Rediscovering Your Travel Identity
Tired of Googling “Best Kids’ Resorts?” Find a more fulfilling vacation style. East Wind Travel Co. Founder Kelly Ciovacco shows you how.
Think about the last time you traveled with your family. What were your priorities? Does anything on this list ring a bell:
1. Short flight or car ride
2. Snacks
3. Kids’ activities
4. Preventing boredom
5. Snacks again
6. Avoiding meltdowns
7. Where can you find chicken nuggets
8. More snacks
Now think about the last time you traveled BEFORE kids. I know, you might have to think of a time in what seems like the distant past. What were your priorities then? Great food and drinks? Exciting nightlife? Sandy beach to just SIT on?
When we become moms, so much in our lives - from our bodies to our priorities - changes. It’s easy to get swept up in the tunnel vision of family focus. Sometimes we even question who we were before having kids. We might feel like our whole identity is now “mom”. The same goes for travel. Our Google searches are limited to “best kid-friendly resorts” and “resorts with kids’ clubs and waterparks”. You might be tired of always returning to the same 2-star hotel just because it has a great kids’ pool. You might be longing to explore new places overseas, but worry there won’t be enough to keep your kids busy. Not surprisingly, our search to regain our travel identity takes a backseat while we cater to the priorities of our family first. If you’re feeling lost on how to define your personal vacation style, I have some tips for you!
1. Set INDIVIDUAL Priorities
Your family is a unit, but it is made up of individuals who have different personalities and likes/dislikes. Start by writing down a list of must-haves and desires on a vacation for each member of your family. Maybe your partner wants a room with a view. Your child may wish for a recreation room. You might just want a decent coffee maker and more than stale bagels for breakfast. See what priorities match up and which are different - this can help guide your search as you dive into different resorts, cruises or home rentals. Make a point to show your family that your choice meets at least one of each person’s wish list items. The beauty of this exercise? When it comes time for an adults-only getaway, you have a list of YOUR priorities that speak to you - because what YOU want is important!
2. Revisit the Past
This second strategy involves revisiting the past…but only to define the future! Get out that notebook again and write down vacations you really enjoyed before kids. What made those travel experiences special and memorable? This exercise is not about reminiscing on the past - instead, take the pieces of joy from past travel and redefine them to fit into your current life stage. I’ll give you a few of my own examples!
THEN: Dancing until 2am to DJ beats at a trendy club
NOW: Live music while sipping on a drink at a tiki bar (specifically the ukulele player at Disney’s Polynesian Resort!)
THEN: Yoga on top of the Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ
NOW: Biking through the beach and forest trails of Cape Cod (with two kids in the bike trailer!)
Being a mom does not mean you have to completely abandon the things that brought you joy in a different life stage. Take those moments and update them to not only feed your own passions, but to actually include your family in your personal joy.
3.Go It Alone (or without kids, that is)
Sometimes, your travel style or dream trip just won’t align with your family’s needs – and that’s okay! There are some unforgettable experiences that are going to be better for a couple’s or girls’ trip. There is something about an adults-only vacation that evokes freedom and adventure, and is often exactly what you need to take a mental break from a busy mom life. Some of my favorites are:
• Adulting at Disney: You are never too old to feel like a kid at Disney! Despite the perception that Disney World is completely geared toward children, there is a ton to see and do as an adult. From eating and drinking around the world in EPCOT, to pampering at the spa at the Grand Floridian, to sipping wine and watching fireworks on the balcony of the Club Level Lounge at the Contemporary - Disney is truly a place to vacation at any life stage.
• Paradise in Peace: Picture yourself on a white sand beach, looking out at turquoise waves, in a CHAIR, and someone is bringing YOU snacks and drinks! Whether you seek a quiet paradise that feels miles away from home, or a romantic retreat to reconnect with yourself and your partner, some of the world’s best tropical destinations are practically designed for adults only.
City Explorer: Your decision to visit an iconic city or town in the United States does not ALWAYS have to be based on whether it has a children’s museum or aquarium! Sometimes the best way to explore the world is to just walk the streets. Take in the smells, taste the local foods, get immersed in the culture. Cities like Charleston, New Orleans and Chicago are perfect for wandering and living in the moment in a unique place.
Just like motherhood, travel is often more about the journey than the destination. The journey makes the destination all that much sweeter. If you feel like your vacations have been reduced to splash pads and locating the nearest McDonald’s; it might be time to rediscover your travel identity! You deserve a vacation that nourishes your soul - not just the souls of those around you.
Kelly Ciovacco is a travel advisor specializing in customized family vacations. She founded East Wind Travel Co. to help families plan the vacation of their dreams and as a way to reestablish her identity beyond kids. She would love to help you rediscover your travel identity. Her concierge services include: customized proposals that fit YOUR family’s vacation style, booking and managing of all reservations, and personalized service from start to finish. She is a Certified Autism Travel Professional and has a passion for creating an inclusive travel community for all types of families.
Book a complimentary consult here or join Kelly’s travel community on Facebook.