We don’t really sleep in tents when we travel overseas. But someday we do plan on trying it. Maybe hiking across alps. Maybe sleeping on the beach on some Greek island. We’ll see.
Travel style is hard to define. What we call “fancy” you might call “mandatory.” What we call “fascinating” you might stay away from at all costs.
Our hope isn’t that you do what we do or go where we go. We just hope to provide a point of reference so you can determine what might be best for you and your family. (Of course, if you want to take any suggestions at face value and do the exact same things, be our guest!)
As this blog develops you’ll get a better idea of our travel style and how it has evolved as we continue to travel as a family.
Some initial characteristics of our style of travel include:
- European focus not least for cultural relativity (we live in US), but also for easy of travel and proximity of different languages, histories, and experiences
- Traveling during “shoulder” season for cheaper flights and lodging
- Renting apartments or flats so kids have bedroom and family has kitchen and common area
- Determining basic itinerary weeks or months before leaving home, including reservations for all lodging and major transportation
- Staying in “local” neighborhoods while still visiting most marquee museums and historical sights
- TV host, guidebook author, and all around travel nerd Rick Steves is a bit of a celebrity at our house
Talk soon,
–Dan & Betsy
Family Conversation topic: What “style” of travel do you think would be a good fit for your family? Beach, mountains, forest, city? Hotel resort, apartment rental, camping?
Where is their agreement? Where are there differences?
March, 2016; Venice Italy
Dan & Betsy, 3 year old son, 18 month old daughter, with 13 year old niece
For a fancy example, below are views as one looks out the living room window of our 3 bedroom apartment in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, 2016. Away from the crowds but 10 minutes from museums, the Grand Canal and all the action. The priciest of the trip because of the great space and location, this cost around 660€ ($750) for 3 nights including cleaning and booking fees.
