Travel - the best gift you can give your child

Travel is a way to explore other cultures, people, food and places, and to see that there is more to life than just our way of doing things. Travel is a way to teach children respect for others and appreciation for life.

They learn to take care of themselves in new places. They learn that exploring is a must. They learn to ask questions. They learn how to navigate cities. They learn that life must be lived and not watched on TV or played on a video game.

When parents struggle to figure out what toys to give their children as gifts, consider giving the gift of travel instead - they will thank you for it when they become adults. When travel is given as a gift they will last much longer than the latest computer gadget or hottest electronic toy that you may have considered buying.

Teach your children geography by giving them age-appropriate atlases and travel books for the journey, and hang a large map on their bedroom wall where they can pinpoint their travels.

Older children and teenagers will be more interested in doing research for your travels if you let them help choose activities at your destination and or even help choose the places to visit.

Kids learn so much from seeing places, landmarks and wildlife in the places you're visiting.​

Younger kids need to stick to their normal schedules as much as possible, you need to give them their snacks and nap time. You don't have to see it all in one day.”  Make sure that they have a good amount of downtime during the trip.  Keep in mind that if you try to do too much it will backfire, and remember, it's not the destination, it's the journey.