People often ask us if there’s a social deficiency for our children, being raised on the road, weaving in and out of so many different cultures. It’s a serious question, and it deserves serious consideration. My answer is always, “No, growing up in the world is the most socially healthy experience any child could have.”...

“You really have to WANT to do this, don’t you, Dear?” Ann’s words have echoed in my mind as her sweet, octogenarian face has pleasantly haunted my afternoon walks. We wandered slowly through the natural bridge outside of Waitomo with her and her husband, Ross. I quietly got the kids’ attention and encouraged them to...

Cost/day: $50/day What’s the strangest thing that's happened lately? We left the beach life in Nicaragua and are housesitting in the mountains of Costa Rica, above San Jose. I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant, but that doesn't stop us from taking a trip to the beach after we've been here a couple of weeks. You can...

Cost/day: $30/day What’s the strangest thing that's happened lately? After crossing two borders in one day , and hanging out in León and Las Peñitas, we've finally found a place to stay for a little while. My oldest son discovered a bat on the floor in the room where's he's staying in our rented beach...

There is a moment on every trip where I recognize just how embedded in my being the cultural norms from my home country really are. Like most travelers, I seem to see norms revolving around eating, social interactions, personal space, even pace of walking pop up around almost every corner as I explore foreign streets....

Cost/day: $100/day What’s the strangest thing that's happened lately? We left El Salvador and crossed the Honduras AND Nicaragua border in one day with our five kids (and ran out of money at the Nicaragua border.) Oh, and I'm six months pregnant. Describe a typical day: This was an untypical day... after being unable to...

Cost/day: $55/day What’s the strangest thing that's happened lately? Between my husband and my son, they were stung three times during the one week we were in El Salvador! Describe a typical day: We're driving most days, exploring the coast and searching for a place where we could possibly rent a house. Stopping at towns...

Cost: $22/adults $12.50/kids What’s the coolest thing you’ve done lately? Extreme Bungee!! Get strapped into a harness and shot into the air with up to 4G forces pressing against your body… basically you’re a human catapult. That’s extreme bungee. Describe the experience: We are picked up by Lionel who owns and runs Xtreme Bungee ....

You can trust me when I say that any morning beginning with vomit and a side order of anti-diarrheals with breakfast for two thirds of the family is a harbinger of things to come. Add the words “chicken bus” to the breakfast conversation and it’s the perfect storm of endlessly horrific possibilities. Every single chicken...

We’ve always been big on making a game out of learning new skills, and turning even the ho-hum into an adventure for our kids. When they were tiny and we were preparing to take them to exotic places for the first time, we came up with a series of games we played at home to...

Cost/day: $40/day What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? Sidewalks! Living in Latin America for the past year and a half, sidewalks are unseen and non-existent... but not in Antigua, they have sidewalks to walk on, even if they are skinny and crowded. Describe a typical day: In the morning we head out to walk...

Cost/day: $32/day What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? It's 'strange' to observe the traditional celebrations of another culture as an outsider. Our family of seven is currently observing the holiday traditions of León, Nicaragua (and Las Peñitas, the nearby beach town.) Describe a typical day: The atmosphere in the city of León is becoming...

One of the great things about Europe is its magnificent Christmases, when the frosty air is infused with a spirit of joy and celebration. From Scotland to Slovakia, a smorgasbord of culture is on display as each country celebrates with its own unique traditions. This is the second in a series about the Continent’s various...

Cost/day: $40/day What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? GIGANTIC kites made from tissue paper, tape and bamboo. Incredible and beautiful! Describe a typical day: Awoke this morning at The Homestead , ready for our trip to explore Guatemala before heading south to El Salvador. First stop? The Giant Kite Festival in Sumpango, in celebration...

We’re taking this family adventure to the next level this winter. It’s the whole reason we’re making a pass back through North America, to tell the truth. We have two teenagers who need to procure driving licenses before we launch them into the world as fully viable adults. The easiest place for our bi-national kids...

Cost/day: $40/day What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen lately? Ancient Mayan religious rites being performed in a Catholic cathedral... a unique blend of religions that tells stories about a part of the world with a conflicting history. Describe a typical day: Awoke at Mayan Eco Homestead , loaded up our five children into our truck...

As the mother of four children and an avid traveler can I rant for a minute about how annoyed I am by the term “family friendly” as it relates to travel? On the surface, you’d think it was a good thing, wouldn’t you? “Family friendly” should mean welcoming to children, accommodating of the needs of...

It seems almost impossible to believe that I’ve been traveling with kids for nearly twenty years. From newborn babies to teens with one foot out the door. From local weekend getaways, to two week trips, to packing kids along on corporate “work” trips, to long-term slow travel over a number of years. Last week I...

I’ve flown alone with three kids under six, pregnant with a fourth. I’ve backpacked with a tribe. I’ve done all night bus trips with a toddler and a nursling, solo. I’ve road tripped with 11 kids under 15, tag team with a girlfriend. We’ve bicycled, RV’d, flown, road tripped, camped, walked, bused, trained, ferried... you...

Our family has a long history of making memories instead of collecting things. We love to give gifts, don’t get me wrong, but most of them are little homemade things, or gifts of self in some capacity. Perhaps most precious are the gifts of time and of memories. We didn’t get a honeymoon. I had...