Traveling is transformative, especially when you experience new places and cultures as a child.  It’s why we love family travel so much as our own parents taught this to us through their love of exploring and appreciation for world culture.  Exposing children to the way others live gives them a greater perspective on our own lives and where they fit into this world.  It’s humbling.  We thought it would be nice to showcase some of our own favorite family trips and why they were so memorable and meaningful to us. Lauren’s most favorite and transformative family trip was her first to Israel at age 16.  Mindy and Lauren’s father was very active in Jewish fundraising and had been to Israel many times as part of charitable missions as well as to sell the family candy. His list of friends in Israel was rapidly extending in many different directions. Our parents decided to take our family of 6 to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a grand party at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya, Israel.  Afterward, we traveled around to many parts of the country with a private guide. Touring this small country with a private guide is still our favorite way to book Israel for our families. Guides are a prized profession there; so only the best make it through the rigorous training with all its detailed and illustrious history dating back to biblical times.  Creating custom itineraries sets the pace that makes sense for your family’s needs and travel style.  After a few days of beach time (always good after the long flight) and all the generous hospitality from family friends, we headed north to explore the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, Safed, Rosh Hanikrah, Nazareth, Haifa, Acre as well as taking in multiple archeological sites, synagogues, churches, and national parks. We then headed to Jerusalem to spend several nights at the fabulous and historical King David Hotel and to explore the Old City, the three major religions, and the city’s surroundings.  A day trip down to Jericho as well as Masada and the Dead Sea were also included. The experience was truly magical for us as a family.  We were in a place where our father had dedicated so much of his time to aid and had developed relationships with so many wonderful people.  We understood and felt his passion.  We learned so much about the country’s history, our ancestors, our religion, other religions, and Zionism which helped create the State of Israel.  We amassed so many fond memories of our shared travel experience. The country definitely affected Lauren who would end up returning to Israel another 13 times experiencing a variety of youth, college, and volunteer programs as well as a year-long study/work program post-college.  And she cannot wait for her next trip to Israel!