Family Adventuring: Family Travel, Multigenerational Trips and Reunions

This episode explores why learning from local families can add depth to an island vacation and provide a story worth sharing long after returning home. For help designing a French Polynesia journey with memorable experiences for your family, connect with a Far and Away Adventures travel specialist.For families interested in meaningful travel, the interview offers an engaging look at how local knowledge is shared with visitors. People who arrive expecting a quick pearl discovery learn instead about patience, care, and the surprises of nature. One especially memorable story involves a visiting couple, a remarkable pearl discovered in the water, and a marriage proposal that turned the experience into a lifelong memory.Vy explains the work behind producing a cultured black pearl, from preparing an oyster to waiting approximately 18 months before discovering the result. Each pearl can emerge with a different color, size, shape, or surface. Although perfectly round pearls are especially desirable, Vey affectionately describes all the pearls as the family's babies, each with its own character.The story begins in 1995, when Vey's grandfather Bill established the farm to create employment opportunities for younger family members. At the time, vanilla and coconuts were central to the island's working life. His pearl farming venture began with one hectare of lagoon space and, according to Vey, eventually expanded to 90 hectares. The business continued through the family, reflecting a Polynesian tradition of sharing knowledge and responsibilities from one generation to the next.On the French Polynesian island of Taha'a, Vey of Ia Orana Pearl Farm shares how a family business became a lasting connection between generations. Join Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, for a conversation about Tahitian black pearls, island traditions, and the experiences that make travel meaningful across generations.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

Looking for a family adventure in Slovenia that feels like a real expedition? In this episode, Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) goes deep into Križna jama, also known as Cross Cave, south of Ljubljana, with guide Janja.There are no electric lights here. Every visitor gets a flashlight and a pair of rubber boots, and the group explores the cave the way people did centuries ago. Janja explains that the most popular choice is the classic one-hour tour, with about 15 extra minutes to get ready. You walk through the dry part of the cave, follow the underground river, and then take a boat across the first lake before walking back.Kids will love the cave creatures. Janja says around 60 different small creatures have been found in the cave. They are blind, have no pigment, and are white, transparent or brown. Millipedes and other tiny creatures live down here, and spiders are only rarely found.Then there are the cave bears. On the longer Bear Tunnel tour, about two hours in the cave, families visit a place where cave bears once came for their winter sleep. Don't worry, Janja laughs, there are no bears anymore; they stopped coming around 24,000 years ago.A few family tips from the episode: it is about 8 degrees Celsius inside, so dress warm, and because this is still a natural cave, guests need to be comfortable walking. It is a memorable, hands-on outing for every generation.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Slovenia&src=spotify

For families exploring Tahiti, this conversation offers a cultural perspective that reaches far beyond the beautiful jewelry found in island boutiques. Richard explains how his grandfather entered the pearl industry in 1973 after an unexpected opportunity to acquire a pearl farm. The business grew into a multigenerational connection to one of French Polynesia's most recognizable natural treasures.What can Tahiti's black pearls teach travelers about nature, family heritage, and the traditions of French Polynesia? Far and Away Adventures.com helps families and travelers discover meaningful experiences throughout the islands, with personalized vacation planning at https://farandawayadventures.com/. Normand Schafer welcomes Richard, grandson of Robert Juan, for a conversation about the Pearl Museum and the fascinating stories behind these unique gems.Plan a family vacation to French Polynesia with Far and Away Adventures and make room for cultural experiences everyone can appreciate.For parents, grandparents, and children who enjoy learning about the places they visit, the story provides an example of how a memorable vacation can combine discovery, craftsmanship, and cultural appreciation. The most meaningful souvenir may be a deeper understanding of the people and traditions associated with a destination.Richard also describes the educational experience at the Pearl Museum. Exhibits explain the cultivation process with models and a replica pearl farm, while other displays examine the role pearls have played throughout history. Visitors can learn why quality pearls are considered rare and how different cultures have attached meaning to these gems.Listeners discover why a Tahitian black pearl is rarely simply black. Depending on the individual pearl, colors can include green peacock, cherry, pistachio, and gold tones. Every pearl is unique, and jewelry makers must adapt their designs to the shapes that nature produces rather than reshaping each pearl to fit a predetermined design.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

What is it like to raise children on a small island where nearly everyone is family? Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) visits Aitutaki in the Cook Islands to talk with local Heidi Rose.Plan a multigenerational Aitutaki trip or family reunion with a Far and Away Adventures specialist.Heidi admits the move to Aitutaki was a big change for the children, leaving home for a new family home with cousins they had not met before. But being outdoors, away from iPads and phones, and connecting with extended family made it worthwhile. Families planning a reunion will relate to her description of family life: beautiful, chaotic, but beautiful.For visiting families there is the lagoon, motu trips, fishing charters and whale watching, and the One Foot Island passport stamp kids will love collecting.Her son Arama thrived outdoors, swapping screens for chasing chickens, which she credits with helping him win at school athletics.Family is everywhere. Many relatives still live on the island, others are in New Zealand, and when reunion time comes around, the gathering is huge. Heidi also describes the end-of-year round-the-island village celebrations, when families pile into cars, trucks and buses, perform at each village and are showered with lollies and flower ei, and when Cook Islanders living overseas come home to join in.Heidi's father was born on Aitutaki and comes from a family of 16. She grew up in Rarotonga, spending school holidays on Aitutaki with her Auntie Rima, and later moved there for a slower pace of life. She remembers a backyard at the harbour, and how after chores the kids could grab an ice cream from the shop next door and go for a swim.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Cook%20Islands&src=spotify

