018 Unplugged Family Travel

Do you think your kids spend too much time staring at screens? Do you feel addicted to technology? Maybe it is time to think about an unplugged vacation. This week we are getting tips and ideas from Gina Vercesi from Kids Unplugged. ON THE PODCAST :34 Tamara talks about her recent trip to Delaware 8:51 About Gina Vercesi 17:33 Suggestions for unplugged vacations 20:40 Petite Train du Nord 25:04 Little St. Simon's Island 27:55 How to prepare to disconnect 34:05 Maine huts and trails 34:20 Ideas for unplugged activities 37:30 Gina's favorite travel gear 40:26 Tip of the week 42:40 Next week: Ireland! ABOUT GINA VERCESI Gina Vercesi is a freelance writer with a passion for exploring nature and the outdoors. Gina features off-the-grid family travel adventures on her blog, Kids Unplugged, writes as the “Unplugged” Traveling Mom for the Traveling Mom Writers' Network, and is one of Ski Vermont's All Mountain Mamas. Her work has recently appeared in Lonely Planet, Islands Magazine, and the Boston Globe. You can follow Gina's travels on Twitter and Instagram. FAVORITE UNPLUGGED VACATIONS You can unplug anywhere from museums, theme parks, cities, camping or on the beach if you can fight the urge to check or share on social media. Some of Gina's favorites include: Disney World Biking along rail trails -- Gina went to the Laurentian region in Quebec to the Petite Train du Nord Little St. Simon's Island -- a former hunting camp that has been converted to a natural, all-inclusive resort with 32 guests per night Maine Huts and Trails TIPS FOR UNPLUGGING Don't introduce tech too early Don't use screens as a babysitter Talk about the impact of tech so it isn't a punishment Ask kids what types of things they want to do Wean off of tech in advance Limit time with technology Bring along games, books and other activities Use audiobooks for road trips using Overdrive      FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR Gina loves her Ecco hiking sandals, SmartWool and Darn Tough socks, hiking shorts with lots of pockets and prAna hiking pants. She also always brings along her Nikon camera. TIP OF THE WEEK If you want to keep kids busy without screens, put together a travel workbook with worksheets and activities that are destination related, as well as scavenger hunts and travel journal printables. MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST Southern Delaware Tourism Sunset cruise from Lewes Delaware with Cape Water Taxi Escape Rehoboth Quebec's P'tit Train du Nord: The Perfect Family Bike Trip Germany opens bicycle-only Autobahn Maine's Spencer Pond Camps Maine Huts Sail Maine Coast Little St Simon Island Children and Nature Photo scavenger hunt  Road trip scavenger hunt printable Travel journal printable Unplugged Family Vacation in Chelan Washington FOLLOW US AND SPREAD THE WORD! If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play and leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035#   You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcase and We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks for listening!   Pin this   This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission.