Four Ways Travel Can Help Bring Families Together Post-Pandemic-Crisis

The world we live in *right now* can feel like an uncertain place. "Uncertain" in a completely new way than we have ever experienced. Every bit of normalcy in our day-to-day lives has been turned upside down, and leaves us feeling anxious and uncertain about regular stuff - let alone the thought of travel.

While the days of social distancing and masks and caution may not be over yet, there will come a time when things will normalize - our new normal. I *promise*. Don't stay discouraged!

There will be many things that we’ll get back in our lives and the ability to move around freely and begin traveling again is certainly one of them. Travel is a great way to reconnect and bring families back together after weeks and months of panic-y feelings and uncertainty.

In fact, every other year, my family takes a multi-generational trip abroad and we are so looking forward to planning one right now for 2021. Since there are over ten of us, it takes us a good 18-months to plan a group trip.

Here are four ways that travel rejuvenates family dynamics and help them to re-explore the world. I bet you have missed your extended family! I sure have.

1. Travel is a perfect way to celebrate family milestones

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, retirement, family reunion, or any number of special celebrations, traveling outside of your norm can help provide meaningful memories that will stick with you forever.

2. Reignites Family Friendships

Everyone is always busy. It’s hard for families both near and far to make time to see each other and before you know years have passed. When families travel together their relationships are strengthened and deepened. By disconnecting from routine and indulging in new experiences, the memories made will be carried decades into the future, leaving us with lasting stories when we remember our loved ones after they are gone.

3. Makes Family into Teammates

There will come a time during any journey or excursion where you and your family may find yourselves in new and unfamiliar environments and situations. These are the moments where the family dynamic can shift from friends into teammates. Simple scenarios like finding your way around a big city, navigating a new public transport system or figuring out a menu in a foreign language, brings family members together and has them working like teammates.

4. The Importance of Time

Unlike at home, where there are both mental and physical distractions to keep us preoccupied, traveling makes it essential to truly live in the moment. This makes it easier for family members to catch up and spend quality time with one another. While vacations might seem to fly by, time really does slow down making those special moments string together into days that won’t be forgotten.

There’s truly no better feeling than getting to explore new - or even old favorite - destinations with the ones you love. Whether it’s your biological family or the people you choose to call family, travel brings these relationships closer together. While it most definitely is not the time to travel right now, it is a perfect time to start dreaming and planning your next big vacation. Reach out to us when you are ready for some destination inspiration and unique ideas for your group.

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Olivia Nash Richardson is a 10-year veteran of the luxury travel industry, always as a member of Virtuoso. Her deep love of travel started at a young age, and was refined while attending high school in France and then her Masters in Paris.

Olivia loves hotels and is passionate about the transformative power of travel. She started Nash Travel Management because her goal is to make your bucket list come alive! She is one of fewer than 250 agents worldwide who is a certified Virtuoso Wanderlist Advisor and is a charter member of Virtuoso's Sustainability Community.

Olivia holds degrees from The Ohio State University, New York University and an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from Vanderbilt University. She, her husband, and two daughters reside in Nashville.