The episode also explains why coordinating transportation, available time, and group priorities matters, especially when travelers have another activity or departure ahead. The guiding principle is simple: leave enough room to enjoy the places and people that make Tahiti distinctive.Nature adds another dimension to the experience. Hear about a dramatic waterfall that often leaves guests speechless, the famous Teahupo'o surf wave, and questions that lead to fascinating explanations of coral reefs and island geology. These are the kinds of subjects that can keep travelers of different interests engaged in the same journey.The conversation compares five-hour and eight-hour sightseeing options. A longer itinerary creates opportunities for a relaxed Polynesian lunch, additional scenic stops, and exploration of Tahiti Iti. Natalia also describes a group whose five-hour experience was going so well that they happily extended it to eight hours.For families and other groups traveling together, a flexible pace can make a meaningful difference. Natalia describes tours where visitors are not limited to looking out the window. Stopping at a roadside fruit vendor, talking with local residents, or learning about Polynesian hospitality can turn an ordinary sightseeing moment into a shared memory. Her goal is to help visitors feel the atmosphere of Tahiti rather than simply recognize its famous views.What could make a shared Tahiti adventure more memorable than beautiful scenery? Natalia of Tahiti Welcome Tours joins Normand Schafer to discuss private island sightseeing built around travelers' interests and opportunities to connect with local people. Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) helps travelers plan personalized French Polynesia vacations, including experiences that bring people together through discovery.Plan a memorable French Polynesia getaway for your traveling group with a Far and Away Adventures specialist.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

How do families on tiny, remote islands stay connected to each other, and to help when they need it? Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) talks with Ewan Smith, founder and managing director of Air Rarotonga.Ewan arrived in Rarotonga in 1973, aged 22, as a pilot and engineer, just as the international airport opened. About four years later he founded Air Rarotonga with a single Britten-Norman Islander. Ewan's own family is here too: he says his family and his wife are from the Cook Islands.He explains why the airline is a lifeline for outer-island families. In the mid-1970s, new airstrips were built in the Southern Group and he flew the first aircraft in, with whole villages coming out to see. Air access meant health services and opportunity. He recalls a recent medevac from Pukapuka in the Northern Group, where there is no doctor, with the patient back in Rarotonga the same day. The crew follow an unwritten rule: never turn away someone in a desperate situation.Plan a Cook Islands family trip, including inter-island flights, with a Far and Away Adventures specialist.There are lighter moments too. Ewan remembers, as a schoolboy on a farm, being herded outside with his classmates to watch a jet airliner fly past, a memory that sparked a lifelong love of aviation. He also admits that these days he would rather be home or in a hotel by evening than on an overnight flight, something many travelling parents will understand.For visiting families, he says the islands offer two things: the lagoon, and the chance to connect with Cook Islanders.Ewan also talks about training local people. All of the airline's pilots and airport staff are Cook Islanders, and some have gone on to fly large jets for major international airlines. That continuity helped the airline recover after COVID.Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Cook%20Islands&src=spotify

A French Polynesia family vacation can involve very different island experiences, and Valerie from Tahiti Tours explains why choosing the right combination matters. In conversation with Normand Schafer, she explores how traveler interests shape a realistic itinerary. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps travelers coordinate personalized South Pacific vacations with expert planning support.Transportation is another major consideration, especially when an itinerary includes multiple islands. Normand shares a real example of travelers whose ferry was canceled because of bad weather. A replacement flight was arranged, then canceled, before another flight solution allowed them to reach Bora Bora on their original travel day. The story illustrates why flexibility and communication matter, particularly when several people are traveling together.The conversation also looks at accommodations ranging from local guesthouses to luxury stays. Normand highlights Maupiti as an example of a place where travelers should be prepared for simpler accommodations and a more local experience. The Marquesas offer another perspective, with distinctive landscapes and a strong cultural identity. Understanding these differences can help families discuss expectations before committing to an itinerary.For families considering Tahiti and the surrounding islands, one of the biggest decisions is what everyone actually wants to experience. Some travelers are interested in hiking and mountainous landscapes, while others are drawn to lagoons, beaches, fishing, and cultural encounters. Valerie emphasizes starting with those interests rather than assuming that every island provides the same activities.If your family is considering a French Polynesia adventure, connect with Far and Away Adventures to develop an island itinerary that reflects your group's interests and practical travel needs.Valerie also explains why travelers sometimes need to make quick decisions when unexpected changes involve additional expenses or limited transportation options. Normand discusses travel insurance and the value of reliable assistance when disruptions happen far from home. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

