5 Ways to Convince Your Family to Travel

With Mother’s Day coming right up, it’s a great time to think about family—the great times spent together…and all the moments we’ve missed out on in each other’s lives over the last few years. As any mom can tell you, this holiday is all about reconnecting.

We’re proud that so many families have reconnected on VBT Bicycling Vacations. Some have taken over an entire departure as one large group. Smaller family gatherings have shared a trip with other biking enthusiasts from around the country. And our Self-Guided Tours have provided the perfect venue for families who’d rather enjoy a private trip together, whether for two or for twelve.

But as unforgettable as the experience of sharing a vacation with family members can be, we know it can be hard to get started. Busy schedules, noncommittal sons or daughters, and the daunting range of options can leave many family vacation plans stalled on the runway. How do you get those travel planning wheels to start rolling? We have thoughts—and it starts with a gift the entire family will enjoy.

1. Give Them a Gift Card

Here’s a great way to get your kids to start dreaming about traveling with you. Drop the hint that you’d love to share your next VBT experience with them by getting them a VBT gift card. And here’s the best part: You’ll never have to tell anyone that it’s actually a gift you bought for yourself.

When you invest in a VBT gift card, you’re shifting the focus away from material possessions wrapped in a bow. Instead, you’re offering a golden ticket to once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will remain in the family lore forever.

It’s a promise to them. There are lots of kids with busy lives of their own who talk about their parents’ VBT trips as “their thing,” as in, “Mom and Dad are in Europe doing their thing.” Gift cards are a way to show them that you’d love nothing more than to share your thing with them. And they just might be surprised and thrilled by the invitation.

A VBT gift card is a commitment that you want to reconnect with them in a meaningful way that will—not incidentally—also enrich their lives. It’s a win-win.

It’s a promise to yourself. We all put off making big plans, especially when it means aligning everyone’s schedules. When you give this gift of travel to your kids, you’re giving them a cue that it’s time to start planning.

More importantly (because, remember, convincing your kids to travel with you is your gift to yourself!) you’re putting another VBT trip on your calendar. And we at VBT like to say that the most important commitment you can make to yourself is to see the world by bike.

 

2. Give Them the Reigns

There are plenty of parents out there with a bucket list. And they follow it resolutely. But for many, the point of family travel is reconnecting. It might not really matter where you all go. So let your kids decide. It’ll keep them engaged and committed. We know…sneaky, right?

If their schedules allow for a shorter vacation, maybe staying in North America makes more sense for them. Or maybe they’d like to visit a destination that doesn’t necessarily call to you. That’s okay. In the end, it’s about connecting. Besides, if you know VBT, you know that you’ll have an incredible experience no matter where you go.

 

3. Send Them Destination News

We would never suggest that you pester or guilt your kids into traveling with you. But if they’ve always dreamed of visiting Italy, and you know there’s no better way to experience it than on a bike, send them blog posts and other articles about Italy. Post inspirational photos on your social media page and tag your kids. Ask them to keep their eyes open for information and photos so they can send them your way, too. It’s a great way to get excited about your family Bicycling Vacation!

 

4. Throw a Destination Soiree

If your kids live nearby, invite them over for a dinner or a party that celebrates your destination. If you’ve all decided you’re going to France, cook up a coq au vin and pour a glass or two of Beaujolais or Sancerre. Plant tiny French flags in the crème brûlée and play some cabaret music. Invite them to contribute something French to the festivities. If they don’t live nearby, see what you can replicate on a video call, maybe sharing recipes so you can all sample the same dishes.

 

5. Remember All the Moms

Of course, reconnecting with family is not just about parents and kids. On this Mother’s Day, you’re probably thinking of all the mothers in your life—your sister, your sister-in-law, an aunt or cousin, your spouse, even your own mother.

That’s the beauty of the VBT gift card: There’s one for everyone. On Mother’s Day, and every day!

 

It’s easy to purchase your VBT gift card, in digital or physical form. Get yours today, and start planning your next trip with the ones you love.