My wife and I recently realized we only have about 5/6 windows left for "big trips" before our oldest graduates from high school. We know they might still travel some with us after that, but it's much less certain than now. We want to make the most of those trips left.

Places we've done with our kids:

NYC, Seattle, Boston, Florida, Disney World, LA, Hot Springs, Gatlinburg, Alaska, Hawaii, Cancun, Costa Rica, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, London.

Already scheduled for coming year:

Tokyo, Paris, Iceland

If you only had 5-6 trips left before the family dynamic changes, where would you go and why? Remember these trips are usually 7-10 days (Christmas Break, spring break) or a max of two weeks (14 days). No real financial constraints within reason.

Azores - similar to Hawaii but a fraction of the cost and crowds. Tons of fun outdoor activities.

I'd look at hitting some national parks, too - Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone.

The Galapagos was on our list, buy we didn't make it before my son graduated.

As a travel advisor I specialize in family travel also I travel extensively with my girls that are 10 and 11. How many of the US national parks have you done? What activities are the kids into?
One trip I would most certainly add to your list would be Banff Canada . Have you or would you be interested in an African Safari? I have lots of families that is a bucket list item.
What we have done as a family is a dream travel meeting where everyone says the places we would like to go and we are now checking off that list. If you are not working with a travel advisor my contact info is in my bio.

Another great spot to add to your list which is easy to plan is DC.

South America isn't listed already. Maybe Buenos Aires?

African Safari
New Zealand/Australia
South America/ Galapagos
Egypt
Chicago
San Diego
Catamaran around the Caribbean

Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

If you like the beach and all-inclusive, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a great option.

Greek Isles Cruise
Australia/New Zealand

Thank you all for the replies.

Australia/New Zealand is on the list.

Imagine you only had 4-5 more "big trips." Where are you going from this list (or something not here)?

If you are interested in the Carribean...Sandals St Lucia

ETA: I am slow apparently, Sandals is adults only. I still would advise going there someday. It's a beautiful place.

Antarctica would be cool (no pun intended)

I have a client who is goal is to touch every single continent and jump in every single ocean. So this year we booked him to Australia and New Zealand, with a trip to the Maldives as well.

Maybe a trip to the Maldives, Fiji or Bora Bora in a overwater bungalow. But a lot of those are really geared to be shared by two people and not families but I know there are some out there.

Norway looks like a cool place to visit. I had a client who did a cruise up there.

Turkey is on my list as well (although not soon with what's happening in that region).

I got no ideas, but just wanted to say that your children are very fortunate.

Port Aransas.

Ask them what their dreams are?

Then give them the seed money to pursue those dreams.

They have basically already seen the world.

Thank you. I never left the country as a child and only went to one "big" place (NYC) before I graduated. So when we had some financial success our biggest priority over houses, cars, and stuff was travel. It's literally our largest annual expense (we have four kids), but we wouldn't change it for a thing.

I'm right there with you.

We did Tokyo/Kyoto with our 10 &12 yo this year during Spring Break. We did Paris/Bath/London two years ago as soon as the school year ended. I try to alternate every other year with small trip / big trip, wife only / whole family... if that make sense. And yeah, I have to time them during school breaks.

For a smaller trip, we rented an RV and then toured some sites in west Texas/NM: Carlsbad, Guadalupe Peak, Ft. Davis, Balmorhea, etc. We all have very fond memories of this one. (Spring Break)

The next smaller trip I have in mind with them: Smoky Mountains and Dollywood during Fall foliage (mini fall break). I'd also like to revisit the Big Island with them soon.

For big trips:
My bucket list is Australia for my daughter's sweet 16. I have had that one penciled in for a long time.
I'd like to go back to Greece for her senior trip when she graduates.
I want to go back to Ireland as soon as my son is old enough to appreciate a pint of Guinness (maybe when he graduates).

My next two big ones are going to be just me and the Mrs. though!

Awesome! Tell me about Kyoto. I'm looking for a second city to pair with Tokyo. We will also spend a week in Thailand on that trip.

We're planning on two weeks in Australia/New Zealand Christmas 2026. I'm stoked about that one.

Where are you taking the wife? I'm working on a Greece trip for just the two of us now.

My wife and I visited Greece in May 2022. We started in Santorini, then to Milos, and finished in Athens. It was a wonderful trip where everything just went smoothly. I want to repeat it with my kids when they are a bit older.

Next year for us is Argentina. I want to visit every continent so it's time we see South America. We will visit Mendoza (my wife's favorite wine is Malbec), Patagonia, Buenos Aires, Iguazu, and actually finish in Rio de Janeiro. It's been really fun planning this one.

Then for our 20th I'm looking at New Zealand with Fiji. Or possibly Bora Bora, but Fiji is better logistics from DFW (currently). I'm a dreamer and a planner so I'm constantly thinking about the next trip. Thailand and Cambodia are getting high on the list.


