I love traveling with my parents. Not only are they some of the best travel buddies because we all already know everyone’s quirks and limits, but it’s also extraordinary to see them push themselves to do things they wouldn’t normally do. While traveling with your parents may come with its own set of challenges it’s also extremely rewarding. I’ve been very lucky to travel with my parents all around the world. I’ve hiked Machu Picchu in Peru with my mom, traversed Rome with both of my parents, to sailed around the Mediterranean on a Disney Cruise on a family trip.
Travel opens up new doors for all of us to see the world through a lens that seems to deepen our understanding of each other and the world around us. Travel also allows my family to make memories that will outlast our lifetimes as we share the stories of our trips with others. If you’re like me and in your 30s and want to travel with your parents, I’m sharing the best places to go based on travel styles and trending destinations for 2025.
For adventure seekers: Iceland by expedition cruise
Iceland seemed to be popping up all over social media this summer. My mom and I even made our way to the land of fire and ice to explore via expedition cruise. While I love traditional ocean cruising, I love expedition cruising just as much. I sailed with Lindblad-National Geographic on a 10-day circumnavigation of Iceland cruise.
On the cruise, I spotted wildlife like whales and puffins, hiked over some of the most beautiful terrains, and caught glimpses of massive waterfalls. We also explored the stunning capital city of Reykjavik. To take it up another notch, we crossed the Arctic Circle. Now I’ve crossed visiting one of the poles off my bucket list, and you can too. And of course, the crew invited guests to partake in a polar plunge in 44-degree water. This is a great activity to do together to make memories while you travel with your parents.
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Even my sixty-something-year-old mom loved the trip. She pushed past her fear of open water to ride in a zodiac to get to landing positions. She also loved hearing from the naturalists who spoke every evening.
For theme park fans: Tokyo Disney Resort
If you travel with your parents to theme parks in the United States you’re going to want to visit Tokyo Disney Resort. The incredible resort is everything you’ve ever thought of the quintessential Disney Parks experience and more. It’s got two sprawling theme parks and a handful of on-property hotels. I like to stay at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel for easy access to both parks. A major reason to visit is the opening of the all-new port, Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Sea.
The port has four attractions and plenty of dining opportunities all based around three iconic Disney movies: Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled. I was lucky enough to experience Fantasy Springs before it opened to the public and it’s truly one of the most immersive theme park lands I’ve seen. If you only do one thing inside Fantasy Springs, I would highly suggest prioritizing Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey. The attraction retells the story of Frozen with some of the most advanced audio-animatronic figures from Walt Disney Imagineering.
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Outside of Fantasy Springs, Tokyo Disney Sea is a theme park unlike any other in the world. Each port is themed around water and a massive volcano in the middle of the park spews fire at regular intervals. Over at Tokyo Disneyland, the iconic castle park feels similar to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The park has some unique attractions that can’t be missed like the popular Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast and The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents “Aloha e Komo Mai.” And you can’t go wrong with any of the food and drink at the parks and resorts. Treats like Mickey-shaped churros, Baymax-inspired curry, and Green Alien mochi are all popular with guests.
For a chilled-out vacation: Virginia wine country road trip
When you think of wine country in the United States your mind may automatically go to Napa or New York. But I’m here to say Virginia wine country is worth building an entire trip around if you want to travel with your parents. Start your road trip at the Massanutten Resort, which acts as a gateway to the Shenandoah National Park. I like staying in one of the resort’s Regal Vistas, which are vacation homes with multiple bedrooms, a large porch, and beautiful views of the mountains. From there, you’ll be able to get to wineries like CrossKeys Vineyard and Bluestone Vineyards
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Then, take the two-hour drive towards Loudoun County and stay in Middleburg, America’s horse and hunt capital. The historic downtown is lined with shops restaurants, and of course, wineries. I love Greenhill Winery and Vineyards in this area. The winery’s sparkling wine was featured in the gift bags at the 2016 Academy Awards. Stay at the Goodstone Inn, a charming bed and breakfast nestled just far enough from the main downtown to feel exclusive but close enough that you won’t miss out on any of the fun.
Between wineries, you can visit historic sites like George Washington’s Mount Vernon, George Washington’s Ferry Farm, Chatham Manor, and more. Like most historic places, it’s best to get your tickets well in advance.
For a beach break: Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii is a bucket list destination for a lot of people, including my family. We finally crossed the destination off our list in early 2024 by visiting Oahu. The island is the perfect beach break spot that brings together the excitement of a vacation on the sandy shores with the impactful culture of Native Hawaiians. This can be a great mix if you travel with your parents to Hawaii.
While on the island, my family stayed at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. We were able to have breakfast with Mickey Mouse and his pals, who also happened to be vacationing at Aulani, at Makahiki; we snorkeled with thousands of tropical fish in a man-made lagoon; and also learned some Hawaiian words and learned the history of the Hawaiian language at the Olelo Room; and of course, indulged in a luau right at the resort.
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For a different vibe, one without character meals or even kids, consider staying at Romer House Waikiki. The exclusively adult-only hotel opened in June 2024. Staying here give you access to everything from an adults-only pool to the beach. And don’t sleep on the incredible onsite restaurant, Izakaya 855-Aloha. Here small plates infuse Japanese and Hawaiian flavors into a few tasty bites.
No matter where you end up staying on Oahu, I highly suggest renting a car. My family had a rental car for six days to get around the island. During that time we hit most of the highlights and tourist stops, including Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, Kualoa Ranch, and more without the nagging haste of large group tours. The perks of being able to stop when something looks interesting is well worth the rental car fee.
