Eighteen summers … that’s all most people get with their kids before they fly the coop. So, what’s on your bucket list of things to do with them before they become adults? How about a family safari, exploring Machu Picchu together, discovering history in Vietnam, or immersing in nature in the Amazon?
The Williamson family of North Central Phoenix explores the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru, as part of an excursion with Phoenix-based TWK Travel (submitted photo).
This summer, you can join any of these unique experiences with the family from the television series “Travel With Kids”—North Central residents Jeremy and Carrie Simmons and their sons, Nathan and Seamus.
“Our goal is to get families out and exploring the world together,” says co-founder of “Travel With Kids” and TWK Travel (their tour operation), Carrie Whitten-Simmons. “To see a family learning together and experiencing something like seeing their first lion in the wild or walking through ruins while history comes alive is priceless.”
The television series, which has aired nationally on PBS for the past five years, also offers escorted tours and customized, individual trips.
“Fantastic family vacation, it was a trip of a lifetime,” says Shelly Williamson, a North Central resident who has traveled with TWK Travel several times. “We took our kids, [and] I took my parents. This was a vacation unlike any other.” The Williamson family has gone to Peru, Thailand, Fiji, and South Africa with TWK Travel. “It is such a perfect mixture of culture, education, adventure, friends and family.”
Escorted tours for summer 2018 include South Africa, July 1-10; Vietnam, July 19-30; Costa Rica, June 5-15; and Peru, July 19-29. Each of these trips immerses travelers in the history, culture and nature of a destination through hands-on, adventure activities.
Each trip also includes a service project day where kids learn the power of volunteering and families get to meet local kids and learn how they live.
Parents will appreciate the pre-trip checklists, FAQs, packing lists and years of family travel experience and tips provided by Travel With Kids.
Trip prices range from $1,899 to $3,099 per person and include all accommodations, all in-country transfers with group, and many meals and activities with the group.
For more information, visit www.TWKTours.com or contact Whitten-Simmons at simmons@travelwithkids.tv or 602-326-9048.
