Honey, Let's Get Away Without the Kids

I love traveling as a family. To be able to enjoy new experiences along with my husband, children, and sometimes even extended family, is a wonderful thing. However, every once in a while it's nice to get away without the kids! 

Take some time to toast with champagne!

Luxury Family Travel For An Adult Getaway

Sure, there are challenges to doing this. Typically, there is even more to coordinate when planning an adult only getaway. You may need to schedule vacation time at work, besides finding help to stay with the kids. Decide if you'll leave them during a school break or when they are busy in their day-to-day school, sports, or other activities. Then, do you want to fly or go somewhere close to maximize your vacation time? 

But, ahhhh...once you are there. Just imagine being able to sleep in, deciding as a couple where you want to dine without having opposition, or spending time at a nightclub without have to rush back and pay the babysitter. 

Tropical Resort

So where to go? There are amazing all-inclusive resorts that are adult only. These include more bars, hot tubs, intimate tables for two, and more.  A trip to Sandals Resorts is perfect for this. With upscale accommodations in tropical locations, they have planned activities and water sports, delicious food, and specialize in making you appreciate each other all over again.

Travel Tip: The locations of Sandals Resorts are not only fabulous tropical destinations, but they are in spots that are typically VERY easy to get to. Many can be reached by air non-stop from numerous cities throughout the United States. This is terrific in order to maximize your vacation time! ​

City Retreat

Are you a city person? Maybe water sports or beach time isn't your ideal getaway. So visit a city you've never experienced before. Explore museums and attractions, discover new foods, and then enjoy a romantic view from a roof-top swimming pool or bar! I love the bustle of cities from a relaxing point high above. If you've never experienced this, I'd definitely add it to your list. 

Sit by the fire or reserve a romantic cabana on the rooftop pool deck at Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt in Austin, Texas [Photo Credit: Kimpton]

Cruise

The same is for cruise ships. Even though upscale cruises often have kid's activities, if you have children that don't like to separate and won't go to kid's camps or supervised activities, it's may not be quite as relaxing. So it's wonderful to be able to spend time relaxing together on a cruise. ​

If you are hesitant to leave the kids for an extended length of time, even upscale cruise lines offer shorter cruises. You might be able to find a short 3 or 4 night cruise during a period where the ship is transitioning  between home ports or catching up from a longer cruise on either side. Plus, this is a great time to take advantage of the lower prices and experience a luxury suite or service. 

Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Tips on Planning Your Adult Getaway

Let's face it, not everyone has family or can afford outside help to take care of the kids at home while you vacation. This is typically our challenge. However, I've found a few tips to help: 

• Do you have family in a vacation destination? We live in Maryland but have lots of family in south Florida. Often, we all fly down to Florida and then the boys would stay with family while we "sneak" off for a night or two for a luxury beachfront getaway.  We get spoiled and so do our kids! 

The beachfront cabanas at Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale are secluded on a second level overlooking the beach

• Even one night away to a local luxury resort or hotel can be rejuvenating! We love taking "stay-cations" and to spend just one night away. Or if you only have only a day while the kids are in school, visit an upscale hotel for a lunch or afternoon tea, followed by a trip to the spa for  a couple's massage. 

• If you are out of options and need to take the kids, stay in a resort that has a children's camp. My boys were never ones to love children's programs, although we've always had much better luck with this when traveling to a resort versus a cruise ship. A resort has much more room to play and activities to do. Many resorts offer supervised care for half days, whole days, and evenings.  When visiting the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland, we enjoyed a romantic dinner and then drinks outside while the boys were entertained with swimming, crabbing on the pier and a movie, complete with ice cream sundaes! 

Huge indoor pool and multiple outdoor pools bring the fun year-round at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay

I'm all about taking family vacations but I always try to squeeze in some adult time along the way! Where do you like to go and getaway without the kids? I'd love to hear!