As summer travel reaches its peak, families are making the most of school break by creating memories together. The family summer vacation is a longstanding tradition, but this year, many are mixing classic favorites with unexpected, new destinations.

We sat down with Travel Advisor Emma Johnson, who has been with AAA for nearly three years, to discuss family travel. As someone who sends travelers around the globe, including families, she has a firsthand look at emerging trends.

What are some of the most popular destinations with families this summer?

Anything in Orlando is definitely number one. Universal Studios Orlando, because of the new park, Epic Universe. And, as always, Disney. Cruises are a close second in popularity - Caribbean cruises are super, super popular with families right now because there's a lot to do on board the ship to keep the kids busy and please everyone of all ages. Third, Caribbean all-inclusives, followed by drivable beach destinations – places like Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Bar Harbor, and Cape Cod.

Have you noticed any emerging travel trends compared to previous years?

National parks! Also, in the U.S., Arizona as a whole is getting very popular. Internationally, more families are looking at going to Europe, places like Italy and Portugal - Lisbon, the south beaches. Portugal is becoming very, very popular for everybody, including families who are going there for the beach aspect of it. We're definitely seeing more families who want to go abroad with younger kids than before. I think it’s word of mouth and the social-media effect of seeing pictures. With Portugal, one family went, and then boom – everyone wants to go and is at my desk!

Families are faced with higher gas and grocery prices. How can they stay on a budget while traveling?

Weekend cruises bring a lot of value – the cruise lines will offer weekend getaways where it's a short, three-night cruise over the weekend, and then families might stay in Florida in places like Fort Lauderdale or Miami, which helps get the most bang for the buck because you still get the great value of a cruise. Since it's a weekend cruise, you can extend your stay and remain within budget. Accommodations with suites or kitchenettes are also ideal for larger families, so they don't need to dine out for every meal.

What about families looking to splurge? In some cases, the grandparents might be footing the bill!

Bucket list trips! One of the most popular destinations for multi-generational travel is Alaska. A lot of families are willing to spend more on bucket list Alaska trips for the extended family. The same goes for all-inclusives. I have had a lot of families at my desk arranging larger bookings with grandma, grandpa, kids, everybody, for all-inclusive. They're spending more because they're normally celebrating a special occasion like a retirement, milestone birthday, or high school graduation, and they want to get one big family together.

Summer is going too fast for many families. If people have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), is it too late to book a getaway?

We like to say that if you want to go somewhere, we can always get you there, but being flexible is the key. There are always last-minute options with Disney, and the same with the Caribbean. Florida, too – Orlando and Fort Lauderdale will have availability given the number of hotel options. If you're willing to be flexible on dates, prices, and accommodations, then yes, you can definitely still get away.

Thinking ahead, we already have bookings for February break and Easter break. When we go into the system to look, we're seeing less availability since people are thinking so far in advance. Start planning ahead, especially if it's a big family trip where you need multiple rooms. Now is the time to review the school calendars!

How can travelers protect their investment?

Get travel insurance. It's extremely important to have travel insurance, especially if you're booking last-minute trips, which are most likely are non-refundable, so you have fewer options to get your money back. There are various policies to choose from. If you need to cancel because a storm grounds your flight and you can't go, or your flight is delayed, you'll be covered. It's imperative to have travel insurance.

What other advice do you have to ensure travel goes smoothly?

Arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance, especially with little kids. We've been seeing inconsistencies with TSA - sometimes the lines are long, so make sure you have enough time to get through. Save yourself a step at the airport by checking in 24 hours before your flight. Do some pre-planning to get everything booked in advance, like excursions, tours, and tickets. That way, you don’t need to scramble when you get there.

That's where you come in to help arrange the perfect trip!

100%. We can save travelers a lot of time and energy by guiding them and taking the stress out of vacation planning while also finding the best deals and AAA Member Benefits. That's our job, finding a destination, a cruise, or planning those excursions that are family-friendly for everyone.

Ready to book your own family trip? Meet with a AAA Travel Advisor and plan your perfect getaway.

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