Helping You Discover the Answer to the Important Question: Where to Next?

Wondering where you should travel next? In this episode, we’re joined by travel expert Kirsten Maxwell of Kids Are a Trip to explore the best destinations for every type of vacation, from outdoor adventures and foodie getaways to romantic escapes, girls’ trips, multi-generational vacations, and traveling with teens.

Kirsten shares her favorite destinations including Japan, Croatia, Florence, Charleston, Lake Tahoe, and more, plus a few up-and-coming places to add to your travel radar. Get ready to find inspiration for your next trip!

Sometimes the hardest part of planning a vacation is deciding where to go.

Do you want an outdoor adventure? A foodie getaway? A relaxing beach trip with the whole family? A romantic escape with your partner? Or maybe you're trying to find somewhere your teenagers will actually be excited about?

Whether you're planning your next vacation or just looking for some inspiration, here are Kirsten's picks for where to travel next.

Meet Kirsten Maxwell

Kirsten Maxwell has been running the travel website Kids Are a Trip for the past 12 years, sharing travel inspiration and advice from her experiences traveling with her family. Now that her youngest is 19, she's also beginning to pivot into travel advising.

She's also involved with SATW and will be serving as its president next year.

You can follow Kirsten's adventures and travel advice at Kids Are a Trip and on Instagram at Travels with Kirsten.

For the Outdoor Lovers: New Brunswick & New River Gorge

If your ideal vacation involves spending as much time outside as possible, Kirsten has two destinations to put on your radar.

New Brunswick, Canada

While many travelers immediately think of the U.S. national parks when planning an outdoor vacation, Kirsten suggests looking north to Canada's national parks.

New Brunswick, located in northeastern Canada near Maine, has a surprising amount of outdoor adventure packed into one destination.

Here are a few things you can do:

  • Walk on the ocean floor at low tide

  • Explore tide pools

  • Zip line between lighthouses

  • Spend time on beautiful beaches

  • Explore the area's parks and natural scenery

Right next door is Prince Edward Island, another charming option for a slower-paced outdoor getaway. Kirsten describes it as having an almost nostalgic vacation feel, where you can spend time at the beach or simply explore the area.

And if you're looking for a reason to visit PEI, Anne of Green Gables fans will definitely appreciate the connection.

One more bonus? Kirsten points out that the current exchange rate can make Canada an appealing option for American travelers.

New River Gorge, West Virginia

For a completely different kind of outdoor adventure, Kirsten recommends New River Gorge in West Virginia.

Her husband visited with their son and packed their trip with outdoor activities. It's the kind of destination where you can build an entire vacation around adventure.

Think:

  • Whitewater rafting

  • Zip lining

  • Hiking

  • Exploring the gorge

  • Cabins and camping

It's also a great option if you want an outdoor destination without leaving the U.S.

For Food Lovers: Florence & Chicago

If food is one of the main reasons you travel, Kirsten has two very different recommendations.

Florence, Italy

Italy is an obvious choice for a food-focused vacation, but Kirsten specifically recommends Florence.

What makes Florence special is the variety of regional specialties you can find throughout the city. Kirsten even did a food crawl where different courses were enjoyed at different restaurants, finishing with gelato.

And then there's the central market, where you'll find an incredible selection of food and restaurants all under one roof.

A few Florence food experiences to add to your list:

  • Take a food tour

  • Visit the central market

  • Try regional specialties

  • Save room for gelato

  • Wander into local restaurants and see where the day takes you

Kirsten does recommend avoiding the middle of summer if possible since Florence can get very crowded.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of a foodie destination, but Kirsten makes a pretty convincing case.

One of the best things about Chicago's food scene is its cultural neighborhoods. You can essentially eat your way around the world without leaving the city.

Explore neighborhoods featuring:

  • Chinese cuisine in Chinatown

  • Polish food

  • Greek cuisine in Greektown

  • Mexican food in Pilsen

  • Puerto Rican food

  • Chicago-style classics

  • Michelin-starred restaurants

And, of course, there's deep-dish pizza and Chicago dogs.

Whether you're looking for an international food experience or classic Chicago dishes, there's plenty to keep food lovers busy.

For a Multi-Generational Trip: Lake Tahoe & Oceanside

Traveling with multiple generations can be tricky. You need a destination with enough activities to keep everyone entertained while still offering options for people who may not want to spend the entire day hiking or adventuring.

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Kirsten recommends North Lake Tahoe for a multi-generational getaway because there's truly something for every age and activity level.

Depending on your group, you can:

  • Hike

  • Golf

  • Kayak

  • Paddleboard

  • Mountain bike

  • Go rafting

  • Go tubing

  • Zip line

  • Relax at the beach

  • Take scenic drives around the lake

Kirsten traveled there with her parents, and that's part of what makes Tahoe such a great multi-generational destination. Some people can spend the day on a challenging hike while others golf, enjoy an easier walk, relax by the water, or simply take in the scenery.

A Tip for Booking Accommodations

For multi-generational trips, Kirsten says both hotels and vacation rentals can work well. It really depends on how your family prefers to travel.

If you choose a vacation rental, however, think through the little details before booking.

Kirsten recommends looking for things like:

  • A bedroom on the first floor for older family members

  • Sleeping arrangements that work for early risers

  • Bedrooms away from the kitchen if someone is a light sleeper

  • Enough separate spaces so everyone can have some privacy

Those little details can make a huge difference when you're traveling with multiple generations.

