Curator’s statement
There’s something magical about turning 11—old enough to ask big questions, but still young enough to dream without limits. I first heard about the idea of letting kids design their own trip at this age from a friend who did something similar with her daughter, and I was instantly hooked. It felt like such a generous, imaginative rite of passage—not just a vacation, but an invitation to step into the world with agency and curiosity. Now, with my own daughter approaching her 11th birthday, I’m so excited to see what kind of journey she chooses to create. Will it be a food lover’s tour? A nature trek? A deep dive into a favorite book or movie? No matter what she chooses, this process is about more than just picking a destination. It’s a way of watching her lean into what lights her up—and a beautiful chance to explore it together.
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So far, she’s still exploring, and honestly, part of the joy is watching her weigh her options. Here are a few destinations she’s currently considering:
Tokyo, Japan: She’s curious about its futuristic tech, Studio Ghibli magic, and all things kawaii.
Rome, Italy: The ruins, the pasta, the gelato! This one’s a contender thanks to her love of Percy Jackson and delicious food.
Costa Rica: Zip-lining, sloths, volcanoes, and cloud forests? Yes, please! This option would lean into her love of nature and wildlife.
New Zealand: She's intrigued by the idea of visiting Middle Earth, exploring glowworm caves, and (hopefully) seeing a tuatara and a kiwi bird up close.
She hasn’t chosen just yet—and we’re not rushing. This part of the process is its own kind of wonder.
Need to know
Planning a trip like this is a collaborative process that invites your child to dream, research, and design—with your guidance layered in to shape it into something both meaningful and manageable. Here's how we've been approaching it:
Dreaming big: We started by brainstorming places that fascinate her—from faraway cities to natural wonders—and talking about why.
Getting inspired: We watched videos, flipped through travel books, and looked at photos online to explore what those places might be like.
Setting parameters: We introduced some gentle boundaries (e.g., one international flight, budget limits, travel time considerations) so she could make choices within a realistic framework.
Building the itinerary: She's learning how to balance wish-list experiences with travel logistics—like how long we should stay, how much downtime to include, and what kinds of activities to prioritize.
Taking the lead: We’re encouraging her to be the “trip captain”—tracking ideas in a shared document, mapping out routes, and even helping compare flights and hotels.
It’s a crash course in travel planning—and confidence-building.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our family travel page.
Travel Advisor
Leyla Farah
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