5 Unique Summer Family Vacations to Add to Your Travel List

Now is the perfect time to plan a unique summer family vacation. Whether your family enjoys the great outdoors, cultural experiences, or city life, there is a trip out there that is a perfect fit for your family. Here are five unique summer family vacations we would love to try and think you would enjoy too.

5 Unique Summer Family Vacations to Add to Your Travel List

1. Exploring castles in Europe

We’ve explored a fair number of castles in Europe and would love to make a trip devoted to castle exploration. Some of our favorites were in Ireland, Wales, France, and Germany. Choose a destination you think your family would enjoy, research the area, and see what life was like in medieval times. Think you want to stay in a castle? There are plenty of opportunities to do so in these countries and after staying at Burg Colmberg in Germany, we would highly recommend the experience.

2. Learn about ranch life at a dude ranch

My husband has told me for years that his family’s dude ranch vacation was the best memory of his childhood. I wouldn’t know where to begin when planning a trip, because there are options all over the United States and Canada, but the Dude Ranchers’ Association (DRA) has it down to a science. Whether your family likes horseback riding, hiking, fishing, or fine dining, DRA can find the right dude ranch vacation for your family, you just have to ask.

3. Giving back through travel

Summer offers many opportunities for giving back and there are several programs that offer destination specific volunteer trips for families. These journeys can teach your children the importance of helping others and having compassion for those in need.

This summer we will be joining Fathom Travel on a cruise to the Dominican Republic where we will learn about the needs of their community and how we can help them through impact travel activities. Other volunteer organizations worth exploring include Habitat for Humanity and Project Abroad. Be sure to do your research be you go and make sure the trip is a good fit for your family.

4. Live like a local in San Francisco (or any big city)

I love exploring large cities (we live in the suburbs) and home sharing or rental agencies like HomeExchange.com or airbnb provide families with an opportunity to live like a local for a few days or months if they choose. It’s a fun way to explore a new place and have all the luxuries of home. Go with an open mind and be open to making new friends to help you get a lay of the land.

5. Enjoy a bicycle vacation

Whether your family desires a self-guided or group tour, there are many options for exploring on two wheels. Self-guided tours can be mapped out all over the world, just choose a favorite destination and see if there are family friendly trails or bike paths nearby. Tuscany, Hawaii, France, California, Colorado, and Canada all make for family friendly rides with plenty of gentle paths and rest stops along the way. If your family is prepared to go the distance, this could be the perfect choice.

Hopefully we’ve provided you with some family vacation ideas you might not have considered before. If you’re looking for other ideas to explore, Family Travel Forum has put together this amazing list of vacation ideas for your family to consider this summer. It has something for everyone and I am sure it will spark an idea for your next family trip.

*This post was sponsored by Family Travel Consulting. Ideas and opinions are 100% my own.