We traded beach trips for a winter adventure in Banff—and gained something far more meaningful than a vacation. From deep conversations over dinner to unforgettable experiences in the Rockies, this senior-year trip highlights why one-on-one travel is one of the most powerful graduation gifts you can give.

When my kids entered high school, I made them a promise: every year they’re in high school, I will take them on one one-on-one trip anywhere in the world they want to go.

No siblings. No compromises. Just the two of us.

At the time, I didn’t fully realize how transformational that promise would become — not just for them, but for me.

We had less than a month to pack and prep, which is always a little chaotic. But the real curveball came the day before we left: the government shut down. Airports across the country were short-staffed as TSA employees weren’t being paid. For us, that meant three cancelled flights before we finally boarded a plane from Philadelphia to Miami—after a three-hour delay.

On our trip to London, one of our favorites and most surprising discoveries turned out to be a full-on Philly icon tucked beneath the city streets: American Dive Bars & Restaurants | Passyunk Avenue London.

Traveling abroad is exciting—new cultures, new sights, new experiences. But if you’re traveling with a picky eater, the excitement can quickly turn into anxiety. Meals become negotiations, menus feel intimidating, and you may worry whether your child (or partner!) will eat at all.

The good news? You can travel internationally with picky eaters and still have a positive, meaningful trip. It just takes a bit of planning, flexibility, and reframing expectations.