Regarding Japan this year, my son picked Tokyo as his favorite. He loves the characters and the tech and the food. My wife, daughter, and I probably lean Kyoto. Both are amazing destinations for Texans that live on a small farm! We did the highlights in Kyoto: hiked to the top of Fushimi Inari-taisha, visited Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavillion), Nijo Castle (my favorite), Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nintendo Musuem (don't waste your time!), etc. Mostly we ate great food and enjoyed wonderful and interesting people.
The Four Seasons Kyoto put it over the top. For some reason they upgraded us to a suite. I may not have a chance to stay in a room like that again!

JMac03 said:

---

Antarctica would be cool (no pun intended)

---

This.

Lima > Machu Picchu > Santiago > Patagonia > Antarctica.

Mainly, get out of the cities, imo. Redwood Nat > Tahoe > Eastern Sierra (Bishop/Alabama Hills) > Yosemite > Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.

Or think timing. You've done Seattle, have you done it in the alpine fall? North Cascade in September for the Larches is the best hiking we've ever done with our daughter. Truly spectacular. Through hike the Enchantments with the Larches - just chef kiss. We'll be in Italy in September trying to time them in Tre Cime di Lavaredo/Val Di Funes.

https://www.thetrekkingmama.com/featured/best-golden-larch-hikes-in-washington/

Or Big Cottonwood in the fall for the aspens? Maroon Bells in the fall? Or hop the San Juans in fall.

Summer, bike only is such a fam jam. Tioga Pass (Yosemite), SR20 (N Cascade), Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier), Paradise/Sunrise (Rainier), McKenzie Pass (Bend), Cascade Lakes Scenic (Bend) all have bike only windows before opening the roads to cars. Pretty cool to have a National Park with such few people and to take it all in on a bike instead of through a car window. First Sunday of August every year is also bike only from Port A to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic.

If you are actually wanting to spend quality time and not the next IG post, pick places with fewer people where time can be spent uninterrupted with just your family and not a bunch of crowds. I suppose you can go to a lot of the places mentioned and simply find places to escape the crowds. Currently researching a 5 - 7 day guided camping trip out of Vancouver Island away from the crowds which would maximize true family time.... however, to each their own. Enjoy the family time, gone before you know it!

gggmann said:

---

Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

---

Totally agree. or Chiang Mai if over Christmas break.

If in summer, then Aussie or Greek Isles.

My advice is to get them out of the US this early in life. So many better places to grow and an added bonus is with family.

Hoyt - we're wanting to do Chang Mai for a few days plus some other beach/tropical place in Thailand (****et before tourism took it over). What suggestions would you have? Kids are between 8-16. Timeframe would be very beginning of June.

aggiefan2002 said:

---

Hoyt - we're wanting to do Chang Mai for a few days plus some other beach/tropical place in Thailand (****et before tourism took it over). What suggestions would you have? Kids are between 8-16. Timeframe would be very beginning of June.

---

Chiang Mai will be in monsoon season in June, but a great time to go honestly. It will be a little rainy, cooler and pleasant. It is not going to rain all day, so just step in a coffee shop for a bit when it does rain. I would carry a poncho in my backpack. You will save a ton of money as it is low season.

I would say Samui for the island destination. It is the start of their peak season, but worth it and most islands are in rainy season tbh. Stay in Lamai, Bang Rak beach or Fisherman's Village. Tons to do on the island. If you have 2 weeks, you could ferry to Koh Tao, an epicenter of scuba diving, and get certified as a family. I think that would be a really special experience. Also do a cooking school, snorkel trip, waterfall trip and surfing lessons.

As a family, I would consider a vrbo and get a hillside villa with a pool or something of the like, but you wont get breakfast so it is a tradeoff. Whatever you choose, book it at least 3 months in advance. I am headed to Samui in September for 3 weeks and staying here as we like the area and the hotel. Also staying in Chaweng for a week at The Briza. The beachside villa is unreal. Other hotels I recommend are Sandalwood Villas, Lamai Bayview Boutique Resort, Rocky's, The Culture and Bandara.

Be sure to book this exact tour. I've done many and It truly is the best one for visiting the park. Book as soon as possible since it is a small boat.
https://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/koh-samui-l898/mu-ko-ang-thong-park-semi-private-sunset-cruise-tour-t143955/?ranking_uuid=2a50899b-b714-4bb5-a8ba-743c8b216432

Also this one
https://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/koh-samui-l898/from-koh-samui-tree-bridge-zipline-and-cafe-t539381/?ranking_uuid=2a50899b-b714-4bb5-a8ba-743c8b216432

If you need more info on Samui or Thailand, my email is in my profile. Been all over and happy to help however I can.

Agree with DC, especially since your kids are likely learning about history in school.