If you’re reading this blog, you probably know by now that I love to travel. My wife and our three kids share this passion, too. Some of my best childhood memories involve traveling, which helped me gain a broader perspective on the world and life.

How can one encapsulate the value of travel? Specifically, I’m thinking about family travel—journeys with young kids and their parents. One major aspect of travel is making memories, and shared memories are certainly high on the list. While our two younger boys might not remember much, I know our older son, who is five, will recall these trips for years to come. Plus, the abundance of photos and videos we capture will help the younger ones appreciate their travels when they’re older.

I often think the educational aspect of travel is downplayed, especially as kids grow and develop. Different places introduce different people, accents, languages, foods, geographies, and climates. The contrasts and similarities between where you live and where you travel help put life in perspective.

In closing, I believe that family travel, when done thoughtfully and planned well, can be enjoyable, educational, and life-changing. I’m not sure there’s any other experience that can create lasting memories and transform one’s state of mind so quickly.

We live in amazing times.