Travel & Learn with Sharon

6 days/ 5 nights – As a gift for being promoted from 8th grade to high school, I told my nieces and nephews that I would take them on an all-expense paid “Auntie & Me Vacation” to a destination of their choice. The only stipulation was that it had to be in either North, Central or South America. The eldest niece was promoted to high school this past June 2024. Of the 3 choices she gave me, I selected Panama City, Panama.

So, there we were. We traveled in the 3rd week of June right after finishing the school year. This was her second time flying and her first international trip. This was my first visit to Panama, and I was equally excited to be traveling again. We played 20 questions throughout the trip to give us things to talk about while waiting for food or hanging out in the room. In addition to bonding, I taught her the ropes of traveling.

As a traveler, one thing that is important is to learn about the culture and history of the country you are visiting. Some of the places we visited are below:

Panama (Miraflores) Locks

Pre-Colonial Panama City (Panamá Viejo) Museum

Panamá Viejo Ruins

Trying “devouring” new foods

Why a trip as a gift?

I decided that the legacy I want to leave for my future would be the gift of travel and exploring. Since I am child-free, I figured that I would impart my knowledge to my nieces and nephews. Their moms already travel – we hold annual sister trips (more on that in a different post) – so it was time for the kiddos. Since children value the time you spend with them and you need to spend money, why not combine the two to make it a worthwhile and memorable memory.

What gift have you given that was well worth its price?