7 International Trips for Kids - Where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you do 11 days over Thanksgiving without missing school?

I’m okay with missing a day or two before and after the break for a big trip like this.

Is this a private school? I've never heard of a week long Thanksgiving break. Typically in high school you can't leave early without missing major exams.

It's pretty common in private schools and becoming more common in public schools. My kids public high school had the whole week off this year for the first time.

In the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Alaska

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general, 17 days over winter break you can do some further places that are warmer like Thailand, India, Vietnam, UAE, Morocco, Egypt (all placed we've gone and enjoyed).

For shorter periods like spring break, it'll be extremely expensive but Europe / South America / Caribbean. Thanksgiving would be a less expensive time to do these places as well. I've been with kids and enjoyed Istanbul, Paris, Italy, Greece, Croatia, England, Ireland, etc.

Oh, Morocco is a good one! I would love to go to Egypt but heard so many mixed things about the safety of the trip. Would you consider taking teens? Did you prefer Morocco or Istanbul? Which is better for kids/ teens. My kids are pretty easy going and like doing excursions over sightseeing. We are limited by the breaks and would prefer to find good destinations for Thanksgiving break because we often ski for Spring Break but are flexible. Obviously saving a lot on flights is a big benefit for going over Thanksgiving, I’ve found it’s inexpensive to go to places like Europe that week but weather isn’t always great that time of year either.

When you have school-aged kids and won't travel in the summer you can't really be picky about weather lol! I've been to Europe in the winter a lot and still very much so enjoyed it. As the Danish say, there is no bad weather just bad clothing.

My husband is military and works in the middle east so security wasn't a concern, but we used tour companies with ties to the US embassy so they were well versed in the security needed in Eygpt. At times you might have an armed guard. When we went no guard was needed. Hands down, this was the most amazing trip for my 9 year old. He still talks about it today. So I would not skip on Egypt.

Morocco was fun as well - we stayed and toured with friends that were stationed there. Morocco was a bit more shopping-forward with the Medinas. My son lost his mind over the camel butcher lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you do 11 days over Thanksgiving without missing school?

I’m okay with missing a day or two before and after the break for a big trip like this.

Is this a private school? I've never heard of a week long Thanksgiving break. Typically in high school you can't leave early without missing major exams.

It's pretty common in private schools and becoming more common in public schools. My kids public high school had the whole week off this year for the first time.

In the DC area?

Yes- was surprised when the calendar came out.

[Anonymous]

Norway/Sweden (do Norway in a nutshell)

Provence

Portugal/Spain

[Anonymous]

Def London and Paris in one trip. That has been my kids fave trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have my twins 7 more years until they graduate and they have not been abroad except for Costa Rica and Mexico.

We can usually only travel during Thanksgiving (11 days), Spring Break (11 Days) or Winter Break (17 days). Missing Christmas isn’t a big deal. No summer travel, we visit family out of state.

I’m trying to put together 7 trips you would want to take your kids on before graduating HS. Sporty, active boys, not particularly interested in art or museums. Somewhat interested in history and enjoy learning about different cultures, customs, etc. Where would you go? We plan to do one international trip a year until my sons turn 18 and graduates. They are 10.

You should add some variety to give them a 360 view of this world. Imo, Italy, India, Kenya,China,Egypt, Australia, Peru can be great options.

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of hiking and have traveled quite a bit (I travel for work and will add in a day or two at the end). I've personally loved hiking in Norway, Ireland, and New Zealand. I've had great trips in the US in Acadia National Park. My favorite place for a swim/hike/bike vacation was the Big Island of Hawaii.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amsterdam, Paris, London, Japan-Tokyo/Kyoto, Vienna/Salzburg, Greece, Italy-Rome/Venice/Florence

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have my twins 7 more years until they graduate and they have not been abroad except for Costa Rica and Mexico.

We can usually only travel during Thanksgiving (11 days), Spring Break (11 Days) or Winter Break (17 days). Missing Christmas isn’t a big deal. No summer travel, we visit family out of state.

I’m trying to put together 7 trips you would want to take your kids on before graduating HS. Sporty, active boys, not particularly interested in art or museums. Somewhat interested in history and enjoy learning about different cultures, customs, etc. Where would you go? We plan to do one international trip a year until my sons turn 18 and graduates. They are 10.

