How to plan a family trip

Explorandes sent us with a fantastic team and we had a great time in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca.

This past week I went on a group trip with Explorandes, organized by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and it was a great experience. It reminded me of all those times a group gets along so well we feel like family by the end of the trip. Whether you’re planning a trip with chosen family or the family you were born into, these five tips will help you plan a trip everybody will enjoy.

1. Consider everybody’s needs.

Before you start the list of what people want to do, make sure you know what everybody has to do. Does somebody have a special diet that must be accommodated? Is there a nap time you need to plan around? Are there medical routines or needs that have to be factored in? Does somebody in the group have a wheelchair or limited mobility? List the non-negotiables for everybody on the trip and reference it throughout the planning process.

2. Start with travel logistics.

Where is everybody starting from? Are you all in the same city and can carpool to the airport or are you spread across the globe and all traveling separately? Who prefers to travel alone and who needs to be accompanied? Compare both costs and practicalities for everybody to get to the destination.

cooking class in Cusco Peru Marcelo Batata — I’ve tried several cooking classes in Cusco and my favorite was Marcelo Batata.

3. Plan activities that will be enjoyable in the moment.

Don’t get ahead of yourself by planning what you think will make good memories, focus on what will be fun while you’re on the trip. Hands-on activities like cooking classes or making your own chocolate may be more enjoyable than walking tours or museums. Don’t get too caught up in the destination. It’s okay to go to Napa and not tour wineries, especially if not everybody likes wine. Focus on activities that will be fun bonding experiences in the moment.

wine tasting in Ica Peru — I loved my wine tasting tours in Ica, Peru with Buganvilla Tours.

4. Build choice and breakout groups into the itinerary.

If you’re in Napa and half the group loves wine, but the other half is underage or simply doesn’t drink, plan a “choose your own adventure” day. Schedule a winery tour at the same time as an activity like bowling or an afternoon on a guided sailboat tour. Besides creating choice for different interests, it also lets big groups split into smaller ones, so people don’t feel overwhelmed by always being in a big group.

how to plan groups trips and family trips — Plan some calm activities like visiting a park or walking by a lake like this one at Manu BioLodge.

5. Schedule down time.

Don’t leave holes in the itinerary but plan restful activities like a picnic or a movie. This is especially important if you’re working around a regularly scheduled naptime. Some of the group may have to stay in while kids nap, but others may want to do something lowkey at the same time. Check out local theaters for matinees and go to local library websites to find story time or other quiet afternoon activities.

Bonus: Get an expert.

I hope you can plan a trip with just these tips, but if you’re juggling a job, parenting and caring for your parents, you should hire a travel planner. People hire wedding planners, doulas, personal trainers and life coaches, so hiring a travel planner makes sense, even if you’re not leaving the country. Don’t let the planning overwhelm you to the point that you don’t get to have a family trip at all: outsource anything that’s too much. If you’re coming to Peru, contact me to schedule a travel call so I can help you plan.

Travel Tip 156