There are many benefits associated with long-term travel as a family. After all, it means that you are giving your children or teens the chance to see the world first-hand, as opposed to through a TV screen. It also provides you with the opportunity to spend a great deal of quality time together, making lasting memories while doing so.
However, that’s not to say that taking this leap is not without challenges. This is because long-term travel means leaving behind friends and family for long stretches of time, and it can also cost a considerable amount of money. However, this does not mean this is out of the question for your family.
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With that in mind, here are some useful tips for long-term travel as a family.
Sort out your visas. The first (and perhaps most important) step to take when looking into long-term travel as a family unit is ensuring that you apply for the relevant VISAs. This prevents you from encountering any challenges in your chosen destination(s), ensuring you’re able to travel to your heart’s content.
Get your finances in order. Whether you’re staying on US soil or traveling overseas, it is important that you get your finances in order before you start packing your cases. This way, you can ensure you have enough cash to support you during this time, covering the cost of everything from accommodation to food and drink. While you may plan to work and travel at the same time, the more money you pull together beforehand, the better.
Remember, there are still plenty of steps you can take to save money while traveling with kids, meaning that you do not have to drain your bank account in order to enjoy this kind of lifestyle!
Find a home base. Whether you plan on traveling for a couple of months or a year, finding a space to call ‘home’ when traveling can make a real difference. After all, this means that your entire family is not living out of a suitcase, meaning you’ll feel much more comfortable and relaxed. It also means that your children have a space that is their own, whether they’re participating in online school from their bedroom or playing with their toys.
While you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding suitable accommodation, it’s generally advised that you opt for long-stay apartments over hotels. This is because they are designed with comfort in mind and will feel a lot more like home. For example, if you’re going to be staying in D.C., you may want to check out furnished apartments at facilities such as the Whyle (whyle.com).
Stick to some kind of schedule. While you may be prepared for the challenges and changes that come alongside leaving your ‘normal’ life behind to travel, the chances are your children are not. As such, maintaining some kind of schedule in our routine can go a long way to making the process much easier for all involved. For example, you may want to set aside a specific time each day for them to work on their schoolwork.
