Travel has always been a central part of my identity. Growing up as a military BRAT in Naples, Italy sparked a deep love for exploration that I carried into adulthood.
As a mom, I infused that same spirit into our family vacations – from Disney adventures to cruises in Alaska, snorkeling in Belize, and road-tripping through U.S. National Parks.
But it wasn’t until a 2017 trip that went sideways that I realized something: traveling with “big kids” requires a different approach.
That eye-opening experience eventually led me to become a certified Family Travel Coach and develop my signature planning process – DREAM, DESIGN, DEPART – to help families plan more meaningful and collaborative vacations.
Whether you’re coaching families, couples, or friend groups, this method can help your clients shift from simply booking a trip to intentionally designing an unforgettable experience.
Laura Rahn is a retired educator turned accredited Family Travel Coach.
A lifelong traveler and Air Force BRAT, she believes deeply in the power of travel to transform lives.
After 33 years in education – including seven as an instructional coach – Laura now helps families dream about, design, and depart on memorable vacations with less stress and more connection.
She lives to make travel planning fun and inclusive for even the busiest families.
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DREAM — Start with the “Why”
Every trip begins long before the bags are packed. That’s why my approach always starts with intention. As a former Instructional Coach and now a Family Travel Coach, I’ve seen the difference that asking “Why?” can make.
After an initial discovery call (often with Mom), I bring the whole family together for a DREAMING session. This guided conversation invites each person to speak openly and reflect on questions like:
- Why do you want to take this family vacation?
- What would make it feel perfect for you?
- What made past trips fun or memorable?
- What do you hope to gain beyond just having fun?
- What does your dream vacation look like?
These discussions often uncover unspoken desires or needs, while also helping family members hear each other in new and meaningful ways. We wrap up by creating a shared “Family Why” – a short, powerful statement that becomes the compass for every decision that follows.
DESIGN — Build the Blueprint
Once the “why” is clear, we move into the DESIGN phase. This is where dreams become tangible plans.
Together, we explore destinations, must-do activities, preferred travel dates, and the ideal trip length. Involving everyone – especially tweens and teens – early in the planning process helps them feel invested, reduces resistance, and builds anticipation.
We revisit the key questions:
- What destinations excite everyone?
- What’s your ideal trip length?
- What activities would each person love to do?
- If you had a magic wand, what would the perfect trip look like?
- How do you want to feel when you return?
Parents then use that input to draft an itinerary that balances dreams with budget and logistics. Once a draft is ready, the family reconvenes to share feedback and fine-tune. This iterative process encourages communication, collaboration, and buy-in from every traveler.
DEPART — Make the Leap (With Confidence and Excitement)
Before departure, I encourage families to pause and reflect again – this time to build anticipation and emotional connection.
We ask:
- What’s one thing you’re excited about? One thing you’re nervous about?
- What memories do you hope to bring home?
- How can you build excitement during the countdown?
- What songs should go on your family travel playlist?
- What do you want to say about this trip when it’s over?
Revisiting the “Family Why” and encouraging shared rituals – like movie nights, themed meals, or playlist-making – turns the countdown into part of the adventure itself. It’s not just about boarding a plane; it’s about stepping into a new chapter together.
A Method for Every Type of Traveler
Though I designed DREAM, DESIGN, DEPART for families, I’ve seen its power stretch across all types of travelers. Whether you’re coaching:
- A group of girlfriends planning a milestone birthday trip,
- A couple designing a romantic escape,
- A multigenerational family with diverse needs,
- Or an over-55 group seeking connection and adventure…
…the same foundational principles apply. Active listening, shared intention, and thoughtful design create richer, more meaningful experiences.
As travel coaches, we have the opportunity to help people travel with more clarity and purpose. This approach builds stronger relationships, minimizes stress, and allows memories to be made more intentionally.
Travel Isn’t Just a Break; It’s a Breakthrough
After decades of planning travel for my own family and friends, I’m grateful to now support others as a certified Family Travel Coach through the Travel Coach Network.
Meaningful travel is about more than the destination. It’s about the connections we build, the growth we experience, and the memories we carry home.
If you’re looking for tools to help your clients travel with intention, I created two resources:
- DREAM, DESIGN, DEPART – A practical guide to involving the whole family in vacation planning
- Design That Dream Vacation – A 12-month Vacation Planning Roadmap
Both are available on Amazon and are designed to make travel planning simple, joyful, and collaborative.
Whether you’re just beginning your travel coaching journey or are deep in the field, I hope the DREAM, DESIGN, DEPART method helps you inspire your clients to travel not just farther – but deeper.
Here’s to the next unforgettable adventure – let’s make it happen, together.
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