by Justine Patino | May 5, 2019 | Adults Only, Advice, All Inclusive, Barbados, Couples, Resorts, Reviews, Romantic, Sandals
A quintessential seaside sanctuary, the Sandals Barbados all inclusive resort is one of our top recommended resorts for couples seeking a tropical escape. Featuring a number of beachfront restaurants with panoramic ocean views, the spacious resort floor plan and innovative design elements flawlessly showcase the natural beauty of St. Lawrence Gap’s Dover Beach. (more…)
by Justine Patino | Apr 10, 2019 | Advice, Cruises, Europe
When our client, Phil Motes, told us he wanted to plan a special vacation in honor of his daughter’s college graduation, we knew they would love to go on one of the top river cruises in Europe as the perfect way to celebrate. (more…)
by Justine Patino | Feb 24, 2019 | Advice, All Inclusive, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica
When it comes to luxury resorts, few resort brands have been able to achieve the reputation of quality that the Sandals resort name elicits. A World Travel Award winner for 23 years in a row, Sandals Resorts International is recognized worldwide as a leader in the hospitality industry, famed for their all inclusive luxury resorts dispersed across the Caribbean. (more…)
by Justine Patino | Jan 30, 2019 | Adventure, Advice, Anniversaries, Couples
Whether you have a honeymoon, anniversary, destination wedding, or simply an adults-only holiday on the horizon, a vacation planner is the ultimate must-have while planning any romantic getaway. More than just an automated website with finite, inside-the-box options, a vacation planner is a real person who can truly tailor experiences while turning your dream vacation into a tangible reality. Read on to find out some of the many ways our expert travel planners can bring value to your vacation! (more…)
by Brad Smith | Nov 13, 2018 | Advice, Resorts, Turks and Caicos
Famous for its calm turquoise waters, pristine sandy beaches, and an unparalleled atmosphere of serenity, the Turks & Caicos islands have long been a favorite destination among world-class travelers. But there’s more to these luxurious Caribbean islands than meets the eye! (more…)
by Emily Matras | Jun 22, 2018 | Advice
You yearn to explore new incredible destinations. Discover wonders around every corner. Watch a look of awe spread across their faces. And you want to do it all, together — so you can start building those family memories that last a lifetime! If that’s what you’re after, then it’s time to start seeking out some truly incredible family summer vacation ideas.
Because the best summer family vacations include a touch of the extraordinary. You’ve done the “standard” vacations before, like a quick visit to the beach or an exhausting road trip. Discover the ease of traveling together as a family when you include a little luxury on your family vacation!
Upgrade your summer family vacations with these five out-of-the-box ideas:
5 Best Family Summer Vacation Ideas
1. An African Safari:
Spot lions lazing in the grass. Hear hornbills hooting in the distance. Spy elephants marching right past your window!
If your family is in search of an adventure, nothing is more life-changing than a heart-pumping African safari. This kind of summer vacation works well if you have older kids with unbounded curiosity. Not to worry, though, you don’t really have to “rough it” on safari. Today’s safari camps come with a big dose of luxury, often including refreshing pools and gourmet meals.
Go searching for incredible animals during the day (with your guide, of course!), then relax at camp in the evening, watching the stars blanket the night sky. This is one family vacation your children truly will remember for a lifetime.
2. A Stateside “Safari”:
You don’t have to go too far to experience a safari adventure with your family. Family friendly luxury resorts have popped up on this side of the Atlantic, with a focus on experience nature among all the creature comforts you crave. Often, you’ll find these resorts close to natural wonders and national parks.
One of out favorites is The Resort at Paws Up in Montana. You’ll get a cowboy experience in the Wild West. But you and your family will also experience “glamping,” aka glamorous camping. Your tricked out tent comes complete with artisan designer touches, farm-fresh dining, wine for you and hot cocoa for the kids!
3. An All-Inclusive Resort:

Photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts
Schlepping across a state line or two to get to the nearest beach is a summer right of passage for many families. But that means having to endure long, hot car rides and crowded shores. Not to mention, the work never stops for Mom and Dad, who still have to feed the kids and do the laundry on this condo “vacation”!
To truly relax with your family this summer, you need a TRUE escape. Put a family-friendly all-inclusive resort high on your list to enjoy some summer beach fun, without all the hassle.
