The Family Trip Home - The Family Trip

The Family Trip is our online spot dedicated to supporting and encouraging families in an active, healthy, and traveling lifestyle. We didn’t drop out, roadschool, become digital nomads, or even homeschool. Instead, we’ve discovered how to live a full, rich life where we are.

We’re based in the mountains of Virginia, where life treats us good. We have many adventures at home, but we also love to travel the world.

We think a traditional lifestyle can still be full of great adventure.

We think families come in all different shapes and sizes, but family means the world.

We believe the best trip is a family one.

Read more about us and our philosophy here.
Learn about Mrs. Family Trip (the writer) here.

family Trips & Adventures to Explore

International Trips

Explore places around the world we've written about.

Explore National Parks we've written about.

Explore trips around the United States of America we've written about.

Live the Best Life

Explore content we've written about how we live active, healthy lives around a traditional lifestyle.

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Attaturk museum Ankara Turkiye

International

Things to do in Ankara, Türkiye (the capital city)

While on our Intrepid Travel tour of Turkiye, we found ourselves looking for things to

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February 6, 2025

Cappadocia Turkey hot air balloon

International

Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkiye: Is this experience worth it?

I was in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey. Sometimes, I have to pinch

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January 28, 2025

48 Hours in Istanbul

International

Top 11 Things To Do in Istanbul, Turkiye with 48 Hours

While on our Intrepid trip in October, we ended in Istanbul. We were on the

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January 17, 2025

Inside a Turkish Hammam

International

What to Expect Inside a Turkish Hammam (A Beginner’s Guide to the Turkish Hammam)

When I went to Istanbul last October, I wanted to try a Turkish hammam (also

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January 6, 2025

Hking Northface Trail Switzerland

International

A Two week (+) Family Friendly Itinerary the Alps (lots of Switzerland!)

When I started to craft our itinerary for our huge European trip, our itinerary in

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December 30, 2024

Fussen riverwalk

Germany

What to Do Around Neuschwanstein: Hohenschwangau & Füssen Germany Ideas

This was a travel moment of magic and tear-jerking beauty for us. While in Füssen,

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December 22, 2024

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📍 Charlottesville, VA

The world feels heavy right now, but I can’t hel

The world feels heavy right now, but I can’t help keep in mind how beautiful it is, too. I’ve been processing my trip to #Istanbul on my website lately and it is such a breath of creative space and joy for me.

I loved experiencing Türkiye - a lot. And it’s a wonderful reminder that no matter how we live or where we live there are wonderful people, kind smiles, delicious food, and breathtaking natural wonders.

We are interconnected.
We are all human beings.
We have been struggling and succeeding as a human species for centuries.
We’ll keep struggling and keep succeeding.

But in any event: keep traveling! Keep getting out there! Keep meeting other humans! And keep smiling.

➡️if you want more on how to spend time Istanbul or Türkiye 🇹🇷- head to my website

#travel #travelblogger #travelgram #travelworld #travelwriter #turkey #türkiye #istanbul

I’ve been thinking about traditions! Yesterday w

I’ve been thinking about traditions! Yesterday was our #FirstDayHike - a tradition we’ve held for years. Our teens definitely grumbled about going. But it means so much to me to spend the first day of the year together- outside - especially as they get older.

And while I think we don’t have too many traditions (birthdays are a mess here, we haven’t figured those out yet), the traditions we have I hold close.

I hope your 2025 is off to a great start and is going to be full of adventure!

& if you have any great traditions, especially around birthdays, drop me a note.

#blueridgemountains #blueridgemountainsva #blueridgeparkway #hike #hiking #girlswhohike #familieswhohike #optoutside #getoutside #activefam

Did I get a “smart” bird feeder for Christmas?

Did I get a “smart” bird feeder for Christmas?
Yes.
Do I love it?
Yes.
Do I feel old?
Nope.
It just feels right.

