Time passes so quickly. One day, you’re braiding your daughter’s hair, and the next, she is video calling from university, with steaming straighteners in hand. Parents know that moments are precious.
Yet, planning holidays can feel cookie-cutter – especially when sticking to traditional package deals. So why not plan a ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday, where you can reconnect with one another as a family?
Below are four different meaningful holidays you should consider.
Volunteer Vacations – Give Back While Exploring
Vacations are about values, not just relaxation. What better “meaning” could you find than volunteering? Volunteer vacations are perfect for combining sightseeing with meaningful contributions. These experiences can teach valuable lessons in empathy, gratitude, and morals. It could be something simple like monitoring sea turtles or doing a beach clean-up, or something more strenuous like building a school.
Some experiences, like volunteering with orangutans in Borneo, are more expensive than others. However, these vacations aren’t always extortionate. Certain platforms, like Workaway, have hosts who provide free accommodation and/or food in exchange for your efforts. So, get creative and do your research.
Pilgrimage and Walking Holidays – Bond Through Shared Journeys
Pilgrimages are no longer strictly religious adventures. As we continue to pursue deeper bonds and self-understanding, there has been a rise in secular hikers. For families, Camino holidays can be a huge achievement.
Walking holidays not only allow you to bond with others over physical challenges, but also provide you with the opportunity to reflect and to connect with nature. It's the perfect form of slow travel!
Cultural Immersion Trips – Live Like a Local
Nothing creates meaning like human connection. Cultural immersion is a huge reason why we travel, yet on many itineraries, that is precisely what’s missing. Rushing through ports on cruises or staying in glitzy hotels, it becomes too easy to miss.
Find authentic experiences. That might mean booking a room at a family-run B&B or a homestay with a specific community. It could also be shorter experiences, like artisan workshops or a local cooking class. These opportunities are pure gold for social and emotional development.
Educational Adventures – Learning Beyond the Classroom
It’s no secret that adventure is in demand. Families want their children to learn beyond the classroom – whether that’s learning about rhinos in Namibia or hiking to pictographs in Arches National Park.
There is something captivating about learning from “real life.” These destinations and snippets of information become meaningful tales that spark long-term curiosity. If you want children to be lifelong learners, teach them the novelty of educational adventures.
