This is your guide to traveling abroad with your parents, whether it’s their first time out of the country or just their first time traveling internationally with you. Many people wait until they retire to start traveling the world, but then find that they aren’t entirely sure how to plan a trip or navigate things like creating itineraries, finding great hotels, or choosing fun activities.
Over the past several years, I have traveled with my father to Ecuador, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. We’re planning another trip to Italy in the coming weeks, where we’ll start in Milan and then head south on the high speed trains. I’ve learned several lessons while planning trips with my dad, and I wanted to share them in the hope that you’ll consider taking your parents abroad.
Like me, I have friends who became World Travelers as adults, seeing new places and countries while on vacations from their jobs. After a trip or two, my friends have felt compelled to take their parents abroad, but they’re not always exactly sure where to go or how to plan the best experience. No trip will ever be perfect, but there are some common pitfalls that I’d like to help you avoid.
If the travel bug has bitten you and you want to help your parents cultivate a sense of wanderlust, here are some tips that can help!
Why you should travel with your parents
Travel is a powerful experience; one that can open your eyes to new ways of operating and seeing the world. Travel can stoke our sense of curiosity and creativity, expanding our worlds and helping us to contextualize our own existence. Taking a trip with your parents also gives you the opportunity to create lifelong memories together; what a wonderful thing to share with your parents!
If your parents travel often, you may not need the tips in this post. I’ve written this guide mostly for people who are trying to navigate the landscape of international travel with their parents for the first time.
How to travel with your parents
If you’d like to travel abroad with your parents, a great place to start is to check that everyone has a current passport. It’s possible that your parents’ passport will have expired, or maybe they’ve never had one. Be sure to leave enough time for their application to be processed, you can read more about applying for a US passport here.
Next, you’ll want to choose an itinerary and travel plan that will support everyone’s needs. Choose a destination country that is exciting for your group while fitting into your budget. I’ve included several countries that are great for visiting with your parents, as well as some overall tips for making the most of your trip.
Which country is best to visit with your parents?
As you may have guessed, there is no single “best” country to visit with your parents. In fact, if your first trip goes well, you may want to plan more travel to different countries! The best country to visit on your trip will depend on a variety of factors, including budget, interests, preferences, and time constraints. Simply put, the best country to visit with your parents is going to be the one that meets the most requirements for your trip.
There are destinations for every sort of traveler. For the purposes of this guide, I compiled a list of places that are generally safe, relatively easy to navigate, and where you’ll find plenty of activities to occupy your time. Though it’s always a good idea to learn some basics in the language of the place you’re visiting, these destinations should be relatively easy to navigate largely in English.
Of course, if there’s somewhere that your parents have always wanted to visit, don’t feel constrained by this list!
Mexico
Mexico is a wonderful place to visit because it’s budget-friendly when traveling from the US, has plenty of resources for tourists when visiting popular destinations, and it’s typically pretty easy to find locals who are able to speak English.
Within Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula is a wonderful destination for a trip with your parents. Try to stay away from the mega resorts that line the beaches of Cancun and explore places with more local flavor and exciting activities. Great activities to consider in the Yucatan include Uxmal, Merida, and Isla Holbox.
On a recent trip with my father and grandmother, we stayed in Tulum and explored the surrounding area. We explored cenotes, wandered around Chichen Itza, and swam in the ocean. Tulum was a wonderful spot for our single destination trip, as we found plenty of activities without having to spend a night in another city or town.
Ireland
Ireland as a country is safe, beautiful, and English-speaking, with a robust tourist industry that can support many types of trips. Throughout Ireland, you’ll find activities that are accessible to people of varied fitness and activity levels, from a leisurely stroll through Dublin to hiking Carruntoohill, Ireland’s highest peak. As a bonus, most of the people you’ll encounter will be very kind and welcoming, which always helps to make a trip feel special.
If the primary destination of your trip is Ireland, I suggest that you get out of Dublin and try to see some of the countryside. Glendalough is a lovely day trip from Dublin, or its own destination if you’d like to rent a cottage and spend a bit of time in the Wicklow Mountains. If you decide to take a road trip south, be sure to visit Cork, Ireland’s second largest city.
Although Ireland is a safe and lovely place to visit, it’s not a great fit for a trip with a very tight budget. Prices in Ireland are relatively high, and you won’t find many deals on accommodation, transportation, or activities. This is especially true during the country’s peak tourist season from May to October.
Italy
Known for its stunning architecture, renowned cuisine, and world class museums, Italy is a great choice for a trip with your parents. If you stick to the larger cities and tourist hotspots, you’ll find plenty of tourist infrastructure in Italy. Unlike Ireland, it’s possible to travel through most of Italy by train, eliminating the need to rent a car.
In the northern part of the country, expect to find beautiful cities and higher prices. By contrast, southern Italy is a bit more rustic, and offers more budget-friendly accommodations and activities. I fell in love with Naples when I first visited, and I think it would make a great trip for anyone who is interested in Italian food and life slightly off the beaten path in Europe.
Be sure your trip to Italy includes time to try local foods, admire the stunning coastline, and take in some incredible architecture.
Peru
Peru is perhaps best known for Machu Picchu, the incredible ruins that lay deep in the Andes mountain range. This country is generally safe, with ample tourist infrastructure to support the millions of Americans who travel to Peru each year. In addition to Machu Picchu, most groups make some time to visit Lima, Cusco, and the Amazon rainforest, all of which are sure to make for an incredible trip.
Peru will likely require a bit more physical activity than some other countries on this list. To see Machu Picchu, for example, many people choose to trek for a few days with a group and they may also complete a hike while at the site. It’s important to note, however, that the ruins are easily accessible by public transport if you’d prefer to travel directly there.
A great book to read before you go is Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams.
France
Paris is a common staple on many traveler’s bucket lists, and it is a wonderful place to visit. In terms of this list, I would consider France to be an intermediate destination, appropriate for groups who are comfortable navigating both public transit and social interactions in another language. Though Paris can be an adventurous city, there are still plenty of relaxing things to do to keep your trip fun without being overstimulating.
France is renowned for its architecture, food, and culture, and you can easily spend a week or two exploring the cities and countrysides of this wonderful country. Be aware that prices can get steep in Paris, especially during the peak tourism months from June to October.
Here is my list of the top budget-friendly hotels in Paris.
Determine the best type of trip
Deciding early on the type of trip you’re targeting will make it easier to manage the expectations of everyone in your group. There is no type of trip that is “best” when traveling with your parents, but you will want to be sure that it accommodates the pace you’d like to set for your itinerary.
Single destination
In this option, you’ll go directly to a single destination and likely stay in one hotel for the duration of your trip. This type of trip gives you maximum control over how hard you push each day, as taking a break is as simple as not leaving your hotel.
To make the most of this style of trip, choose a comfortable and clean rental property with a kitchen where you can prepare simple meals.Stay somewhere close to the action, ideally where you won’t need a car to access a few fun activities.
Beach trips
A beach trip is a great example of a single destination trip because you’re likely to find a rental near the water and stay put for several days. If you’re intending to spend your time relaxing by the water, be sure that there is a stretch of beach nearby that will be accessible to you. You’ll also want to be sure that you can wash your clothes, since they’re likely to get sandy during your long days at the beach.