that are fun for our family to do in and around Playa del Carmen. We alternate lazy days at the beach with excursions like snorkeling on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, visits to ancient Mayan ruins, exploring the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya and swimming with sea turtles in Akumal Bay.
But it dawned on us that evening, as we watched the moon and listened to the waves splash against the shore, that we might be ready for something... more.
My husband and I have always agreed that traveling should be equal parts relaxation and adventure.
Of course, adventure means something different to everyone. With literally an endless array of travel experiences to be had around the world, there truly is an adventure out there for everyone.
So how do we narrow the search? How do we continue to choose the right vacation for our family? I've been giving this quite a bit of thought lately.
Start by asking yourself these five important questions to help you choose the right family trip.How do your kids do in airports?
Next time you fly with your family, consider how you feel once you've reached your destination. Are you still smiling?
When my kids were younger, I most certainly was not smiling most of the time. But these days, my kids have learned to be patient and enjoy the ride without too much complaining. This has given us confidence to explore further afar.
How inquisitive are your kids about "foreign" people, places and things?
When traveling, even if you are close to home, do you children notice differences and similarities of the place? Do they ask questions and seem honestly engaged in the destination?
Kids who are genuinely interested in different people and places may be ready for a bigger adventure.
Are you comfortable taking them out of school/sports?
Many trips around the world are dictated by time of year. For example, swimming with whale sharks in Mexico only happens during the summer months. Certain beach destinations are significantly less expensive if you avoid school holidays. And the great wildebeest migration only happens in the Serengeti in March.
Recent research has shown that traveling makes kids smarter. If you are able to travel during off-peak times, it's certainly worth considering. This will allow you to take advantage of low seasons rates and give you the flexibility to experience natural events when they occur.
How do you define adventure?
For my family, an adventure is doing something we've never done before. We get bored when things are always the same. We love to discover new places together.
The Adventure Travel Trade Association defines adventure travel as; "a type of tourism, involving exploration or travel with perceived (and possibly actual) risk, and potentially requiring specialized skills and physical exertion."
Your definition may be, and likely is, very different. It's worth thinking about what kind of adventures your family is up for, and how you can push those boundaries together over time.
What do YOU want to do?
Remember you are a part of this family too! There is absolutely no need to suffer through another theme park vacation or endure a long road trip if that's just not your thing. Be sure to consider your wishes as much as those of the rest of your family.
You'll notice one thing that is NOT listed here... budget. There are travel experiences to be had around the world for EVERY budget and travel style. Allow your decision to be led by the questions listed above, and not, ever, solely on price. You'll be disappointed if price is the only factor you base your decision on. So, with that I'd love to hear your thoughts! What other questions or considerations have you asked to determine how to choose the right family trip?
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