A lot of family vacations are spent laying on the beach,
around the pool, or attending tourist parks. For your next family vacation
consider doing something a little out of the ordinary, and exploring the
cultural side of somewhere new. Whether you decide to stay within the borders
or travel to a foreign country, there is a lot more out there than just
beachside resorts and pools.
Pick a Destination
This can be one of the most fun yet most difficult parts
about doing a cultural vacation. First you’ll need to consider the time of year
and what climate you’d ideally like to be in. Tropical climates start to warm
up this time of year, so can be great to explore the mountainous regions of
Central and the Mid-Americas. If you are more into dry climates, the central
regions of Mexico are incredibly pleasant through the spring into summer
months. Anywhere in the states, you will need to check recent weather patterns.
If you are having a hard time limiting your choices, go to Office Depot and buy a regional map. Sometimes
visualizing it can help you to see what you like to explore or avoid. Then take
red and green permanent markers and make a list of potential places. Little by
little you can narrow it down.
Choose Some Attractions
Once you’ve chosen a destination, you’ll need to decide what
tours you’ll take and attractions to see. Just about anywhere you’ll go will
have ancient ruins of civilizations that have long been gone. However, the ruins
are preserved magnificently since they were so carefully crafted. If you find
yourself in the deep jungle, you can do an animal and bird watching tour. Try
to count how many different types of local wildlife you see; it will sure blow
away the animals in your neighborhood!
Eat Like a Local
An enormous part of experiencing the local culture is
through the food. Many of the dishes have been passed down from generation to
generation, often from very poor families. In these types of cultures you can
find some of the strangest sounding meals that turn out to be delicious.
Whatever you do, don’t be scared and have an open mind; at the very least you
can say “I tried it and I did not like it!”