Every holiday you go on can be (and should be!) so different. While there's something nice about routine and consistency, the world is such a big place that it's a shame to keep doing the same type of trip over and over. If you switch it up, some can be about relaxing by the pool, while others can have you on your feet all day exploring somewhere new. Family travel has always been important to us, so I tend to spend a lot of time researching different types of trips before we book anything. Every so often you find one that offers something more, the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’ve unpacked. If you’re looking for more than sightseeing and a few nice photos, these are the journeys worth thinking about.
Japan
Japan invites you to slow down, like in Kyoto with the stillness of forested temples and the precision of tea ceremonies, turning something ordinary into something sacred. Even wandering through a mossy garden becomes a quiet moment of reflection. And then there’s Mount Fuji, where climbing it at sunrise is less about reaching the top and more about what the journey teaches you. Everything in Japan seems designed to pull you into the present and remind you to pay attention to the details that usually slip by.
Sri Lanka
There’s something cinematic about Sri Lanka trips – get ready to experience lush hills rolling into tea plantations, elephants meandering at leisure across roads, and air fragrant with spices. It’s a place that manages to offer ancient ruins, surf-friendly beaches, and safari experiences all in one go. You’ll be wandering through sacred cities like Anuradhapura one day, then be on a misty tea trail the next. You’ll slow down not because you’re tired, but because there’s simply so much to take in.
Morocco
You often see photos of Morocco painted in bold strokes, market stalls spilling over with rugs, spices wafting through the air, and the call to prayer echoing over cities at dusk. But the real transformation happens beyond these postcard moments. Join a cooking class in a mountain village, ride camels through the Sahara at sunset, or share mint tea with a nomadic family for moments that reveal Morocco not as a backdrop, but a generous host.
Peru
Peru is a place that rewires your understanding of distance, time, and effort. Hiking to Machu Picchu is a physical and emotional challenge – but it’s what happens in between the big landmarks that will stay with you. You’ll meet Quechua-speaking farmers in the Sacred Valley, visit bustling local markets, and navigate winding trails that test your stamina. It’s a place that grounds you – a reminder that awe doesn’t come easily.
