From Anticipation to Adventure: Sparking Excitement for Your Upcoming Travel
Cheering on Team USA at Paris Olympics 2024
You’ve booked the trip, and the excitement is palpable—especially for you, the planner.
While the hardest part is figuring out the logistics for your trip, once that is settled you can take the time to celebrate that you have an upcoming vacation to look forward to. But how do you get the whole family buzzing about the adventure ahead? Part of the fun is building excitement for what you are about to do. We wanted to share some of our suggestions for how we we embrace travel anticipation and use that as a tool to make our vacations even more enjoyable. For us this is an important part of the planning process.
Embrace the Excitement
First things first, remember why you chose this destination. Was it the stunning landscapes, the vibrant culture, or maybe the irresistible cuisine? Dig into what makes this place special—research its famous sites, must-see attractions, and any unique events happening during your stay. Are there foods you’ve been dying to try or renowned restaurants you need to book ahead? There are many available YouTube videos, you can ask your friends, poll your social media contacts or visit your local library for travel books to get all the details.
There are so many places where you can find information in order to build enthusiasm.
We will often talk as a family about what there is to look forward to and research these options together so that we can all share in the excitement. I will ask my kids about what they are looking forward to and what would make the tip special as we finalize our itinerary for each day.
Tailor the Trip to Each Family Member
Consider each family member’s interests and tailor a special experience for them. Maybe your teen is a history buff who’d love a private tour of a famous landmark, while your little one might be thrilled by a visit to a themed amusement park. Customizing a part of the trip for everyone will make the adventure feel personal and exciting. It also helps give each person something special that the can look forward to. As parents we think about what would be special for us too, so that we can have our time to enjoy ourselves as well. This also makes it easier while you are traveling and maybe are at an activity that doesn’t completely appeal to everyone in the family. It is easier to be patient when you know that what you are doing is special for someone else to enjoy. My kids have very different interests, my son always wanting to go to sporting events while my daughter prefers more creative experiences. Each knows that their turn will come, which makes it easier to have patience and support each other while each gets the opportunity to enjoy something that is special and geared toward their interests.
Attending a Soccer Match in Cambridge
Surprise Elements for Extra Fun
Adding an element of surprise can turn a great trip into an unforgettable adventure. One year, our holiday gifts included reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel masks, and science journals—all wrapped up with suitcases, signaling our surprise December break trip to the Galapagos. On another occasion, while the kids knew we were headed to London, they had no idea we had booked the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour until we pulled up to the gate.
Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Their excitement was through the roof! You can decide just how many of the details you want to keep secret, it can range from the entire itinerary or to a specific experience once you arrive, that you know will enhance your trip and be appreciated.
Learning and Preparing Together
When you’ve already spilled the beans about the destination, turn the lead-up into an educational adventure. Host a themed dinner featuring cuisine from your destination—dim sum before a trip to China, for example. Look for books that take place in your travel location or ones that teach about it. Create a playlist with songs that you will want to listen to on a beach in the Caribbean. Before our surprise Galapagos trip, we read up on Darwin’s finches and sea turtles. These activities should be age appropriate and can engage all members of the family.
Our Colosseum Tour
Because we watched a movie like Gladiator before our Rome trip it added a cinematic touch to our Colosseum tour.
Pack with Purpose
Think about special items that will enhance your trip that are easier to bring from home. I like to make sure that I will have what I need well in advance of our trip, particularly if I am ordering from online sites and need to allow time for deliveries. I often arrange photo shoots to capture our travel memories—planning coordinating outfits or packing fun props that will highlight where we are visiting. For the Galapagos, bringing our pre-purchased waterproof cameras and science journals made the adventure even more engaging. Just be mindful not to overpack; balance practicality with excitement.
Show Your Spirit
Sometimes a trip may include an event where you want to show your connection to what you are experiencing. Maybe you are traveling to follow your favorite sports team or your favorite band, and you want to wear your jersey or concert t-shirt. Having these items in advance makes it easier than struggling to find them or paying a premium at your destination. For events like the Olympics, our family enjoyed getting decked out in Team USA gear and bringing flags and accessories. This added spirit not only enhanced our experience but also sparked conversations with fellow fans and created a sense of camaraderie. One of the events we watched asked all members in the audience to hold up the flags of their home country and it was amazing to see so many countries represented.
Cheering on Team USA in Basketball
So, how do you get your family ready and excited for your next adventure?
These are just a few of the ideas that we use in building anticipation for our upcoming trips. With a little creativity and planning, you can turn anticipation into a full-blown adventure!
What are your favorite ways to build excitement for a trip?
Share your tips and stories below! 👇