At an all-inclusive resort, you never have to think about how to keep the kids entertained or where the next meal will come from. Everything is taken care of for you! You can even upgrade to a spacious butler-level suite for a totally pampered experience.
One of our favorite family-friendly all-inclusive resorts perfect for summer family vacations is Beaches Turks and Caicos. Read more about the fabulous Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort to see if it’s the right fit for your family!
4. A Multigenerational Family Adventure:
Expand your idea of summer family vacations to include even more of your family — like bringing along the grandparents. There’s no better way to foster bonds between generations than through creating life-long travel memories.
If you do decide to go on a multigenerational family trip, make sure you choose a travel type to suite everyone. For example, all-inclusives and cruises are great for big family vacations, since family members can pick and choose what activities to participate in. This is good news for grandparents, who may want to relax a little bit more than rowdy grandkids!
5. A River Cruise:
Ocean cruises are another summer vacation go-to … which means it’s time to change things up! For a different kind of adventure on the water, consider a family-friendly river cruise.
We LOVE river cruises because of their intimate scale — most river cruise ships top out at 200 passengers. Plus, the ship’s nimble nature means you can dock right in the heart of your spellbinding destinations. Imagine: You ship docks right off the Seine, and you and your kids can stroll hand in hand off the ship in Paris and right to the Notre Dame!
River cruise itineraries also vary greatly from what you’d find on a typical cruise. Sail down the Amazon, spy picturesque countryside in Europe, and stop at riverside markets in Asia. If you and the kids are craving something different — that doesn’t involve sacrificing an ounce of comfort — then a river cruise is the way to go!
Let the Travel Experts Plan Your Next Summer Family Vacation!
Ready to whisk the kids off to an epic, unforgettable, memory-making adventure? Our team of family travel experts at Southern Travel Agency want to help! Our online travel agency or our local travel agents in Augusta, GA, can take all the planning off your plate.
by Emily Matras | May 25, 2018 | Advice
No vacationer should leave home without travel insurance. What happens if you fall ill right before you leave? What happens if your airline loses your luggage? Or what happens if you get hurt while traveling?
Having a good insurance when you travel can help protect you in these scenarios, and more. Read our guide to learn how you can protect your vacation — and your hard-earned vacation dollars — with travel insurance.
(more…)
by Emily Matras | May 14, 2018 | Advice
There’s a good chance that you’ll take a vacation next year. And if you’re like most people, there’s a good chance you haven’t started planning for it yet. But if you want to save money and have the perfect vacation fit for your needs (and who doesn’t want that?), then you’ll want to rethink your vacation planning strategy. In this article, we’re busting myths about planning and paying for your luxury trips, so that you can get your dream vacation at a dream price with the dream quality and experience you want. (more…)
by Emily Matras | May 12, 2018 | Advice
When you search “travel agents near me,” chances are a lot of results pop up. How do you know which travel agents you should work with? Every travel agency is different, so it helps to know what to look out for as you compare travel agencies. Use this guide to ensure you end up working with a travel agent uniquely suited to your needs. (more…)
by Emily Matras | May 5, 2018 | Adventure, Advice, Family, Groups, South America
Itching to dance the Samba, spot curly-tailed monkeys swinging through the trees, or marvel at ancient manmade wonders? You can do it all in South America! For a custom tailored family fun time or group vacation unlike any other, it may be time to plan a trip down south to check out one of these top South America vacation destinations. Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash (more…)
by Emily Matras | Mar 16, 2018 | Advice, Vacations
You only want the best for your dream vacation. You crave a luxury experience that will leave you absolutely stunned, one that will bring you and your travel companions closer together. How do you get that? By working with a luxury travel advisor! If you’re not sure about what a travel advisor can do for you, this post will help. Learn what it’s like to work with a luxury travel advisor on your dream vacation:
(more…)
by Michael Kerbelis | Nov 30, 2015 | Advice
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to stop and reflect on all that you’re grateful for. At Southern Travel Agency, we’re all so grateful to work in an industry as fun as travel! We spent some time reflecting on why we’re thankful to work with our clients at STA and we wanted to share our thoughts with you, below. We’d love to hear what you’re thankful for this season (whether it’s travel related or not)! Share your Thanksgiving thoughts with us on our Facebook page.
(more…)