Kelby Carr's Blog
Posted by Kelby Carr
I think a lot of people believe that once you start traveling with kids, planning well ahead of time is so necessary. That totally isn't true. Not only that, you don't even need lots of cash to do it.
In fact, kids just love an unexpected vacation on short notice. Shoot, wake up one morning and announce you're taking a daytrip to a town an hour away. Or load the tent and some groceries into the car, and hit a nearby campground for the weekend.
You won't believe the morale boost both parents and kids also get from even a short weekend getaway. Sure, you may have longed to do that whole week-long beach vacation rental thing. But that isn't the only thing you can (or should) do for a summer vacation.
Hard up for some summer vacation ideas? Here are some resources and tips to help you on your way:
Posted by Kelby Carr
I know, I know. You can stop gasping, because I'm about to leave for Family Travel Central. I figured it's about time I visit some of those uber-popular family attractions like Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios.
I've always been more the hiking with kids type, or the travel abroad with kids type. We don't do too many theme parks. I must confess, though, I'm pretty intrigued by the offerings there. I know, at the very least, the kids will have a blast.
I've already learned some interesting news. For example, did you know there will soon be a Simpsons ride at Universal Orlando resort? Or that your little ones can attend a Princess and Pirate Party at Disney World (and even get a princess makeover at Cinderalla's Castle beforehand)? Or that SeaWorld is opening the ultimate water park (think water slides in the water, surrounded by tropical fish or dolphins).
Come back very soon, as I share our first-hand family travel experiences in Orlando.
Posted by Kelby Carr
It wasn't easy making it happen, and it wasn't always easy overcoming the challenges of living abroad and caring for a baby-becoming-toddler. The grandparents thought we were nuts. We sold our house, sold or gave away most of our possessions, sold our cars, and completely uprooted our lives. People don't tend to do that when they become parents.
But to this day, that extended family sabbatical vacation was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
We lived in Nice, but we traveled almost the entire time we were there. The three of us saw most of the South of France, we visited Italy, and we hit many destinations in Northern Spain, such as Barcelona, Pamplona and San Sebastian.
My daughter didn't learn what an elephant was from a book. She saw one at the Barcelona zoo. She learned about her colors at Le Louvre.
You don't have to be rich (we weren't). You don't have to be sophisticated, or stay in four-star hotels (we camped frequently). But you can have an amazing vacation that isn't just gone as quickly as it started. You can have an experience that you and your child will cherish forever.
Posted by Kelby Carr
First, I like to start off by reminding myself why it's so important to travel with kids. They are little sponges, and evidence shows in particular that toddlers learn much better through experience than example. It's a chance to bond.
For someone as hyper as me, it's a great chance to put a stop to all the incessant distractions and tasks and focus just on the kids and the experience.
If you haven't already done so, consider making some travel resolutions for the coming year.
Think family travel is too expensive? Think again.