Family Travel Grows Up
Are your kids now older teens and young adults? It’s the perfect time to plan a trip.
Family travel can take on a new dimension as your children get older, with destinations and experiences that reflect their changing interests, growing independence, and evolving perspectives. The WhirlAway team knows how to find the right fit for everyone, drawing on firsthand experience traveling with our own families. From a 3 a.m. hot-air-balloon launch in Türkiye to a cliffside cave bar in Menorca, these four trips prove there’s still so much to discover together.
Jenny Seal, Luxury Travel Advisor
Who: Me, my husband, and our three daughters, Olivia (24), Abigail (20), and Emily (18)
Where: Istanbul, Ephesus, Göreme, and Cesme,Türkiye.
When: Twelve days in August.
Why:
I wanted our family to experience a culture, specifically a religion, different from our own. Nothing can teach my girls more than exploring the world to witness how others live while gaining exposure to diverse beliefs.
We’ll never forget: Waking up at 3 a.m. to meet our hot-air balloon pilot, watching the sunrise over the fairy chimneys, experiencing the overwhelming sense of calm as we floated over the Cappadocia region, and celebrating with a champagne picnic breakfast at the conclusion of our flight. Experiencing new things with my adult children is a different level of magic that only happens by sharing these moments through their more mature perspective.
Amy Smolders, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Who: Me, my husband Raymond, and our children, Dylan (22) and Colin (19).
Where: Valencia and Menorca, Spain.
When: Ten days in early June.
Why: With busy summer schedules, we wanted to maximize our time together, so Spain’s relatively short flight made it an easy choice. We’ve visited Spain before, but we wanted to discover destinations beyond the obvious—Valencia and Menorca exceeded our expectations. Fewer crowds allowed us to experience each destination more authentically, while Spain’s relaxed pace gave everyone the freedom to enjoy the trip in their own way. Add in stunning rooftop terraces, exceptional cuisine, and pristine beaches, and it was exactly the kind of vacation we were hoping for!
We’ll never forget:
I always like to plan one surprise experience on our family trips, and this year it was a VIP table at a natural cave bar and nightclub built directly into the seaside cliffs. Armed with nothing more than instructions to “dress nicely,” the boys had no idea what was in store. They were thrilled when we arrived, and watching the sun set over the Mediterranean from such an extraordinary setting made the evening unforgettable. Later that night, they told me how much they both love these surprises and appreciate that they have evolved as their interests have changed over the years. This comment reminded me that one of the best parts of traveling as a family is that the experiences grow right along with your children and it’s such a joy to discover the world together.
Angie McCusker, Luxury Travel Coordinator
Who:
Me, my husband Gary, and our children Molly (22) and Lily (18).
Where:
Sorrento and Rome, Italy, with a stop in Pompeii and a day trip on a private boat to Capri.
When:
Ten days in late June.
Why:
We scheduled it to celebrate Molly and Lily’s high school and college graduations. The girls had never been to Italy before, and Gary and I had never been to Sorrento so we all wanted to go. There was something for everyone: the pool and beach club for relaxation, and historical parts in Pompeii and Rome. We knew the girls would love all the Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.
We’ll never forget:
Riding Vespas through Rome and seeing the most gorgeous sunset, the beautiful views of Capri as we lounged on a private boat, and the delicious food at every restaurant, especially the food we made ourselves at a Sorrento cooking class.
Rachel Pentz, Trip Execution Manager
Who: Me, my husband Bill, and our children Ben (19), Elena (17), and Matthew (11).
Where: Las Vegas. It was the kids’ first time. I’ve been there nearly 25 years ago, and Bill has gone for work and fun a few times.
When did you go: Six days in early August.
Why: After our older son’s collegiate athletic team schedule was published, a previously booked European adventure to see the eclipse in Northern Spain needed to be cancelled. Bill had recently been on a guys' trip to Las Vegas to see his favorite band Phish at the Sphere and came home saying it was a not-to-miss experience. As we developed the itinerary with Abercrombie & Kent, we realized Las Vegas would be a something-for-everyone destination.
We’ll never forget: For my husband Bill, truly relaxing during a kayak trip down the Colorado River was a welcome break from work—and the heat! The 58-degree water temp felt terrific. (Our smart and engaging guide Ian deserves a shout-out—he personally connected with all of us!). Ben is a runner who can’t get enough calories, so his first and last meals and all other food in between were highlights—from the casual In and Out Burger (none in the Philly area!) to the steak frites at upscale Mon Ami Gabi’s in front of the Bellagio Fountains. For Elena,
The Wizard of Oz
at the Sphere was phenomenal. As a musical theater buff, she choked up at the beginning, could not believe how real the tornado felt, and didn’t want it to end—that’s basically, how the whole trip felt the entire time! Matthew’s favorite was the [interactive art installation] Area 15 and its Omega Mart. He found the secret passageways he saw on YouTube and he led the rest of us through the entire way! For me, I loved learning that if the Hoover Dam released Lake Mead into our state of Pennsylvania, we’d be covered in a foot of water! During our private tour of the dam, we went 500 feet underground to see the inner workings. We all felt so small at this technological marvel.
