Guest Post by Sarah Schulz
Meet Sarah Schulz
Based in Encinitas, California (a beach town in San Diego county), Sarah Schulz is a passionate traveler who finds joy in experiencing new cultures, cuisines, and adventures, especially with her family by her side. Whether hiking, biking, exploring museums, or enjoying life on the water—she believes travel is an investment in life and family. Through their adventures, Sarah and her husband and two children, (a daughter 12 and son 14) have grown closer, sharing first-time experiences that have inspired her kids to embrace a life of adventure and curiosity about the world. From hiking the Swiss Alps, to surfing in Costa Rica, travel is at the heart of what they love most. When not traveling with her family, Sarah leads a busy career in corporate communications at a European-based cybersecurity company, where she’s constantly exposed to new perspectives and cultures.
Top Tips for Traveling with Teens ✌️
Q: What destinations or activities tend to be a hit with teens?
A: My best advice for traveling with teens is to try to plan activities that align with your teen’s interests. My daughter loves history (especially anything WWII related), and shopping, and my son is all about surfing, adventure and watersports. So, I typically plan trips that include a blend of urban and outdoors. For example, in the summer of 2024 we spent time in cities rich with history like Venice, Florence and Munich, visiting museums, doing walking tours and shopping. But we also explored the Italian Dolomites–hiking and mountain e-biking. The guys surfed a Wave Pool in the Swiss Alps and we hiked our way through the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, which was incredible.
I also deeply involve my whole family in the planning process. We look at activities in the different areas and make decisions together.
Resources that I frequently use to find fun activities are Apps including GetYourGuide and “Experiences” in the AirBnB app. We have used these to find and book activities such as snorkeling/ kayaking, sailing and boat tours, historical walking tours, food tours and cooking classes and “Skip the Line” access to museums like the Vatican.
Another thing Teens love — Food! There are a lot of “viral” food experiences touted by social media pretty much anywhere you go these days. We enjoyed trying some with our kids in Florence last summer – sandwiches from All’Antico Vinaio and Affagado from Vivoli (gelato and espresso) – the sandwiches were good, but the Affagado was a trip favorite!
Q: What are your best tips for managing family dynamics when traveling with teens, who might have different interests from the rest of the family?
A: My guess is that it’s a rare thing to have a family where everyone has the exact same interests. I think one of the best things is to find commonalities where they exist and lean into them and also to encourage teens/kids to try new things outside of their comfort zones. Involving your teen in the planning process is also a great way to get them excited and interested. Also, for the parents of young kids, start them young! I truly believe travel has helped my kids become more patient, resilient, curious, adventurous and world-minded.
Q: What have you found to be the best accommodations when traveling with teens?
A: We book almost exclusively Airbnb/VRBOs when we travel for a few reasons 1) we tend to try and cook 1-2 meals a day on longer trips, so having a kitchen is really important and 2) we like to have more space. We have found (especially in Europe) it’s hard to find accommodations in hotels for four people.
Q: What have been some of your most memorable travel experiences with your teens, and why?
A: Traveling with my kids has been full of unforgettable moments, each one unique and deeply special in its own way. Here are a few standout memories and why they mean so much to us:
Hiking in the Italian Dolomites – One of our most dramatic adventures happened here. We were hiking when a crazy storm rolled in—thunder, lightning, and heavy clouds obscured the views we’d been so excited to see. Just as the rain began to pour, we spotted a refugio (top of the chair lift) and sprinted for cover. The storm was so intense, water was pouring through the roof! Over cappuccinos and hot chocolate, we waited it out, and miraculously, the sun broke through. We rushed outside to see WWI bunkers and then took a chairlift down, laughing about how the day had turned out to be so much better than we’d imagined.
Another core memory is the sheer beauty of Switzerland, which left all of us speechless almost the entire time we were there. From hiking through the Jungfrau region to seeing the turquoise alpine lakes and snowcapped peaks, it was an adventure-seekers dream. We especially loved taking Mountain Carts down from a place called “First” – and mountain tobogganing.
The guys’ favorite thing in life is surfing. While you wouldn’t necessarily think about bringing surfboards to Europe that is exactly what we did the summer of 2023. David and Nevan were somehow able to stuff two boards along with all our carry on luggage into our tiny European sized hatchback car (which looked hilarious like a clown car), and the boys were able to surf in Portugal and a week in San Sebastian, Spain, which is a family favorite location. Additionally, when no beaches are available – what is a surfer to do? Find a wave pool. So far the guys have had two epic surfing experiences at wave pools in Europe, one in Bristol, England, and again in the Swiss Alps—yes, surfing in the Alps!
Q: Have you found that traveling with teens helps strengthen family bonds, and if so, how?
A: Traveling with teens can absolutely strengthen family bonds in ways that are both profound and lasting. One distinction I like to make is between traveling and vacationing. Traveling is about going to a new destination and diving into the experience—exploring, learning, tasting, and immersing ourselves in the culture. It’s not always easy; travel can be hard, tiring, and frustrating. Missed flights, closed museums, or even getting sick can test your patience. By contrast, a vacation is designed for rest—think lounging on a beach at an all-inclusive resort, focusing on unwinding.
For us, traveling has been the ultimate bond-strengthener as a family. The shared experiences, both good and challenging, bring us closer. When you’re traveling for extended periods, it’s just you and your family navigating new environments, cultures, and situations together.
When we’re at home, life is a blur of activities, work, and rushing through meals. Traveling slows us down. Meals (especially in Europe!) become moments to linger and connect—conversations flow without distractions. It’s a rare time when we’re fully present with one another.
Traveling also allows my kids to see life outside of their norm. They’ve experienced new cultures, tried unfamiliar foods, and adapted to different ways of living (hello dinner starting at 8pm in Spain!). These moments have taught them resilience, adaptability, and a deeper appreciation for diversity. From delayed flights to long bus rides, rental car mishaps, unexpected setbacks, we’ve faced our share of travel hiccups. These challenges are frustrating in the moment but have turned into stories we laugh about later. More importantly, they teach us how to support each other and problem-solve as a team. One time a bus we took from Florence to Nice, France was delayed by 8 hours and we got dropped off in a dark parking lot in the middle of Nice at 4am with all our luggage after barely any sleep with no idea how to get to our hotel (we managed to hire a car!). I marveled when my kids, who instead of complaining, just laughed at the situation. They have a unique resiliency and a flexibility to handle things that I think was gained from their travel experiences.
We also have these shared experiences of absolute joy and wonder. Whether it’s hiking through the Swiss Alps, exploring the canals of Venice, or marveling at a piece of history in a museum. These shared memories become part of our family story, something we treasure and often talk about.
Travel has given us the gift of togetherness in a way nothing else has. For our family, it’s not just about the destinations—it’s about the journey, the lessons, and the deepened connection we have created.
Thank you Sarah for sharing these awesome insights and tips on traveling with teens!