Family Vacation - precious time!

Every winter, especially during snowy days, I sit in front of the fireplace, get my laptop and start planning the summer.

Makes me feel warmer right away!

Going on a family vacation is healthy, it is good for the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Moreover, it is extremely good for a family that bonds and connects through various experiences and shapes memories forever.

Being in a new place, outside of a daily school and work routine, makes us learn new things about each other. It is also an opportunity to engage more into nature rather than stay in front of the TV and other electronic devices.

Last year, my family vacationed in a villa outside of Florence, Italy. There was no TV. There was a piano and we played and sang many songs with the kids. There were many stories shared at dinner time. The pool kept us busy during hot July. The grandson had a daily table tennis match with grandpa. There were donkeys, chickens, olive trees, beehives, and a vineyard.

Many Italian towns called Comune organize small street theatres every summer. It is a night of delicious food from all the local farms. The residents gather on haystacks and each family presents something, whether it is a song, a dance, or a monologue. What a wonderful local experience!

I can guarantee that you will be able to prepare anything last minute and it is going to be a very joyful experience.

Here are few ideas:

- hoola hoop

- body percussion

- cup song

- rap improv

- somersault

- magic trick

Be creative!!!

Family vacation is often heavily loaded with sightseeing, and if you chose to go to Italy, be prepared for long excursions.

That was my biggest mistake, since I absolutely wanted to explore and see everything, my kids complained from exhaustion.

Take my advice, do not overdo it, especially during the hot summer days.

I thought we could do it all:

San Gimignano, Florence, Padua, Venice, Siena, Rome....

It is doable, but not for the entire day, unless....

You make GELATO stops every hour, and that is how I redeemed myself. All the kids together with their grandpa were happy at the end.

If on a budget, you might put Italy on a back burner, just pack a tent and go camping in the Berkshires or Poconos. Family friendly, fun and affordable.

Wherever you go, let yourself go because life is too short to be SERIOUS and PERFECT all the time. Get ready to enjoy everything and everyone.... well almost everything and everyone, since there are always some crazy stories you gonna have to bring back home.

And then, you might just need vacation from vacation to recuperate.