London so many things for teens that are not museams. See a show for sure,
Amsterdam (The cheese museam, food, culture, contemporary museam, easy walking, canals boat tours etc...)
Canada Montreal see a hockey game
Japan is fabulous for teens so many things to do not museams.

[Anonymous]

Here’s my top 7 for you if long flights are not an issue: Egypt plus Jordan, China plus Hong Kong, Brisbane and Melbourne/Aus, Galapagos / Ecuador, Alaska, then hit Italy/Spain/Switz and Germany in a long trip.

maybe 7 trips - 7 continents? If Antarctica is too expensive or I get blown up as usual on dcum for suggesting it, I would still do the other six.

This is a really cool idea OP and it’s awesome of you to do it - what a great way to see the world before college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have my twins 7 more years until they graduate and they have not been abroad except for Costa Rica and Mexico.

We can usually only travel during Thanksgiving (11 days), Spring Break (11 Days) or Winter Break (17 days). Missing Christmas isn’t a big deal. No summer travel, we visit family out of state.

I’m trying to put together 7 trips you would want to take your kids on before graduating HS. Sporty, active boys, not particularly interested in art or museums. Somewhat interested in history and enjoy learning about different cultures, customs, etc. Where would you go? We plan to do one international trip a year until my sons turn 18 and graduates. They are 10.

First thing that you should learn is that 10 years old will like different things at 14 and 17. Plan your 2026 trip now, but not the rest of the trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general, 17 days over winter break you can do some further places that are warmer like Thailand, India, Vietnam, UAE, Morocco, Egypt (all placed we've gone and enjoyed).

For shorter periods like spring break, it'll be extremely expensive but Europe / South America / Caribbean. Thanksgiving would be a less expensive time to do these places as well. I've been with kids and enjoyed Istanbul, Paris, Italy, Greece, Croatia, England, Ireland, etc.

Oh, Morocco is a good one! I would love to go to Egypt but heard so many mixed things about the safety of the trip. Would you consider taking teens? Did you prefer Morocco or Istanbul? Which is better for kids/ teens. My kids are pretty easy going and like doing excursions over sightseeing. We are limited by the breaks and would prefer to find good destinations for Thanksgiving break because we often ski for Spring Break but are flexible. Obviously saving a lot on flights is a big benefit for going over Thanksgiving, I’ve found it’s inexpensive to go to places like Europe that week but weather isn’t always great that time of year either.

When you have school-aged kids and won't travel in the summer you can't really be picky about weather lol! I've been to Europe in the winter a lot and still very much so enjoyed it. As the Danish say, there is no bad weather just bad clothing.

My husband is military and works in the middle east so security wasn't a concern, but we used tour companies with ties to the US embassy so they were well versed in the security needed in Eygpt. At times you might have an armed guard. When we went no guard was needed. Hands down, this was the most amazing trip for my 9 year old. He still talks about it today. So I would not skip on Egypt.

Morocco was fun as well - we stayed and toured with friends that were stationed there. Morocco was a bit more shopping-forward with the Medinas. My son lost his mind over the camel butcher lol.

That’s so cool you got to experience that with him! Do you know how to find US embassy tied tour agencies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a big fan of hiking and have traveled quite a bit (I travel for work and will add in a day or two at the end). I've personally loved hiking in Norway, Ireland, and New Zealand. I've had great trips in the US in Acadia National Park. My favorite place for a swim/hike/bike vacation was the Big Island of Hawaii.

I want to do either NZ or Australia but probably not both. I think Australia seems more fitting for my kids. They like snorkeling and surfing and animals.

We have actually been to the big island several times! Love it!! We love Mauna Kea beach. Maine is on my list for a shorter trip maybe squeezed in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here’s my top 7 for you if long flights are not an issue: Egypt plus Jordan, China plus Hong Kong, Brisbane and Melbourne/Aus, Galapagos / Ecuador, Alaska, then hit Italy/Spain/Switz and Germany in a long trip.

maybe 7 trips - 7 continents? If Antarctica is too expensive or I get blown up as usual on dcum for suggesting it, I would still do the other six.

This is a really cool idea OP and it’s awesome of you to do it - what a great way to see the world before college.

Thanks! This is so helpful. Antartica would be a bucket list but wondering what the cost for a family of 4 is. Maybe that’s one left last when they are older and can appreciate it.