With travel advisories still in place in much of the world, you may find yourself struggling to make summer plans for your family. If you’ve decided to cancel or postpone vacations this year, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly staycation ideas to bring your destination of choice into your home.
Even if the vacation is virtual, it is a good idea to plan ahead so children can look forward to time together, gather questions and ideas and so you can register and order any required supplies.
Travel companies like聽, as well as many cities and institutions have pivoted to offer engaging virtual experiences while so much of the world is at home. We’ve put together family-friendly agendas for a few popular destinations; if your family’s dream location isn’t listed, you can easily create your own using聽,听,听聽and a little creativity! Can’t decide where to explore? Use Google Earth’s聽Feeling Lucky聽option and let the destination be a surprise!
Greece
We recommend planning ahead and signing your child up for for an聽. They have interactive options for all ages; we love the聽聽(ages 10-13) and聽聽(ages 8-12). Next, get familiar with the area with聽; feel free to ask the local guide any questions you may have! Afterwards, take聽聽–聽learn to make tzatziki and other Greek favorites. Finally, celebrate the country with a聽聽that is great for kids and adults alike. For younger children, a weekend in Greece could be further supplemented with BBC’s instructions for聽.
Italy
Start by sitting down with the family and聽. Next, join this聽, led by a professional chef and teacher at聽Gambero Rosso Cooking School聽in Rome. Head to the Vatican where you’ll be led in quizzes, games and other educational activities covering the聽. If you didn’t indulge in too much pasta, make a quick trip to Venice for聽聽led online by a couple of Venetian locals. Finally, end the night by falling asleep to聽; older children can follow along in English.
Mexico
Begin the day by exploring聽聽then head over to meet聽Chef Graciela for聽. After lunch, the whole family can channel their creativity with聽聽led by a young artist in Mexico City.聽Finish the trip by heading east for a聽, a site of Mayan ruins on Mexico’s Yucat谩n Peninsula.
Japan
Depending on your child’s interests, you might spend the afternoon taking in聽听辞谤听聽for the whole family. Next join Chef Aya for a聽聽in Japanese cuisine, recently named one of the best online cooking classes by聽. Finally, end the day on a relaxing note by participating in a聽聽led by聽a Japanese Buddhist monk.
Adults Only: Cocktail and Wine Tastings
Toast your staycation after your little ones have gone to bed with a virtual mixology class or wine tasting. Next Friday, June 26, NYC’s only vineyard, Rooftop Reds, is hosting聽; sign up soon to be sure the wine arrives in time! Across the pond, we love this聽聽hosted by a master mixologist in the United Kingdom. Finally, travel to Porto for this聽聽hosted by a wine expert!
Need a Break from the Virtual? Rent a Private Pool by the Hour
If you and your little ones need some time outdoors, consider booking with聽, a service that offers by the hour private pool rentals. Most offer completely contactless entry and exit so your family can enjoy an afternoon poolside without any risk. Many offer amenities, such as barbecues and waterslides.
As always, we’re here to assist with all your household staffing needs during this challenging time. Both childcare and cleaning professionals are considered essential workers and we have implemented strict protocols to make sure your family is as safe as possible.聽Contact us聽today to learn more.