There is no better means to teach your children than through travel, and no better classroom than the world around us. Exposure to other cultures and ways of life will equip them to be more open-minded people, and to appreciate others around them. Travelling to far flung locations will inspire them to set large goals and widen their view of life. Spending time together travelling will cement deep bonds, and provide memories to last a lifetime.

Travel opens doors for children, both on the trip and after their return home.

Many parents fear that taking a “big trip” – be that an expensive cruise, an expansive European tour, or an exotic getaway to Asia – will be “lost” on their children. This kind of thinking delays these sort of trips. As children grow, their schedules fill up. There are only so many precious years before they strike out on their own. The time is now, and children can absorb a lot more than we give them credit for.

Beginning great travel – memorable and extraordinary travel – at a young age sets great precedents for children. It teaches them from an early time that the entire world, not just the part they see everyday, is real and special. When children grow up seeing (and hopefully interacting with) peoples, cultures, and situations other than their own, they develop a deeper empathy and understanding of the world. Suddenly other countries and continents aren’t just words in a book or a picture on a map, but real places with people they can identify. This later produces adults who value the entire world, and are more likely to care deeply about others.

Formal education is wonderful, and nothing can substitute the experience and knowledge children gain in school. However, few things can reinforce it more than travel. Travel is a great addendum to an education. Vacations can be a time to nurse a child’s imagination and curiosity. It takes them out of their comfort zone in order to expand it, resulting in kids who develop a true zeal for learning and experiencing new things.

Travel can also aid children when they get back to the classroom, providing them with experiences and narratives to fuel their reports and projects, and give them a leg up as they learn the facts to correspond to the new places they’ve seen.

Travel is a chance to actively engage in your children’s education on a whole new level. Open their eyes to new things and hold their hands as you walk the great stage that is our world. Show your children how exciting it can be, and give them gifts that will last through their entire lives.

There are so many benefits to family travel. The truth is that you never know until you go, and you’ll only delay the benefits if you wait for “later” to come. So think about your next trip, let us help you find a great location through our regional Spotlights and family-ready Itineraries.