[megdhg]

For anyone interested in taking a family vacation , I strongly recommend checking out the variety of programs that offer vacation packages as part of their humanitarian and educational missions. I've been to Costa Rica with Cross-Cultural Solutions, a group whose travel is dedicated to helping out the local community and arranges to have participants volunteer while they are visiting. The experience is priceless because for the same amount it would cost to go to Costa Rica and do the "tourist" thing, my family really got to experience the culture first hand and walked away with a whole new perspective.
Next year we want to go to China with the same company. Not all trips are suitable for little ones, but many of them are very family oriented. I encourage everyone to at least check some of the programs out. My recommendations: Cross-cultural solutions or National Geographic Expeditions.You still take time off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but you come home with a newfound respect for what you have. Enjoy! megdhg

[mcmama]

Thank you for this! We will look into it. We are beyond the theme park museum a day thing, and we like trips with activity and new people. This sounds like the perfect resource!