Writing for the Dallas Morning News, Lynn O’Rourke Hayes, editor of familytravel.com, offers suggestions on creating a family bucket listy with meaning.
Make your time off mean more
Are you creating your family travel bucket list? Here are five things to consider as you put yours together.
- Let your values lead the way. Ask yourself what aspects — geographically, spiritually and culturally — of the world you want to share with your loved ones. Then create your list of possible destinations and experiences accordingly.
- Share your heritage. Have you spent time in the area where you were raised? Have you toured the Old Country or explored your family’s genealogy? Time spent researching your family story and planning a trip to uncover more detail or to meet long-lost relatives can make for powerful bonding.
- Get back to nature. Head to the Galápagos Islands for friendly wildlife and stunning flora. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, families can kayak, hike, swim and dive among sea lions, flamingos, blue-footed boobies, whales, dolphins and supersized tortoises. Learn about the fragile ecosystem and the dynamic geologic forces that forged the 12 major islands and numerous outcroppings.
- Make it multigenerational. Busy and geographically diverse families often choose vacation time for shared experiences. Join the mother-daughter team of Sarah Aciego, a distinguished glaciochemist, and her mother, professional photographer Mindy Cambiar, for their inaugural tour of West Greenland. The photo-hiking adventure offers a dramatic introduction to glaciers, icebergs, dog-sledding, indigenous life, arctic wildlife and fjords.
- Give back. Make your family holiday about more than relaxing on a beach or museum-hopping in the city. Plan a volunteer vacation that helps those less fortunate. Teach English, read to children, paint a building or help plant a garden. Many resorts and cruise programs offer the opportunity to give back in local communities.