Be sure to follow me for more exciting updates and developments in 2025. 🤪

#bird #birds #birdfeeder #birdlovers #birdvideos #backyard

Do you pickle, too?! Like a lot of families, we st

Do you pickle, too?! Like a lot of families, we stared enjoying this sport/game during Covid. I am not a racquet sports person (I quit tennis camp twice as a kid and once as an adult 😁).

But here is why pickleball works for us:

#1. It is accessible for a wide range of age and ability

#2: there are 4 of us and guess the best number to play a game of pickleball (4!)

#3: it is outside - at least, it is for us

#4: the amount of time we spend playing can be short or long. We set the time limits.

#5: it doesn’t hurt my body, my knees or hips, like tennis does

As my kids get older, I feel it gets harder to find family funtivities to do. Things that once interested them don’t anymore and, also, they have clearly defined interests of their own.

So getting out as a family to play some pickleball this winter break has been good for my mom-heart.

#pickleball #sport #familypickleball #familytime #familylife #getoutside #optoutside #momlife

Should I be curled up on the couch this break and

Should I be curled up on the couch this break and doing nothing? Maybe. Probably. I did ended up feeling emotionally and physically drained the other day- there’s been a lot of going this month.

Yet here is a photo of us hiking through the Blue Ridge Tunnel a few days ago in the cold, icicles are crashing to the earth behind me in this photo, because we are NOT on the couch this break.

I find much restoration and healing in being outside and in having adventures with my people. I guess it’s OK to do it my way. I know what fills me up.

Also, if you are ever on the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA, take a quick detour and explore this tunnel!

It was once a railroad tunnel and today, you can walk through it. It is quick and easy (flat!), yet unique.

#hike #hiking #hikemore #getoutside #optoutside #virginia #waynesboro #visitvirginia #lovewhereyoulive #tunnel #railroads_of_the_usa

Been thinking about 2024 and here’s the thing: I

Been thinking about 2024 and here’s the thing: I *definitely* overconsumed on travel. Miami, Las Vegas, Türkiye, Stowe, Switzerland + Italy + Austria + Liechtenstein + Germany, Mexico. It was a LOT of travel. It taxed our checkbook and required a lot of days away from home (and lots of time off of work).

Obviously, it was worth it and I have no regrets. But I also don’t think it’s doable again at that pace in 2025. We’ve got a teen who starts driving and college visits, and another teen who loves his travel soccer team and going to the Y with friends.

So when I think about why I love travel so much, it really isn’t about checking boxes on some silly “places you must see” list or playing the “how many countries have you been to” game.

I travel because I love connecting with other humans a ton. When I travel, the only thing on my mind is experiencing everything around me to the fullest while in relationship and community.

When I travel I feel full on life.

Can I do this at home? Can I acquire that feeling while still doing the routine working-mom thing?

I guess we’re going to find out!

How do you recreate wonder, discovery and connection while doing the everyday life?

#travel #travelblogger #travellife #traveller #momlife #thoughts

Closing weekend! Just a few shows left with this a

Closing weekend! Just a few shows left with this awesome cast. It has been so much fun, with lots of laughs and lots of work.

Does it have to end?

#whitechristmas #musictheatre #performance #cast #theatre #theater

@waynetheatre ‘s White Christmas closes Sunday

For decades I have wanted to try to be in a cast i

For decades I have wanted to try to be in a cast in musical theater - I love the combination of dance and music. I believe that musical theater puts feelings and emotions into a container that spills over in ways that heal the human soul and create visceral experiences. Plus, with a dance background I was itching to perform again.

So I got a voice coach, put on dance shoes and walked into an audition. This weekend and next weekend I’m on stage at @waynetheatre in White Christmas 🎄 !

It has been a lot of time away from home and a lot of work alongside a full time job and full time parenting and full time “spousing.” But I am beyond grateful for this experience.

I don’t think I am good enough to go far with this, but I have so much fun and feel fulfilled by it - and that’s all I need.

📸 @miscellaneousmediaphotography

#theater #theatre #whitechristmas #christmasshow #performance #artist #musical #musicaltheatre

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