Top 5 Tips for Crafting Unforgettable Graduation Trips

Jamie Jones • June 28, 2024

Celebration trips, specifically graduation, are an excellent way to bond with your graduate before you set them off to the world.  Families are saving the big trips - African safari, Galapagos, Alaska, Europe - to celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next for both the graduates and the parents. Our team likes to start the graduation celebration trip early with our clients - most when their graduate is in 9th grade. It may feel like the cap and gown is ages away but the years go by fast! Following are 5 things to consider so that you and your graduate have the best experience possible.

Investment
Discuss how much you want to invest in this once in a lifetime experience. The transition from high school or college to the next stage of life may be the last time you will be able to take a big trip for years.  The graduation trip is going to be an investment. It is best to begin preparing for this well in advance.  Our team at WhirlAway Travel helps many families plan 2 + years out so that you can make travel decisions based on the experiences you want and reduce the stress around sticker shock for this once in a lifetime trip.


Graduate Insight 
Get input from the graduate on where they want to go and what interests them.  You may be surprised with where they are interested in traveling to. If they are at a loss, connect them with your travel advisor. We will be able to ask the right questions to give them some ideas that will pique interest and excitement.


The Guest List

Decide who is going on this trip. Will it be for the entire family or just parents and graduate? Will grandparents want to join? We have seen more grandparents enjoy gifting a celebration trip to the graduate. It is a way to create memories together that will last far longer than a check towards books or tuition.


Impact
Tie in a community project during the trip.  This could be donating a well to a village in Cambodia or sponsoring a child through their schooling.  There are many opportunities to have an impact and teach your family about giving back that will make an impression long after the trip is complete.  We have heard from travelers that this has been the most meaningful part of their travel.


Timing
Our biggest piece of advice is when to go.  During or after their junior year of high school or college is the sweet spot here.  The rationale?  There is a lot going on after graduation - parties, getting ready for college, a new job or even a solo self-discovery trip before their next life chapter.  A big trip can be stressful or just not feasible.  Traveling before graduation allows your family to bond and create memories without the distractions of what will be a big transition in their lives.

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