#family-vacations

#family-vacations

The one big vacation I went on as a child was a road trip out west to South Dakota and Yellowstone. We were in a tornado, visited all of the tourist traps, parks and hiked all over Yellowstone. My brothers and I still reminisce about our big adventures on that trip.

This coming summer, Schloss Elmau in Germany's Bavarian Alps will offer children over the age of six soccer clinics run by top German soccer clubs, a literary workshop that culminates in producing a bound book, and classes on artificial intelligence and coding. No, this isn't an elite European finishing school or even a summer camp-it's a luxury hotel. Schloss Elmau is one in a growing set of hotels offering enriching activities for younger guests in the summer.

It doesn't mean you don't love them. It doesn't mean they're not welcome," Green, an occupational therapist, explained in the video. She went on to describe the desire for time with "your own kids, the ones you raised, the ones you survived life with, the ones you rocked through teething and heartbreak and their first apartment," adding that such relationships "deserve their own space too.

Though a piece of our hearts will always belong in the "Ahh! Adulting!" era, these days, us millennials are the ones traveling with young kids. That shift has redirected vacations from the overstimulation of our hustle-culture years toward something more intentional, prioritizing presence and connection with loved ones. And the data backs it up. Hilton's 2026 Trends Report surveyed 14,000 travelers across 14 countries, and this year's data sends a clear message: vacationers want their time off to feel meaningful.

Fall makes the whole world seem different - and not just because of the changing leaves. Suddenly, you can wander for hours outside without melting in the heat, seasonal produce and holiday dishes hit dinner tables, shops buzz with back-to-school energy, and everything seems to vibrate with a sense of possibility. (The spirit of renewal isn't just for spring.)

Nearly 30 years ago, we went on a vacation with my two little boys to Sanibel Island. We chose a pizza place because, why not? But the pizza they served was, of course, different from our pizza at home. I remember watching with dismay as my oldest son, Nat, who has fairly profound autism, took a bite, scrunched up his face, and said, "Vacation" with angry tears in his voice.

Disney World is not just a theme park; it's an experience steeped in nostalgia, magic, and family memories that largely justifies its rising costs.

"It's peak season in the holiday calendar as children escape school and parents take a well-earned summer break."

Each Caribbean island offers a unique blend of experiences, from Dominica's hiking trails to Barbados' vibrant cultural scene, catering to all travelers' desires.