Summer travel is a peak experience especially for families with kids who've been counting down the days to the last day of school.
Family Camps
photo courtesy of Medomak Family Camp.
Very different from family camping! Family camps are like summer camps for kids but for the whole family: stay in simple lodgings, with meals included, and lots of fun outdoors. Some family camps get very creative with other activities too, such as stilt-walking, or gourd-painting, and for grown-ups, cheese tasting and art gallery trips.
Family Camping and Camping Resorts
My favorite things about family camping: the Great Outdoors; taking a low-cost getaway; bringing along the family dog; getting off the internet/wireless grid (- though that's harder to do these days, with better coverage.)
Meanwhile, those who don't really want to rough it can try Camping Resorts.
Meanwhile, those who don't really want to rough it can try Camping Resorts.
National Parks: Programs for Kids and Families
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
National Parks are awesome destinations in summer. Not only do you get the Great Outdoors, but also many Parks have special features for families, such as Junior Ranger programs for kids, free hikes with a Ranger, and multi-day family programs.
White Water River Rafting
Photo courtesy of O.A.R.S.
River rafting is exciting fun for families: great scenery from the river, plus the excitement of white water. Pick the right Class of river rafting, and even young kids can enjoy the ride. As the season progresses, the rafting gets calmer... Families can even opt out entirely from any "white water" -- most river rafting companies offer an alternative calm river float.
Dude Ranches
Photo courtesy of Tony Conboy III.
Horse-riding, the Great Outdoors, home-cooked meals; cookout under the stars; and maybe a massage and spa treatment... Dude Ranches these days range from rustic working ranches to resort-style luxuries. Many have kids' programs. Pricing typically includes meals and some activities. (Price doesn't always include horse-riding, though!)
Road Trips
Load up the car or minivan, pack in the gear and snacks and kids, and pull onto the highway for a family road trip. Check out tips.
Learn a New Sport Together
Photo courtesy of Lisa Sonne.
Check out a number of ways for families to learn something new together: surfing, river kayaking, trapeze...
Summer Fun at Ski Resorts
Photo courtesy of Winter Park ski resort.
Ski resorts try hard to woo summer travelers, with jazz festivals, food festivals — and, always, plenty of fun for families. Some ski resorts run Family Adventures, with activities in the Great Outdoors (hiking, biking, wilderness challenges...) Or how about a 3030-ft. giant Alpine Slide?
Summer in Europe
Summer travel means an opportunity for festivals. Photo © Teresa Plowright.
The summer months are when Europe's in full bloom: flower boxes bright with color, ice-cream shops doing business day and night, cafe's spilling out onto sidewalks and into squares.. Also prime season for colorful festivals.
Summer Air Travel Tips
Air travel in summer can be the pits. Line-ups are long, flights are packed; in many cities, rainstorms regularly cause delays and cancelled flights; and passengers who miss a connection have a hard time re-booking, because flights are packed.Check out some Summer Travel Survival Tips.Have a Great Staycation
Maybe a vacation this year means not going any where at all, but rather enjoying R & R close to home, and exploring your local town or recreational area the way the tourists do. After all, visitors find plenty to enjoy in your region; and chances are your family's been too busy to do any local sightseeing for -- how long?More Ideas: Affordable; By Region; A to Z; Great Outdoors...
Vacation Home Rental - Photo courtesy of Hotpads.com.
Check out many more summer vacation ideas, for all styles and budgets.