Looking for a place in Rarotonga where kids, parents and grandparents can all find something to love? In this episode, Normand Schafer of Far and Away Adventures.com (https://farandawayadventures.com/) visits the Punanga Nui Market and sits down with Mie, known to everyone as Mrs Q, one of the founders of the market.It started small. It was hard at first to encourage the local mamas and papas to come and sell, and it took four or five years to really take off. Today the market has a brand new building, and it kept going through COVID with the support of its own people.Mrs Q takes us back to the beginning. After the 1992 Pacific Arts Festival, when each country had its own hut for carving, weaving and crafts, a small group decided to keep the space alive. She had just returned from travelling around Australia with her art, got involved, and the market opened in 1993.Plan a Cook Islands family trip with a Far and Away Adventures specialist.Grandparents will appreciate the history too. Mrs Q remembers when tourism was modest and there were few tour buses, and how visitors returning after the COVID border closures brought the market back to life. Sharing that story with the kids while browsing the stalls turns a shopping stop into a small lesson in island life and resilience.Her tip for visiting families: the market runs through the week, but Saturday is the biggest day, when locals and visitors gather together. It is a lively, easy outing that gives every generation a real taste of Cook Islands life.For families, there is plenty to explore together: island food, coconuts, Asian dishes, colourful pareu and fresh flower ei, which Mrs Q calls the number one item. At her own stall she makes jewellery by hand from Northern Group shells and pearl shell, and sells local oils, including a gentle oil she says is good for little kids and monoi oil for the sun. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=Cook%20Islands&src=spotify

A family vacation to Tahiti can begin before anyone reaches the islands. Moy from Air Tahiti Nui joins Normand Schafer to explain how Polynesian greetings, music, fragrant flowers, and a thoughtfully designed aircraft cabin welcome travelers into the spirit of French Polynesia. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps travelers plan memorable island vacations with expert guidance.For families thinking about a special South Pacific journey, the flight is an important part of the overall travel experience. Moy describes how flight attendants greet passengers, how the tiare Tahiti flower introduces a distinctive island fragrance, and why the airline uses shades of blue inspired by French Polynesia's lagoons. These details help establish a relaxed atmosphere before arrival.Drawing on her experience as a former flight attendant, Moy recalls helping passengers who arrived stressed after connecting-flight delays. Her story highlights the importance of warm conversation, practical assistance, and considerate service, whatever cabin passengers occupy.The conversation also explores different preferences for comfort on a longer journey. Air Tahiti Nui offers Moana Economy, Manava Premium, and Poerava Business. Moy explains that different travelers value different features, and she specifically discusses lie-flat business-class seating for those who prioritize rest. Choosing a cabin involves thinking about the people traveling together and what matters most to each person.If you're organizing a family or multigenerational vacation in French Polynesia, explore your flight preferences and island plans with a Far and Away Adventures travel specialist. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify

What makes Moorea such an inviting island for families exploring French Polynesia? Normand Schafer talks with Hikura from Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort about its beautiful lagoon, accommodation choices, and experiences that can appeal to different generations. Far and Away Adventures.com, https://farandawayadventures.com/, helps families plan South Pacific vacations around the places, activities, and pace that suit them best.There's also plenty to do beyond the resort. Normand and Hikura discuss snorkeling, exploring the island by car or bicycle, ATV excursions, cultural activities, local food tours, and cooking classes. Moorea can accommodate enthusiastic explorers and family members who would rather spend a quiet afternoon relaxing by the lagoon. The resort's waterfront restaurants and Polynesian food experiences provide another opportunity to share memorable moments together.Accommodation is an important part of the conversation. Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea has garden, beachfront, and overwater bungalow categories. Hikura explains that location affects the experience and price, and some guests combine different bungalow types during one visit. Families can think about how much time they want near the beach, surrounded by gardens, or over the water before deciding which experience fits their trip.Moorea offers an interesting combination of convenience and discovery. Although the island is close to Tahiti, Hikura describes how quickly the scenery changes when visitors arrive by ferry. Local families make the crossing for weekend getaways, and travelers can experience a little of everyday island life alongside commuters and students. Once on Moorea, the mountains, white sand, and turquoise lagoon create a striking setting for a family escape.If you're bringing children, teens, parents, or extended family members to French Polynesia, this conversation offers a useful introduction to designing a Moorea stay that everyone can enjoy. Work with Far and Away Adventures to create a family itinerary that balances island discoveries, comfortable accommodations, and time together. Get a free trip quote from Far and Away Adventures: https://farandawayadventures.com/form/quick-trip-request/?dest=French%20Polynesia&src=spotify