Trips to strengthen family bonds
Sian Pages – Travel Planner
As the milestones change, and the moments of family time together seem less frequent, those small humans that used to rely on us for everything are looking to flee the nest and have trips of their own.
Finding ways of capturing their imagination and savouring the time spent as a family becomes challenging. Holidays need to be engaging, unique and something that reaches them on a different level.
Moments like these are not only a detox from regular life, but a chance to develop life skills and achieve a calm mindset with which to face the world again.
The following trips have been thoughtfully designed to enrich your time together. To not only help teens navigate this time, but the whole family too.
1. Morocco
Hidden away in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, you will have a base here at Kasbah Tamadot. A place to reflect and return to after immersing yourself in the culture. You will have the opportunity to meet with local families and enjoy getting involved in some truly unforgettable traditions – having lunch with residents, partaking in the delectable mint tea ceremony and getting to know local charity organisations and why they’re so important.
Highlights of a trip like this include:
- Understand the importance of education and witnessing first hand, how the donations at the local schools and girls boarding houses are so well received
- Learn how to make Moroccan mint tea and traditional bread in a Berber kitchen
- Hike the Anfa Trek, scaling the nearby Asloun peak
- Mule trek into the mountains to enjoy lunch with a local family
- Private cookery lesson, including a three course meal to true-Moroccan taste
- Create a keepsake and meet local artisans at Eve Branson’s Tamgounssi Weaving Centre
2. Indonesia
Being the biggest archipelago in the world, it makes sense that each island of Indonesia is entirely different. Some, are fast paced – like the traffic filled with scooters and tuk-tuks, while others are unhurried and enjoy a quiet, relaxed pace that lends itself to reflection and meditation. Both ways are a magical shock to the system that come together to make a trip full of possibilities for every generation.
Highlights of a trip like this include:
- Create your own piece of jewellery to take home, after a private tour of designer John Hardy’s workshop
- Cycle from Batukaru to Jatiluwih, and visit temples, vanilla and coffee plantations and natural hot springs
- White-water raft down the Ayung River and drive a jungle ATV track before dinner at Locavore Restaurant
- Dine like royalty at a traditional “Royal Tugudom” feast and theatrical performance Explore Balinese religious offerings and traditions alongside a local family
- Trek to Sumba’s Mataynagu Waterfall and visit to the Sumba Foundation with the opportunity to get involved in some of their projects
3. USA road trip
Allow me a moment. I admit, this trip is one my family and I are about to take at the end of this month and I couldn’t be more excited!
We all know that the coasts of the USA are beauty spots and a firm family favourite when undertaking a road trip, but you’re missing out on all that the National Parks have to offer.
From the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the unmatched dark skies of Utah and Zion National Park. Hiking the Narrows with the family, or witnessing nature’s beauty in Antelope Canyon. You really will not want to miss a thing!
Highlights of a trip like this include:
- Off-road coral pink sand dunes on a family ATV adventure
- Check off bucket-list sights including the Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon,
stopping off at remarkable landmarks - Wander the Navajo nation with a local guide to learn about the histories of Arizona’s Lower Antelope Canyon and Navajo Nation Tribal Park at Monument Valley
- Private speedboat around Lake Powell’s Rainbow Bridge, exploring usually hard-to-access side canyons
- Dine under the stars with a local chef, to the backdrop of an incredible outlook
- Witness a birds-eye-view of the Grand Canyon from your private helicopter
Get in touch
If you’d like to discuss future travel plans you have in mind, get in contact with our in-house travel consultant, Sian Pages, on sian.pages@notjusttravel.com.
Sian will be more than happy to spend time talking you through your options; remembering her service is delivered at no cost to clients and professional connections of Longhurst.
Happy Adventures!