Oceanside, California

For a laid-back California getaway, Kirsten recommends Oceanside, just north of San Diego.

She describes it as having an old-school San Diego feel, with a beachfront boardwalk and plenty of activities for different ages.

You can:

  • Ride bikes along the boardwalk

  • Go fishing off the pier

  • Spend the day at the beach

  • Play golf, tennis or pickleball

  • Explore local restaurants

  • Visit nearby attractions

  • Go shopping at nearby outlets

Families visiting in the spring can also add strawberry picking to their itinerary. The Carlsbad Flower Fields are nearby as well, making the area especially fun for families who love taking photos and enjoying seasonal activities.

For a Romantic Getaway: Montreal & Quebec City or Split, Croatia

Ready for a trip without the kids? Kirsten has two romantic destinations that offer very different experiences.

Montreal & Quebec City, Canada

For an easy international getaway, Kirsten recommends combining Montreal and Quebec City into one trip.

Montreal offers:

  • Museums

  • Beautiful architecture

  • Restaurants

  • A taste of a different culture

Then head to Quebec City for its charming Old Town, beautiful scenery and nearby waterfalls.

Kirsten did the trip as a road trip, making it easy to experience both cities in one vacation.

It's a great option if you want an international feel without traveling extremely far from the U.S.

Split, Croatia

If you're willing to travel a little farther, Kirsten's other romantic favorite is Split, Croatia.

She loved the city's old-world charm, especially staying in a room overlooking the square.

And there's plenty to do beyond simply wandering the historic streets.

Consider:

  • Taking a Game of Thrones tour

  • Exploring the local food scene

  • Taking a day trip to Trogir

  • Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

  • Exploring nearby coastal towns

  • Enjoying the history and architecture

Split also checks the boxes for food lovers, making it a destination that can appeal to both travelers in a couple even if they have different interests.

For a Girls' Trip: Charleston & Fredericksburg

There's nothing better than a trip with your favorite girls, and Kirsten has two charming destinations in mind.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is practically made for a girls' trip.

Kirsten visited with her family and loved the combination of beautiful gardens, great food and charming streets. They even took a ghost tour, which turned out to be a highlight.

Other girls' trip ideas in Charleston include:

  • Book a vacation rental

  • Have a spa day

  • Take a ghost tour

  • Explore the gardens

  • Go shopping

  • Try local restaurants

  • Break into smaller groups for different activities

It's the kind of city where everyone can choose their own adventure and still come back together for dinner.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Kirsten is also planning a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas, a town in Texas Hill Country known for its German heritage and wine country.

While she hadn't visited yet at the time of recording, she's looking forward to exploring the area for herself.

Things that caught her attention include:

  • German food

  • Oktoberfest

  • Christmas markets

  • Shopping

  • Cute downtown areas

  • Good food

  • Nearby Austin

Fredericksburg is about an hour from Austin, making it easy to combine the two destinations into one trip.

For Traveling with Teens: Japan & Michigan

Traveling with teenagers can be challenging. They aren't little kids anymore, but they're also not always interested in the same things adults are.

Kirsten has found two destinations that work particularly well.

Japan

Kirsten's biggest recommendation for a teen trip is Japan.

It's definitely more of a splurge trip, but her family absolutely loved it. They visited Tokyo and Kyoto and then returned to Tokyo for Tokyo DisneySea.

What makes Japan such a great destination for teens is the sheer variety.

There's:

  • Incredible food

  • Anime

  • Video games

  • Unique cultural experiences

  • Shopping

  • History

  • Technology

  • Tokyo DisneySea

Kirsten says Japan was her family's favorite trip they've ever taken, which is a pretty strong endorsement for a destination that can be difficult to plan.

Traverse City & Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan

If Japan isn't quite in the budget, Kirsten recommends heading to Michigan.

The Traverse City area and Sleeping Bear Dunes offer a completely different kind of adventure.

You can:

  • Hike the massive sand dunes

  • Visit charming small towns

  • Go fishing

  • Explore wineries

  • Visit a classic soda shop

  • Go cherry picking

  • Visit during the annual cherry festival

  • Enjoy the slower pace of summer in Michigan

The area has a nostalgic, Americana feel that makes it especially fun for families.

For accommodations, Kirsten recommends looking at vacation rentals or resorts such as Crystal Mountain, which offers everything from hotel rooms to condos and even a water park.

A Few Destinations Kirsten Has on Her Radar

Kirsten is always researching new destinations, and a couple of places have recently caught her attention.

Belize

Belize is especially appealing because you can combine a jungle adventure with a beach vacation.

The biggest consideration is transportation. Some areas require quite a bit of driving, while others involve small plane flights.

But if you're willing to put in the effort, the combination of jungle and beach makes Belize a very tempting option.

Panama

Panama is another destination Kirsten has been hearing more about lately.

She's interested in finding destinations that feel a little more off the beaten path, especially as some of the world's most popular destinations become increasingly crowded.

Her current travel philosophy?

Find the places that haven't been discovered by everyone else yet.

Follow Along With Kirsten

Want more destination inspiration from Kirsten? Find her at:

You can also listen to the full This Travel Tribe podcast episode for even more travel ideas and stories from Kirsten.

Lisa AndrewsComment