Summer 2024 Family Vacation - Help Me Plan

[Anonymous]

I'm turning 50 in 2024 and have been saving $50 from my paychecks for 20 years to go on some trip this summer. Initially I wanted to go to Austria/Sound of Music tour, my husband and DD want to go to Japan. Brother and family live in Australia (we've been twice, so not there) but wouldn't mind meeting them somewhere, however they say Japan is too hot during the summer (Australian and US school calendars are obviously not totally aligned and we have to do this during the summer). Our DD will be 12 and the entire family is adventurous.

What have you done that you loved?

[Anonymous]

Hawaii
Azores
Norway

[Anonymous]

It's your 50th, go where you want to go. Austria would be lovely! I would probably go to Austria and do a loop into Switzerland and Northern Italy/Dolomites.

What you enjoy? Do you prefer cities or mountains? Beaches? hiking?

We have loved Maui, Costa Rica, Canada- Banff and BC, US national parks, Taiwan (but I would never go in summer).

[Anonymous]

Your brother is right that Japan is too hot and humid in the summer. If you've been wanting to go to Austria, this sounds like a good opportunity.

[Anonymous]

You chose your because it is your birthday and you worked really hard to make this happen. Go to Austria, but you can let DD and DH choose activities that they would enjoy. There are so many resources online for food tours, kids’ tours, etc. it will be great for everyone!

[Anonymous]

Go wherever you want I mean it's great you have the funds. Not sure how to help? I mean what is your question as there's a lot of great places in the world to see. Maybe avoiding hot places so go North? National Geo adventure? Canada, AK? I'd look at a luxury tour package somewhere v just a destination given you have sone money to spend. It's often not where you go but how you approach the seeing of a place that can be most memorable. Doing it on your own is less exciting sometimes that having someone show you an experience. Depends on your personality. When I go on holiday I want to feel like I am in a movie LOL I don't cook I don't stress I don't need to plan - I get only beauty and luxury. Only top shelf 5 stars and concierge experience - it's like a fantasy

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! We did three weeks in Australia which we loved, spent 10 days this summer in a camper van driving around US National Parks (also a hit), have been to Costa Rica twice. I like the mountains, I like the beach, I'm probably not a five star high-end person but with a kid feel like I've outgrown hostels. It's a big world so I'm not super married to anything...we are watching The Amazing Race and they were in Thailand for two episodes which looked great. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There's are people who you can hire to detail out a custom itinerary to your place of choice. This differs from travel agents who I don't use because they are going to be mainstream oriented as they are commissioned financially. They drop you to tourist places based on your budget.

The planners I'm talking about are research oriented and have experience sharing places where you travel to that are what you want. They usually charge a % of the total cost from
you or a flat fee but it's cool because they set you up and are typically around for support if you need during your trip.

It's hard to find someone but you can find them if you look.

Nat Geo trips are also amazing esp to Alaska.

[Anonymous]

I would do the Galapagos Islands. But if that's too pricey, what about Iceland?

[Anonymous]

Austria is a fun vacation. Why not go there since it was your initial plan. You can dip into some neighboring countries as well.

[Anonymous]

OP - thanks for the feedback. It jogged something I’ve wanted to do for years - Backroads, and they have a family bike trip
that ends in Salzburg. This might be the one, plus I think it would be fun for my only cchikd tween to have other kids with her. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

That sounds great. When you book, ask Backroads about the mix of other participants for the trip and if there are dates with more families/kids. My colleague has gone on a few Backroads trips and loves them but once went on one in which every other participant (besides his family) were women from the same Minnesota book club. It made for a weird dynamic.

[Anonymous]

If you go to Salzburg and like biking, definitely do the Sound of Music bike tour -- it is great!

Also, Austria is a pretty easy place to navigate so not sure if you need Backroads, but it depends on what you want to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's your 50th, go where you want to go. Austria would be lovely! I would probably go to Austria and do a loop into Switzerland and Northern Italy/Dolomites.

What you enjoy? Do you prefer cities or mountains? Beaches? hiking?

We have loved Maui, Costa Rica, Canada- Banff and BC, US national parks, Taiwan (but I would never go in summer).

Why did I just KNOW the first response would suggest Costa Rica?

[Anonymous]

Backroads is amazing!! Highly recommend it. Happy 50th, OP!