WHEN is the best time to travel?

First, it’s important to realize there is no “perfect” time to go anywhere. The “perfect” time is the one that works best for you. Trying to figure out travel dates can be challenging between work schedules, school schedules and availablity at the destination. So keeping both these facts in mind, here are a few things to think about when deciding WHEN to take that next trip:

1. Consider traveling during “shoulder season”, that is the less popular times between summer and holidays when there are generally fewer people traveling. While this does tend to fall during the school year, depending on when your kids’ school starts and ends, if you can travel right after they get out or right before they have to go back, many places will be less busy than in the middle of summer. Shoulder season is often less expensive too, so that’s an extra benefit if you are able to go during mid-September to mid-November or mid-January to February or in May. If you are limited to summer, holiday, and spring breaks because of school schedules, consider going someplace similar but less visited than the popular destinations – think Silver Dollar City instead of Disney or Albania instead of Greece.

2. Consider the weather. Do you hate heat and humidity? Then Florida in July and August would not be a good time to take that trip to the beach. Many popular destinations like Costa Rica have rainy and dry seasons, so if you want to do lots of outdoor activities while there, you will need to plan it for those drier times of year (unless being soggy is part of the experience you are looking for). If you are not a cold weather person, then definitely plan that Alaska cruise for the middle of summer rather than the beginning or end of cruise season there. And speaking of cruises, keep in mind that in the US and Caribbean, hurricane season is from June 1 until November 30, with the most active time being August through October. 

3. Plan around events. Sometimes you may need to plan around a specific event, like the Olympics or the Albuqerque balloon festival, either to ensure you are there for it or to avoid being there with all the extra people that such events bring. If you are wanting to be at the event, then start planning early! If you want to avoid the area during that time, then simply choose dates that don’t overlap with it. Maybe the event is more personal like a wedding, graduation, or anniversary celebration. In that case, you could spend a few extra days before or after and find some fun things to do in the area. We did this when we flew in a few days early, rented a car and drove up to Niagara Falls for a couple days prior to my brother’s wedding in Pennsylvania. So now, we not only have fun memories of the wedding but also of someplace we might not have specifically traveled to otherwise.

4. Holiday season. Many people travel during the holidays to see grandparents and other extended family, something we did for years before we had kids and decided to start our own family traditions. We still went to visit but we could then plan our travel for a couple weeks before or after the holidays in order to still see everyone and celebrate the season with them, but without the headache and extra expense of traveling during the busiest and most expensive times of the year. So maybe think about whether choosing another date to celebrate together might be something for you to try. 

Remember: the “best” time is what works for you! If you are able to be flexible and use some of the tips above, great! But if you are limited to a specific range of dates, then embrace that and plan the best trip you can during the time you have available. Your mindset and attitude are going to be the biggest factors in how much you enjoy any trip anyway, so start looking at the calendar and get something scheduled! And stay tuned for the next blog post about deciding WHERE to travel.

 

Duration
10 days
Group Size
4 to 12

Reformation in Germany - 10 day tour June 17-27, 2025

What was life like during Luther’s time? How was Martin Luther able to stay at Wartburg Castle for so long without being discovered? Where are Martin and Katie Luther buried? What did music in Luther’s time period sound like? Why is Bach considered to be such a remarkable composer? Discover the answer to all of these questions and more by joining us on our next Lutheran Heritage family group tour in Germany!

Think church history is boring? Think again! When you are on our family-oriented tour you will:
Hear the amazing acoustics in beautiful churches.
Feel the breeze and take in the views from Wartburg Castle overlooking the countryside and town of Eisenach .
Sit in the church in Wittenberg where Martin Luther preached.
Enjoy German food and have a beer in an authentic Biergarten.
Smell the flowers at the oldest botanical garden in Germany.
Eat like in Luther’s time at the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt, where Martin Luther studied.
Listen to Bach pieces played on authentic instruments from his time period at the Bach Haus in Eisenach.
See the differences between Luther’s design of the first Lutheran church in Torgau.
Visit the burial place of Katie Luther in St. Mary’s Church in Torgau.
Learn about what life was like in the time of Luther at the Luther 1517 - Wittenberg 360° exhibit.
Walk the streets of Eisleben where Martin Luther was born and died.

Duration
10 days
Group Size
4 to 12

Tulips in the Netherlands - 10 day tour April 23-May 3, 2025

What is the connection between the Netherlands and the Pilgrims? Who is the “cheese father” and what is his job? How many tulip bulbs are planted at Keukenhof Garden each year? Is the correct name: Holland or the Netherlands? Discover the answer to all of these questions and more by joining us on a Netherlands small group tour!

On our family-friendly tour you will:
Visit Keukenhof Garden’s lovely flower displays.
Experience history at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Corrie ten Boom House in Haarlem.
Sample different cheeses at the oldest and biggest cheese market in the Netherlands.
Enjoy a relaxing boat tour through the “Venice of the Netherlands” in Giethoorn.
See original paintings by one of the most famous Dutch painters at the Van Gogh Museum.
Watch the process of creating hand painted ceramic pieces at the Royal Delft Factory.
Eat an authentic stroopwafel.
Listen to the sounds of windmills and craftsmen using traditional methods to create various goods.

Duration
5 to 10 days
Group Size
1 to 10

Costa Rica Dental Care Trip

If you have considered getting your dental needs taken care of outside of the US because of the high costs but not sure where to go or who to see and you also like the idea of seeing the country and experiencing the culture while you are there, then we would like to help! We can connect you with reputable and experienced dentists so that you can communicate with them, find out the costs, and make your appointments. Once that is done, we will do the rest, from arranging your airfare, hotel, and transportation to meals and excursions or whatever you want to do. You will have your own personal tour director there with you to handle all the logistics in country - think of it as having your own personal concierge, travel planner, and local expert all rolled into one! The cost varies depending on length of stay and whether you are coming alone or with a spouse/friend/caregiver/second person/family, so please contact us so we can give you a personalized quote.