I love traditions. Nothing makes the holidays sweeter than good ole fashioned traditions, passed down from generation to generation. Have you ever noticed how traditions often carry over to vacations? Did you, too, grow up going to Grandma’s house every summer? Or going to that same campsite or same beach house every summer? Or maybe you stayed nearby and spent summer days playing in the same neighborhood treehouse with neighbors.
Many times, we get comfortable with what we know. We continue those traditions we did as children, those that left us longing for fond memories again as adults with our own children. Vacation traditions are incredible and make lasting memories for all involved. It’s so fun to look back at the photos from all the years in the same location and see how everyone has grown. We LOVE our annual trip dearly. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that we expanded our options and took our first trip that didn’t involve a family obligation or tradition. It was a blast!
It doesn’t have to be an expensive trip, a long trip, or a big trip. It can be a weekend getaway to a new campground. It can be a day trip to explore a nearby city. It can be an overnight trip in a hotel down the street or a new area of town just to try something new. 
Whatever size you choose, I encourage you to try something new and today I’m sharing three reasons why:
1. You’ll find new favorites.
When you venture out to explore a new destination, you gain the opportunity to experience new activities, eat new foods, and see new places. You may have thought you always loved getting away to the beach, but you do in fact love the mountains just as much, or wait…maybe even more! You may have thought you loved Southern fried foods but you may find pizza from Little Italy in a big city is even better! You may have thought family bike rides weren’t really your thing, but when biking through a park became an easy option, suddenly you find biking is a great family activity. A new vacation is a perfect setting to find new favorites!
2. You’ll see the world through your children’s eyes.
There is something so special about seeing the world through your child’s eyes. Their curiosity is inspiring, their attention to detail surprising, and their excitement for the smallest things the most incredible. Exploring new vacation destinations allows you as the parent to maximize one of the most wonderful parts of parenthood, watching your child take in the world around them with complete amazement. Don’t miss out!
3. You’ll all learn something.
Not only will your child(ren) have the opportunity to learn something new, but so will you by branching out and trying a new vacation. Perhaps you’ll pick up a few new facts about science, learn more about geography, immerse in a new culture, or even learn where not to go. You are without a doubt going to learn a new thing or two on a brand new trip!
Each age brings a new perspective to each trip so I encourage you to try a new vacation at any stage of life! Big or small, near or far, good experience or bad (those happen too of course!), you’re sure to have lasting memories and moments you’ll cherish with your family forever.
