“Still, round the corner, there may wait, A new road or a secret gate.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
Deciding to take a family road trip can feel daunting with young children. There are so many decisions to make – where to drive to, where to stay, and what to do - so that everyone will have a memorable experience. We set off to two destinations and had one ultimate family vacation. I will share how we did it and some of our most memorable moments.
Our Vision
Pour yourself a glass of wine and start dreaming. My husband and I always start by sharing how we want to feel during the vacation and what experiences will make this possible. This vacation was definitely going to be about
Indulging in great culinary experiences & natural scenery
Plenty of outdoor activities to have fun with the kids
Comfortable (if not luxurious) lodgings for relaxation & downtime
Our Destination
Whether I am at a social gathering, a child’s soccer game, or a family affair, I’m always asking about people’s travel plans (past and present), regardless of whether I’m planning a trip or not. I love hearing about people’s experiences and then keeping a catalog of places I may someday want to visit.
From our starting point in #Toronto, we would drive to a destination that was 7-8 hours away (not including stops). We brainstormed a list of potential destinations which included
Quebec City, Quebec
Chicago, Illinois
Washington, DC
Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Stowe, Vermont
Our Decision
Although we plan to visit Chicago and Washington someday, they weren't the experiences we were looking for this summer. We had been to Quebec City a few summers ago and absolutely loved it, but we wanted a new adventure. That left us with two options - Jersey Shore and Stowe. After much research and playing the 'pros & cons' game with each other we decided Stowe would be our destination. It had the added bonus that we could do a bit of research about the skiing options in Vermont while we were visiting. Our long distance also had us contemplate a stop in Montreal on the way to Stowe. It would also help ease us into vacation mode with great food and scenery.
Montreal, Quebec
We stayed at #hotelstsulpice in Old Montreal. A luxurious hotel and family friendly.
#Montreal street scenes.
Oh the food choices! A gastronomic adventure, featuring our very favourite spots. #portus360mtl #LeRobinSquare #maisonchristianfaure #tommymontreal
The final adventure in Montreal thrilled the kids. #voilesenvoiles
Stowe, Vermont
Paradise found #edsonhillvt
It's all about the attention to details.
So much to enjoy and just steps from our room.
The kids first time fishing. A great experience with The Fly Rod Shop (www.flyrodshop.com).
Our favorite moment of fishing was when our son declared:
"That bass named Bob is going down!"
Our hiking trek led us through a marsh. Can you spot the frog?
Hiking #mountmansfield
Every walk was picture worthy in Stowe. #recreationpath
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