Summer vacations!  What a nice ring that phrase has, doesn't it?  Beaches, surf, great seafood, hiking, lots of time alone with the family, and, ah, with the au pair too?  Maybe...

Many host families love taking their au pairs with them on summer vacation - they want to show their au pair a great time and give them the opportunity to travel to other parts of the USA (or the world).  Au pairs generally want to travel with their families.  If you all get along, it can be great fun and you have an extra set of hands with the kids - ensuring you and your spouse some quality time alone!

What if you don't want to vacation with your au pair?  Or, she wants to go out on her own?  She is entitled to 2 weeks paid vacation, so you and she must plan and schedule these 2 weeks into your busy work/family calendar. 

There are alternatives for your au pair to be out of the house while you are gone.  One of the more inexpensive travel tours/plans for au pairs is the Suntrek vacations (www.suntrek.com).  This travel program has its own au pair brochure for small group tours in the USA. 

Their 2009/2010 Summer/Winter brochure highlights four major trips: California, the Southwest, Florida and the East Coast.  These tours range from one week to 9 weeks and are one of the best deals for young people on a budget!  They even discount the already inexpensive tour 20% for all au pairs (proof required).  A sample trip to California for 7 days (with the 20% off) starts at $786!  Food, lodging, admission to sites, camps, parks, etc., all included.

Check out their bargain tours with your au pair and take a word of advice: if you are not planning to take your au pair on vacation this summer, make sure you start the conversation today about where and when she will be taking her vacation (the ideal time is when you are gone).   Au pairs home alone are never a good idea!

Happy Vacation!

Edina