For a taste of the south: Bardstown, Kentucky
There’s nothing like Southern hospitality in the United States. That’s exactly what you’ll get at the bourbon capital of the world, Bardstown, Kentucky. Within the 16 miles of downtown, there are 11 different distillery experiences, a favorite of which is Bardstown Bourbon Company. Here, your family can indulge in a tasting experience, cocktail classes, and even a meal at the distillery restaurant. Just be sure if you drink at even one of the distilleries to have a designated driver or use ride shares to get around town.
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After an afternoon of enjoying bourbon, you can head to Log Still at Dant Crossing for live music, explore the Bernheim Arboretum, and enjoy a multitude of restaurants along the charming downtown streets. In 2025, the Trail Hotel, which is the only bourbon-centric hotel in the world, will open. Here, you’ll have access to a bourbon butler who can arrange tours and tastings, five on-site bars, an upscale steakhouse, a speakeasy, a golf simulator, and more.
For a Florida getaway: Marco Island
Marco Island is part of Florida’s paradise coast, known for its large chain of islands, beaches, and abundance of wildlife. If you’re traveling with your parents and looking for the quintessential beach getaway in the Sunshine State you will love this area of Florida. There’s no end to the list of things to do in the area. The beaches have some of the best shelling in the world. You can also explore Everglades National Park, kayak in the ample waterways, and even play a round of golf. Of course, you can enjoy the beach with a chair and umbrella while reading a good book if that’s more your vibe.
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For the ultimate place to stay in the lap of luxury, check in at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. If you’re looking for an adult-exclusive hotel stay, consider booking one of the 94 rooms at the resort’s Lanai Tower Paradise by Sirene concept. The Lanai Tower is available for those 21 years and above. Your stay starts with a glass of champagne at check-in and a dedicated concierge who can make any request a reality. You’ll also get access to Tesoro restaurant and lounge, a private rooftop pool, and an exclusive section of the beach. For a different type of adult-only fun, head to 10K Alley, the resort’s arcade and gastropub, which is exclusively adult in the evening.
For those looking to mostly ditch technology: Paws Up Montana
Let’s be really honest here for a second, technology is great, but sometimes you need a break from scrolling on TikTok or being glued to the TV to watch the latest viral Netflix show. Enter Paws Up Montana, a 37,000-acre working ranch in the heart of Montana’s Big Sky Country.
The resort is known for its incredible lineup of outdoor activities including 100 miles of trails to explore. You can also participate in archery, ATV tours, cattle drives, canoeing, fly-fishing, go-karts, custom hat-making, and more. This is a great spring and summer destination for those who are going to travel with their parents. In the winter, guests can enjoy everything from tubing and ice skating to biathlon and dog sledding.
Additionally, the resort has a handful of different dining options, ranging in style from an authentic chuck wagon and lounges to fine dining and gourmet s’mores. Paws Up Montana has an official culinary s’mores program and guests can go through three levels of s’mores certification to become a s’moresologist.
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Accommodations at the resort include luxury glamping tents that are available to book from mid-May through mid-October. Tents have space for up to six people. If your family really wants to live it up you can rent one of the 28 luxury ranch homes year-round. Each ranch home overlooks incredible vistas and has access to a Lexus SUV that you can use to get around the property.
For a taste of the Mediterranean: Oia, Santorini, Greece
Imagine laying out by the pool sipping a glass of wine and looking over the Mediterranean Sea as you travel with your parents. That’s exactly what you’re getting in Oia, Santorini, Greece. The village is known for its white buildings, churches with deep azure domes on the top, and its incredible views of the sunsets over the Greek Isles. The village streets are easy to wander around and get lost in. Shops and bars line the main marble street, though you may find better options down the little side streets.
While there are plenty of hotels around Oia and Santorini as a whole, Santo Mine is a brand-new luxury property in the heart of Oia. The resort is completely child-free, which is great for families like mine who don’t travel with children. The all-suite resort features accommodations with private plunge pools and outdoor spaces for family bonding time.
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The resort has an incredible spa, the Pnoē Spa. Of course, there’s a variety of treatments available but there’s also a sauna, hammam, and outdoor yoga sessions, that make the spa a full-day destination. Additionally, the resort offers an incredible wine cellar where you can learn about Grecian viticulture. In fact, the wine cellar offers a taste of Assyrtiko, a white wine made from one of the oldest grape varieties on earth. I know that’s something I would love to do while I travel with my parents.
For glamping under the stars: Babanango Game Reserve in South Africa
Glamping is a great way to travel and get out in nature while still having all of the small luxuries of home. For a truly unforgettable glamping destination, South Africa’s Babanango Game Reserve is the spot to be. The Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal reserve is ranked as one of the Best in the World for 2025 by National Geographic and covers more than 20,000 hectares. While exploring the reserve on game drives or on foot with a guide you may spot some of Africa’s most iconic animals including the recently reintroduced African elephant. Giraffes, warthogs, leopards, and black rhinos also call the reserve home.
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The game reserve has plenty of accommodation styles so you’re not cramped in a tiny room while you travel with your parents. For a glamping stay at the Madwaleni River Lodge, which has 12 safari-style tents complete with a heated splash pool and incredible views. For a stay that gets you even closer to nature, consider the Matatane Camp, which the reserve calls a “back-to-basics wilderness experience.” Here you’ll stay in a fenced-off area in chalets and family tents, with activities like zippiness and walking trails close by.
