Plan for Tomorrow's Memories Today

Quinn just turned 18 months old. He’s walking, talking, and suddenly understanding the world around him—and I’m in awe every day.

We’ve done a few flights (including a big Mexico trip at 9 months), but despite my job in luxury travel, I was never one of those parents jet-setting with a newborn. Travel is still work—and juggling hotel inspections and meetings with a wiggly baby on my hip? Not ideal.

Now that he’s sleeping, eating, and on a more normal schedule, I’m ready to embrace something I’ve long preached to clients: the 18 Summers philosophy. We only get 18 short summers with our kids before they head off into the world—and I’ve already lived through TWO of mine.

So what’s on our list? Greek island hopping. A safari. My favorite places like Italy and Scotland. Maybe even a trip tied to whatever lights his little brain on fire—cooking, language, history. (Where better to learn about ancient Rome than…Rome?)

In my day-to-day, I speak with families planning spring and summer trips—and the questions are almost always the same. “What’s the best place for our kids’ ages?” The answers vary—budget, interests, how often they travel—but the patterns are clear:

• First trip? London, Ireland, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Easy flights, tons of hotel options.

• Second trip? Italy, Spain, France, or something with (gasp) a one-stop flight.

• Then come ranches, national parks, and eventually, safaris or Asia, when the kids can truly appreciate the experience.

I love every moment of being a mom (even while dreaming of coffee in a quiet café, fancy hotels, and uninterrupted boutique strolls). But more than ever, I’m thinking deeply about how we’ll spend those precious 18 summers—and the spring breaks and long weekends in between.

Because in a world that often feels heavy, having something joyful on the calendar is a little piece of magic.

So, as you build your holiday list or 2026 budget—think memories, not just things. And when you’re ready to dream, you know where to find me and Lily Pond Luxury. ✨

#ReturnOnExperience #FamilyTravel #18Summers #LuxuryTravel #Parenting

Article by McLean Robbins