There are really two types of vacations. One is packed with activities and places to go and the other is for sleepy slow days filled with rest, educational exploration, reading, eating, and relationship building. My husband and I often listen to other people’s descriptions of their vacations and say, “We could never vacation with them.” This is not a judgment about which kind of family vacation is better. It is just a very good thing to know yourself and your family. If you are like us, then this article is for you. May I present Family Vacations For Relaxation & Restoration!
Family vacations are often about keeping the kids busy. My guess is, that your kids are just as much in need of downtime as you. Are you longing for slow, peaceful, and rejuvenating? Pay attention to those longings, they just might actually be needs, and with the following vacation suggestions, you can make that longing into a reality.
Family Vacations For Relaxation & Restoration
Outer Banks North Carolina
My family has vacationed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for 22 years. We personally rent a home to stay in and around the town of Corolla. We treasure our time at the stunning ocean, there is plenty of lazy beach time and nature exploration. Renting a home for a week or two is a great way to make your vacation multi-generational. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins! We each provide an evening meal and eat soup or sandwiches for lunch and cereal for breakfast as a way to save money and eat healthily. Make sure to stop by the Currituck Lighthouse, The Whalehead Club, and if you can off-road it a bit, head north of town to see the wild horses. The Corolla Chapel is open for Sunday worship services too! We have found Brindley Beach Rentals to be honest and trustworthy. Our family has received excellent service and spotless homes when we rent from them! Added attractions include charming shops, a nature museum, golf, and many delicious restaurants!
Cruise
There are so many misconceptions about cruising! I have to admit to actually dreaming about cruising on a frequent basis. One of the things I like about taking a cruise is that there is something for everyone no matter their age. Cruising is also an exceptional value for your money. The food is absolutely to die for and while we are on the topic of food, I have celiac disease, and every cruise I have been on has accommodated my diet. I’ve even had my own personal chef! What do we like to do on cruises? We love to relax by reading (most cruise ships have libraries), swim, walk/explore the ship, eat, take naps, snack, go on a couple of excursions, take a lot of coffee and ice cream breaks, usually see one show. We want to give Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International a big thank you for providing such relaxing and restorative vacations! Added attractions include a serene spa, weight rooms, shops, children’s activities, artwork, and many educational classes are available too!
Amish Country
When you want to slow down and take a break, it is a fine idea to take the family on a day trip or a weekend to Amish Country. We live in Ohio and our children have grown up going on little jaunts to visit the Amish culture, where things are slow and you feel like you are walking back in time. We personally do not like touristy towns so we spend much of our time driving around on the backroads looking at picturesque views and stopping at Amish road stands. Farm animals are a real treat to see and the children all love this! There are many delicious bakeries and restaurants that you can eat at that serve Amish favorites too. You may want to try Der Duchman, or for gluten-free food, you must try Rebecca’s Bistro in Walnut Creek, and Olde World Bistro in Berlin. Where is our favorite place to stay? We stay at Charm Countryview Inn! I promise you won’t want to leave this beautifully landscaped property! All the rooms are spotless and have handmade Amish quilts in every room. Did I mention you get a full breakfast with a daily devotion, in addition to the most delicious evening snacks! Most things are closed on Sundays so the best days to make your trip are Monday through Saturday.
Happy Stress-Less Family Vacation!
Your Turn…
What is your favorite place to vacation for rest and rejuvenation?
Blessings,
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All three of these places look amazing! Like you, I prefer relaxing vacations and enjoy laying at the beach. Do you have any specific restaurant recommendations on the Outer Banks?
Thank you Carol for your kind comment! I do not have a post yet but can email you my restaurant recommendations and there are so many good ones!