Spring
This is the shoulder season sweet spot, and it rewards parents who plan ahead. What are these rewards we speak of? Fewer crowds, mild weather and catching Mother Nature in some of her most colorful, fragrant moments.
Where to Go:
• Paris, France: Visit budding gardens, picturesque street cafés and plentiful museums made for wandering.
• Kyoto, Japan: Cherry blossoms provide a perfectly pink backdrop for bike rides, temple tours, tea ceremonies and cultural experiences.
• Prague, Czech Republic: Storybook medieval lanes, puppet theaters and castle tours beckon with spring magic.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands: Pedal canal-side bike routes, visit interactive museums and enjoy tulip fields bursting with color.
Summer
This isn’ t the season for half measures— summer urges us to go big. With more time, better weather and fewer limitations, these are the trips that they’ ll still talk about in college. Done right, they can even become part of family lore.
Where to Go:
• Bergen, Norway: Kayak past dramatic cliffs, hike to majestic waterfalls and explore stunning fjords dotted with colorful fishing villages.
• North Island, New Zealand: The rolling green hills of The Shire, sparkling glowworm caves and Maori storytelling set the scene for a real-life adventure tale.
• Maui, Hawaii: Go snorkeling or surfing, experience a traditional luau, explore tide pools and hike through lush tropical landscapes.
• Banff, Canada: Canoe on turquoise lakes, ride gondolas up to scenic peaks and hike trails that feel straight out of a postcard.
16 · CONNECTIONS 2026