Give Thanks for Holiday Travel

Here’s a snapshot of us in Sleepy Hollow, New York, kicking off the holiday season on our first cross-country trip with a baby. It wasn’t Thanksgiving just yet, which made it a little less crazy, a little less expensive, a lot better weather-wise than it might have been otherwise, and it was worth the journey simply for the spectacular autumn color we Californians soaked up while riding the Metro-North along the Hudson River.

But this was a particularly special occasion for us. We were introducing our Baby Angelina to “the relatives back east,” including her 92-year-old great grandmother who’s own mother’s name had been Angelina–the first to travel overseas from Italy by way of Ellis Island. I will always be thankful we were able to make that trip, and did. Just four years later, we are minus two of the generations from this picture taken during that visit: Nanny and our dear Poppa Ray (Tim’s dad).

At a time when travel is increasingly expensive and budgets are tighter than ever, those of us setting out on the highways, sitting out on the tarmacs, or riding along on the rails should embrace the privilege of holiday travel and visits with extended family more than ever as well.

Wherever your family celebrates today, give a few extra hugs, take more pictures than you might have, and help teach your kids how very special those grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles really are to you—and what a lucky thing it is be able to spend some time together.

Time to call the taxi now. We’ve got a “Thanksgiving Train” to catch!

Be sure to check back Monday when I’ll be announcing the three * very cool * prizes I’m contributing to the Passports with Purpose travel blogger fundraiser. At $10 per tax-deductible raffle ticket, these are incredible bargains that I happen to know traveling parents can appreciate!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning guide Travels with Baby

The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children