Welcome to this week's newsletter, inspired by a friend's question: Where should you travel with your tweens and teens for an unforgettable experience? "Piece of cake," I thought, as I was hit with a wave of sweet memories. But before I could type out my top picks, I wondered, "Do my teenagers share my enthusiasm?" And voila! The light bulb went off, and I decided to interview them instead!

Starting with my 14-year-old daughter, we put our heads together and reminisced about our family trips over the years. She then gave me some honest feedback, and I'm excited to share her favorites with you. Brace yourself, folks- these destinations are the real deal!

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For a summer vacation she quickly named Cape Cod, MA. We’ve been there a few times, and these are her favorites of our visits to different beach towns.

• The warm bayside water of Crosby Landing Beach in Brewster where the tides are low, and the flats stretch out as far as the eye can see. Also, the perfect spot for the adults to unwind and catch the sunset over drinks while the youngsters continue to swim. 🍷
• An afternoon behind the wheel zooming go carts around the track at Cartland of Cape Cod. It's not the fanciest joint in town, but it won't break the bank and the whole fam can join the fun. 🏎️
• Ah, the house! The one with her own little nook to escape the hustle and bustle of family time. Whether she wanted to dodge the little cousins or take a breather from the grown-ups, her private bedroom was the perfect haven. We often rent multi-family homes to maximize the time with our east coast crew.

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The Dominican Republic surpassed Bermuda, Hawaii, and Mexico as her favorite tropical vacation destination.

• We stayed at Dreams La Romana. Being all-inclusive allowed her to explore the resort's dining options beyond our typical family mealtimes. She enjoyed the freedom of visiting the breakfast buffet on her own and trying out new dishes. Meanwhile, we appreciated knowing she was close by (just down the stairs from our room). Additionally, we opted for the Preferred Club upgrade, which granted us access to a private lounge exclusively available to a select number of guests. 🍳
• INFLATABLES! Not only was the water warm and calm but you could swim out to a massive trampoline. While we often enjoyed watching the kids jump from the beach, we also joined in the fun ourselves on occasion.
• She remembers the resort being kid friendly. She stubbed her toe on the pool deck and was attended to quickly and with care, a Band-Aid and hug. It was filled with families and the staff was warm and accommodating. ❤️‍🩹

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Winter Wonderland Getaway: Stowe, VT

• Raised in SoCal, waking up to a white Christmas was pretty magical in her book. The cabin decor and cozy atmosphere of our villa at Trapp Family Lodge were memorable. ❄️❄️❄️
• The ease of walking out the front door for a day of sledding, snowball fights, and a dip in the enormous indoor pool brought her so much joy. As for me, I couldn't resist the outdoor jacuzzi with its breathtaking mountain views.
• She had an exhilarating experience taking her first downhill ski lesson and spending the entire day on the slopes. This year, she's ready to take on the challenge of snowboarding! ⛷️

I hope these insights will help you in planning your next trip with teenagers. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be sharing insight from my 16-year-old son, my husband, and myself, so stay tuned!

Cheers to better travel with teens! 😍✈️🏝️⛷️

Mary Beth