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Recently, someone asked me if I ever get sick of traveling, Although I may experience travel burnout if I travel too much in a short time frame, I don’t get sick of traveling. Why not? No two trips are the same. Plus, my family likes to alternate the type of trips we take. Over the years, we’ve tried all types of travel to satisfy our travel bug. As our kids age, the type of trips we can handle change. So, we adjust and gravitate to some types of travel more than others.
Resort Getaway
When my kids were a bit younger, we loved going to hotel resorts with lots of amenities. We used points for free rooms and took advantage of Hyatt status for free lounge access and room upgrades. Our favorites include Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Hyatt Regency Hill Country, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point and Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak. A few times, my husband and I got to enjoy a quiet dinner while our kids had fun in the kids club. Lazy rivers, fireworks, carnivals….our resort experiences provided a lot of entertainment.
Now that are kids are older, we are shying away from this type of getaway. The main reason is that we prefer to stay in condos or houses for more space. Plus, visiting the same resorts over an over can feel repetitive. But, these short resort getaways were the perfect way to recharge our batteries without a lot of pre-planning or schlepping around.
The Big City
Visiting New York City with our kids for the first time was so exciting! While my husband and I had each visited before, it was a special thrill taking our kids. Since we live in the suburbs, spending time in big cities is such a shocking experience. We are in sensory overload. Oh, the views, the restaurants, the skyscrapers!
The downside is that, at least for me and my family, visiting big cities is exhausting. Walking 1/2 mile in NYC is nothing like walking 1/2 mile in our neighborhood. We have to concentrate more on dodging people and cars and pay attention to stop lights, crosswalks and directions. I always leave New York City feeling completely depleted of energy (and money!) Visiting big cities will always be something on my vacation wish list, but there’s no way I could do it for all of our trips.
Theme Parks
When I was a kid, I wanted every vacation to include a theme park. I think I drove my parents crazy. But let’s face it, rides are fun! My kids are totally stoked about going to Disney World and Universal this summer.
But realistically, visiting theme parks is exhausting. Standing all day and getting blisters from walking is no picnic. I wish all Disney hotels had foot massage stations for the weary park-goers at the end of the day. That’s why we’ve drifted away from frequent theme park vacations in favor of cruise vacations.
Cruises
Yes, I’m a huge fan of cruising, and so is my entire family. It’s the ultimate relaxing vacation with food and entertainment right at your fingertips. The kids are happy, the adults are happy, everyone is happy.
My family hasn’t had the opportunity to lose interest in cruising because, due to the cost, it’s not something we can do multiple times in a year. But I imagine maybe there’s a point where we’d get sick of the same entertainment and the same islands. We’re just not there yet. I can’t wait to cruise again!
All-inclusive Resorts
My family has only been to one all-inclusive resort, but my kids still talk about it fondly. It’s like being on a cruise on land. Food and entertainment are within a short walk, there is entertainment for everyone, and the kids can eat and drink as much as they want.
We hope to return to an all-inclusive resort later this year.
Beach Trip
I love looking at water, and I would happily walk on a beach every day. My family’s beach vacations are typically laid-back and relaxing (see my last beach trip review).
That said, there are too many places in the world we want to explore that are not at the beach. I hope to make it to the beach at least once a year, but our other trips need to be somewhere else.
International Exploration
In 2019, my family traveled to Australia and New Zealand. The trip required a lot of miles and points as well as cash and planning. We schlepped around to different attractions every day, and we were always on the go. If we’re going to fly that far and put so many resources into a trip, we’re not just going to sit in a hotel room.
The trip was amazing, yet tiring. We all grew weary the last few days, and our kids said they wished the trip would have been shorter. Yet after we all had time to process the trip, even the kids admitted it was such a fantastic experience. Seeing two new countries was totally worth the “pain.”
I am in the early planning process of a trip to Europe next year. I know that I couldn’t deal with multiple long international vacations every year, but every other year or every three years seems reasonable.
Adults-only Trips
I absolutely recommend adults-only trips as part of a “family” travel plan. My husband and I have only had one trip to ourselves since having kids, but we would do it every year if I had the opportunity.
What’s Missing–Road Trips, National Parks, Camping
There are a few trip categories that are noticeably absent from my family’s vacation itineraries. We are horrible at road trips, my family hates hiking and my husband refuses to go camping.
Sure, we’ve taken short road trips to resorts and cities in Texas. But the one time we drove to Colorado? It was difficult and not worth repeating.
I really enjoy hiking, but the rest of my family does not. Any time I mention visiting a national park, everyone groans.
Two of my kids would be up for camping, but my husband is not open to the idea unless we’re in a cabin. And then does it really even count? Probably not.
Road trips, national parks and camping are a huge part of many families’ travel plans. But, not for my family. And that’s ok.
My Ideal Travel Mix
If time, money, miles and points were unlimited, here is my ideal travel mix:
- Beach vacation for a week every year
- All-inclusive for a few nights every year
- 7-night Cruise every year
- Adults-only getaway yearly
- Theme park trip every other year
- International exploration travel every other year
- Big city trip every other year
Ha, a girl can dream, right?
What type of travel do you enjoy most?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Lovely content, Thanks for sharing this amazing content. I know many families who do likewise. I get it, it’s a family custom. Yet, I’d likewise need to sprinkle on a couple of new places.
Love this. I know so many people that go to the same beach in Florida and stay at the same hotel/condo every single year. Don’t you want to explore more? See different places? Experience different things? I just don’t get it.
I know quite a few families who do the same. I get it, it’s a family tradition. But I’d also have to sprinkle on a few new places. 🙂